Category -- Air -- The Defense Post

Aug- 2026 -

19 August

Bulgarian Air Force's first F-16 Viper combat aircraft

Bulgaria’s Second Batch of F-16 Block 70s Faces Delivery Delays Until 2030

Lockheed Martin’s delivery of the second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 fighters to Bulgaria could be delayed from the end of 2027 to the second quarter of 2030 due to production difficulties.

19 August

Jodesz Gavilan

NATO Taps KBR to Boost Patriot Air Defense Readiness

KBR has secured a NATO contract to support the Patriot air and missile defense system and improve its integration into broader allied defense networks.

19 August

The E-2/C-2 program office and industry wrapped up critical design review for the aircraft's Block II upgrade.

Jodesz Gavilan

US E-2D Hawkeye Block II Clears Design Review, Moves to Flight Tests

The US Navy has cleared a major design milestone for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II upgrade, moving it toward flight testing and hardware integration.

19 August

Inder Singh Bisht

Reliance, Rolls-Royce Pursue Sovereign Engine for India’s AMCA Fighter

India’s Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced their intent to partner in developing an indigenous combat aircraft engine.

19 August

Personnel displaying tactical unmanned aerial systems for an online demonstration. Photo: Brave1

Rojoef Manuel

Ukraine Unveils New FPV Drone Tech in First Online Brave1 Demo Day

Ukraine’s state-run defense technology cluster Brave1 has completed its first fully online Demo Day to connect unmanned aerial system manufacturers directly with armed forces operators while avoiding physical security risks.

18 August

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Mario Infante, left, and Cpl. Jayden Spear, both gunners with 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 1st Marine Air Wing, rehearse engaging drones on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, March 11, 2026. U.S. Marines with 1st LAAD and 4th Marine Regiment drone operators conducted integrated training, allowing both units to mutually enhance their anti-aircraft and aerial surveillance capabilities. Infante and Spear are both natives of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

Rojoef Manuel

US Homeland Defenses ‘Ill-Equipped’ for In-Country Drone Attacks, General Warns

A senior US military official has warned that the US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command lack the sensors and interceptors needed to counter swarms of low-cost drones launched from within domestic borders.

18 August

A U.S. Sailor signals the launch of an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea March 22, 2026. Gerald R. Ford is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice India AaronTerrell)

Rojoef Manuel

US Navy to Revamp Jet Catapults Aboard Aircraft Carriers Under New Trump Directive

US President Donald Trump has issued a directive mandating the US Navy to abandon its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems and return to steam-powered equipment for future carriers.

18 August

Air Commandos assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing prepare to load a GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Weapon System onto an MQ-9 Reaper during a weapons load competition at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, March 27, 2026. The GBU-39B is designed to limit collateral damage, expanding the MQ-9’s ability to deliver persistent, scalable effects in support of special operations forces across a range of operational environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Williams)

Rojoef Manuel

Swarm Aero Wins $10M in US Air Force Contracts to Accelerate Aircraft Production Tech

Swarm Aero has signed contracts to advance the development structure for aircraft parts in support of US Air Force initiatives.

18 August

Christine Casimiro

US Air Force Taps GE Aerospace, Kratos for JASSM Engine Alternative

The US Air Force has selected the GEK800 engine, jointly developed by GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, as a potential second-source engine for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.

18 August