Leadership   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
DefenseNews.com • Lara Seligman

Pentagon weapons tester flags risk of F-35 software development slipping; Air Force acquisition nominee targets sustainment cost

The Pentagon’s top weapons tester says F-35 software development could fall behind, even as the Joint Program Office maintains the broader program is on track. Separately, an Air Force acquisition nominee signals a planned deep dive on using emerging technologies to reduce F-35 sustainment costs over the program’s life—amid scrutiny of the program’s escalating price tag.

Also: DefenseNews.com and Business Insider
2026-04-22T17:50:04.606055-07:00
Helicopter   Sikorsky   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Boeing  
DefenseNews.com • Lars Hoffmann

Germany Picks CH-53K , CH-47F as Options for New Helo

By DefenseNews.com: GÖTTINGEN, Germany — The German armed forces has shortlisted the CH-53K from Sikorsky and the CH-47F Chinook from Boeing - also known as Chinook - as potential successors to its aging fleet of CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters, a spokesman for the German Air Force confirmed.

2026-04-22T17:50:08.096809-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta

USAF Looks to Global Hawk Upgrades

By DefenseNews.com: After multiple attempts to end the Global Hawk Block 30, the US Air Force has now included the high-altitude long-endurance unmanned system in two straight budget requests, giving a sense of stability to the program — and allowing operators to turn their eyes to future upgrades.

2026-04-22T16:49:52.096253-07:00