Defense News

Event Dassault Aviation Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

defence-blog.com • Daisuke Sato

Indian Air Force Rafales make debut at Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026

Indian Air Force Rafale fighters have made their first appearance at Exercise Pitch Black, Australia’s premier multinational air combat exercise. During a five-hour sortie over the Northern Territory, an Australian KC-30A tanker refueled the Rafales for the first time, underscoring the exercise’s operational integration focus.

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Indian Air Force’s Rafale makes historic debut at Exercise Pitch Black 26

2 Sources

2026-08-07T01:15:03.549315-07:00

Space Force Leadership Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Schiess confirmed as third Space Force chief

By Breaking Defense: Lt. Gen. Doug Shiess will inherit a bigger service with plans to grow further, but also a complex set of acquisition and workforce challenges.

Also: SpaceNews.com and Air & Space Forces Mag

3 Sources

2026-08-07T04:45:45.434730-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

U.S. Navy Aircraft Demonstrate AI for Anti-Submarine and Maritime Patrol Missions

By FlightGlobal: Artificial intelligence shows promise in key maritime surveillance activities. A pair of demonstrations involving US Navy aircraft shows the potential for artificial intelligence in the anti-submarine and maritime patrol missions.

AeroTime

US Air Force flies first robot-formed panel on storm-damaged C-17

UK Defence Journal

U.S. Flies Armed Collaborative Combat Aircraft Prototypes in Nevada

Also: indiastrategic.in, migflug.com, Unmanned Airspace, DVIDS / U.S. DoD and 5 more

13 Sources

2026-08-06T23:59:51.117888-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Bipartisan Senate bill would sharpen Space Force training for conflict with China

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would direct the Pentagon to strengthen the U.S.

1 Source

2026-08-07T02:14:56.788447-07:00

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

Reuters • Matthias Inverardi

Rheinmetall says ramping up ATACMS output will take time as US rebuilds stocks

By Reuters: Rheinmetall said on Friday it would take time to ramp up planned ATACMS missile production with Lockheed Martin , underscoring the challenge the United States faces to replenish weapons stockpiles depleted by the war with Iran.

1 Source

2026-08-07T01:44:41.834486-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Ukraine’s ballistic missile tests show ‘strong potential’: Zelenskyy

By AeroTime: Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s domestic ballistic missile tests showed “strong potential,” but the design has yet to become an operational weapon.

1 Source

2026-08-07T00:59:17.155074-07:00

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

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

2026-08-06T11:33:46.106897-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation Boeing Boeing 747

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

By AeroTime: A new Pentagon report blames interior design problems and certification issues for delays of Boeing’s two new VC-25B presidential aircraft.

1 Source

2026-08-06T08:44:19.374031-07:00

Indian Air Force Rafales make debut at Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026

Indian Air Force’s Rafale makes historic debut at Exercise Pitch Black 26

Schiess confirmed as third Space Force chief

U.S. Navy Aircraft Demonstrate AI for Anti-Submarine and Maritime Patrol Missions

US Air Force flies first robot-formed panel on storm-damaged C-17

U.S. Flies Armed Collaborative Combat Aircraft Prototypes in Nevada

Bipartisan Senate bill would sharpen Space Force training for conflict with China

Rheinmetall says ramping up ATACMS output will take time as US rebuilds stocks

Ukraine’s ballistic missile tests show ‘strong potential’: Zelenskyy

XQ-58 Valkyrie Drones With Built-In Landing Gear Are Now In Production

Northrop Grumman and Boeing Achieve First Automated Manned-Unmanned Teaming for Maritime Defense

Robinson Unmanned Advances in Drone Dominance Program as Pentagon Focuses on Production at Scale

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

Indian Rafales debut in Australia’s biggest air exercise

Schiess confirmed as third Space Force chief

Bipartisan Senate bill would sharpen Space Force training for conflict with China

Rheinmetall says ramping up ATACMS output will take time as US rebuilds stocks

Ukraine’s ballistic missile tests show ‘strong potential’: Zelenskyy

U.S. Navy Aircraft Demonstrate AI for Anti-Submarine and Maritime Patrol Missions

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

USAF Looks For Answers To Remedy Supply Bottlenecks For F-15EX and F-16 Engines

DoD Considers $820 Million Loan to Drone Company to Mass-Produce Components

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390s in first Latin American sale outside Brazil

U.S. Navy seeks uncrewed aircraft for ultra-long-range carrier strike in the Pacific

Military services advance networked maritime operations with autonomous aircraft, drones and surface vessels

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing $75 million contract to begin long-range JDAM production

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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