Defense News

Space Force Leadership Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Schiess confirmed as third Space Force chief amid growth and acquisition challenges

Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess will lead a larger U.S. Space Force as it prepares for further expansion. His tenure will center on managing complex acquisition programs and workforce demands while shaping the service’s growth as it develops its force structure and operational capabilities.

Also: SpaceNews.com and Air & Space Forces Mag

3 Sources

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

Event Dassault Aviation Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

defence-blog.com • Daisuke Sato

Indian Rafales debut in Australia’s biggest air exercise

By defence-blog.com: Key Points Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets made their debut at Exercise Pitch Black 2026 over Australia's Northern Territory. An Australian KC-30A tanker refueled Indian Rafales for the first time during a five-hour sortie in the exercise's second week.

AeroTime

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 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

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.

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

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

F-16 Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Aviation Today • Frank Wolfe

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

By Aviation Today: Air Force is searching for answers on how to remedy supply chain bottlenecks in building engines for the service’s F-15EX fighter by Boeing and F-16 by Lockheed Martin.

1 Source

2026-08-06T13:11:50.383052-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Aviation Today • Calvin Biesecker

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

By Aviation Today: The four-year-old OSC originally had just under $1 billion in total authority for loans—which typically have been made to support shoring up the domestic supply base for critical materials—but that amount has been increased to over $210 billion during the Trump administration.

1 Source

2026-08-06T13:11:50.600346-07:00

Schiess confirmed as third Space Force chief amid growth and acquisition challenges

Indian Rafales debut in Australia’s biggest air exercise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

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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