Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

U.S. Air Force plans decades-long KC-135 tanker modernization and aerial-refueling recapitalization

The U.S. Air Force says its aerial-refueling fleet modernization will extend for decades, combining recapitalization of existing tankers with the introduction of new platforms. Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Gerald Donohue said the final KC-135 pilot has not yet been born, underscoring the fleet’s long operational horizon.

Also: AirForceTimes, news.ssbcrack.com and Military Times

4 Sources

2026-09-15T14:05:21.128527-07:00

F-16 Supply Chain Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Riley Ceder

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

By DefenseNews.com: Top Air Force officials praised the F-35's warfighting prowess during combat operations in the Middle East despite recent concerns over readiness rates.

Air & Space Forces Mag

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

Simple Flying

How Europe's F-35 Fleet Has Grown Over The Last 12 Months

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

5 Sources

2026-09-15T12:21:04.903154-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

By Reuters: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that Russian drones attacked Moldovan airspace twice while he was in the country aboard his aircraft in ‌transit.

1 Source

2026-09-15T14:05:59.102366-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Valerie Insinna

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

By Breaking Defense: “We will not have a cold start to start production in [20]27. We will have assets rolling through. That said, even a company like ours can only do so much without procurement dollars,” said Erin Simpson, Anduril's vice president for strategy execution.

1 Source

2026-09-15T13:50:21.941868-07:00

Space Force Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

US Space Force to add 10,000 guardians in next 5 years

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. Space Force wants to double its uniformed ranks in the next five years.

DefenseNews.com

First look: New designs for Space Force mess dress uniforms include pockets for women

news.ssbcrack.com

U.S. Space Force to Double Ranks with Addition of 10,000 Guardians in Five Years

Also: AirForceTimes and 3 more

7 Sources

2026-09-15T09:50:33.502355-07:00

Israel Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

defence-industry.eu • Hannah Miller

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers

By defence-industry.eu: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun integrating the SPICE 1000 air-to-surface weapon on the F-35 Adir.

Breaking Defense

Rafael integrating SPICE 1000 stand-off munition on Israeli F-35s

edrmagazine.eu

AFA 2026: For the first time, Rafael's SPICE 1000 is being integrated on the F-35

5 Sources

2026-09-15T09:50:55.397344-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Lockheed Martin Proposes Modular Architecture for AGM-158 JASSM Missile Family

By The War Zone: FLEX aims to give the JASSM missile family modular weapons architecture spanning longer-range, anti-ship, and new launch configurations. FLEX aims to give the JASSM missile family modular weapons architecture spanning longer-range, anti-ship, and new launch configurations.

1 Source

2026-09-15T11:35:18.411868-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

2026-09-15T04:50:42.299235-07:00

U.S. Air Force plans decades-long KC-135 tanker modernization and aerial-refueling recapitalization

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

How Europe's F-35 Fleet Has Grown Over The Last 12 Months

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

US Space Force to add 10,000 guardians in next 5 years

First look: New designs for Space Force mess dress uniforms include pockets for women

U.S. Space Force to Double Ranks with Addition of 10,000 Guardians in Five Years

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers

Rafael integrating SPICE 1000 stand-off munition on Israeli F-35s

AFA 2026: For the first time, Rafael's SPICE 1000 is being integrated on the F-35

Lockheed Martin Proposes Modular Architecture for AGM-158 JASSM Missile Family

EXCLUSIVE: Pratt licenses Hermeus to build F100 fighter jet engine

F-35 engine upgrade clears key design review, Pratt says

US Air Force to advance B-52 engine and radar upgrades with additional test aircraft

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

Lockheed Martin Proposes Modular Architecture for AGM-158 JASSM Missile Family

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers

Air Force and Space Force push for scale as supply-chain constraints persist

Space Force Provides Electronic Warfare Support in U.S. Operations Against Iran

GA-ASI expands uncrewed aircraft portfolio with FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft and Mojave STOL

France orders Rafale F5 radar, engine and EW work ahead of launch

U.S. confirms first deployment of ‘on-orbit space control weapons’

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera as low-cost MQ-9 contender as USAF targets 500 CCAs and thousands of attack drones by 2032

NATO Eurofighter Shoots Down Drone After Belarus-to-Lithuania Airspace Incursion

L3Harris wins $4.7 billion PAC-3 propulsion award and $60 million U.S. Air Force sensor contract

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Budget impasse imperils 1 in 10 Space Force programs, new chief says

Air Force Announces New Plans To Take Over Defending Its Own Bases From Aerial Attack

Russia and Iran deepen weapons partnership amid wars in Ukraine, Middle East

Night flight operations aboard USS George Washington amid tensions with Iran

NextNav's 5G-Powered 3D PNT Inches Closer to GPS Accuracy During Outdoor Demonstration

Thales targets LMM exports as it launches new UK technology strategy

Turkey certifies military training aircraft as safe, a first for local authorities

First Turkish air force pilots begin conversion training on Eurofighter Typhoon