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 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

news.ssbcrack.com

U.S. Air Force Accelerates Development of MQ-9A Reaper Successor Due to Combat Losses

5 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 Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Air & Space Forces Mag • Greg Hadley

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

By Air & Space Forces Mag: The last EC-130H Compass Call made its final flight Sept. 2, as the Air Force prepares to retire the electronic warfare aircraft.

Also: The Aviationist, Air Data News and AeroTime

4 Sources

2026-09-03T18:13:29.514583-07:00

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

U.S. Air Force Accelerates Development of MQ-9A Reaper Successor Due to Combat Losses

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

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

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

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

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’

USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 286 days at sea and Middle East deployment

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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