Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Pentagon turns to small hybrid-electric drones as MQ-9 Reaper losses mount

The Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to restore a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East, as combat losses make the MQ-9 Reaper fleet increasingly costly to sustain. The effort signals a shift toward cheaper, more numerous unmanned systems for contested operating environments.

Also: FlightGlobal

2 Sources

2026-09-23T16:20:47.973525-07:00

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

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

By Bloomberg: The Chinese government has taken possession of potentially sensitive F-35 stealth aircraft parts that were inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong while being sent to the US from Australia, people briefed on the incident said.

FlightGlobal

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets underway

Associated Press

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

Also: CNBC, news.ssbcrack.com, Seeking Alpha, Economic Times and The Independent

8 Sources

2026-09-23T13:36:30.444741-07:00

China Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

By The War Zone: Recent video footage shows continued refinement of the J-36 design, and there has also been talk of laser armament for the jet.

1 Source

2026-09-23T14:52:54.349141-07:00

Satellite Space Force Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing two commercial satellite servicing missions for 2027 that will test ways of giving military spacecraft more freedom to maneuver after launch.

1 Source

2026-09-23T16:45:45.434615-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation BAE Systems

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

RAF Hawk T2 crashes near RAF Valley in Wales, both pilots eject

By AeroTime: An RAF Hawk T2 crashed near RAF Valley on Anglesey, North Wales. Both pilots ejected and were treated for suspected minor injuries.

Aviation Week

RAF Hawk T2 Crashes Amid Scrutiny of Fleet Technical Issues

aviationnews.eu

Two Crew Eject After RAF Hawk Jet Crashes During Takeoff at RAF Valley in Anglesey

Also: The War Zone, The Aviationist, FlightGlobal, Janes, Travel Radar, adsadvance.co.uk, AeroTime, Canadian Aviator, Aviation Safety Network and ukaviation.aero

18 Sources

2026-09-23T07:51:04.156614-07:00

F-16 Dassault Aviation AI Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Joseph Dainty

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

By FlightGlobal: The flight tests pave the way for future cockpit upgrades and enhanced crew assistance. Dassault Aviation has flight-tested two new sovereign artificial intelligence algorithms on the Rafale combat aircraft, marking a step forward in its broader initiative to integrate supervised AI into military cockpits.

flightlineweekly.com

Dassault Flight-Tests Sovereign AI Algorithms on Rafale Fighter

The Aviationist

Dassault Tests Rafale with New AI Technologies for Crew Support

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, dassault-aviation.com, India Defense News and 7 more

22 Sources

2026-09-23T08:50:05.402535-07:00

Viasat Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

By Via Satellite: Viasat has received a $42 million task order under its contract to provide managed satcom services to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Also: Seeking Alpha and satnews.com

3 Sources

2026-09-23T12:37:22.190245-07:00

Helicopter Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

2026-09-23T05:20:15.644367-07:00

Pentagon turns to small hybrid-electric drones as MQ-9 Reaper losses mount

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets underway

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

RAF Hawk T2 crashes near RAF Valley in Wales, both pilots eject

RAF Hawk T2 Crashes Amid Scrutiny of Fleet Technical Issues

Two Crew Eject After RAF Hawk Jet Crashes During Takeoff at RAF Valley in Anglesey

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

Dassault Flight-Tests Sovereign AI Algorithms on Rafale Fighter

Dassault Tests Rafale with New AI Technologies for Crew Support

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

Russian military helicopter entered Polish airspace briefly, Polish army says

Poland scrambles fighters after Russian Mi-8 breaches airspace near Kaliningrad

Poland scrambles jets after Russian helicopter breaches its airspace

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

The still-formidable F-16 will be even more capable with better electronic warfare

EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX given unique access to classified DoD space tracking data, sources say

The still-formidable F-16 will be even more capable with better electronic warfare

Europe’s push to reduce US reliance is reshaping the defense space market

US approves potential $425m MH-60R Seahawk sale to Denmark

USAF F-16 crashes during landing near Spangdahlem Air Base; pilot ejects safely

General Atomics delivers FQ-42A Vengeance to Creech for test and evaluation

South Korea receives first production KF-21 Boramae fighter

Pentagon plans phased Golden Dome buildout through 2035

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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