Defense News

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews its planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight on Sept. 23 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth production facility, marking the first aircraft built for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s planned CF-35A fleet. Ottawa is still reviewing the size and composition of the 88-aircraft purchase intended to replace its CF-188 Hornets.

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

Also: f-16.net, defence-blog.com, news.ssbcrack.com and defence-industry.eu

7 Sources

2026-09-24T05:16:20.136041-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Africa

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow

By FlightGlobal: Developer cites 8h endurance in baseline intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance standard. South African firm Paramount has unveiled a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial vehicle optimised for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

1 Source

2026-09-24T06:50:20.667137-07:00

AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors BAE Systems

Vertical Mag • Skyryse Press Release

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse partner to advance software-defined autonomous flight

By Vertical Mag: Explore Skyryse's partnership with BAE Systems Australia to enhance autonomous flight through innovative software solutions.

1 Source

2026-09-24T06:20:32.455267-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

By Air Data News: AIDC delivered the last two aircraft to the Air Force, completing a nine-year development and Taiwan’s Air Force has received the 66th and final production T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer, completing a program launched more than nine years ago to replace two older training aircraft types.

Also: AeroTime

2 Sources

2026-09-24T02:36:53.883974-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

By AeroTime: US intelligence reportedly warned European governments of a possible Russian Gerbera drone operation targeting Spain, France or Italy, El Mundo says.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:08:48.635697-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

By The Air Current: The Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to fill a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East.

Also: FlightGlobal

2 Sources

2026-09-23T16:20:47.973525-07:00

China Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

By The War Zone: Recent video footage shows continued refinement of the J-36 design, and there has also been talk of laser armament for the jet.

1 Source

2026-09-23T14:52:54.349141-07:00

Satellite Space Force Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing two commercial satellite servicing missions for 2027 that will test ways of giving military spacecraft more freedom to maneuver after launch.

1 Source

2026-09-23T16:45:45.434615-07:00

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews its planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse partner to advance software-defined autonomous flight

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse partner to advance software-defined autonomous flight

Canada’s first F-35 flies while Ottawa still reviews 88-fighter purchase

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

RAF Hawk T2 crashes near RAF Valley in Wales, both pilots eject

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

USAF F-16 crashes during landing near Spangdahlem Air Base; pilot ejects safely

General Atomics delivers FQ-42A Vengeance to Creech for test and evaluation

South Korea receives first production KF-21 Boramae fighter

UK RAF forms first Space Effects Squadron for offensive and defensive orbital operations

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