AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B from Congress for initial Collaborative Combat Aircraft procurement, moving “loyal wingman” concep

For the first time, the U.S. Air Force is asking Congress to fund the purchase of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), signaling the start of procurement for what it frames as the “loyal wingman” era. The request totals nearly $1B for initial buys, bridging earlier prototype efforts to production.

Also: AirForceTimes, Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com
2026-04-30T11:50:00.555823-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Air Force Wants To Axe Its E-11A BACN Communications Jets

By The War Zone: The Air Force wants space-based systems to take over from the E-11A in providing critical data fusion and communications relay capabilities. The Air Force wants space-based systems to take over from the E-11A in providing critical data fusion and communications relay capabilities.

Also: The Aviationist and Aviation Week
2026-04-30T12:22:56.118625-07:00
China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Deals  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Chinese fighter jet sales rise after India-Pakistan conflict puts them to test

By AeroTime: China’s fighter jet manufacturers are seeing a sharp rise in sales following the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, where Chinese-built aircraft were credited by Pakistan with playing a decisive role in aerial combat.

2026-04-30T07:45:07.940758-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

New-build Saab Gripen fighter arrivals bolster Hungarian air force fleet

By FlightGlobal: New arrivals boost nation's fleet to 16 of the Swedish-built jets. Hungary has taken delivery of two new-build Saab Gripen C fighters, with the pair having arrived at its Kecskemet air base on 29 April.

aviation-defence-universe.com

Hungary receives two new Gripen fighters

2026-04-30T04:04:19.204103-07:00
Event   Space Force   Leadership   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
DVIDS / U.S. DoD

U.S. Space Command Takes Operational Control of Facility at Redstone Arsenal

By DVIDS / U.S. DoD: During an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command, announced the command’s operational control of a facility located on Redstone Arsenal, April 29, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama.

2026-04-29T19:20:27.369997-07:00
ATC   Africa   Airports   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Airlines  
DefenseNews.com • Linus Höller

Investigation: Russian shadow airlines use Algeria as base for secretive missions

By DefenseNews.com: Algeria has become a key customer for Russian arms at a time when Moscow has seen a slump in its military-export business after the invasion of Ukraine.

2026-04-30T04:41:46.834849-07:00
Hypersonic   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Boeing  
The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

AGM-183 ARRW Shown on B-1B Bomber for the First Time

By The Aviationist: The U.S. Air Force released for the first time a short clip showing a B-1B Lancer bomber flying with an AGM-183 ARRW hypersonic weapon carried externally.

Also: The War Zone, Air Data News and worldwarwings.com
2026-04-29T18:28:28.884658-07:00