Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

IAI completes first flight of upgraded Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir C12, finishing $50M fleet modernization

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) says a freshly upgraded Israel-designed Kfir C12 for the Sri Lanka Air Force has completed its first flight, marking completion of the programme’s modernization and upgrade work. IAI frames the effort as extending the operational life and readiness of SLAF’s active Kfir fleet under a $50 million contract signed in 2021.

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com and defence-industry.eu

2026-06-11T21:44:00.320509-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

F-22's ‘Catfish’ 757 Testbed Spotted Carrying Raptor's New Infrared Sensor Pod

By The War Zone: The Catfish 757 has spent decades supporting the F-22 program, and that work now extends to testing external stores.

2026-06-11T16:18:55.833208-07:00

Event Helicopter Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Leonardo promotes AW249 as Europe’s new attack helicopter of choice

By FlightGlobal: Italian company showcases new 'Fenice' platform in German capital. Leonardo Helicopters’ AW249 attack helicopter has made its flying display debut at an ILA Berlin air show, while deliveries to the Italian army are due to start within two years.

2026-06-11T15:12:48.879596-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Boeing "Encouraged" By C-17 Production Restart Discussions

By The War Zone: Congress recently asked the USAF for a briefing on the feasibility of buying new C-17s amid major strain on the existing fleet.

Also: Aerospace America and voxelmatters.com

2026-06-11T11:13:01.617776-07:00

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

FlightGlobal • Jon Hemmerdinger

KC-46A setbacks continue dragging down USAF tanker readiness: report

By FlightGlobal: Boeing is flight testing an updated remote vision system to address deficiencies.

2026-06-11T13:27:50.488125-07:00

Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Senate NDAA backs plan to fold SDA, Space RCO into Space Force

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee on June 11 voted 18-9 to advance its version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, including a provision that would eliminate separate statutory requirements for the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and insidedefense.com

2026-06-11T12:13:05.598628-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Hypersonic Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Diana Stancy

Saronic, Castelion to pair Marauder MUSV with Blackbeard hypersonic capability

By Breaking Defense: The firms said a maritime launch demonstration is slated for 2027.

medium.com

Saronic and Castelion to Demonstrate First-of-Its-Kind Maritime Hypersonic Launch Capability

orbitaltoday.com

Hypersonic and Uncrewed Vehicles Merging

Also: Defense Daily, Naval News and defence-industry.eu

2026-06-11T12:19:53.778202-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Policy & Regulation

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

US Sees $13.7 Billion Bill to Boost F-35 Readiness, GAO Says

By Bloomberg: The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps need to spend an additional $13.7 billion through 2031 to boost declining readiness rates of the F-35 jet, the world’s biggest weapons program, the Pentagon told congressional auditors.