Defense News

Leadership Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Finance & Leasing Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

CNBC • Leslie Josephs

Boeing logs record $715B backlog while Air Force One VC-25B replacement costs balloon

Boeing reported a larger-than-expected Q2 loss, citing a $280 million charge tied to the troubled VC-25B Air Force One replacement. The company says it remains on track to deliver the first two modified B747-8(VC-25B) aircraft in 2028, even as it continues to pay out of pocket for cost overruns. Revenue rose to $24.6 billion, with free cash flow improving as turnaround plans gained momentum.

Reuters • Dan Catchpole, Nathan Gomes

Boeing share price rises despite larger-than-expected Q2 loss from higher Air Force One costs

ch-aviation • Daniel Martinez Garbuno

Delivery of new Air Force One on track for 2028

Also: Wall Street Journal, aviationnews.eu, Aviation Week, The War Zone, Air Data News, Breaking Defense, CNBC, AINonline, Leeham News, New York Times, AeroTime, Bloomberg and 31 more

66 Sources

2026-07-28T04:38:45.876468-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

aerospaceglobalnews.com • Aaron Spray

Anduril marks Arsenal-1 milestone with first YFQ-44A production drone

By aerospaceglobalnews.com: Anduril has unveiled the first YFQ-44A produced at its Ohio Arsenal-1 factory, a major milestone for the USAF's CCA programme.

DefenseNews.com

First Anduril YFQ-44A rolls off production line for US CCA program

Defense Scoop

Air Force to begin concept refinement of MQ-9 replacement by end of year

6 Sources

2026-07-28T06:47:06.601584-07:00

Event North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors Policy & Regulation Defense Policy

Washington Post • Tara Copp

Air Force will rename Charleston base after Lindsey Graham

By Washington Post: The service said the renaming honors the late senator’s public service career in the military and Congress.

Also: Politico, AirForceTimes and postandcourier.com

4 Sources

2026-07-28T10:42:04.655360-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

The War Zone • Ian Ellis-Jones

Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 28, 2026

By The War Zone: The U.S. may have paused its strike campaign against Iran, for now, but the revived naval blockade remains in full effect.

1 Source

2026-07-28T09:58:03.345847-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Air Force mulls 'maybe' pulling B-52s from retirement

By Breaking Defense: A program to upgrade the radar for the Eisenhower-era bomber suffered a tragic setback after a fatal crash in California.

1 Source

2026-07-28T09:58:03.520740-07:00

ArianeGroup Dassault Aviation Aerial Firefighting Supply Chain Europe Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Airbus Thales

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Dassault moves sensitive equipment as Gironde wildfire idles Rafale plant

By AeroTime: Dassault Aviation moved sensitive equipment to its Mérignac site and Air Base 106 as the Gironde wildfire halted work at the Rafale assembly line.

Aviation Week

French Wildfires Force Aerospace Production Site Closures

DefenseNews.com

France deploys military aircraft to fight wildfires

5 Sources

2026-07-28T06:46:58.691362-07:00

Event Farnborough Airshow Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Aaron Mehta

Commerce aims to speed advocacy timelines for foreign weapon sales

By Breaking Defense: Commerce Undersecretary William Kimmitt was at the Farnborough Airshow to develop a list of "high priority" potential sales, he told Breaking Defense.

1 Source

2026-07-28T10:27:51.058092-07:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Germany Considers Dedicated Launch Facility for its Armed Forces

By European Spaceflight: Germany is considering a dedicated launch facility for its armed forces to guarantee access to space for future national security missions.

1 Source

2026-07-28T07:56:46.726313-07:00

Boeing logs record $715B backlog while Air Force One VC-25B replacement costs balloon

Boeing share price rises despite larger-than-expected Q2 loss from higher Air Force One costs

Delivery of new Air Force One on track for 2028

Anduril marks Arsenal-1 milestone with first YFQ-44A production drone

First Anduril YFQ-44A rolls off production line for US CCA program

Air Force to begin concept refinement of MQ-9 replacement by end of year

Air Force will rename Charleston base after Lindsey Graham

Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 28, 2026

Air Force mulls 'maybe' pulling B-52s from retirement

Dassault moves sensitive equipment as Gironde wildfire idles Rafale plant

French Wildfires Force Aerospace Production Site Closures

France deploys military aircraft to fight wildfires

Commerce aims to speed advocacy timelines for foreign weapon sales

Germany Considers Dedicated Launch Facility for its Armed Forces

Air Force will rename Charleston base after Lindsey Graham

Where Are The Aircraft Carriers: July 28, 2026

Anduril marks Arsenal-1 milestone with first YFQ-44A production drone

Commerce aims to speed advocacy timelines for foreign weapon sales

Air Force mulls 'maybe' pulling B-52s from retirement

Germany Considers Dedicated Launch Facility for its Armed Forces

PACAF looks to reduce exercise participation to preserve 'readiness': Commander

NATO member Romania shoots down stray drones from Ukraine war after years of incursions

MGI Engineering spins up autonomous Vortex for UK competition

FalconWorks chief details BAE Systems’ 25-year path to Brontanax CCA

France deploys Airbus A400M for first forest-firefighting mission, debuting cargo-bay retardant drops

USAF to restart B-52 radar testing after June crash; replacement test bomber targeted for end-2026 completion with AN/APQ-188

Space Force awards $287M to Sphinx Defense for ESS mission-planning software as SES links Starlab for space-station connectivity

Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat could be commanded by U.S. pilots to enable cross-allied Collaborative Combat Aircraft operations

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Finland closes airspace, restricts maritime traffic near Russia over drone risk

French ex-Rafale pilot investigated over alleged intelligence activity for China

Turkish Aerospace eyes Hurjet potential for UK trainer need

Bell wins upgrade work for USMC H-1 helicopters

Australian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Fighter Drones Could Be Commanded By U.S. Pilots

Second B-52 For Radar Upgrade Testing Still In Modifications

Sphinx Defense wins $287 million contract for strategic satellite communications software

Air Force eyes next-gen engine ‘integration’ by 2030