Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Pentagon raises estimated F-35 acquisition cost by $51 billion to $536.2 billion as unit prices rise

The Pentagon’s latest assessment increases the F-35 program’s estimated acquisition cost from $485.2 billion in 2023 to $536.2 billion. Development costs account for roughly $19 billion of the increase, while procurement costs add $32 billion; unit costs are projected to rise across all three variants.

2 Sources

2026-08-29T03:06:49.305224-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Airbus Embraer

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

C-390, C-130J or A400M: What could decide India’s huge airlifter competition?

By Air Data News: Three very different aircraft are competing for an Indian Air Force requirement that could reach 60 aircraft, but performance alone is unlikely to determine India is preparing to make one of the world’s largest military transport aircraft purchases, and the three contenders could hardly be more different.

1 Source

2026-08-29T00:12:22.324901-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals Boeing

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

By Breaking Defense: The Defense Department anticipates it will spend an additional $51 billion to acquire the stealth fighter, though revised estimates have pulled the program’s total cost beneath $2 trillion, according to a recent Pentagon report.

DefenseNews.com

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

AirForceTimes

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

8 Sources

2026-08-28T07:19:49.963989-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing Boeing 747

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

By The War Zone: The investment comes after Spain would not allow the U.S. to use Moron for long-range bomber missions against Iran.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:20:06.893260-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Unmanned Airspace • Kylie Bielby

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

By Unmanned Airspace: Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB), operating under US Northern Command in support of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shot down three "cartel-linked" uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) using directed energy capabilities this week.

aviationnews.eu

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

AeroTime

US military laser shoots down three drug cartel drones along southern border

Also: AirForceTimes and Defense Scoop

6 Sources

2026-08-28T04:36:15.099043-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

By The War Zone: Jolly Green II rescue helicopters offer a capability boost for VIP airlift and continuity of government roles, but there are questions about the plan.

1 Source

2026-08-28T11:06:32.279430-07:00

North America Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

By FlightGlobal: The C$230 million ($165 million) project will lengthen the Northwest Territories airstrip by over 900 metres (3,000ft). The Canadian federal government is moving ahead with plans to extend the length of a dual-use airfield above the Arctic Circle as part of the country's Arctic defence strategy.

1 Source

2026-08-28T12:35:32.463761-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

By The War Zone: Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club. Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:13:13.501336-07:00

Pentagon raises estimated F-35 acquisition cost by $51 billion to $536.2 billion as unit prices rise

C-390, C-130J or A400M: What could decide India’s huge airlifter competition?

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

US military laser shoots down three drug cartel drones along southern border

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

F-35 program cost jumps US$51 billion as fighter prices rise again

C-390, C-130J or A400M: What could decide India’s huge airlifter competition?

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

With AI hackers in mind, Air Forces Cyber develops defensive 'campaign plan'

Sweden to send Gripen fighters to patrol Finland’s border with Russia, SVT reports

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

Saab’s Gripen F two-seater completes maiden flight as Brazil orders eight

Navy begins F/A-18 Super Hornet testing of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile

China’s J-35A Enters Service as F-35 Program Costs Rise 10%

Boeing Wins Potential $131.2B F-15 Sustainment Contract as Air Force Funds $766M B-52 Radar Upgrade

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

Poland Rules Out Hosting Nuclear Warheads Despite Push to Join NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft Mission

The L3Harris Shake-Up Is an Opportunity to Bet on Missile Rearmament

Golden Dome experiments with new technology, acquisition models

Poland weighs A400M acquisition as separate airlift competition continues

Dassault developing Rafale F5 without foreign partner

As Anger Grows Over Trump Tariffs, Some in Canada Want Out of U.S. F-35 Deal

UK Chancellor Declines to Commit to Previously Endorsed Defense Spending Target