ATC Space Force Airports Military Aircraft Procurement Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Pentagon FY2027 budget plan: $1.45T topline, air base drone/missile defense, USAF divestments, and accelerated airpower prioriti

The Pentagon’s FY2027 budget request centers on expanding U.S. defense spending, with space programs identified as key beneficiaries. In parallel, the Air Force plans to divest 149 aircraft starting in fiscal 2027, including nearly half of its A-10s and its last U-2s, while proposing $1.4 billion for air base defense against drones and missiles.

Air & Space Forces Mag • Matthew Cox

Air Base Defense Would Get $1.4 Billion in '27 USAF Budget

Air & Space Forces Mag • Steve Losey

2027 Budget: U-2 to Retire, Air Force to Buy Over $30B in Aircraft

Also: SpaceNews.com, Aero-News, Janes, Aviation Week, Stars and Stripes, Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and insidedefense.com

2026-04-21T14:24:55.884165-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC)

DefenseNews.com • Associated Press

China sends 24 fighter jets toward Taiwan in show of force

By DefenseNews.com: Taiwan deployed air patrol forces in response.

Also: Stars and Stripes

2026-04-21T15:49:49.000748-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Raytheon Touts Progress on OCX Program

By DefenseNews.com: Raytheon says its troubled next-generation GPS control station program is making progress in terms of cost and schedule.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.067640-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Nigel Pittaway

Link 16 Operational on Australia’s C-130 Hercules

By DefenseNews.com: The first Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules to be fitted with a Link 16 Tactical Data Link (TDL) system has begun operational test and evaluation during Australia’s largest air-power exercise.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.069056-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons

DefenseNews.com • Andrew Chuter

Britain Stockpiles New ASRAAM Missiles for the F-35

By DefenseNews.com: Britain is spending £184 million ($239 million) stockpiling a new version of the ASRAAM short range air-to-air missiles ahead of equipping the F-35B Lightning II combat jet with the weapon, the Ministry of Defence said Aug 16.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.080998-07:00

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

DefenseNews.com • Jen Judson

Possible Patriot Radar Replacement Competition Heats Up

By DefenseNews.com: HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The competition is heating up for two missile defense industry giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon as the Army's deadline for accepting future integrated air-and-missile defense radar concepts from industry came to a close Monday.

2026-04-21T17:37:18.249739-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta

KC-46 Tanker Cleared for Production

By DefenseNews.com: The KC-46A Pegasus tanker has been cleared for production, a major step forward for the Boeing-led design.

2026-04-21T17:37:18.731470-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

insidedefense.com • Nick Wilson

Navy reviewing Ford design baseline to 'increase lethality'

By insidedefense.com: The Navy is reviewing the design baseline for aircraft carrier William Clinton (CVN-82) to "further increase lethality" before deciding how to proceed with procurement of Clinton and George Bush (CVN-83), a Navy official told Inside Defense.