Defense News

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews its planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight on Sept. 23 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth production facility, marking the first aircraft built for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s planned CF-35A fleet. Ottawa is still reviewing the size and composition of the 88-aircraft purchase intended to replace its CF-188 Hornets.

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

Also: f-16.net, defence-blog.com and news.ssbcrack.com

6 Sources

2026-09-24T05:16:20.136041-07:00

AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors BAE Systems

NEW

Vertical Mag • Skyryse Press Release

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse partner to advance software-defined autonomous flight

By Vertical Mag: Explore Skyryse's partnership with BAE Systems Australia to enhance autonomous flight through innovative software solutions.

1 Source

2026-09-24T06:20:32.455267-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Africa

NEW

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow

By FlightGlobal: Developer cites 8h endurance in baseline intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance standard. South African firm Paramount has unveiled a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial vehicle optimised for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

1 Source

2026-09-24T06:50:20.667137-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

By Air Data News: AIDC delivered the last two aircraft to the Air Force, completing a nine-year development and Taiwan’s Air Force has received the 66th and final production T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer, completing a program launched more than nine years ago to replace two older training aircraft types.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:36:53.883974-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

By AeroTime: US intelligence reportedly warned European governments of a possible Russian Gerbera drone operation targeting Spain, France or Italy, El Mundo says.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:08:48.635697-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

By Bloomberg: The Chinese government has taken possession of potentially sensitive F-35 stealth aircraft parts that were inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong while being sent to the US from Australia, people briefed on the incident said.

FlightGlobal

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets under way

Associated Press

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

Also: The Aviationist, Australian Aviation, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Economic Times, The Loadstar, news.ssbcrack.com, The Independent, Seeking Alpha and 3 more

17 Sources

2026-09-23T13:36:30.444741-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

By The Air Current: The Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to fill a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East.

Also: FlightGlobal

2 Sources

2026-09-23T16:20:47.973525-07:00

China Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

By The War Zone: Recent video footage shows continued refinement of the J-36 design, and there has also been talk of laser armament for the jet.

1 Source

2026-09-23T14:52:54.349141-07:00

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews its planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse partner to advance software-defined autonomous flight

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets under way

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse partner to advance software-defined autonomous flight

Canada’s first F-35 flies while Ottawa still reviews 88-fighter purchase

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

RAF Hawk T2 crashes near RAF Valley in Wales, both pilots eject

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

USAF F-16 crashes during landing near Spangdahlem Air Base; pilot ejects safely

General Atomics delivers FQ-42A Vengeance to Creech for test and evaluation

South Korea receives first production KF-21 Boramae fighter

UK RAF forms first Space Effects Squadron for offensive and defensive orbital operations

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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