Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Boeing expands St. Louis facilities as F-47 production ramps up

Boeing is advancing a multibillion-dollar expansion of its St. Louis facilities as the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 program moves toward higher-rate production. A senior Air Force general said a full production line is “not too far away,” signaling a significant manufacturing buildup for the fighter program.

1 Source

2026-09-29T10:07:16.170724-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

NEW

FlightGlobal • Lizzie Rix

UK gains access to Ukraine battle data for AI drone swarms

By FlightGlobal: In a deal made between PM Andy Burnham and President Zelensky in Kyiv, the UK will have access to Ukraine's database for training AI drone swarms.

1 Source

2026-09-29T10:05:43.004479-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Senator Asks Pentagon to Review Supply Chain Over F-35 Incident

By Bloomberg: The Republican chair of the Senate intelligence committee asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to review the Pentagon’s supply chain after F-35 warplane parts ended up in Chinese government hands after being diverted to Hong Kong on a United Parcel Service Inc.

1 Source

2026-09-29T08:21:42.618677-07:00

Accident

defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

Russian Tu-95 crashes on takeoff after engine failure

By defence-blog.com: A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashed in the Amur region of Russia's Far East on Sept. 29, killing six of the seven crew members on board. The bomber went down near the village of Krasnoyarovo after an engine failure during takeoff, according to sources in the Russian military.

AeroTime

Russian Tu-95 bomber crashes in Amur region, killing six

Air Data News

Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber crashes, killing six crew members

3 Sources

2026-09-29T06:06:20.336788-07:00

Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Parsons lands $85 million deal to oversee design and construction of Space Command HQ

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon awarded Parsons an $85 million agreement to help manage the development and construction of U.S. Space Command’s new headquarters in Alabama.

1 Source

2026-09-29T08:42:23.363483-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs North America Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

Drone-hunting on the border, plus turmoil at an Air Force think tank

By Breaking Defense: NORTHCOM is testing ways to counter drone incursions, while an Air Force institute focused on China faces questions about its future.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and AirForceTimes

3 Sources

2026-09-29T07:37:36.411114-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Chris Norris, GE Aerospace

How readiness stays ready: The F110 delivers power, reliability and scale for the F-15EX

By Breaking Defense: GE Aerospace’s investments in the F110 are paying off in both production and delivery performance.

1 Source

2026-09-29T05:39:03.539905-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Helicopter North America

Vertical Mag

Royal Canadian Navy completes first flight of helicopter drone

By Vertical Mag: Explore the Royal Canadian Navy helicopter drone and its new CU179 Peregrine for advanced maritime surveillance and rescue missions.

1 Source

2026-09-29T05:20:59.249865-07:00

Boeing expands St. Louis facilities as F-47 production ramps up

UK gains access to Ukraine battle data for AI drone swarms

Senator Asks Pentagon to Review Supply Chain Over F-35 Incident

Russian Tu-95 crashes on takeoff after engine failure

Russian Tu-95 bomber crashes in Amur region, killing six

Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber crashes, killing six crew members

Parsons lands $85 million deal to oversee design and construction of Space Command HQ

Drone-hunting on the border, plus turmoil at an Air Force think tank

How readiness stays ready: The F110 delivers power, reliability and scale for the F-15EX

Royal Canadian Navy completes first flight of helicopter drone

Full F-47 Production Line "Not Too Far Away": USAF General

UK gains access to Ukraine battle data for AI drone swarms

Parsons lands $85 million deal to oversee design and construction of Space Command HQ

Senator Asks Pentagon to Review Supply Chain Over F-35 Incident

Drone-hunting on the border, plus turmoil at an Air Force think tank

Russian Tu-95 crashes on takeoff after engine failure

Aviators eject into sea and four sailors are injured in dramatic USS Eisenhower crash

How Space-Based Maritime Surveillance Could Mitigate Risks From COSCO’s Alleged Intelligence Role

Rubio says foreign actor was ‘clearly’ behind suspected RAF Fairford plot

Rubio says foreign state may be linked to suspected terror plot near UK airbase supporting U.S. strikes on Iran

Five Arrested in Suspected Terror Plot Near RAF Fairford, U.S.-Used Air Base in Britain

RTX Races to Expand Tomahawk and Other Missile Production Amid U.S. Operations Against Iran

Dassault positions Rafale for Portugal’s F-16 replacement with industry cooperation pact

Anduril’s Barracuda becomes first WOSA-verified system for mass production

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Lux Capital in Talks to Join Onodrim Round at Unicorn Valuation

Raytheon Gets $20.7 Billion Contract to Accelerate AMRAAM Missile Production

Trump says men arrested at UK air base used by US were looking to do 'big damage'

Anduril’s Barracuda becomes first WOSA-verified system for mass production

Defense Firms Are Rushing to Boost Missile Output. It’s Coming Too Late.

Rafale, Eurofighter deepen AED Cluster ties in Portugal F-16 replacement race

AFRL develops autonomous counter-drone weapon and blood-recirculation technology

New Russian attack drones found to use Chinese turbojet engines