Defense News

Saudi Arabia Middle East Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Boeing

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Houthis Claim Downing of Saudi F-15SA Over Yemen’s Marib Governorate

Yemen’s Houthi movement says its air-defense forces shot down a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA over Marib Governorate on Sept. 16, 2026, and has released images purporting to show the aircraft’s wreckage. The claim concerns one of the most advanced variants of Boeing’s F-15 fighter.

Also: aviationnews.eu and militarnyi.com

4 Sources

2026-09-16T19:50:08.244740-07:00

MRO

The War Zone • Howard Altman

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

By The War Zone: In addition, pushing advanced repair work closer to the front lines was critical in keeping as many airframes supporting the mission as possible.

1 Source

2026-09-16T17:05:52.362180-07:00

Saudi Arabia China Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals Defense Policy

New York Times • Dustin Volz, Edward Wong

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

By New York Times: Internal reports, including one from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, say China could acquire U.S. jet technology through spying or cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Also: AeroTime and Economic Times

3 Sources

2026-09-16T14:50:07.547466-07:00

Satellite L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — L3Harris Technologies is moving a missile-tracking satellite developed for the Missile Defense Agency into production for Golden Dome with few design changes.

Also: Defense Daily

2 Sources

2026-09-16T11:30:44.401113-07:00

China Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters • Eduardo Baptista

China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race

By Reuters: China urged the United States to halt its military build-up in outer space after Washington acknowledged it has weapons deployed in orbit, while Chinese state media ‌warned the move could fuel a global arms race.

Bloomberg

New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China

Scientific American

It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space

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

8 Sources

2026-09-15T22:35:25.612640-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing Boeing 737

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

By FlightGlobal: Commander of Air Education and Training Command expects to have 14 of the Boeing jets ready in August 2027. The US Air Force (USAF) expects to have its first full squadron of Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jets ready by next summer.

Aviation A2Z

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

3 Sources

2026-09-16T11:20:07.454893-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

By The War Zone: Allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is growing as USAFE works to ensure interoperability across a wide mix of future systems. Allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is growing as USAFE works to ensure interoperability across a wide mix of future systems.

1 Source

2026-09-16T11:56:08.098344-07:00

Moon Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Space.com • Mike Wall

U.S. military’s highest-ranking officer says future battlefields will extend to the moon

By Space.com: The battlefield that the U.S. military must prepare for and excel in now extends from the seafloor all the way out to the moon, according to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1 Source

2026-09-16T14:05:54.069306-07:00

Houthis Claim Downing of Saudi F-15SA Over Yemen’s Marib Governorate

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race

New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China

It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

U.S. military’s highest-ranking officer says future battlefields will extend to the moon

Houthi rebels claim shoot down of Saudi F-15SA

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

U.S. military’s highest-ranking officer says future battlefields will extend to the moon

Ukraine successfully tests new interceptor against jet-powered Shahed drones

US Air Force considers buying new ‘F-16G’ fighters after 21-year gap

US Air Force considers buying new ‘F-16G’ fighters after 21-year gap

Ukraine successfully tests new interceptor against jet-powered Shahed drones

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

U.S. confirms first deployment of ‘on-orbit space control weapons’

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera as low-cost MQ-9 contender as USAF targets 500 CCAs and thousands of attack drones by 2032

U.S. Navy advances carrier drones, hypersonic weapons and autonomous resupply aircraft

Pratt & Whitney clears F-35 engine upgrade design review and licenses F100 production to Hermeus

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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