UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming

The U.S. Air Force formally opened a competition for Skyborg contracts on May 15, seeking partners to build and field AI-equipped drone capabilities. The framework creates pathways for more than one company to receive funding as the service accelerates autonomy-led uncrewed teaming.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.040073-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

US Air Force launches contest to replace the B-52 bomber’s engine

By DefenseNews.com: The Air Force has opened up the final stage of the B-52 engine replacement effort.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.255508-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Lockheed slated to miss F-35 delivery target in 2020 as supply chain struggles to keep up

By DefenseNews.com: Lockheed Martin is under contract to deliver 141 F-35 jets this year. Amid COVID-19 restrictions, it's unclear whether that will happen.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.339593-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Vivek Raghuvanshi

Indian Air Force restructures $17 billion fighter jet program

By DefenseNews.com: The Indian Air Force is overhauling its plan to induct 114 medium-weight multirole fighters, with a senior service official saying the aircraft will be built in India with significant foreign technology transfer and no foreign procurement.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.802806-07:00

Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

The inside story of two supersonic flights that changed how America operates the F-35

By DefenseNews.com: Day-to-day restrictions on supersonic flight won't stop pilots from pushing the F-35 to the limits in combat, an F-35 test pilot tells Defense News.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.968636-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Boeing begins involuntary layoffs, but defense biz to remain mostly untouched

By DefenseNews.com: Only about 100 of the more than 6,000 Boeing workers to be laid off this week will come from its defense division.

2026-04-23T15:24:32.656064-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Mike Yeo

Images reveal Singapore jets equipped with reconnaissance pods — a capability thought missing for 15 years

By DefenseNews.com: Defense News has been given access to several images of different F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcons in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, revealing the aircraft are equipped with Elbit Condor 2 Long Range Oblique Photography systems on their centerline station.

2026-04-23T15:05:57.864366-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

At a budgetary crossroads, the US Navy’s aviation wing must choose between old and new

By DefenseNews.com: The Navy plans to curtail Super Hornet production in fiscal 2022. It remains unclear, however, whether that effort will be successful.

2026-04-23T15:05:58.104161-07:00

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USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming

US Air Force launches contest to replace the B-52 bomber’s engine

Lockheed slated to miss F-35 delivery target in 2020 as supply chain struggles to keep up

Indian Air Force restructures $17 billion fighter jet program

The inside story of two supersonic flights that changed how America operates the F-35

Boeing begins involuntary layoffs, but defense biz to remain mostly untouched

Images reveal Singapore jets equipped with reconnaissance pods — a capability thought missing for 15 years

At a budgetary crossroads, the US Navy’s aviation wing must choose between old and new

Lockheed slated to miss F-35 delivery target in 2020 as supply chain struggles to keep up

Boeing begins involuntary layoffs, but defense biz to remain mostly untouched

The inside story of two supersonic flights that changed how America operates the F-35

Three European air forces approve performance benchmarks for next-gen fighter jet

Indian Air Force restructures $17 billion fighter jet program

US Air Force launches contest to replace the B-52 bomber’s engine

New Zealand military buys 5 Lockheed Hercules planes for $1 billion

US Air Force looks to up-gun its airlift planes

Historic nomination of first black service chief to move forward after lawmaker lifts secret hold

US Air Force relaunches effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper drone

Pentagon’s proposed FY2027 budget: $1.45T topline, $1.4B USAF air base defense, U‑2 retirement and carrier funding boost

Northrop Grumman Q1 revenue rises on stronger aeronautics demand as US seeks to expand B-21 Raider production

VerdeGo delivers first turbine-hybrid VH-4T powerplants for electrified aircraft and long-endurance UAS

Airbus to acquire French cybersecurity firm Quarkslab to bolster sovereign aviation cyber defenses

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

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