Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

After ‘concerning’ losses, U.S. Air Force seeks a faster MQ-9 Reaper replacement without repeating its cost

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating efforts to replace the MQ-9 Reaper after what Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi called “concerning” losses. Niemi cautioned that pursuing the same acquisition approach could produce a successor costing roughly as much as the MQ-9, underscoring pressure to balance speed, survivability and affordability.

1 Source

2026-09-03T16:04:47.047733-07:00

Space Force Leadership Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Air & Space Forces Mag • Courtney Albon

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

By Air & Space Forces Mag: Gen. Douglas Schiess assumed leadership of the Space Force on Sept. 3, succeeding Gen. B. Chance Saltzman as Chief of Space Operations.

SpaceNews.com

Schiess takes command of Space Force as the service prepares for expansion

Aviation Week

Schiess Assumes Leadership Of U.S. Space Force

Also: Space Policy Online and DVIDS / U.S. DoD

5 Sources

2026-09-03T13:05:26.247992-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Sana Pashankar

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

By Bloomberg: SpaceX, Anduril Wager on Trump's Golden Dome Dream.

1 Source

2026-09-03T14:20:46.084198-07:00

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

By AeroTime: The US Navy is seeking autonomous combat aircraft capable of carrier operations, strike missions and carrying up to 10,000 pounds of weapons.

1 Source

2026-09-03T12:20:09.015244-07:00

Supply Chain Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

By The Air Current: As the Pentagon upgrades aging infrastructure across the Pacific theater to meet the rising threat from China, it is forced to tackle a daunting logistical challenge: securing the complex fuel supply chain needed to support expeditionary bases spread across far-flung islands.

1 Source

2026-09-03T12:50:56.925210-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

By Air Data News: EX-22 is the 22nd Eagle II delivered by Boeing and will eventually join the 18th Wing at Kadena Boeing has delivered the first F-15EX Eagle II destined for permanent deployment at Kadena Air Base in Japan , as the U.S.

The War Zone

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

Air & Space Forces Mag

B-52s Deploy for Bomber Task Force to Upgraded Australia Base

Also: Simple Flying, DVIDS / U.S. DoD and defence-industry.eu

6 Sources

2026-09-03T09:54:07.623712-07:00

Hypersonic Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

By AeroTime: GE Aerospace will develop the Mach 5 Derecho hypersonic test vehicle under a new Pentagon HyCAT program contract.

1 Source

2026-09-03T11:06:08.794346-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

By The War Zone: The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks. The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks.

1 Source

2026-09-03T09:35:09.382606-07:00

After ‘concerning’ losses, U.S. Air Force seeks a faster MQ-9 Reaper replacement without repeating its cost

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

Schiess takes command of Space Force as the service prepares for expansion

Schiess Assumes Leadership Of U.S. Space Force

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

B-52s Deploy for Bomber Task Force to Upgraded Australia Base

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

After ‘concerning’ losses, Air Force pushes to replace Reaper faster

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

German defense chief to meet with Hegseth after earlier snub

Hermeus picks Anduril autonomy for Quarterhorse drone

USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 286 days at sea and Middle East deployment

NATO fighters scramble after drones approach Baltic airspace as Zelenskiy declares Russian skies unsafe

US Navy seeks two carrier-based autonomous combat aircraft prototypes costing under $30 million

U.S. Navy seeks two fully functional prototypes for first tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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