Briefings ^BETA

CCP Contact Probes Expands Connectors into Drones and Develops MEMS Probes for 2027 Growth：At SEMICON Taiwan on September 3, 2026, CCP Contact Probes General Manager Feng Ming-chin announced that the company's connector products have entered applications for drones and artificial intelligence smart glasses. The company is also jointly developing micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) probes and clean sheets with major semiconductor manufacturers. These development projects are progressing as scheduled and are expected to make substantial operational contributions by 2027. CCP Contact Probes Expands

Taiwan Approves NT$145.7 Billion Defense Budget Supplement Including UAV Procurement：Taiwan's Executive Yuan on September 3, 2026, approved a central government supplementary budget, allocating NT$145.7 billion for national defense. The funding is intended to procure weapons to enhance defense combat capabilities and support combat troop allowances amid growth in military recruitment. Taiwan Approves NT 145.7 Billion

US Tariffs of Up to 100% on Imported Drones Take Effect：the United States began imposing tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and critical components at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on September 3, 2026. Under Proclamation 11055, signed by President Donald Trump on August 13, 2026, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with a maximum takeoff weight above 25 kilograms are subject to a 100% tariff. Smaller drones weighing 25 kilograms or less face a 25% tariff. US Tariffs of Up to 100 on Imported

File photo · Project Kei · CC BY-SA 4.0

GE Aerospace Secures Pentagon DIU Contract for Mach 5 Hypersonic Test Vehicle：GE Aerospace has received a contract from the US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop an air-launched hypersonic test vehicle capable of reaching Mach 5. Known as Derecho, the liquid-fueled vehicle will combine a rocket booster with a cruiser powered by GE Aerospace's dual-mode ramjet technology. The integrated vehicle will serve as an airborne testing platform for the Pentagon's Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT) program. GE Aerospace Secures Pentagon DIU

Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency Orders First Airbus H160 Helicopter：Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) has signed an order for a single Airbus H160 helicopter, marking its first acquisition of the next-generation aircraft. Airbus confirmed the agreement on September 3, 2026, stating that the new helicopter will join the agency's fleet to boost emergency response speed and nationwide coverage. Japan s Fire and Disaster Management

American Airlines Unveils First Retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER：American Airlines has unveiled its first Boeing 777-300ER retrofitted with its new Flagship Suites. The upgraded widebody aircraft officially entered commercial service on September 2, 2026, operating a flight from New York (JFK) to Buenos Aires (EZE). American Airlines Unveils First

Riyadh Air shares photos of first Airbus A321neo during final assembly：Riyadh Air has shared photos of its first upcoming Airbus A321neo during final assembly at the planemaker's Hamburg facility in Germany. Riyadh Air shares photos of first

Philippine Airlines Takes Delivery of Fourth Airbus A350-1000：Philippine Airlines has taken delivery of its fourth Airbus A350-1000 long-haul aircraft. The widebody jetliner, registered RP-C3513, touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila at 19:22 local time on September 2, 2026, following a delivery flight from Airbus' manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France. Philippine Airlines Takes Delivery

File photo · John Andrei Policarpio · CC BY-SA 4.0

AirAsia launches first codeshare with Pegasus, opens five European destinations：AirAsia Group announced its first-ever codeshare partnership with Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines on September 2, 2026, linking AirAsia's extensive network across ASEAN and Asia with Pegasus' European reach via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). AirAsia launches first codeshare

JCB Aero receives Boeing Part 145 maintenance approval：JCB Aero has announced the extension of its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities following the receipt of a new Part 145 maintenance approval for Boeing aircraft. JCB Aero receives Boeing Part 145