Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

USAF prepares to integrate European allies into Collaborative Combat Aircraft program

Growing allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is pushing the U.S. Air Force in Europe to address interoperability across a diverse mix of future systems. The effort could shape how European partners participate in, operate alongside and connect with the USAF’s next-generation uncrewed combat aircraft.

1 Source

2026-09-16T11:56:08.098344-07:00

Satellite L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — L3Harris Technologies is moving a missile-tracking satellite developed for the Missile Defense Agency into production for Golden Dome with few design changes.

1 Source

2026-09-16T11:30:44.401113-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing Boeing 737

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

By FlightGlobal: Commander of Air Education and Training Command expects to have 14 of the Boeing jets ready in August 2027. The US Air Force expects to have its first full squadron of Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jets ready by next summer.

Aviation A2Z

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

3 Sources

2026-09-16T11:20:07.454893-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

By AeroTime: Wingcopter has unveiled an all-electric reconnaissance drone that it says can remain airborne for up to six hours, expanding its defense business with an aircraft designed to launch vertically without a runway or catapult.

2 Sources

2026-09-16T12:51:34.111111-07:00

China Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters • Eduardo Baptista

China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race

By Reuters: China urged the United States to halt its military build-up in outer space after Washington acknowledged it has weapons deployed in orbit, while Chinese state media ‌warned the move could fuel a global arms race.

Bloomberg

New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China

Scientific American

It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space

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

8 Sources

2026-09-15T22:35:25.612640-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

defence-industry.eu • Lukasz Prus Land

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

By defence-industry.eu: Flensburg Technology Systems unveiled the first pre-series TAHR light airborne combat vehicle for Germany’s Special Forces Command, or KSK, on 15 September.

Breaking Defense

German-Israeli company FTS unveils new light combat vehicle for German Special Forces

defence-blog.com

Germany’s special forces get their first new TAHR vehicle

4 Sources

2026-09-16T03:35:04.476224-07:00

Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Air Force turns to private flight schools to solve pilot shortage

By FlightGlobal: The service says it has now reached its target of training 1,500 new pilots annually after years of shortfalls.

1 Source

2026-09-16T10:19:57.002953-07:00

Satellite Space Force LEO Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force gives SpaceX latitude on design of $2.3 billion satellite network

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The U.S. Space Force is giving SpaceX latitude to design one of the military’s new low-Earth orbit satellite networks, setting performance requirements rather than prescribing the number and configuration of spacecraft needed to meet them.

2 Sources

2026-09-16T06:51:57.824891-07:00

USAF prepares to integrate European allies into Collaborative Combat Aircraft program

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race

New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China

It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

German-Israeli company FTS unveils new light combat vehicle for German Special Forces

Germany’s special forces get their first new TAHR vehicle

US Air Force turns to private flight schools to solve pilot shortage

Space Force gives SpaceX latitude on design of $2.3 billion satellite network

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

US Air Force turns to private flight schools to solve pilot shortage

How the industrial base is responding to Air Force, Space Force needs

B-52 engine and radar upgrades top US$23 billion as USAF moves to recover schedule

Houthis claim Saudi F-15 shootdown over Yemen as Mecca drone row escalates

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Factory Floor Is the Frontline: What NATO DIANA Reveals About the Real Bottleneck

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

U.S. Navy advances carrier drones, hypersonic weapons and autonomous resupply aircraft

Pratt & Whitney clears F-35 engine upgrade design review and licenses F100 production to Hermeus

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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