Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

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

The US Air Force will introduce its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones to a large-scale combat exercise in December, marking the first reported exercise deployment for uncrewed aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters and another step toward operational integration.

1 Source

2026-09-19T10:35:08.258969-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

Reuters • Ben Blanchard

Defence firm Anduril says US delay on Taiwan arms sales affecting its business

By Reuters: US defence tech firm Anduril's founder Palmer Luckey said on Saturday that President Donald Trump's delay in approving arms sales to Taiwan is affecting its business and ‌that he has discussed this with Trump.

1 Source

2026-09-18T21:35:45.253843-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com

‘Our task is to adapt right now’: Air Force leaders gather to plot future of warfare

By DefenseNews.com: Looking into a future filled with drones and AI, the Air and Space Forces prepare for a battlespace radically changed by emerging tech.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-18T13:35:53.080461-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Top NATO commander joins briefing on review of US defence engagement in Europe

By Reuters: NATO's top commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, took part in a virtual briefing on Friday for Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby on potential approaches to a review of US troop deployments in Europe.

Also: Aviation Week

2 Sources

2026-09-18T11:20:01.411905-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Reuters • Mike Stone

Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missile, Agrees to Accelerate Production

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin unveiled on Thursday details of a next-generation air-to-air missile developed to counter threats from China and a new agreement with the Defense Department to ‌boost production as the Pentagon rebuilds munitions stockpiles.

The War Zone

Pentagon Cuts New AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Production Deal, Testing Accelerating

The War Zone

New-Build F-16s For The USAF Is An Idea That Won’t Go Away, For Good Reason

Also: FlightGlobal, Bloomberg, DefenseNews.com, Aviation Week, aviationnews.eu, defence-blog.com, Breaking Defense, Aviation A2Z, The Aviationist, defenceagenda.com, indiastrategic.in, defence-industry.eu and 37 more

56 Sources

2026-09-17T05:35:54.116303-07:00

F-16 Europe North America Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

By AeroTime: Danish F-35s landed in Greenland for the first time during a NATO Arctic training mission involving US and Canadian fighters, a French tanker and AWACS.

Breaking Defense

First German F-35 rolls off the line

Janes

First F-35As arrive in Finland

Also: defence-industry.eu and defence-industry.eu

6 Sources

2026-09-18T05:06:38.274395-07:00

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

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Trump administration advances Saudi F-35 sale despite China security concerns

By AeroTime: The US administration has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia, despite intelligence warnings over China and concerns about Israel's military edge.

2 Sources

2026-09-18T01:51:07.776511-07:00

F-16 North America Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

Associated Press • Ed White, Rebecca Boone

2026-09-17T13:20:24.646173-07:00

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

Defence firm Anduril says US delay on Taiwan arms sales affecting its business

‘Our task is to adapt right now’: Air Force leaders gather to plot future of warfare

Top NATO commander joins briefing on review of US defence engagement in Europe

Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missile, Agrees to Accelerate Production

Pentagon Cuts New AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Production Deal, Testing Accelerating

New-Build F-16s For The USAF Is An Idea That Won’t Go Away, For Good Reason

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

First German F-35 rolls off the line

First F-35As arrive in Finland

Trump administration advances Saudi F-35 sale despite China security concerns

Military: An F-16 crashes during training in Michigan; pilot ejects safely

F-16 Crashes In Michigan

Pilot ejects safely as Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashes in Michigan

US Air Force fighter drones to join large-scale combat exercise for first time

Defence firm Anduril says US delay on Taiwan arms sales affecting its business

‘Our task is to adapt right now’: Air Force leaders gather to plot future of warfare

Top NATO commander joins briefing on review of US defence engagement in Europe

Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly to build military geostationary surveillance satellites

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

The US Wants China to Know It Has Weapons in Space

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

Pentagon accelerates Lockheed’s AIM-260 missile production as F-16 fleet expansion gains traction

Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashes in Michigan after possible bird strike; pilot ejects safely

First Finnish F-35As arrive as Germany begins production and four European operators pursue a shared-fleet model

US intelligence warns proposed $24 billion Saudi F-35 sale could expose sensitive technology to China

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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