The War Zone
• Joseph Trevithick
A new legislative proposal would require restoring four U-2S spy planes—effectively re-expanding near-term aircraft availability—while Congress seeks to block the Air Force from retiring the entire U-2 fleet. The move follows continuing questions about capability gaps and U-2S risk to mission coverage.
AeroTime
• Stephen Pope
By AeroTime: NORAD says it responded to more than a dozen aircraft incursions into FAA temporary flight restrictions in the New York and New Jersey region so far in June.
Bloomberg
• Bloomberg News
By Bloomberg: Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is expanding a constellation of domestically produced satellites as he vowed to step up strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Breaking Defense
• Bartosz Głowacki
By Breaking Defense: Two extra squadrons of F-35s would double the existing order, from 32 to 64.
Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
By Air Data News: Lockheed Martin will procure long-lead components for 11 fighter jets scheduled for production through 2030 U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Lockheed Martin a $154 million contract to procure long-lead materials for 11 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets destined for an undisclosed foreign customer.
Breaking Defense
• Capt. Broder Nielsen
By Breaking Defense: “The MQ-9B will be the first [unmanned] system we operate with it — the idea is to have those working closely with the aircraft, but step by step,” said Capt.
SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
By SpaceWatch Global: OHB and Rheinmetall have founded a new joint venture to provide the German Armed Forces with a secure, communications architecture.
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
By AeroTime: Bell has assembled the first two wing structures for the US Army's MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor, cutting labor hours by 90% compared to early V-22 production.
Reuters
• Florence Loeve, Sabine Siebold, Tim Hepher
Aviation Today
• Calvin Biesecker
