Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

USAF moves to retire the A-10 as CSAR mission demands outlive the airframe

The U.S. Air Force is proceeding with plans to phase out the A-10, with the recently graduated final class of new A-10 pilots marking another step in the retirement timeline. USAF officials point to the aircraft’s long-running combat search-and-rescue suitability—even as the service weighs what replaces that capability.

Air & Space Forces Mag • Todd South

Air Force Graduates Final Class of New A-10 Pilots

news.ssbcrack.com

Future of U.S. Air Force's CSAR Missions Uncertain as A-10 Retirement Approaches

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

2026-04-16T13:40:12.737867-07:00

Event UAV Development & Drone Programs Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Army Eyes Drone Tankers To Refuel Its New MV-75 Cheyenne II Tiltrotors

By The War Zone: The Army and Bell have pointed to the U.S. Navy's MQ-25 Stingray drone tanker as an example of what could be on the horizon.

The War Zone

Army Aviation Warfighting Summit 2026

The War Zone

First Look At What A Night Stalker MV-75 Cheyenne Will Look Like

2026-04-16T11:58:37.655672-07:00

Helicopter L3Harris Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Wolf Pack Modular Mini Cruise Missiles Pitched For Apache, Black Hawk

By The War Zone: Already building launched effects vehicles for the Marine Corps, L3Harris now wants to bring these capabilities to U.S. Army rotorcraft. Already building launched effects vehicles for the Marine Corps, L3Harris now wants to bring these capabilities to U.S.

militaryleak.com

L3Harris’ Red Wolf and SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL Showcase Adaptability for Evolving Missions

UK Defence Journal

L3Harris fits launched effects onto light attack aircraft

2026-04-16T09:12:33.477970-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Helicopter Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters • Cassell Bryan-Low

How the US could clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz

By Reuters: As the United States embarks on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, it could draw on an arsenal of drones, explosive‑laden robots and helicopters to reduce risks, though de‑mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks.

DefenseNews.com

How the US military could clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz

2026-04-16T08:11:17.520523-07:00

M&A Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Manya Saini

Arxis surges in Nasdaq debut, signals strong demand for aerospace IPOs

By Reuters: Aerospace and defense parts maker Arxis' shares surged nearly 36% in their Nasdaq debut on Thursday, signaling growing appetite for defense and industrial listings as geopolitical tensions escalate.

2026-04-16T10:26:28.066475-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Thales

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Rafale's new anti-Shahed weapon caught on camera at Istres

By AeroTime: First images show a French Rafale fitted with 24 Thales laser-guided rockets. The DGA says the anti-Shahed capability will be ready by summer 2026.

Also: Aviation Week, Janes and Janes

2026-04-16T06:57:20.561985-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Carley Welch

Army making ‘significant headway’ in ATI aviation overhaul

By Breaking Defense: In the past year, the Army has divested nearly 60 percent of its Apache D models, Col. Tim Jaeger, director of Army aviation at the G3/5/7, said.

2026-04-16T09:28:16.015696-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

Reuters • David Jeans

Exclusive: Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX

By Reuters: Last August, U.S. Navy officials carrying out a test of unmanned vessels realized they had hit a single point of failure: Starlink. A global outage across Elon Musk’s satellite network affecting millions of Starlink users had left two dozen unmanned surface vessels bobbing off the California coast, disrupting communications and halting operations for almost an hour.

DefenseNews.com