An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, was shot down by Iranian forces, confirmed by U.S. officials. One crew member has been rescued and is receiving medical treatment; a search for the second continues as Iran offers a bounty for their capture.

The loss is the first confirmed downing of a manned U.S. aircraft by Iranian fire since Epic Fury began in late February. Iran initially claimed an F-35, but debris photos clearly show F-15E wreckage, including an ACES II (Advanced Concept Ejection Seat) and a tail fin bearing the 494th's red band.

The shoot-down comes days after Hegseth declared U.S. "air superiority" and authorized B-52 overland missions into Iran. Prior losses include 16 MQ-9 Reapers and three F-15Es in a March 1 friendly fire incident; 13 service members have been killed, 348 wounded as of March 31.

The FY27 request totals $1.5 trillion: a $1.15 trillion base budget, the first ever to cross the $1 trillion mark, plus $350 billion from a forthcoming reconciliation bill that Congress must still pass.

The combined request includes $760 billion for procurement and research, $65.8 billion for 18 battle force ships and 85 F-35 aircraft, and $17.5 billion for the Golden Dome missile shield, nearly all of which is contingent on reconciliation.

A detailed budget drops on April 21. Congress shapes the reconciliation package, giving lawmakers significant leverage over which programs receive the additional $280 billion in weapons funding.

The Marine Corps awarded second-phase rapid prototype contracts to both Textron and GDLS (General Dynamics Land Systems) for the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program, which replaces the aging LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) fleet. Both prototypes recently completed land mobility, lethality, and ocean swim testing.

The ARV family comprises three variants: a 30mm autocannon and anti-tank guided-missile version, a C4/UAS (command, control, communications, computers, and unmanned aerial systems) variant, and a logistics vehicle, designed to link manned and unmanned systems into kill chains for Mobile Reconnaissance Battalions.

Vehicle deliveries are expected in FY28 following a contract award, with a production decision in FY31. This second prototype phase is the program's clearest step yet toward an eventual down-select between the two competitors.

Edgewing, the joint venture of BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC), received its first GCAP (Global Combat Air Program) design and development contract, valued at £686 million ($905 million), with a duration through June 2026.

The award consolidates what were three separate national contracts into one integrated international program, covering key design and engineering work ahead of a full international contract, the GCAP Agency says it will sign "in due course." GCAP targets delivery in 2035 to replace British and Italian Typhoons and Japanese F-2s.

The contract follows months of reported friction between partners, including Japanese concerns over UK delays. The broader program includes unmanned drone wingmen; a crewed supersonic demonstrator under Team Tempest is expected to fly within two years.

Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to retire immediately, confirmed by the Pentagon. The move had been telegraphed since October, when George's deputy Gen. Jim Mingus was pushed out after fewer than two years in a traditionally four-year job and replaced by Hegseth's own senior military aide, Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve.

George, expected to serve until October 2027, led a major Army modernization push, including getting the service's next main battle tank into soldiers' hands five years ahead of schedule. The firing extends a pattern that began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the chief of naval operations, and the Air Force vice chief.

A defense official told Defense One the move appears aimed at reshaping Army command around Hegseth allies, working around the fact that only the president can remove Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. George is the most senior Army officer fired under the current administration.

U.S. photos confirm F-15E wreckage in Iran amid IRGC shootdown claims — Read More

India approves $25B modernization package with more S-400s and 60 new strike drones — Read More

U.S. Marine Force Southeast Asia extends its Philippines stay — Read More

Pentagon's right-to-repair problem: why troops can't fix their own gear — Read More

Hegseth authorizes off-duty troops to carry personal firearms on base — Read More

Ukraine's drone war, seen from inside: humans hide, machines fight — Read More

Three shipyards, led by Fincantieri, team up to bid for Coast Guard icebreaker contract — Read More

France orders its fifth and final FDI frigate, completing the class — Read More

Babcock lands bridging contract to keep UK naval bases and submarine fleet running — Read More

USS Gerald R. Ford wraps Croatia port visit, resumes operations — Read More

U.S. Marines conduct first live-fire drone strike against a maritime surface target — Read More

South Korea stands up first MH-60R Seahawks, bolstering submarine hunting capability — Read More

French and Italian carrier strike groups conclude NATO Neptune Strike drills — Read More

Navy unmanned systems get signals management focus for Pacific Fleet operations — Read More

CENTCOM declared space superiority over Iran. Experts are asking what that actually means — Read More

Bipartisan senators vow to block any U.S. withdrawal from NATO — Read More

Pentagon agencies are bullish on commercial tech, but supply chain risks persist — Read More

One year on, Trump tariffs have had a muted impact on the defense industry — Read More