Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Defense Daily • Frank Wolfe

USAF budgets $1.7B to retrofit APG-85 radar on 181 F-35A aircraft (Lot 17 and earlier)

The Air Force’s fiscal 2027 future-years defense plan includes more than $1.7 billion to retrofit 181 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters in Lot 17 and prior with the future Northrop radar configuration. The action underscores continued investment in modernizing the fifth-generation fleet’s sensor capacity.

Also: Aviation Today
2026-05-06T15:20:32.189733-07:00
Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
AeroTime • Ian Molyneaux

Qatar-gifted Air Force One to arrive ahead of Fourth of July

By AeroTime: A Boeing 747-8i gifted to the United States by Qatar is expected to make its grand entrance as Air Force One before the US’ historic 250-year anniversary.

2026-05-07T05:29:16.933424-07:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Policy & Regulation   Defense Deals  
Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

U.S. OKs Philippines For Bell 505 Helicopter Training Package

By Aviation Week: The U.S. State Department has approved the Philippines’ request for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X training package, valued at approximately $150 million.

Also: Aviation Week and 4 more
2026-05-06T11:00:30.678477-07:00
Event   Space Force   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

#SpaceWatchGl Opinion: The Kill Chain Comes Home: What Leonardo DRS's Breakfast Briefing Tells Us About the Direction of American Homeland Defense

By SpaceWatch Global: At Space Symposium 2026, US Space Command outlines automated kill chains, shifting decision authority, and a homeland-focused doctrine with global implications.

2026-05-07T04:30:25.763879-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Two drones crash in eastern Latvia after entering airspace from Russia

By AeroTime: Two drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia overnight on May 7 and crashed in the Latgale region, with one striking an oil storage facility in Rēzekne.

Also: The Guardian and prm.ua
2026-05-07T01:24:09.060195-07:00