Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident Asia-Pacific (APAC)

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Japan confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk in Sea of Japan

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force confirmed that one of its three Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawks crashed in the Sea of Japan off Tottori Prefecture after the service lost contact on Sept. 15. The accident is the tenth reported loss of a Global Hawk variant.

Also: The Aviationist and Aviation Week

3 Sources

2026-09-15T19:19:59.707495-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Space Force’s new acquisition chief says his immediate task is turning the service’s recently completed acquisition overhaul into faster delivery of satellites, weapons and other capabilities.

1 Source

2026-09-15T18:37:51.277395-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

By DefenseNews.com: “The last KC-135 pilot has not been born,” Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Gerald Donohue said Tuesday.

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

4 Sources

2026-09-15T14:05:21.128527-07:00

F-16 Supply Chain Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Riley Ceder

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

By DefenseNews.com: Top Air Force officials praised the F-35's warfighting prowess during combat operations in the Middle East despite recent concerns over readiness rates.

Air & Space Forces Mag

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

Simple Flying

How Europe's F-35 Fleet Has Grown Over The Last 12 Months

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

5 Sources

2026-09-15T12:21:04.903154-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

By Reuters: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that Russian drones attacked Moldovan airspace twice while he was in the country aboard his aircraft in ‌transit.

1 Source

2026-09-15T14:05:59.102366-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Valerie Insinna

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

By Breaking Defense: “We will not have a cold start to start production in [20]27. We will have assets rolling through. That said, even a company like ours can only do so much without procurement dollars,” said Erin Simpson, Anduril's vice president for strategy execution.

1 Source

2026-09-15T13:50:21.941868-07:00

Space Force Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

2026-09-15T09:50:33.502355-07:00

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

defence-industry.eu • Hannah Miller

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers

By defence-industry.eu: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun integrating the SPICE 1000 air-to-surface weapon on the F-35 Adir.

Breaking Defense

Rafael integrating SPICE 1000 stand-off munition on Israeli F-35s

edrmagazine.eu

AFA 2026: For the first time, Rafael's SPICE 1000 is being integrated on the F-35

5 Sources

2026-09-15T09:50:55.397344-07:00

Japan confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk in Sea of Japan

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

How Europe's F-35 Fleet Has Grown Over The Last 12 Months

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

US Space Force to add 10,000 guardians in next 5 years

First look: New designs for Space Force mess dress uniforms include pockets for women

U.S. Space Force to Double Ranks with Addition of 10,000 Guardians in Five Years

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers

Rafael integrating SPICE 1000 stand-off munition on Israeli F-35s

AFA 2026: For the first time, Rafael's SPICE 1000 is being integrated on the F-35

JASDF confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

Lockheed Martin Proposes Modular Architecture for AGM-158 JASSM Missile Family

EXCLUSIVE: Pratt licenses Hermeus to build F100 fighter jet engine

Air Force and Space Force push for scale as supply-chain constraints persist

Space Force Provides Electronic Warfare Support in U.S. Operations Against Iran

U.S. confirms first deployment of ‘on-orbit space control weapons’

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera as low-cost MQ-9 contender as USAF targets 500 CCAs and thousands of attack drones by 2032

NATO Eurofighter Shoots Down Drone After Belarus-to-Lithuania Airspace Incursion

L3Harris wins $4.7 billion PAC-3 propulsion award and $60 million U.S. Air Force sensor contract

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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