Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Air Force rethinks next-generation tanker ambitions as survivability proposals fall short

The U.S. Air Force is scaling back its plans for a next-generation tanker after acquisitions officials expressed doubts about industry proposals for a survivable aircraft. The service will instead broaden its focus to ensuring tanker access in contested operating environments.

1 Source

2026-09-22T10:05:32.585669-07:00

F-16 Europe Accident

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

F-16 crashes near Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, pilot ejects

By AeroTime: A USAF F-16 fighter jet has crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. The pilot ejected and was injured, according to a base spokesperson.

DefenseNews.com

F-16 fighter jet crashes at US air base in western Germany

The War Zone

USAF F-16 Crashes At Spangdahlem Air Base In Germany

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, aviationnews.eu, The Aviationist, The Guardian, The Independent and 7 more

29 Sources

2026-09-22T08:08:26.674279-07:00

politico.eu • Rixa Fürsen

Security-Update: Nukleare Abschreckung ohne die USA?

By politico.eu: Präsentiert von Lockheed Martin.

1 Source

2026-09-22T10:16:57.833634-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Boeing Boeing 737

ch-aviation • Luciano Braganca

United States Air Force to acquire VIP B737-8 MAX

By ch-aviation: The United States Air Force is acquiring a VIP-configured B737-8 using USD250 million budgeted under the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), covering the period between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, to expand the service's C-40 fleet based on the B737-700(BBJ).

1 Source

2026-09-22T09:20:27.203354-07:00

Helicopter Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Mistaken engine cut-off condemned Merlin HC4 helicopter to fatal ditching: report

By FlightGlobal: Crew of ill-fated Merlin had intended to practice deck landings from carrier at night Crown Copyright Two serviceable powerplants were shut down as Royal Navy crew attempted to make an emergency landing on deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

1 Source

2026-09-22T08:05:23.826215-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

GE-Kratos GEK800 turbofan engine passes ignition test

By FlightGlobal: Kratos and GE Aerospace's GEK800 Serial Number 1 cruise missile propulsion engine successfully ignited at the X-58 test facility in San Diego, California.

Also: Seeking Alpha, interestingengineering.com and defence-industry.eu

4 Sources

2026-09-22T09:05:12.461245-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Boeing

Breaking Defense • Mike Yeo

Boeing picks Lite Coms for Aussie BLOS SATCOM terminals

By Breaking Defense: SINGAPORE — US company Lite Coms has been selected by Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) to provide Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) terminals for an Australian program.

Also: Via Satellite and aerospace-innovations.com

4 Sources

2026-09-22T06:50:38.938114-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

F-35 Buy Approved As Saudis Struggle to Counter Houthi Threat

By AINonline: Trump administration says $24.3 billion deal will bolster Saudi Arabia's self-defense capability.

1 Source

2026-09-22T04:51:13.321443-07:00

US Air Force rethinks next-generation tanker ambitions as survivability proposals fall short

F-16 crashes near Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, pilot ejects

F-16 fighter jet crashes at US air base in western Germany

USAF F-16 Crashes At Spangdahlem Air Base In Germany

Security-Update: Nukleare Abschreckung ohne die USA?

United States Air Force to acquire VIP B737-8 MAX

Mistaken engine cut-off condemned Merlin HC4 helicopter to fatal ditching: report

GE-Kratos GEK800 turbofan engine passes ignition test

Boeing picks Lite Coms for Aussie BLOS SATCOM terminals

F-35 Buy Approved As Saudis Struggle to Counter Houthi Threat

Security-Update: Nukleare Abschreckung ohne die USA?

US Air Force acquisitions chief unconvinced by industry proposals for survivable tanker

United States Air Force to acquire VIP B737-8 MAX

GE-Kratos GEK800 turbofan engine passes ignition test

F-16 crashes near Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, pilot ejects

Mistaken engine cut-off condemned Merlin HC4 helicopter to fatal ditching: report

RAF Voyager tanker to refuel Saudi fighter jets amid Houthi attacks

Marble Imaging and msg Systems Partner on European Sovereign ISR Capabilities

Think tank calls for specialised, missile-toting CCA to escort support aircraft

Chinese Next-Generation Submarine Developments Spotted In New Satellite Imagery

F-35A components diverted from Australia to Hong Kong, prompting U.S. congressional probe

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

China’s J-50/XDS tailless fighter may be testing a new radar

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Lockheed wins US Army missile contract worth up to $1.2 billion

UK's Burnham agrees to Saudi request for refuelling support

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

Intellian to Develop Multi-Band WGS Terminals With Network Innovations

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

US Air Force retires its last EC-130H

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

F-35 Parts Diversion to Hong Kong Under Probe in US Congress