4/8/2026

FACTBOX - Iran war: US military aircraft damage and losses

The American forces have seen multiple aircraft damaged in the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, including fighter jets, drones, refueling tankers and helicopters, in incidents ranging from combat losses to accidents and strikes across the region, according to US authorities and media reports.

4/8/2026

Ukraine slashes fighter jet upgrade timelines to one month to counter Shahed drone threat

Ukraine will cut the time needed to upgrade weapons and systems on its fighter jets to just one month, in a move aimed at countering Russian Shahed-type drone attacks. The Ukrainian government has taken the step to simplify the process of upgrading Ukrainian aircraft to counter Russian one-way attack drones. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the country is consistently adapting and innovating its procedures to the realities of war.

4/8/2026

The F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Costs $85,000 Every Hour It Flies. The Air Force Just Spent $11 Billion To Keep It In The Air. Here’s Why.

The F-22’s New Fuel Tanks Don’t Have to Be Dropped Before Combat — That Single Change Adds 850 Nautical Miles of Range and Solves the Raptor’s Biggest Weakness . The US Air Force’s fifth-generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor, remains the world’s stealthiest aircraft. Introduced in 2005, it is the world’s first mass-produced fifth-generation fighter jet and has been a cornerstone of the US Air Force’s air superiority strategy.

4/8/2026

Uncrewed combat aircraft flight testing paused after take-off incident

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has paused flight testing of its YFQ-42A uncrewed combat aircraft after one of the production-representative test platforms experienced a mishap shortly after take-off from a company-owned airport in the California desert.

4/8/2026

Indonesia to get first KF-21 fighter jet from South Korea

South Korea and Indonesia tentatively agreed to transfer one KF-21 prototype valued at 600 billion won once Jakarta completes full payment by June. he transfer includes the fifth single-seat prototype previously used in radar and aerial refueling verification tests.

4/7/2026

Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese ships, 1 military aircraft

The Ministry of National Defense tracked eight Chinese naval vessels, one military aircraft, and one official ship around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The People’s Liberation Army aircraft entered the country’s southwestern air defense identification zone, according to the MND. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

4/7/2026

U.S. Requests 38 F-35As for Air Force in New Budget Proposal Under 85-Aircraft Plan to Reinforce Stealth Power

In April 2026, the FY2027 Procurement Programs P-1 document confirmed that the U.S. Air Force is set to receive 38 F-35A Lightning II fighters under the new defense budget request, placing the aircraft once again at the center of American tactical airpower planning.

4/7/2026

How US operation to rescue air officer from Iran unfolded

United States President Donald Trump has announced that the US military has rescued a missing American fighter jet crew member in Iran. The Air Force officer went missing in a remote part of Iran after the downing of his F-15 jet on Friday. Its two crew members ejected from the plane. The pilot was quickly rescued by US forces, but a search had to be launched for the F-15’s weapons systems officer.

4/7/2026

Air Force wants almost $1B to buy first CCA drones in 2027

The Trump administration released a record-breaking $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal Friday, comprising $1.15 trillion of discretionary funds for FY27 and $350 billion from a future reconciliation bill. The request would allocate $30.6 billion in total for Air Force aircraft procurement, which for the first time includes the CCA program.

4/6/2026

Footage emerges of three US military aircraft destroyed in Iran

Newly surfaced footage appears to show three US military aircraft destroyed in Iran's Isfahan Province, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The aircraft were reportedly involved in a search-and-rescue operation for a missing US airman. A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the aircraft included two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport plane.