Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF to assess what replaces the B-52 as sustainment costs rise

The U.S. Air Force says it plans to keep the B-52 in service until it approaches a nearly 100-year operating life, but it is now exploring what will replace the bomber as upgrade costs climb. The effort comes amid pressure to manage aging airframe sustainment and spiraling modernization expenditures.

2026-05-07T17:08:54.779158-07:00
Space Force   AI   Hypersonic   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Rocket Lab joins Raytheon on space interceptor program for Golden Dome

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Rocket Lab said May 7 it won new Pentagon-related defense business tied to the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative and to the expanding U.S.

2026-05-07T15:27:26.182649-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
Air & Space Forces Mag • Steve Losey

F-22s Arrive at Kadena as Base Awaits Delayed F-15EXs

By Air & Space Forces Mag: F-22 Raptors from two squadrons have arrived at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, as the base awaits its delayed F-15EX Eagle IIs.

Also: nationalsecurityjournal.org, defence-blog.com and war.gov
2026-05-06T12:12:46.530151-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Unmanned Airspace • Philip Butterworth-Hayes

US Joint Interagency Task Force 401 selects five directed-energy C-UAS pilot programme sites

By Unmanned Airspace: The US Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has selected five installations to participate in the directed-energy counter-unmanned aircraft systems pilot programme included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

Also: dronelife.com
2026-05-07T10:46:31.051446-07:00
Museums   Military Aircraft Procurement   Policy & Regulation  
Flying Magazine • Zach Vasile

F-14s Could Fly Again Under New Bill

By Flying Magazine: A bill passed by the U.S. Senate would transfer three retired F-14 fighter jets to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center for potential flying or public display.

2026-05-07T09:57:24.831798-07:00