Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI General Atomics Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

GA-ASI’s FQ-42A Vengeance CCA Flies With F-35A and F-15E in US Air Force Trials

A FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft deployed at Creech Air Force Base has flown alongside an F-35A and F-15E, marking a step toward collaborative-control testing with crewed fighters. The demonstrations advance the U.S. Air Force’s effort to integrate uncrewed combat aircraft into future operations.

Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

GA-ASI Delivers First Vengeance To Creech Test Unit

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

FQ-42 Vengeance CCA Flies Alongside F-35 Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle

Also: Janes, ANI News Agency, UK Defence Journal, Defense Daily and 3 more

10 Sources

2026-09-21T10:35:09.580866-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Dan Williams, Paul Wallace

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

By Bloomberg: The F-35 is the most advanced American fighter jet available for export. It’s sold only to long-standing US military allies, given how sensitive its technology is.

1 Source

2026-09-21T10:05:27.581402-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

US Air Force retires its last EC-130H

By FlightGlobal: A formal retirement ceremony was held at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona on 18 September to honour the last EC-130H Compass Call, tail 1590, as it conducted its final operational taxi.

Also: Breaking Defense and defence-blog.com

3 Sources

2026-09-21T09:35:30.670307-07:00

Satellite Space Force LEO Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency is seeking industry proposals for a contract worth up to $369 million to expand the worldwide ground infrastructure supporting its constellation of low Earth orbit missile-warning and tracking satellites.

Also: Defense Scoop, defence-industry.eu and satnews.com

4 Sources

2026-09-21T08:10:52.174330-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Jean-Francois Morizur

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

By SpaceNews.com: some time now, the Ukrainian government has been seeking SpaceX’s authorization for the use of Starlink up to 200 kilometers inside Russia.

1 Source

2026-09-21T06:25:45.900279-07:00

Workforce & Skills Development

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says

By Breaking Defense: “It’s going to take 15 or 20 years to get those types of people,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn.

2 Sources

2026-09-21T06:21:27.196701-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Finnish F-35 stranded in Azores after avionics fault

By AeroTime: One of Finland’s first three F-35s remains in the Azores after an avionics fault. The fighter will join the next delivery flight later this autumn.

1 Source

2026-09-21T07:06:38.587620-07:00

Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Jennifer Petersen

Lockheed Martin Offers Rapid Armed-Conversion Kits for UH-60M and S-70i Black Hawks

By Breaking Defense: Lockheed Martin’s Armed Black Hawk kits convert UH-60M and S-70i helicopters into armed attack platforms in less than three hours.

1 Source

2026-09-21T05:21:02.402124-07:00

GA-ASI’s FQ-42A Vengeance CCA Flies With F-35A and F-15E in US Air Force Trials

GA-ASI Delivers First Vengeance To Creech Test Unit

FQ-42 Vengeance CCA Flies Alongside F-35 Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

US Air Force retires its last EC-130H

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says

Finnish F-35 stranded in Azores after avionics fault

Lockheed Martin Offers Rapid Armed-Conversion Kits for UH-60M and S-70i Black Hawks

General Atomics FQ-42A Vengeance CCA Now Flying Together With USAF Fighters

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

US Air Force retires its last EC-130H

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

Finnish F-35 stranded in Azores after avionics fault

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

Pentagon plans phased Golden Dome buildout through 2035

Japan puts Chinook to sea aboard JS Kunisaki off Kalimantan

Tekever and UK MoD sign Corvus contract

Europe weighs modernizing Antonov An-124 or building its own C-17 successor

Space Force seeks commercial satellites for on-demand orbital inspection and electronic-interference tracking

US Air Force to field Collaborative Combat Aircraft in large-scale exercise for first time

Air and Space Force leaders plot an immediate shift toward AI- and drone-driven warfare

Anduril says delayed US arms sales to Taiwan are affecting its business

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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