Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Aviation Today • Frank Wolfe

US Air Force restores 13 F-35A jets to flight after supply-linked grounding; DCMA flags missing required equipment on at least 1

The U.S. Air Force confirmed 13 F-35As grounded since September due to a supply problem have been repaired and returned to action. Separately, a DCMA list indicates at least 15 F-35s built since May 2025 lacked required equipment, highlighting recurring production/retrofit compliance risks across the fleet.

Also: DefenseNews.com
2026-07-16T07:29:22.237609-07:00
Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
NEW
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Trump's pick to lead Space Force defends plan to more than double budget

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Space Force backed the administration’s proposal to more than double the service’s budget, telling senators on Thursday that a $71.1 billion request was “exactly what we need” to counter China’s rapidly expanding military capabilities in space.

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   North America   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
NEW
New York Times • Nicholas Kulish, Peter Eavis, Saronic Corsair

Maker of Drone Boats Used in Iran War to Open New Texas Shipyard

By New York Times: Saronic Technologies will make naval and commercial vessels at the facility. The company’s naval drone helped rescue the crew of a downed Apache helicopter last month.

Also: Janes
2026-07-16T08:16:09.161712-07:00
SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Starmer says UK to help fund 16 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine

By Reuters: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on ​Thursday pledged €300 million ($345 million) to help ‌equip Ukraine with a squadron of 16 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, making one of ​his final commitments to Kyiv before leaving ​office.

2026-07-16T05:45:44.051100-07:00
Event   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation  
AeroTime • Ian Molyneaux

Actions of Blue Angels pilot called into question over low pass at busy US beach

By AeroTime: A US Navy's Blue Angels aerobatic display team is under review after video footage emerged of a low altitude pass at a busy Florida beach.

Also: CBS News, CNN and 5 more
2026-07-16T04:15:47.808247-07:00