Defense News

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Germany’s first F-35A completes maiden flight ahead of 35-aircraft delivery

Germany’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II has completed its maiden flight from the company’s Fort Worth facilities. The milestone advances Berlin’s 35-aircraft program toward initial delivery and U.S.-based Luftwaffe crew training, as the stealth fighter prepares to replace the Tornado in strike and nuclear-deterrence missions.

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Germany’s First F-35 Has Flown

6 Sources

2026-09-09T03:06:22.099737-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

CNBC • Samantha Subin

Andreessen- and Thiel-backed defense startup opens U.S. missile factory as it exits stealth

By CNBC: Founded in 2024, Covenant is speeding up lower-cost missile manufacturing for the U.S. military.

Also: Bloomberg

2 Sources

2026-09-09T03:20:30.883046-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

US builds special B-21 hangar at Whiteman to check bomber’s stealth

By AeroTime: The US is building a specialized B-21 Raider hangar at Whiteman AFB to inspect the bomber and ensure it retains its low-observable characteristics.

1 Source

2026-09-09T01:50:13.968175-07:00

Eurofighter Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

What to know about Europe’s next-gen fighter programs

By Breaking Defense: FCAS? GCAP? Upgraded Eurofighter Typhoons? The Breaking Defense roundtable walks you through the options on the table.

1 Source

2026-09-09T01:20:22.411089-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe General Atomics Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Deals

Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

General Atomics IDs Italy As Buyer Of Two Previously Unsold MQ-9As

By Aviation Week: The maker of the MQ-9A Reaper identified Italy on Sept. 8 as the buyer for two of the company’s remaining stock of unsold “white tails.”.

aviationnews.eu

Italian Air Force Orders Two MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers from General Atomics

FlightGlobal

Italy orders two MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com, Aero-News and 3 more

9 Sources

2026-09-08T13:37:20.209534-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Aerial Firefighting

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Indonesian aircraft carrier tasked for firefighting work

By FlightGlobal: As Italy’s former ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi teams towards Indonesia, country’s president taps it as floating fire station.

1 Source

2026-09-09T00:37:34.620965-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Naval News • H I Sutton

Underwater Drone Captured By Iran Matches American Anduril Model

By Naval News: An underwater drone shown by Iran closely matches the American-designed Anduril Dive-LD model. The large AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) was reportedly captured in the Straits of Hormuz earlier today.

The War Zone

Everything We Know About The U.S. Navy’s Submersible Drone Iran Just Captured

Also: Sandboxx

3 Sources

2026-09-08T09:38:01.485403-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Report: Golden Dome orbital interceptors face daunting economics

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — A planned constellation of U.S.

1 Source

2026-09-08T17:06:52.899758-07:00

Germany’s first F-35A completes maiden flight ahead of 35-aircraft delivery

Germany’s First F-35 Has Flown

Andreessen- and Thiel-backed defense startup opens U.S. missile factory as it exits stealth

US builds special B-21 hangar at Whiteman to check bomber’s stealth

What to know about Europe’s next-gen fighter programs

General Atomics IDs Italy As Buyer Of Two Previously Unsold MQ-9As

Italian Air Force Orders Two MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers from General Atomics

Italy orders two MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers

Indonesian aircraft carrier tasked for firefighting work

Underwater Drone Captured By Iran Matches American Anduril Model

Everything We Know About The U.S. Navy’s Submersible Drone Iran Just Captured

Report: Golden Dome orbital interceptors face daunting economics

Andreessen- and Thiel-backed defense startup opens U.S. missile factory as it exits stealth

Germany’s first F-35 takes flight

US builds special B-21 hangar at Whiteman to check bomber’s stealth

What to know about Europe’s next-gen fighter programs

Indonesian aircraft carrier tasked for firefighting work

General Atomics IDs Italy As Buyer Of Two Previously Unsold MQ-9As

U.S. Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Response to Tehran’s Attacks on Navy Ships

US Navy's next-generation fighter decision to be unveiled soon, sources say

War Game: China gets its own Golden Dome, sparking a space arms race

Some 82nd Airborne troops’ deployment extended to one year

Ukraine confirms Swedish ASC 890 AEW&C aircraft began combat sorties in March 2026

U.S. military demonstrates highly accurate GPS-free quantum navigation for aircraft

India Clears ₹1.1 Trillion Defense Package Spanning Hypersonic Missiles, Warship Engines and Fighter Programs

Boeing to offer MQ-28 Ghost Bat for Japan’s SHIELD coastal defense network

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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