North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pentagon and Indo-Pacific leadership float scaling B-21 Raider buy beyond 100 aircraft—plus $6.1B production acceleration

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the Pentagon should plan for “a lot more” than the current 100-aircraft B-21 Raider acquisition target, while the Indo-Pacific commander supports raising the buy to 200. Separately, the FY2027 budget request includes $6.1 billion to accelerate Northrop Grumman’s B-21 production.

Air & Space Forces Mag • Chris Gordon

Hegseth: US Will Require 'a Lot More' Than 100 B-21 Bombers

2026-04-30T17:21:08.204776-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Bombardier   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Air Force Wants To Axe Its E-11A BACN Communications Jets

By The War Zone: The Air Force wants space-based systems to take over from the E-11A in providing critical data fusion and communications relay capabilities. The Air Force wants space-based systems to take over from the E-11A in providing critical data fusion and communications relay capabilities.

Also: The Aviationist, Aviation Week and Defense Daily
2026-04-30T12:22:56.118625-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

From prototypes to production: US Air Force seeks nearly $1B for initial CCA procurement

By DefenseNews.com: In a first, the Air Force is asking Congress to fund the purchase of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, marking the beginning of the “loyal wingman" era.

Also: AirForceTimes, Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com
2026-04-30T11:50:00.555823-07:00
China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Deals  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Chinese fighter jet sales rise after India-Pakistan conflict puts them to test

By AeroTime: China’s fighter jet manufacturers are seeing a sharp rise in sales following the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, where Chinese-built aircraft were credited by Pakistan with playing a decisive role in aerial combat.

2026-04-30T07:45:07.940758-07:00
Event   Space Force   Leadership   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
DVIDS / U.S. DoD

U.S. Space Command Takes Operational Control of Facility at Redstone Arsenal

By DVIDS / U.S. DoD: During an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command, announced the command’s operational control of a facility located on Redstone Arsenal, April 29, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama.

2026-04-29T19:20:27.369997-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

New-build Saab Gripen fighter arrivals bolster Hungarian air force fleet

By FlightGlobal: New arrivals boost nation's fleet to 16 of the Swedish-built jets. Hungary has taken delivery of two new-build Saab Gripen C fighters, with the pair having arrived at its Kecskemet air base on 29 April.

Also: Janes, aviation-defence-universe.com, marketforecast.com and 8 more
2026-04-30T04:04:19.204103-07:00
Hypersonic   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Gerry Doyle

US Seeks to Deploy Hypersonic Missile for the First Time Against Iran

By Bloomberg: US Central Command has asked to send the Army’s long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for possible use against Iran, seeking a longer-range system to hit ballistic-missile launchers deep inside the country.

Also: Times of India, Fortune and 3 more
2026-04-30T01:10:05.906728-07:00