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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

USAF sets B-52 engine replacement at $20.2 billion as modernization tops $23 billion

The U.S. Air Force has priced the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program at $20.2 billion as it advances engine and radar upgrades intended to keep the strategic bomber operational into the 2050s. The service is also working to recover schedule on the two largest elements of the modernization effort.

Also: Aeronews

2 Sources

2026-09-16T01:50:45.824505-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Houthis claim Saudi F-15 shootdown over Yemen as Mecca drone row escalates

By AeroTime: Yemen’s Houthi movement said on September 16, 2026, that it shot down a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 over Marib Governorate. Saudi authorities had not commented on the claim as of publication.

1 Source

2026-09-16T02:06:33.716298-07:00

Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

SpaceWatch Global • Christophe Bosquillon

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Factory Floor Is the Frontline: What NATO DIANA Reveals About the Real Bottleneck

By SpaceWatch Global: NATO DIANA is finding promising defence innovators. But weak demand, supply chains and workforce shortages could prevent them from reaching operational scale.

1 Source

2026-09-16T01:21:08.510016-07:00

Middle East Helicopter Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

New York Times • John Ismay

Pentagon Inspector General Details U.S. Losses and Challenges in Iran War

By New York Times: Helicopters for evacuating casualties were pulled from four countries, and hundreds of military facilities were destroyed, according to a new report.

Also: defensetalks.com

2 Sources

2026-09-15T20:20:57.721109-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident Asia-Pacific (APAC)

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

JASDF confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk

By FlightGlobal: Accident marks tenth loss of a Global Hawk variant.

Also: The Aviationist and Aviation Week

3 Sources

2026-09-15T19:19:59.707495-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors BAE Systems

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

BAE Systems launches family of small EW systems

By FlightGlobal: Shadow EW can be integrated with a range of small platforms. BAE Systems has launched a family of small form factor electronic warfare (EW) systems that can be used in both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, defence-industry.eu and edrmagazine.eu

4 Sources

2026-09-15T20:06:16.516187-07:00

Saudi Arabia UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Ahmed Tolba, Enas Alashray

Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

By Reuters: The drone was the second Houthi attempt to target Mecca after a ballistic missile launch in 2017, and follows a week of attacks from Iran-aligned Houthi fighters that have drawn Saudi Arabia deeper into the war.

Also: Economic Times, The Guardian and Economic Times

4 Sources

2026-09-15T19:35:55.648583-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Space Force’s new acquisition chief says his immediate task is turning the service’s recently completed acquisition overhaul into faster delivery of satellites, weapons and other capabilities.

1 Source

2026-09-15T18:37:51.277395-07:00

USAF sets B-52 engine replacement at $20.2 billion as modernization tops $23 billion

Houthis claim Saudi F-15 shootdown over Yemen as Mecca drone row escalates

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Factory Floor Is the Frontline: What NATO DIANA Reveals About the Real Bottleneck

Pentagon Inspector General Details U.S. Losses and Challenges in Iran War

JASDF confirms loss of RQ-4B Global Hawk

BAE Systems launches family of small EW systems

Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

Hernandez-Baquero lays out plan to make Space Force acquisition overhaul work

Houthis claim Saudi F-15 shootdown over Yemen as Mecca drone row escalates

B-52 engine and radar upgrades top US$23 billion as USAF moves to recover schedule

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Factory Floor Is the Frontline: What NATO DIANA Reveals About the Real Bottleneck

Pentagon Inspector General Details U.S. Losses and Challenges in Iran War

BAE Systems launches family of small EW systems

Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca

Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

F-35 proved combat readiness during Middle East deployments, Air Force officials say

US Space Force to add 10,000 guardians in next 5 years

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit

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

NATO Eurofighter Shoots Down Drone After Belarus-to-Lithuania Airspace Incursion

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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