Defense News

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

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Sierra Nevada to develop ski-equipped LC-130J modification for U.S. Air Force snow operations

Sierra Nevada will lead development and analysis of an adaptation kit to convert the C-130J for snow runway operations, creating a ski-equipped LC-130J configuration for the U.S. Air Force. The work is scheduled to conclude in March 2028, establishing the design basis for operations from ice- and snow-covered runways.

1 Source

2026-09-04T03:05:11.436497-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Air & Space Forces Mag • Greg Hadley

Last EC-130H Makes Its Final Flight Ahead of Retirement

By Air & Space Forces Mag: The last EC-130H Compass Call made its final flight Sept. 2, as the Air Force prepares to retire the electronic warfare aircraft.

Also: The Aviationist and AeroTime

3 Sources

2026-09-03T18:13:29.514583-07:00

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

By AeroTime: The US Navy is seeking autonomous combat aircraft capable of carrier operations, strike missions and carrying up to 10,000 pounds of weapons.

1 Source

2026-09-03T12:20:09.015244-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

After ‘concerning’ losses, Air Force pushes to replace Reaper faster

By Breaking Defense: “There's no doubt if we try and pursue the exact same approach that we had with things like the MQ-9, we're going to get something that costs about the same as an MQ-9,” said Air Force Lt.

1 Source

2026-09-03T16:04:47.047733-07:00

Space Force Leadership Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Air & Space Forces Mag • Courtney Albon

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

By Air & Space Forces Mag: Gen. Douglas Schiess assumed leadership of the Space Force on Sept. 3, succeeding Gen. B. Chance Saltzman as Chief of Space Operations.

SpaceNews.com

Schiess takes command of Space Force as the service prepares for expansion

Aviation Week

Schiess Assumes Leadership Of U.S. Space Force

Also: Space Policy Online and DVIDS / U.S. DoD

5 Sources

2026-09-03T13:05:26.247992-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Sana Pashankar

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon is channeling Silicon Valley as it tells contractors to come up with their own money for the riskiest parts of his missile shield.

1 Source

2026-09-03T14:20:46.084198-07:00

Supply Chain Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

By The Air Current: As the Pentagon upgrades aging infrastructure across the Pacific theater to meet the rising threat from China, it is forced to tackle a daunting logistical challenge: securing the complex fuel supply chain needed to support expeditionary bases spread across far-flung islands.

1 Source

2026-09-03T12:50:56.925210-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

2026-09-03T09:54:07.623712-07:00

Sierra Nevada to develop ski-equipped LC-130J modification for U.S. Air Force snow operations

Last EC-130H Makes Its Final Flight Ahead of Retirement

US Navy seeks carrier combat drones with 10,000-lb payload

After ‘concerning’ losses, Air Force pushes to replace Reaper faster

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

Schiess takes command of Space Force as the service prepares for expansion

Schiess Assumes Leadership Of U.S. Space Force

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

Doubling Of F-15EX Fleet Comes With Management Risks

Sierra Nevada to design ski-equipped LC-130J modification for US Air Force

Last EC-130H Makes Its Final Flight Ahead of Retirement

After ‘concerning’ losses, Air Force pushes to replace Reaper faster

Schiess Sworn in as New Space Force Chief: ‘We Must Grow with Intention’

Trump Asks Companies to Spend Billions on Unproven Tech For His Golden Dome

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

Hermeus picks Anduril autonomy for Quarterhorse drone

USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 286 days at sea and Middle East deployment

US Navy seeks two carrier-based autonomous combat aircraft prototypes costing under $30 million

Army, Navy and Air Force leaders depart amid Hegseth’s senior-rank purge

U.S. strikes Iran after new shipping attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, Centcom says

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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