Defense News

China UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

New imagery confirms China’s WZ-X stealth drone’s unusual wing configuration

Fresh airborne photographs provide the clearest view yet of China’s large WZ-X stealth drone, highlighting an unusual wing design. The configuration may reflect requirements for very-high-altitude, long-endurance flight and offers new clues about the aircraft’s aerodynamic and mission priorities.

1 Source

2026-09-04T15:50:21.822901-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Defense Scoop • Mikayla Easley

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

By Defense Scoop: The loss of dozens of MQ-9A Reapers during Operation Epic Fury has prompted the Air Force to rethink its plans to replace the drone, with officials now looking to field a cheaper successor in large numbers much more quickly.

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force speeds Reaper successor timeline after Iran losses

The War Zone

USAF Wants MQ-9 Reaper Successor At A Fraction Of The Cost At $10M Each

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

6 Sources

2026-09-04T08:05:52.219075-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

By The War Zone: The request for anti-drone and anti-cruise missile guns comes as the Air Force is pushing to take on more air defense responsibilities at its forward bases.

1 Source

2026-09-04T13:13:44.597600-07:00

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

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

F-35 costs jump in latest production lots

By Breaking Defense: Compared to recent contracts, the average flyaway cost of an F-35A and F-35B rose by over 11 percent, while the price of an F-35C climbed over 8 percent, according to figures supplied by the F-35 Joint Program Office.

Also: Simple Flying

2 Sources

2026-09-04T10:34:46.238914-07:00

Workforce & Skills Development

Breaking Defense • Robbin Laird

Fixing the machine: Inside the Navy's race to rebuild its aviator pipeline

By Breaking Defense: An in-depth discussion with the service's chief of Naval Air Training Command.

1 Source

2026-09-04T08:50:00.797470-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

Breaking Defense • Mark Pomerleau

Army’s desert Starlink trial highlights challenges and opportunities of commercial satellite technology

By Breaking Defense: US Army soldiers have taken to placing wet t-shirts on Starlink terminals to keep them from overheating in the field during tests.

1 Source

2026-09-04T06:19:48.048580-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Omar Pimentel

I saw more than 1,000 pitches to the Pentagon ... and a clear pattern for success

By SpaceNews.com: A defense startup can build exactly what the military needs and still fail to sell it to the Pentagon.

1 Source

2026-09-04T06:07:00.512580-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Sierra Nevada to design ski-equipped LC-130J modification for US Air Force

By FlightGlobal: Development and analysis work on adaptation kit for snow runway operations will conclude in March 2028.

1 Source

2026-09-04T03:05:11.436497-07:00

New imagery confirms China’s WZ-X stealth drone’s unusual wing configuration

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

US Air Force speeds Reaper successor timeline after Iran losses

USAF Wants MQ-9 Reaper Successor At A Fraction Of The Cost At $10M Each

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

F-35 costs jump in latest production lots

Fixing the machine: Inside the Navy's race to rebuild its aviator pipeline

Army’s desert Starlink trial highlights challenges and opportunities of commercial satellite technology

I saw more than 1,000 pitches to the Pentagon ... and a clear pattern for success

Sierra Nevada to design ski-equipped LC-130J modification for US Air Force

China’s Huge WZ-X Stealth Drone's Strange Wing Configuration Confirmed

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

F-35 costs jump in latest production lots

Fixing the machine: Inside the Navy's race to rebuild its aviator pipeline

Army’s desert Starlink trial highlights challenges and opportunities of commercial satellite technology

Last EC-130H Makes Its Final Flight Ahead of Retirement

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon HyCAT award as it expands combat-engine production and secures South Korean destroyer propulsion deal

Missile Shortage Strains Ukraine’s F-16 Force Ahead of Russian Airstrikes

First F-15EX Heads to Japan as Air Force Plans to Expand Fleet to 267 Jets

US Navy seeks carrier-launched autonomous combat aircraft carrying up to 10,000 pounds of weapons

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

After ‘concerning’ losses, Air Force pushes to replace Reaper faster

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

Spain orders lightweight A900 rotorcraft for uncrewed maritime surveillance evaluation

Hermeus picks Anduril autonomy for Quarterhorse drone

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare