Air Force

The U.S. Air Force’s FY2027 budget request includes $355 million for the first 1,000 Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM), following demonstrations of palletized cruise-missile launches from C-17 aircraft. The service’s five-year goal is 28,000 missiles at a stated cost of $12.6 billion, but these figures are plans—not confirmation of appropriations, a solicitation, or a contract award.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract on October 27, 2026, to move the AGM-183A ARRW into production for B-52 integration. The award indicates continued demand for an air-launched hypersonic capability but is not an open competition; suppliers would need to explore potential subcontracting or supply-chain roles with Lockheed Martin.

The U.S. Air Force issued an RFI to gauge industry capacity to produce more than 1,000 Extended Range Attack Munition missiles for Ukraine. Responses are due November 19, 2026; the contemplated schedule calls for first deliveries within three months of award and completion within 15 months.

The U.S. Air Force awarded LIFT Airborne Technologies an SBIR Phase III follow-on IDIQ with an $83.4 million ceiling for next-generation fixed-wing helmets. About $4.1 million in FY2026 RDT&E funding was obligated initially; further work and funding may come through task orders, with performance expected through October 30, 2036.

The U.S. Air Force is considering a sole-source contract with Lockheed Martin to improve STITCHES, a tool chain for integrating heterogeneous electronic systems. No value, award date, or solicitation number has been disclosed, so this is a prospective procurement signal—not a confirmed award or open competition.

An anecdotal discussion among Air Force contracting professionals suggests moving from an 1102 contracting role to an 1101 program management position may be more feasible than moving in the opposite direction. Experiences vary on grade alignment, qualifications, and release timing, and the discussion does not establish an Air Force-wide policy or formal transfer pathway.

Castelion will evaluate integrating its Blackbeard hypersonic missile onto the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 through a modification to an existing Air Force Research Laboratory contract. The modification’s value and deliverables are undisclosed; separate Navy plans for more than 4,000 missiles in FY2028–2031 indicate potential future demand, not a confirmed award.

The Department of the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin $694 million on September 29, 2026, to produce and field the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon. The award moves the hypersonic boost-glide program into production, but undisclosed quantities and delivery dates—and no announced solicitation—limit visibility into follow-on opportunities.

Lockheed Martin is positioning its Skunk Works Vectis uncrewed aircraft for a potential future U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) increment. No solicitation, schedule, or award decision exists yet, making this an early market indicator rather than an active procurement opportunity for contractors to pursue.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a sole-source contract, with a $131.23 billion ceiling, for F-15 production, modernization, and sustainment. The separate interest in deployable drone swarms and anti-aircraft guns signals potential future base-defense requirements, but no solicitation details or procurement schedules are provided.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a sole-source, fixed-price incentive contract worth $20.699 billion for AMRAAM Production Lots 41–47. The award covers missiles, telemetry sets, spares, and related components for U.S. and Foreign Military Sales demand, with production work in Tucson, Arizona, scheduled through June 30, 2033.

The Department of the Air Force plans an Automated Classification Management Environment (ACME) Industry Day on November 9, 2026, in the National Capital Region, with attendance capped at three representatives per vendor. Vendors that responded to the related RFI and expressed interest in Function 1: Integrator are expected to receive separate invitations for one-on-one meetings on November 9–10; venue and registration details remain unavailable.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded contracts worth up to **$766 million** to **Raytheon** and **Boeing** for the B-52 Radar Modernization Program. The contracts aim to enhance the operational effectiveness and survivability of B-52 aircraft through improved radar technology and bomb rack systems until 2031 and beyond.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $2.49 million contract to Red Cat Holdings to supply Black Widow drones, which will undergo evaluation as a potential successor to the Teal 2 fleet. This contract signifies a shift towards enhancing unmanned capabilities and opens up future procurement avenues for Red Cat across various Air Force units.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Leidos a task order valued at **$717 million** to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support over five years. This award will enhance the Air Force’s ISR capabilities, indicating a sustained investment in advanced intelligence and mission support services.

A U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge has ordered the **Air Force** to reevaluate its rejection of a Phase III follow-on contract for surveillance software. This decision could reopen the procurement process, offering contractors renewed opportunities in a competitive landscape.

In May 2026, the Air Combat Command (ACC) toured European bases to bolster intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts vital for NATO. The tour underscores recent procurement implications for ISR technologies and support services, presenting opportunities for contractors in this sector.

The U.S. calls on NATO allies to boost procurement of military aircraft and naval vessels. This shift in responsibility from U.S. forces to European partners highlights significant opportunities for defense contractors involved in modernization efforts.

The House Armed Services Committee anticipates a formal budget amendment from the DoD, requesting **$1.5 billion** for the **E-7 Wedgetail** aircraft. If approved, this move will facilitate the Air Force's acquisition of additional aircraft, revealing potential contracting opportunities for defense and construction firms.

Bangladesh is evaluating the purchase of 16 to 32 JF-17 Thunder jets to modernize its air force. This procurement signals enhancing defense ties with Pakistan, impacting the regional air power landscape significantly.