Defense News

F-16 Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Aviation Today • Frank Wolfe

USAF seeks solutions to engine supply bottlenecks affecting F-15EX and F-16 production

The U.S. Air Force is searching for ways to address supply-chain bottlenecks in the engines supporting Boeing’s F-15EX and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 fighter programs. The effort underscores manufacturing constraints affecting two key tactical-aircraft platforms and the service’s ability to sustain production.

1 Source

2026-08-06T13:11:50.383052-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Aviation Today • Calvin Biesecker

DoD Considers $820 Million Loan to Drone Company to Mass-Produce Components

By Aviation Today: The four-year-old OSC originally had just under $1 billion in total authority for loans—which typically have been made to support shoring up the domestic supply base for critical materials—but that amount has been increased to over $210 billion during the Trump administration.

1 Source

2026-08-06T13:11:50.600346-07:00

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

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

XQ-58 Valkyrie Drones With Built-In Landing Gear Are Now In Production

By The War Zone: Despite the setback of a crash this week, Kratos says the Valkyrie program is ramping up for the Marines and other customers globally.

Also: aviationnews.eu, dronelife.com and maritime-executive.com

4 Sources

2026-08-06T11:33:46.106897-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation Boeing Boeing 747

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

By AeroTime: A new Pentagon report blames interior design problems and certification issues for delays of Boeing’s two new VC-25B presidential aircraft.

1 Source

2026-08-06T08:44:19.374031-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Airports Aviation Safety & Regulation Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

By AeroTime: Lithuanian military intelligence says Russia may use captured Ukrainian drones to strike Baltic critical infrastructure and deny responsibility.

time.com

An Explosive Drone Was Found Near Runway at German Airport. Here's What We Know So Far

nationalsecurityjournal.org

Explosive-Laden Drone Shuts Leipzig Runways Near Ukrainian Cargo Aircraft

Also: Business Insider and news.ssbcrack.com

5 Sources

2026-08-06T07:59:21.024031-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development

Bloomberg • Lizette Chapman

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

By Bloomberg: Hadrian, a defense manufacturing startup that serves the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Corp. and others, secured a $7.87 billion valuation in a funding round that will help the company expand its workforce.

2 Sources

2026-08-06T07:16:01.873089-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

By FlightGlobal: New combination offers the ability to engage slow-speed aerial threats. Paramount’s Mwari multi-role platform now has the ability to use Aselsan’s ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, following the recent completion of an integration activity.

1 Source

2026-08-06T06:44:47.043665-07:00

Event Europe Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

By AeroTime: Finland and Sweden sent delegations to Australia's Exercise Pitch Black for the first time this year, focusing on fighter integration and maintenance.

1 Source

2026-08-06T05:59:14.775137-07:00

USAF seeks solutions to engine supply bottlenecks affecting F-15EX and F-16 production

DoD Considers $820 Million Loan to Drone Company to Mass-Produce Components

XQ-58 Valkyrie Drones With Built-In Landing Gear Are Now In Production

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

An Explosive Drone Was Found Near Runway at German Airport. Here's What We Know So Far

Explosive-Laden Drone Shuts Leipzig Runways Near Ukrainian Cargo Aircraft

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

USAF Looks For Answers To Remedy Supply Bottlenecks For F-15EX and F-16 Engines

DoD Considers $820 Million Loan to Drone Company to Mass-Produce Components

XQ-58 Valkyrie Drones With Built-In Landing Gear Are Now In Production

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

Australia confirms AIM-260 air-to-air missile procurement

US Navy concludes C-2A Greyhound operations

XQ-58 Valkyrie Crashes At Dugway Proving Ground In Utah (Updated)

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390s in first Latin American sale outside Brazil

Archer’s Midnight completes California city-to-city flight as eVTOL sector advances commercial and defense applications

U.S. Navy seeks uncrewed aircraft for ultra-long-range carrier strike in the Pacific

Military services advance networked maritime operations with autonomous aircraft, drones and surface vessels

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Royal Navy demonstrates Wildcat helicopter controlling aerial drones

P-8 Poseidon Crews Controlling MQ-4C Triton Drones Becoming A Reality

Capella, Iceye and Umbra win NRO radar-data contracts

Army launches search for counter-drone missile priced under $150K

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

Command overseeing Air Force operations in Middle East gets new boss amid Iran war

The U.S. Navy’s new search for ultra-long-range strike brings its Pacific strategy into focus

Oops! That page can’t be found.