Defense News

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

US Navy seeks carrier-launched autonomous combat aircraft carrying up to 10,000 pounds of weapons

The US Navy is asking defense companies to propose autonomous combat aircraft capable of operating from aircraft carriers, conducting strike missions and carrying as much as 10,000 pounds of externally mounted weapons. The request signals an emphasis on integrating high-payload uncrewed platforms into carrier aviation.

1 Source

2026-09-03T12:20:09.015244-07:00

Supply Chain Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

By The Air Current: As the Pentagon upgrades aging infrastructure across the Pacific theater to meet the rising threat from China, it is forced to tackle a daunting logistical challenge: securing the complex fuel supply chain needed to support expeditionary bases spread across far-flung islands.

1 Source

2026-09-03T12:50:56.925210-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

By Air Data News: EX-22 is the 22nd Eagle II delivered by Boeing and will eventually join the 18th Wing at Kadena Boeing has delivered the first F-15EX Eagle II destined for permanent deployment at Kadena Air Base in Japan , as the U.S.

The War Zone

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

Air & Space Forces Mag

B-52s Deploy for Bomber Task Force to Upgraded Australia Base

Also: Simple Flying, DVIDS / U.S. DoD and defence-industry.eu

6 Sources

2026-09-03T09:54:07.623712-07:00

Hypersonic Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

By AeroTime: GE Aerospace will develop the Mach 5 Derecho hypersonic test vehicle under a new Pentagon HyCAT program contract.

1 Source

2026-09-03T11:06:08.794346-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

By The War Zone: The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks. The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks.

1 Source

2026-09-03T09:35:09.382606-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Boeing

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

By Breaking Defense: The Wedgetail would replace the aging E3 Sentry for airborne early warning and control.

1 Source

2026-09-03T08:05:13.630620-07:00

Satellite Space Force AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is using its latest round of small-business research contracts to pursue technologies that are closer to operational use, a shift from the open ended research projects that have sometimes fueled industry skepticism of the Pentagon’s SBIR program.

insidedefense.com

Space Force tallies $11.6B cost for Boeing-led strategic communications satellite program

overtdefense.com

U.S. Air Force Awards Contracts Worth $766 Million to Raytheon and Boeing for B-52 Upgrades

Also: Defense Daily and insidedefense.com

5 Sources

2026-09-03T07:06:06.332384-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

politico.eu • Paul Mclearly, Stefanie Bolzen

German defense chief to meet with Hegseth after earlier snub

By politico.eu: Boris Pistorius will visit the Pentagon chief for a rollout of F-35 warplanes.

Also: Politico

2 Sources

2026-09-03T07:50:42.231325-07:00

US Navy seeks carrier-launched autonomous combat aircraft carrying up to 10,000 pounds of weapons

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

B-52s Deploy for Bomber Task Force to Upgraded Australia Base

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

Space Force tallies $11.6B cost for Boeing-led strategic communications satellite program

U.S. Air Force Awards Contracts Worth $766 Million to Raytheon and Boeing for B-52 Upgrades

German defense chief to meet with Hegseth after earlier snub

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

Hermeus picks Anduril autonomy for Quarterhorse drone

GE Aerospace to provide marine gas turbine engines for South Korea's KDDX destroyers

Russia’s Reported Space-Nuclear ASAT Capability Highlights Arms-Control Failures

US Air Force moves closer to ski-equipped C-130J Hercules

USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 286 days at sea and Middle East deployment

NATO fighters scramble after drones approach Baltic airspace as Zelenskiy declares Russian skies unsafe

US Navy seeks two carrier-based autonomous combat aircraft prototypes costing under $30 million

U.S. Navy seeks two fully functional prototypes for first tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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