Defense & Military
US Air Force Proposes 45% Cut to F-35A Purchases in 2026 Budget
Pentagon budget plan reduces F-35A orders from 44 to 24 jets, citing TR-3 delays and NGAD funding. Congress seeks higher procurement to maintain readiness.
Air Force F-35 Procurement Slashed in Pentagon’s FY2026 Budget Proposal
The U.S. Air Force’s procurement of the F-35A Lightning II is set for a significant reduction in fiscal year 2026, according to a draft budget plan from the Pentagon. The proposed cut, reducing the buy from 44 aircraft in 2025 to 24 in 2026, marks a notable shift in the Air Force’s fighter acquisition strategy. This move has sparked concern among defense analysts, lawmakers, and industry stakeholders, as it could impact national security, industrial base stability, and long-term modernization goals.
The F-35 program, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a cornerstone of U.S. airpower modernization. Designed to replace aging fleets of F-15s and F-16s, the stealth multirole fighter provides advanced capabilities in air superiority, ground attack, and intelligence gathering. However, the proposed reduction, driven by budgetary pressures, delays in the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades, and shifting priorities, raises questions about the future trajectory of the program and the readiness of the Air Force’s tactical fighter fleet.
Budget Realignment and Strategic Trade-Offs
Understanding the Numbers
According to documents reported by Bloomberg News, the Air Force plans to purchase 24 F-35As in FY2026 at a cost of $3.5 billion, with an additional $531 million for advance procurement of materials. This is a sharp decline from the 44 aircraft approved for purchase in 2025. The reduction is attributed to constrained budgets, delays in TR-3 upgrades (enhancing weapons, electronic warfare, and target recognition), and the need to fund other priorities.
The unit cost of an F-35A is approximately $82.5 million in recent contracts. Reduced orders disrupt economies of scale, potentially increasing per-unit costs in future years due to fixed production expenses.
Balancing Present Needs with Future Capabilities
The Air Force has emphasized the need to modernize its fighter fleet to counter emerging threats from near-peer adversaries like China and Russia. The aging inventory of F-15s and F-16s, many nearing the end of their operational lives, underscores this urgency. Air Force leaders, as noted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, state that acquiring at least 72 new fighters annually is essential to maintain operational readiness and reduce the average age of the fleet.
However, the service’s strategy includes investments in next-generation platforms, such as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which aims to provide air superiority through crewed and uncrewed systems, sensor fusion, and artificial intelligence. The F-35 cut is partly a “billpayer” for NGAD and other programs like the B-21 bomber, according to industry sources. Balancing these future investments with current fleet requirements remains challenging, and analysts warn that cutting F-35 procurement could create capability gaps.
“There’s no way the Air Force or the nation can afford to bring down the fighter buy rate,” said Doug Birkey, Executive Director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “We need 72 fighters per year just to tread water.”
Congressional Response and Alternative Proposals
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense has advanced a spending bill that would fund 42 F-35As for the Air Force in FY2026, rejecting the Pentagon’s proposed cut. This reflects bipartisan concerns about maintaining fighter readiness and supporting the defense industrial base. Lawmakers have expressed frustration with the administration’s delayed FY2026 budget rollout, which complicates oversight and planning.
Given the F-35 program’s strategic importance and its role in allied interoperability, Congress is likely to push for funding closer to historical norms. President Donald Trump has previously praised the F-35’s capabilities, adding pressure to align the budget with congressional expectations.
Industrial Base and Global Implications
Impact on the Supply Chain
The F-35 program supports a vast industrial ecosystem across the United States and allied nations. A reduction in orders can create instability, affecting jobs, production timelines, and cost control. Lockheed Martin’s stock dropped approximately 6% following news of the proposed cut, though it later partially recovered, as reported by Business Insider.
Doug Birkey noted that inconsistent procurement targets cause “whiplash” within the supply chain, making it difficult for manufacturers to plan long-term investments and retain skilled labor. This unpredictability undermines efforts to maintain a robust defense industrial base, a priority for both the Department of Defense and Congress. Stable production is critical for surging output in response to future conflicts or geopolitical crises.
International Considerations
The F-35 is a multinational program with participation from allies like the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and Japan. U.S. procurement decisions directly affect these partners, who rely on program stability for their own acquisition planning and industrial participation. Reductions in U.S. orders could lead to delays or cost increases for allied nations, potentially straining defense relationships and complicating joint operations. The F-35’s interoperability is a key asset in coalition warfare, and disruptions could impact NATO and other alliances, as noted by industry sources.
Globally, air forces are investing in fifth-generation capabilities, and the F-35 remains a benchmark for stealth, sensor fusion, and networked warfare. Ensuring its continued affordability and availability is a shared strategic interest among allies.
Conclusion
The proposed cut to F-35A procurement in FY2026 represents a pivotal moment in U.S. defense planning. Driven by budgetary constraints, TR-3 delays, and investments in next-generation programs, the reduction poses risks to fleet readiness, industrial stability, and international defense cooperation. Congressional efforts to restore funding highlight the program’s importance. Balancing current operational needs with future capabilities will require careful coordination between the Pentagon, Congress, and industry stakeholders.
As the defense landscape evolves, the F-35 remains a critical component of U.S. and allied airpower. Decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of the fighter fleet and military modernization in an increasingly contested global environment.
FAQ
- Why is the Air Force cutting its F-35A purchases?
The reduction is due to budgetary pressures, delays in TR-3 upgrades, and the need to fund next-generation programs like NGAD. - How many F-35As will the Air Force buy in FY2026?
Under the Pentagon’s draft budget, the Air Force plans to buy 24 F-35As, down from 44 in FY2025. - What are the implications for the defense industrial base?
A cut in orders could disrupt the supply chain, increase per-unit costs, and hinder future production scalability.
Sources: Reuters, Reuters, Defense News, Defense News, Air & Space Forces Magazine
Photo Credit: Defense News
Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Shield AI Complete X-BAT Engine Test
GE Aerospace and Shield AI complete AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle testing on the F110-GE-129E, keeping X-BAT on track for late 2026 first flight.
GE Aerospace and Shield AI have successfully completed integration, actuation, and engine light-off testing of a multi-axis thrust-vectoring nozzle on an F110-GE-129E engine, clearing a major propulsion hurdle for the X-BAT vertical take-off and landing combat aircraft.
Announced in a July 20, 2026, press release, the testing took place at GE Aerospace’s operations site in Peebles, Ohio. The campaign represents the first fully integrated test of the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) hardware and control systems since its original development in the 1990s. The successful light-off keeps the X-BAT program on schedule for a planned first flight in late 2026.
Resurrecting thrust vectoring for vertical flight
The AVEN system pivots engine exhaust in three dimensions, providing the precise directional control required for the aircraft to balance on its tailpipe during vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) maneuvers. Originally designed in the 1990s, the AVEN program accumulated 73 hours of ground testing and 135 flight hours across 95 flights on an experimental F-16 before being shelved.
Shield AI and GE Aerospace are now adapting that legacy hardware to meet the demands of modern autonomous flight. The integration requires the nozzle to execute rapid, coordinated movement sequences driven by Shield AI’s flight control software.
“The AVEN is what makes vertical flight possible on a platform this size and this capable. We’re applying it differently than it was ever used before. Vertical flight requires fast gimbaling to maintain attitude control, a demand the original program never had to meet,” said Armor Harris, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Engineering at Shield AI.
Harris noted that utilizing hardware with a proven track record allowed the engineering teams to bypass the initial stages of clean-sheet development. The next phase of the program will focus on iterating the propulsion approach to reduce weight and increase speed for future variants.
Scaling the X-BAT for contested environments
Shield AI unveiled the X-BAT in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2025. The aircraft is designed as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) capable of operating independently or as a drone wingman in contested airspace. By November 5, 2025, Shield AI and GE Aerospace had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the platform’s propulsion, selecting the F110-GE-129 engine paired with the AVEN system.
The aircraft relies on Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software to conduct missions without traditional runway infrastructure. According to reporting by Tectonic Defense, the X-BAT measures 26 feet in length and features a 39-foot wingspan. Naval News estimates the platform will achieve a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, positioning it for both austere land bases and potential naval integration.
Amy Gowder, President and CEO of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, stated that pairing the company’s propulsion scaling experience with Shield AI’s vehicle development allows the program to move rapidly from concept to fielded capability.
AirPro News analysis
We view the successful light-off of the AVEN-equipped F110 as a validation of Shield AI’s strategy to integrate mature subsystems rather than developing bespoke hardware. The GE Aerospace F110 engine family has accumulated 11 million flight hours. By pairing a highly reliable, mass-produced core engine with a previously flight-tested 3D vectoring nozzle, the X-BAT program significantly reduces its technical risk profile.
The primary challenge moving forward will be software integration. While the AVEN hardware is proven, the 1990s-era actuators were not designed for the continuous, high-frequency gimbaling required to stabilize a tail-sitting VTOL aircraft in turbulent conditions. Shield AI’s Hivemind system will need to manage these actuation limits carefully to prevent mechanical fatigue while maintaining attitude control during the critical transition between vertical and forward flight.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Defense & Military
Pratt Whitney Completes 3D-Printed TJ150 Turbojet Demo Test
Pratt & Whitney validates additive manufacturing for the TJ150, consolidating 50+ hot section parts into 3D-printed components.
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed demonstration testing of an additively manufactured TJ150 turbojet engine, a process that consolidated more than 50 individual hot section components into a small number of 3D-printed parts.
The RTX Corporation subsidiary announced the milestone on July 20, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow in London. The test results validate the manufacturer’s strategy to use additive manufacturing to simplify design and accelerate production for expendable military propulsion systems.
Consolidating hot section components
According to the press release, nearly 60 percent of the TJ150 engine’s volume was produced using additive manufacturing. This volume includes major static and rotating hardware. By utilizing 3D printing technologies, engineers reduced the complexity of the engine’s hot section and replaced over 50 traditional parts with a handful of consolidated components.
The TJ150 is a 150-pound thrust class turbojet designed for single-use applications.
“For expendable engines like the TJ150, where missions can last minutes or hours, simplifying the design and scaling production quickly is essential to meeting rising demand,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney.
Integration with cruise missiles and decoys
The successful demonstration of the 3D-printed TJ150 follows recent contract awards and integration announcements for the engine platform. On March 10, 2026, Pratt & Whitney secured a follow-on contract from Leidos Dynetics to supply TJ150 engines for the AGM-190A small cruise missile.
In a separate announcement on July 15, 2026, Raytheon confirmed plans to prioritize the TJ150 engine for the initial production of the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD). Raytheon noted that utilizing the existing engine platform keeps restart timelines short while the company explores additively manufactured engines for longer-term opportunities.
Expanding additive manufacturing applications
Pratt & Whitney plans to apply the manufacturing techniques validated during the TJ150 demonstration to other propulsion programs. Albertelli stated that additive manufacturing helps the company move designs from concept to capability faster. She confirmed that the manufacturer is leveraging the TJ150 learnings to benefit other systems, including the Pratt & Whitney Valox engine family.
AirPro News analysis
The successful test of a heavily 3D-printed TJ150 highlights a critical shift in defense aerospace manufacturing. As military operators demand higher volumes of autonomous systems, decoys, and tactical missiles, traditional supply chains for small turbine engines face significant bottlenecks. Casting and machining conventional hot-section components requires extensive tooling and long lead times. By consolidating dozens of parts into a few additively manufactured pieces, we see manufacturers directly addressing the need for rapid scalability.
Expendable engines operate for very short durations, meaning they do not require the same long-term durability as commercial or manned military turbofans. This specific operational profile makes them ideal candidates for additive manufacturing, allowing producers to prioritize production speed and cost reduction over thousands of hours of time-on-wing reliability.
Photo Credit: RTX
Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Magellan Sign F414 MRO MOU for Canada
GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace signed an MOU at Farnborough to establish a Canadian F414 engine MRO center if Canada selects the Gripen E.
GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 22, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow to establish a Canadian MRO center for the F414-GE-39E engine. The agreement is entirely contingent on the Government of Canada selecting the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E for its future fighter fleet.
Announced in a GE Aerospace press release, the proposed MRO work would take place at Magellan’s facility in Mississauga, Ontario. The partnership aims to position Magellan as Canada’s domestic center of excellence for F414 engine sustainment, guaranteeing sovereign support capabilities for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) if the Gripen E is acquired.
Industrial offsets and the Gripen E campaign
The MOU represents a calculated component of a broader industrial offset campaign by Saab AB and its suppliers to secure a portion of Canada’s fighter procurement contract. The Canadian government is currently reviewing its fighter jet strategy. While Ottawa previously committed to purchasing a fleet of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Military-Aircraft, the government is evaluating a potential mixed fleet that could include domestically built Gripen E fighters.
To strengthen the Gripen’s bid, Saab has been securing agreements with Canadian aerospace firms to promise domestic job creation and technology transfer. This engine sustainment agreement follows a similar MOU signed on July 17, 2026, between Saab and Canadian aviation training firm CAE Inc. to cooperate on advanced fighter pilot Training.
Engine sustainment and domestic capabilities
The F414 engine family has accumulated more than 5 million flight hours globally. The new agreement builds on a 60-year working relationship between GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation.
Paul Ferraro, Vice President of Defense Engines & Services at GE Aerospace, stated that the agreement spans both military and commercial engines and will ensure the RCAF has in-country access to sustainment services to maintain F414 readiness.
Haydn Martin, Vice President of Business Development, Marketing, and Contracts at Magellan Aerospace Corporation, emphasized the operational benefits of the proposed partnership.
“Should the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E aircraft be selected, Magellan Aerospace will be ready to provide world-class engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services that enhance operational readiness for the Royal Canadian Air Force while maintaining highly skilled Canadian jobs, developing advanced technical expertise, and strengthening Canada’s long-term defence industrial capacity,” Martin said.
AirPro News analysis
We view this MOU as a clear signal that the competition for Canada’s fighter fleet remains highly active despite the initial F-35A selection. By lining up domestic heavyweights like Magellan and CAE, Saab is directly addressing Ottawa’s stringent Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy requirements. If the Government of Canada opts for a mixed fleet, establishing sovereign MRO capabilities for the F414 engine will be a critical factor in mitigating supply chain risks and ensuring RCAF operational independence. Until a formal procurement decision is finalized, these agreements remain strategic positioning rather than guaranteed Contracts.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
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