Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident Asia-Pacific (APAC)

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Japan confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk in Sea of Japan

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force confirmed that one of its three Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawks crashed in the Sea of Japan off Tottori Prefecture after the service lost contact on Sept. 15. The accident is the tenth reported loss of a Global Hawk variant.

Also: The Aviationist and Aviation Week

3 Sources

2026-09-15T19:19:59.707495-07:00

Middle East Helicopter Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

NEW

New York Times • John Ismay

Pentagon Inspector General Details U.S. Losses and Challenges in Iran War

By New York Times: Helicopters for evacuating casualties were pulled from four countries, and hundreds of military facilities were destroyed, according to a new report.

Also: defensetalks.com

2 Sources

2026-09-15T20:20:57.721109-07:00

Saudi Arabia UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Ahmed Tolba, Enas Alashray

Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

By Reuters: Saudi Arabia's air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen ‌said on Wednesday, as fighting spreads in the Middle East.

Also: Economic Times, The Guardian and Economic Times

4 Sources

2026-09-15T19:35:55.648583-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors BAE Systems

NEW

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

BAE Systems launches family of small EW systems

By FlightGlobal: Shadow EW can be integrated with a range of small platforms. BAE Systems has launched a family of small form factor electronic warfare (EW) systems that can be used in both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-15T20:06:16.516187-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Space Force’s new acquisition chief says his immediate task is turning the service’s recently completed acquisition overhaul into faster delivery of satellites, weapons and other capabilities.

1 Source

2026-09-15T18:37:51.277395-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

By DefenseNews.com: “The last KC-135 pilot has not been born,” Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Gerald Donohue said Tuesday.

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

4 Sources

2026-09-15T14:05:21.128527-07:00

F-16 Supply Chain Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Riley Ceder

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

By DefenseNews.com: Top Air Force officials praised the F-35's warfighting prowess during combat operations in the Middle East despite recent concerns over readiness rates.

Air & Space Forces Mag

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

Simple Flying

How Europe's F-35 Fleet Has Grown Over The Last 12 Months

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

5 Sources

2026-09-15T12:21:04.903154-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

By Reuters: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that Russian drones attacked Moldovan airspace twice while he was in the country aboard his aircraft in ‌transit.

1 Source

2026-09-15T14:05:59.102366-07:00

Japan confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk in Sea of Japan

Pentagon Inspector General Details U.S. Losses and Challenges in Iran War

Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

BAE Systems launches family of small EW systems

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

How Europe's F-35 Fleet Has Grown Over The Last 12 Months

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

Pentagon Inspector General Details U.S. Losses and Challenges in Iran War

BAE Systems launches family of small EW systems

Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

JASDF confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

Anduril officials say company can't start on CCA production contract without FY27 budget

US Space Force to add 10,000 guardians in next 5 years

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers

EXCLUSIVE: Pratt licenses Hermeus to build F100 fighter jet engine

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

NATO Eurofighter Shoots Down Drone After Belarus-to-Lithuania Airspace Incursion

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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