Jonathan Lehrfeld
Early Bird Brief Editor, Military Times
Jonathan is a staff writer and editor of the Early Bird Brief newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media
All Stories By Jonathan
US Air Force plans to bed down 25 F-35s in FY26, report says
The report also outlines the service’s procurement schedule to reach a fleet of nearly 1,800 of the aircraft by 2049.
NATO kicks off ‘Arctic Sentry’ operation following Greenland brouhaha
The mission will tie together various allied activities in the region, according to NATO officials.
US Marine Corps advances plans for drone wingman
The Marine Corps released its 2026 Aviation Plan on Tuesday, outlining its strategy to maintain and develop its aviation fleets.
Estonian spies believe Europe’s collective deterrence push is working
Russia’s military-industrial complex, even if strained by sanctions, has continued to grow significantly, the Estonian intelligence assessment notes.
Lockheed unveils Lamprey underwater drone that can attach to ships
The Lamprey Multi‑Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle can attach itself to ships, launch torpedoes and deploy airborne drones from the surface.
Opinion
Why Greenland’s takeover by the US is not needed for Golden Dome
Golden Dome is problematic for many reasons. Don’t let it be used to justify the annexation of a NATO ally’s territory as well.
German startup aims to deliver European hypersonic strike by 2029
Hypersonica says it uses military-grade components from suppliers, as the company notched a successful test flight in Norway.
Erdoğan pitches KAAN fighter jet as an alternative to Western warplanes
He described KAAN as a symbol of Turkey’s strategic autonomy, noting that discussions with Saudi Arabia included the possibility of shared investment.
Russian stealth jets have arrived in North Africa, as filmed by Algerian potato farmer
The U.S. government considers the deal problematic, threatening sanctions.
US Air Force needs 500 next-gen fighters, bombers to beat China, think tank says
"No more ‘divest to invest,’” aviation expert Heather Penney said, arguing that the Air Force needs to dramatically boost its F-47 and B-21 acquisition.
