Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Aviation Today • Frank Wolfe

Pentagon IG Flags Persistent F-35A/C Readiness Shortfalls Affecting Strike Operations

A Pentagon Inspector General report last month found persistent readiness shortfalls in Lockheed Martin F-35A and F-35C fleets that affected strike operations, including a U.S. strike package that deployed both variants against Venezuela on Jan. 3. The findings heighten concerns about sustainment and mission availability.

2026-01-08T13:22:23.965197-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors Policy & Regulation Export Controls & Trade Compliance Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection) Defense Policy

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

FCC Partially Reverses Foreign Drone Ban—But Not For DJI

By Flying Magazine: Federal Communications Commission exempts drones and critical components on the Pentagon’s Blue List from a sweeping ban.

2026-01-08T12:18:45.411054-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite North America Military Aircraft Procurement Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman

NORAD Canada Commander Warns of Drone Threat, Calls for New Satellites and Airborne Radar Jets

By The War Zone: Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna offers exclusive insights on the need for new satellites, airborne radar jets, and the drone threat.

2026-01-08T12:08:16.431172-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Defense Daily • Frank Wolfe

Pentagon Inspector General Warns of Ongoing F‑35 Readiness Shortfalls Amid Operational Deployments

By Defense Daily: While Air Force F-35A and Navy F-35C fighters by Lockheed Martin were in the U.S. strike package against Venezuela on Jan. 3, a Pentagon Inspector General.

2026-01-07T14:45:19.156163-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI North America Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Northrop Grumman, Kratos Selected to Integrate XQ-58 Valkyrie for Marine Corps MUX TACAIR Program

By Breaking Defense: Northrop Grumman will serve as the prime contractor and integrate mission systems on Kratos’s XQ-58 Valkyrie for the Marine Corps’s MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The War Zone

Northrop Grumman Joins Kratos to Missionize XQ-58 for USMC Under New Contract

Aviation Week

Northrop Grumman to Provide Autonomy Software for USMC’s First 'Loyal Wingman' Uncrewed System

Also: DefenseNews.com, FlightGlobal, The Aviationist, Northrop Grumman, Defense Scoop, Defense Daily, Defense One, defencetoday.com, euro-sd.com, defence-industry.eu, GlobeNewswire, ir.kratosdefense.com and 3 more

2026-01-08T06:09:17.995465-08:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Tom Kington

Italy selects Trapani‑Birgi as first F‑35 pilot school outside US; JPO and Lockheed to oversee readiness

By DefenseNews.com: The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and constructor Lockheed Martin will oversee the readying of the training center at Trapani-Birgi Air Base.

The Aviationist

Italy Approves First Multinational F-35 Pilot Training Center Outside The U.S.

news.defcros.com

Italy designates Sicily air base as the inaugural F-35 pilot training school outside the United States.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com, news.defcros.com and edrmagazine.eu

2026-01-08T08:35:06.980476-08:00

Leadership Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Vertical Mag • News Release

Leonardo DRS names Sally Wallace as chief operating officer

By Vertical Mag: Wallace, who has been with the company since 2002, will assume her new responsibilities effective immediately.

2026-01-08T05:47:33.499400-08:00

aviation Aerial Firefighting Helicopter

Vertical Mag • Gerrard Cowan

How helicopter firefighting technology is revolutionizing wildfire defense in the wildland-urban interface

By Vertical Mag: New technologies and tactics are redefining how helicopters defend communities on the edge of the wildland–urban interface.

2026-01-08T05:47:31.853849-08:00

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Pentagon IG Flags Persistent F-35A/C Readiness Shortfalls Affecting Strike Operations

FCC Partially Reverses Foreign Drone Ban—But Not For DJI

NORAD Canada Commander Warns of Drone Threat, Calls for New Satellites and Airborne Radar Jets

Pentagon Inspector General Warns of Ongoing F‑35 Readiness Shortfalls Amid Operational Deployments

Northrop Grumman, Kratos Selected to Integrate XQ-58 Valkyrie for Marine Corps MUX TACAIR Program

Northrop Grumman Joins Kratos to Missionize XQ-58 for USMC Under New Contract

Northrop Grumman to Provide Autonomy Software for USMC’s First 'Loyal Wingman' Uncrewed System

Italy selects Trapani‑Birgi as first F‑35 pilot school outside US; JPO and Lockheed to oversee readiness

Italy Approves First Multinational F-35 Pilot Training Center Outside The U.S.

Italy designates Sicily air base as the inaugural F-35 pilot training school outside the United States.

Leonardo DRS names Sally Wallace as chief operating officer

How helicopter firefighting technology is revolutionizing wildfire defense in the wildland-urban interface

Pentagon Inspector General Warns of Ongoing F‑35 Readiness Shortfalls Amid Operational Deployments

Pentagon IG Report Flags Ongoing F‑35A/C Readiness Shortfalls Affecting Strike Operations