ATC Space Force Airports Military Aircraft Procurement Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Pentagon FY2027 budget blueprint: space programs set to lead, USAF retires U-2s and 149 aircraft, and bases get $1.4B for drone/

The Pentagon’s FY2027 defense budget request outlines a major push to expand U.S. military spending, with space programs among the clearest beneficiaries. For the USAF, plans include divesting 149 aircraft in FY2027—nearly half of the A-10 fleet and all remaining U-2s—while seeking $1.4B for air base defense against drones and missile threats. The Navy request also targets topline growth and continues carrier-related funding, including Enterprise.

Air & Space Forces Mag • Matthew Cox

Air Base Defense Would Get $1.4 Billion in '27 USAF Budget

Air & Space Forces Mag • Steve Losey

2027 Budget: U-2 to Retire, Air Force to Buy Over $30B in Aircraft

Also: SpaceNews.com, Aero-News, Janes, Aviation Week, Stars and Stripes, Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and insidedefense.com

2026-04-21T14:24:55.884165-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC)

DefenseNews.com • Associated Press

China sends 24 fighter jets toward Taiwan in show of force

By DefenseNews.com: Taiwan deployed air patrol forces in response.

Also: Stars and Stripes

2026-04-21T15:49:49.000748-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Raytheon Touts Progress on OCX Program

By DefenseNews.com: Raytheon says its troubled next-generation GPS control station program is making progress in terms of cost and schedule.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.067640-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Nigel Pittaway

Link 16 Operational on Australia’s C-130 Hercules

By DefenseNews.com: The first Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules to be fitted with a Link 16 Tactical Data Link (TDL) system has begun operational test and evaluation during Australia’s largest air-power exercise.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.069056-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons

DefenseNews.com • Andrew Chuter

Britain Stockpiles New ASRAAM Missiles for the F-35

By DefenseNews.com: Britain is spending £184 million ($239 million) stockpiling a new version of the ASRAAM short range air-to-air missiles ahead of equipping the F-35B Lightning II combat jet with the weapon, the Ministry of Defence said Aug 16.

2026-04-21T17:37:16.080998-07:00

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

DefenseNews.com • Jen Judson

Possible Patriot Radar Replacement Competition Heats Up

By DefenseNews.com: HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The competition is heating up for two missile defense industry giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon as the Army's deadline for accepting future integrated air-and-missile defense radar concepts from industry came to a close Monday.

2026-04-21T17:37:18.249739-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta

KC-46 Tanker Cleared for Production

By DefenseNews.com: The KC-46A Pegasus tanker has been cleared for production, a major step forward for the Boeing-led design.

2026-04-21T17:37:18.731470-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

insidedefense.com • Nick Wilson

Navy reviewing Ford design baseline to 'increase lethality'

By insidedefense.com: The Navy is reviewing the design baseline for aircraft carrier William Clinton (CVN-82) to "further increase lethality" before deciding how to proceed with procurement of Clinton and George Bush (CVN-83), a Navy official told Inside Defense.