Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Air Force retires EC-130H Compass Call fleet, shifting mission to modified Gulfstreams

The U.S. Air Force is retiring the C-130H-based EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare fleet after more than four decades of service. Its mission systems are transitioning to modified Gulfstream business jets, with the EA-37B assuming the role as the EC-130H exits operations.

1 Source

2026-09-05T05:05:35.789748-07:00

Supply Chain Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing Boeing 747

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

How a 747-8 manufacturing flaw complicated the new Air Force One conversion

By Air Data News: The two Boeing 747-8s being converted into the next US presidential aircraft have required extensive structural repairs because of a manufacturing problem affecting the type, adding more work to a VC-25B program already delayed by several years.

Also: Simple Flying

2 Sources

2026-09-04T23:52:54.736045-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Bloomberg • Olesia Safronova, Volodymyr Verbianyi

Kyiv Adapts to New Reality of Life Under Constant Russian Drone Attack

By Bloomberg: As a resident of Boryspil, a satellite town of Kyiv, Kostyantyn Kuts has grown accustomed to regular night-time air raids. This past week has been different.

1 Source

2026-09-05T00:20:37.737608-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Defense Scoop • Mikayla Easley

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

By Defense Scoop: The loss of dozens of MQ-9A Reapers during Operation Epic Fury has prompted the Air Force to rethink its plans to replace the drone, with officials now looking to field a cheaper successor in large numbers much more quickly.

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force speeds Reaper successor timeline after Iran losses

The War Zone

USAF Wants MQ-9 Reaper Successor At A Fraction Of The Cost At $10M Each

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

6 Sources

2026-09-04T08:05:52.219075-07:00

China UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

China’s Huge WZ-X Stealth Drone's Strange Wing Configuration Confirmed

By The War Zone: New photos of the WZ-X airborne give us a clearer view of the aircraft's unique wing design. The latest views offer clues about the aircraft’s design, including an unusual wing that may reflect the demands of very-high-altitude, long-endurance flight.

1 Source

2026-09-04T15:50:21.822901-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

By The War Zone: The request for anti-drone and anti-cruise missile guns comes as the Air Force is pushing to take on more air defense responsibilities at its forward bases.

1 Source

2026-09-04T13:13:44.597600-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

F-35 costs jump in latest production lots

By Breaking Defense: Compared to recent contracts, the average flyaway cost of an F-35A and F-35B rose by over 11 percent, while the price of an F-35C climbed over 8 percent, according to figures supplied by the F-35 Joint Program Office.

Also: Simple Flying

2 Sources

2026-09-04T10:34:46.238914-07:00

Workforce & Skills Development

Breaking Defense • Robbin Laird

Fixing the machine: Inside the Navy's race to rebuild its aviator pipeline

By Breaking Defense: An in-depth discussion with the service's chief of Naval Air Training Command.

1 Source

2026-09-04T08:50:00.797470-07:00

Air Force retires EC-130H Compass Call fleet, shifting mission to modified Gulfstreams

How a 747-8 manufacturing flaw complicated the new Air Force One conversion

Kyiv Adapts to New Reality of Life Under Constant Russian Drone Attack

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

US Air Force speeds Reaper successor timeline after Iran losses

USAF Wants MQ-9 Reaper Successor At A Fraction Of The Cost At $10M Each

China’s Huge WZ-X Stealth Drone's Strange Wing Configuration Confirmed

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

F-35 costs jump in latest production lots

Fixing the machine: Inside the Navy's race to rebuild its aviator pipeline

Air Force Retires EC-130H Compass Call

Kyiv Adapts to New Reality of Life Under Constant Russian Drone Attack

How a 747-8 manufacturing flaw complicated the new Air Force One conversion

China’s Huge WZ-X Stealth Drone's Strange Wing Configuration Confirmed

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

Army’s desert Starlink trial highlights challenges and opportunities of commercial satellite technology

I saw more than 1,000 pitches to the Pentagon ... and a clear pattern for success

Last EC-130H Makes Its Final Flight Ahead of Retirement

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

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon HyCAT award as it expands combat-engine production and secures South Korean destroyer propulsion deal

Missile Shortage Strains Ukraine’s F-16 Force Ahead of Russian Airstrikes

First F-15EX Heads to Japan as Air Force Plans to Expand Fleet to 267 Jets

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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