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FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

U.S. Air Force retires final EC-130H Compass Call after more than four decades of electronic warfare service

The U.S. Air Force formally retired EC-130H Compass Call aircraft 1590 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, on Sept. 18, following its final operational taxi and flight. The C-130-based electronic warfare platform served for more than 40 years before the EA-37B transition.

Also: Breaking Defense and defence-blog.com

3 Sources

2026-09-21T09:35:30.670307-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals Defense Policy

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Bloomberg • Dan Williams, Paul Wallace

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

By Bloomberg: The F-35 is the most advanced American fighter jet available for export. It’s sold only to long-standing US military allies, given how sensitive its technology is.

1 Source

2026-09-21T10:05:27.581402-07:00

Satellite Space Force LEO Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency is seeking industry proposals for a contract worth up to $369 million to expand the worldwide ground infrastructure supporting its constellation of low Earth orbit missile-warning and tracking satellites.

3 Sources

2026-09-21T08:10:52.174330-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Jean-Francois Morizur

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

By SpaceNews.com: some time now, the Ukrainian government has been seeking SpaceX’s authorization for the use of Starlink up to 200 kilometers inside Russia.

1 Source

2026-09-21T06:25:45.900279-07:00

Workforce & Skills Development

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says

By Breaking Defense: “It’s going to take 15 or 20 years to get those types of people,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn.

2 Sources

2026-09-21T06:21:27.196701-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Finnish F-35 stranded in Azores after avionics fault

By AeroTime: One of Finland’s first three F-35s remains in the Azores after an avionics fault. The fighter will join the next delivery flight later this autumn.

1 Source

2026-09-21T07:06:38.587620-07:00

Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Jennifer Petersen

Lockheed Martin Offers Rapid Armed-Conversion Kits for UH-60M and S-70i Black Hawks

By Breaking Defense: Lockheed Martin’s Armed Black Hawk kits convert UH-60M and S-70i helicopters into armed attack platforms in less than three hours.

1 Source

2026-09-21T05:21:02.402124-07:00

Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Asia-Pacific (APAC)

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Japan puts Chinook to sea aboard JS Kunisaki off Kalimantan

By AeroTime: Japan is splitting its Chinook firefighting fleet between a landing ship and a port in Indonesia, expanding its first overseas military firefighting mission.

1 Source

2026-09-21T04:51:06.555049-07:00

U.S. Air Force retires final EC-130H Compass Call after more than four decades of electronic warfare service

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says

Finnish F-35 stranded in Azores after avionics fault

Lockheed Martin Offers Rapid Armed-Conversion Kits for UH-60M and S-70i Black Hawks

Japan puts Chinook to sea aboard JS Kunisaki off Kalimantan

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

US Air Force retires its last EC-130H

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

Finnish F-35 stranded in Azores after avionics fault

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says

Pentagon plans phased Golden Dome buildout through 2035

Tekever and UK MoD sign Corvus contract

Europe weighs modernizing Antonov An-124 or building its own C-17 successor

F-35 Parts Diversion to Hong Kong Under Probe in US Congress

Space Force seeks commercial satellites for on-demand orbital inspection and electronic-interference tracking

US Air Force to field Collaborative Combat Aircraft in large-scale exercise for first time

Air and Space Force leaders plot an immediate shift toward AI- and drone-driven warfare

Top NATO commander joins Pentagon briefing on review of U.S. defense engagement in Europe

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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