Defense News

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Rocket Lab spacecraft uses LLNL optical payload in Space Force satellite-tracking exercise

A Rocket Lab spacecraft carrying an optical payload developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory tracked another satellite during a U.S. Space Force “cat-and-mouse” exercise. The demonstration highlights efforts to improve space-domain awareness and the ability to monitor maneuvering objects in orbit.

1 Source

2026-09-05T21:10:37.113754-07:00

Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force to start work on next GPS ground system after OCX failure

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is starting work on a new ground control architecture for its future GPS constellation, applying lessons from the $6.27 billion OCX program that the Pentagon canceled earlier this year after 15 years of development.

1 Source

2026-09-05T17:05:54.494486-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Wall Street Journal • Shelby Holliday

U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Ships After Missiles Fired at American Aircraft Carrier

By Wall Street Journal: military said it struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two Navy warships, including an aircraft carrier, as the fight to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz intensifies.

Air & Space Forces Mag

US Fighters and Drones Strike 3 Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Ship Attacks

nationalsecurityjournal.org

The US Navy Has a New Problem: Iran Tried to Sink a Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier and Guided Missile Destroyer

Also: Stars and Stripes, ANI News Agency, The Independent, Fortune, ANI News Agency and maritime-executive.com

9 Sources

2026-09-05T08:20:56.389411-07:00

Event Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

Reuters

Greek F-4 crashes during air show near Athens, two pilots dead, sources say

By Reuters: A Greek two-seat F-4 Phantom fighter ‌jet crashed on Saturday during an air show at Tanagra air base north of Athens, killing the pilots, two officials told Reuters.

Air Data News

Greek Air Force F-4 Phantom crashes during Athens Flying Week

The Aviationist

Greek F-4 Phantom Crashes During Airshow Near Athens

Also: AeroTime, Associated Press, aviationnews.eu, news.ssbcrack.com, The Independent, Euronews, CNA and 4 more

19 Sources

2026-09-05T05:35:18.517044-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Air Force Retires EC-130H Compass Call

By Flying Magazine: EC-130H’s ‘compass call’ mission systems will be transitioned to a fleet of modified Gulfstream business jets.

1 Source

2026-09-05T05:05:35.789748-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Wall Street Journal • Gabriele Steinhauser, Mike Cherney

Inside the USS Abraham Lincoln’s Nine Months at Sea: Loneliness, Fatigue, Pride

By Wall Street Journal: PATTAYA, Thailand—When the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and one of its destroyers docked in Thailand earlier this week, it was a welcome relief for thousands of sailors whose record-setting deployment in the Middle East drew controversy over reports of deteriorating conditions on board.

1 Source

2026-09-05T07:20:44.598382-07:00

Supply Chain Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing Boeing 747

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

How a 747-8 manufacturing flaw complicated the new Air Force One conversion

By Air Data News: The two Boeing 747-8s being converted into the next US presidential aircraft have required extensive structural repairs because of a manufacturing problem affecting the type, adding more work to a VC-25B program already delayed by several years.

Also: Simple Flying

2 Sources

2026-09-04T23:52:54.736045-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Defense Scoop • Mikayla Easley

2026-09-04T08:05:52.219075-07:00

Rocket Lab spacecraft uses LLNL optical payload in Space Force satellite-tracking exercise

Space Force to start work on next GPS ground system after OCX failure

U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Ships After Missiles Fired at American Aircraft Carrier

US Fighters and Drones Strike 3 Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for Ship Attacks

The US Navy Has a New Problem: Iran Tried to Sink a Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier and Guided Missile Destroyer

Greek F-4 crashes during air show near Athens, two pilots dead, sources say

Greek Air Force F-4 Phantom crashes during Athens Flying Week

Greek F-4 Phantom Crashes During Airshow Near Athens

Air Force Retires EC-130H Compass Call

Inside the USS Abraham Lincoln’s Nine Months at Sea: Loneliness, Fatigue, Pride

How a 747-8 manufacturing flaw complicated the new Air Force One conversion

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

USAF Wants MQ-9 Reaper Successor At A Fraction Of The Cost At $10M Each

Lawrence Livermore telescope used in Space Force ‘cat-and-mouse’ exercise

Space Force to start work on next GPS ground system after OCX failure

U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Ships After Missiles Fired at American Aircraft Carrier

Inside the USS Abraham Lincoln’s Nine Months at Sea: Loneliness, Fatigue, Pride

Greek F-4 crashes during air show near Athens, two pilots dead, sources say

Air Force Retires EC-130H Compass Call

F-35 costs jump in latest production lots

China’s Huge WZ-X Stealth Drone's Strange Wing Configuration Confirmed

Kyiv Adapts to New Reality of Life Under Constant Russian Drone Attack

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

USAF accelerates a cheaper, more expendable MQ-9 Reaper successor after combat losses

First F-15EX Heads to Japan as Air Force Plans to Expand Fleet to 267 Jets

F-35 flyaway costs rise more than 8% across all three variants in latest production lots

Manufacturing flaw adds structural repairs and further delays to Boeing’s $3 billion VC-25B Air Force One program

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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