Daily briefing
September 10, 2026
Executive summary
The naval, air, and industry domains dominated today's reporting, with a strong cross-cutting current running through counter-drone and directed-energy activity. The most significant developments were a wave of US munitions and industrial-base awards — a $581 million artillery explosives plant, an $826 million increase lifting Lockheed Martin's combined JASSM and LRASM contract past $10.48 billion, and a $149 million effort to preserve bunker-buster forging capacity — alongside AeroVironment's first international LOCUST counter-drone laser sale valued above $50 million and the Pentagon's confirmation that operational lasers are reducing illegal drone incursions on the southern border. In Europe, sovereign capability advanced sharply as Aerospacelab secured a €2.4 billion award to build the majority of the EU's IRIS² constellation, Airbus began work on at least 66 IRIS² satellites, and France selected the MBDA-Safran THUNDART team for a sovereign 150-kilometre land strike system. Naval reporting centered on the contest among South Korea, Japan, and Türkiye for access to a future US frigate programme, while Germany's F-35 reached its first-flight milestone and a senior US official argued the Navy must cancel some crewed programmes to fund uncrewed systems at scale. The clearest signal to watch is the accelerating counter-UAS cost-exchange problem, as low-cost kinetic interceptors and reusable lasers are increasingly positioned to preserve scarce surface-to-air missiles. Munitions industrial-base expansion and European strategic autonomy in both space and long-range fires remain the dominant structural threads.
◆ Articles covered
- IndustryDefence BlogU.S. Army awards NG $4.8B for helicopter missile defense
The US Army awarded Northrop Grumman a contract with a ceiling of approximately $4.8 billion for aircraft survivability equipment that protects helicopters from guided missiles. The work centers on fielding, sustaining and upgrading infrared countermeasure capabilities able to detect a launch, track the incoming threat and disrupt its seeker before impact. Because the ceiling supports orders placed over time, it should not be read as an immediate expenditure or fixed quantity, while individual aircraft, delivery lots and funding will be defined through subsequent tasking.
- IndustryArmy RecognitionUS Navy awards $257 million MK 48 MOD 7 torpedo contract for Australia and AUKUS submarines
The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $257.3 million modification covering production, spares, engineering support and repair components for the MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo. Funding includes US Navy money and contributions associated with Australia and other foreign partners, linking the work to allied submarine readiness as AUKUS undersea cooperation expands. Performance is distributed among facilities in New York, Florida and Massachusetts through September 2029, while the announcement does not identify a complete-torpedo quantity and should not be interpreted as a standalone purchase of finished weapons only.
- LandDefence Industry EuropeMBDA, Safran selected to supply THUNDART as French Army’s sovereign long-range strike capability for high-intensity conflict
France selected the MBDA-Safran THUNDART team for exclusive negotiations on a sovereign long-range strike system for the French Army. The concept combines an MBDA missile with a Safran launcher, is designed for operations in contested and GPS-denied environments, and targets a range of about 150 kilometres, compared with roughly 80 kilometres for the current LRU. A development contract is expected in summer 2026, with entry into service planned around 2030; procurement quantity and contract value have not been disclosed.
- SpaceDefence Industry EuropeBlackSky says Gen-3 satellites will provide exclusive high-resolution imagery for $1 billion France-UAE AI constellation in orbit
BlackSky will provide the exclusive high-resolution optical-imaging component for a France-UAE artificial-intelligence satellite constellation valued at about $1 billion. Its Gen-3 spacecraft will join a planned initial fleet of roughly 50 multimodal satellites assembled with partners including Marlan Space, Loft Orbital and Mistral AI, combining imagery with rapid automated analysis. BlackSky's individual contract value and satellite count were not disclosed, but the architecture is intended to generate alerts and decision-ready intelligence within seconds while giving the partner nations a sovereign, commercially operated source of persistent geospatial awareness.
- InstitutionalDefence Industry EuropeU.S. Navy plans first advanced nuclear microreactor at Indiana weapons base by 2028 to provide secure off-grid power for operations
The US Navy plans to install an advanced nuclear microreactor at its Crane, Indiana, weapons facility and aims to begin operation in 2028. The project is intended to supply secure, resilient electricity independently of the commercial grid, supporting critical missions through outages or deliberate disruption while providing operating experience for small-reactor technology on a defense site. Final output, vendor responsibilities and construction milestones remain subject to contracting, licensing and safety review, so the schedule represents a program objective rather than confirmation that a reactor has already been built or authorized for routine service.
- InstitutionalDefence Industry EuropeU.S. Air Force conducts no-notice nuclear missile readiness test, challenging crews with drone threat and launch-facility recapture
The US Air Force conducted a no-notice nuclear-readiness evaluation that required missile personnel to respond simultaneously to a drone threat and the recapture of a launch facility. The exercise tested security forces, command posts and operational crews under compressed timelines, examining whether an intercontinental ballistic missile site can remain protected when conventional and unconventional threats disrupt normal procedures. It was a readiness event rather than an actual launch or change in nuclear posture, and the scenario highlights the growing requirement to defend dispersed strategic infrastructure against small uncrewed aircraft and coordinated ground intrusion.
- IndustryDefence BlogU.S. Army awards $581M to build new artillery explosive plant
The US Army awarded approximately $581 million to establish a new domestic plant for explosives used in artillery ammunition. The investment addresses a production bottleneck exposed by sustained demand, adding modern equipment and capacity for energetic materials that feed shell-loading lines rather than simply expanding final assembly. Construction and qualification will take time before output reaches operational supply chains, while the contract value does not translate directly into a stated number of rounds; its strategic importance lies in creating a more resilient industrial base able to support higher, sustained munition production.
- IndustryDefence BlogLockheed’s cruise missile contract crossed $10 billion
A new US Air Force modification worth about $826 million raised Lockheed Martin's combined JASSM and LRASM large-lot contract to approximately $10.48 billion. Work in Orlando is scheduled through July 2030 and supports continued production for US requirements plus approved customers including Poland, the Netherlands, Japan and Finland. The increase expands manufacturing and delivery capacity for long-range air-launched strike and anti-ship missiles, but the ceiling covers a broader multiyear contracting vehicle rather than a single batch; exact quantities and configurations are allocated through individual orders and funded options.
- IndustryDefence BlogU.S. Air Force signs $149M deal to keep its bunker busters in production
The US Air Force awarded contracts with a combined ceiling of $149 million to Superior Forge and Steel, Ellwood National Forge, Faxon Machining and Grand Valley Manufacturing. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity awards cover full-scale and subscale large penetrator warhead cases, preserving the specialized forging and machining base used for bunker-defeat weapons. Work can continue through September 7, 2033 if the option is exercised; only $10,000 was obligated to each contractor at award, with quantities and funding to be set through later orders.
- IndustryDefence Industry EuropeAmerican Rheinmetall to deliver 12 Mission Master SP autonomous vehicles and five amphibious kits for U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary operations
American Rheinmetall received a $7.28 million contract to manufacture and deliver 12 Mission Master SP autonomous ground vehicles and five amphibious Marine Kits to the US Marine Corps. The vehicles use Rheinmetall's PATH autonomy architecture, expanded vehicle characterization and modular payload integration, while the kits enable extended operations in littoral environments. The package also includes engineering, logistics, documentation, operator training and acceptance testing for continued evaluation by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
- IndustryArmy RecognitionU.S. Adds $826M to Expand JASSM Cruise Missile and LRASM Anti-Ship Missile Output amid Indo-Pacific Demand
The United States added approximately $826 million to Lockheed Martin's large-lot contract for JASSM cruise missiles and LRASM anti-ship missiles, lifting the cumulative value to about $10.48 billion. Performance in Orlando runs through July 2030 and includes production supporting US forces and approved foreign customers, helping stabilize suppliers as demand for long-range precision weapons rises. The modification expands funded capacity and deliveries rather than creating a new missile design, and its value should not be converted into a unit count because configurations, support, tooling and individual order pricing vary across the multiyear vehicle.
- Airaviationweek.comDutch Join Saab GlobalEye Club
The Netherlands signed a letter of intent with Sweden to acquire one Saab GlobalEye airborne early-warning and control aircraft. The plan would give Dutch personnel training access to Sweden's fleet from 2028 and target delivery of the Netherlands' aircraft in 2031, creating a shared pool of four platforms if the arrangement is completed. GlobalEye combines a long-range Erieye radar with additional sensors aboard a Global 6000 business jet, but the document is not a final purchase contract; price, detailed support terms and binding delivery obligations remain to be negotiated.
- LandDefence BlogAustralia declares its new air defense missile system combat ready
Australia declared its NASAMS ground-based air-defense capability at final operational capability after completing the required acceptance, training and integration milestones. The system links distributed sensors, command-and-control nodes and networked launchers to engage aircraft, cruise missiles and selected uncrewed threats with beyond-visual-range interceptors. Reaching the milestone means the Australian Defence Force can employ and sustain the capability at the approved operational standard, although it does not end modernization; software, sensor integration, missile stocks and interoperability will continue to evolve as the wider integrated air-and-missile defense architecture develops.
- Airaviationweek.comGCAP Electronics Evolution Secures First Contract For Sensing Suite
The Global Combat Air Programme's electronics consortium received its first contract to develop the future fighter's integrated sensing and communications suite. The work brings together specialists from the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan to mature a common architecture able to fuse radar, electronic-warfare, infrared and communications data into a coherent operational picture. This initial award funds definition and risk reduction rather than full-rate hardware production, making interface control, software integration and national workshare immediate priorities; subsequent phases must prove performance, affordability and upgradeability before the aircraft's planned service entry.
- SpaceDefence Industry EuropeAirbus starts work on at least 66 IRIS² satellites to anchor Europe’s sovereign military communications network from 2029
Airbus has begun work on at least 66 satellites for the initial layer of IRIS², the European Union's sovereign secure-connectivity constellation. The spacecraft form part of a broader multi-orbit network intended to provide encrypted government communications, military resilience and commercial broadband, with initial deployment targeted from 2029 and payload work distributed across European suppliers. The commitment anchors industrial production but does not represent the entire constellation, which will include hundreds of satellites and ground infrastructure; schedule discipline, launch availability and secure service integration remain central delivery risks.
- DronesDefence Industry EuropeIndra strengthens Spain’s defence autonomy with 147 tactical drones designed and manufactured domestically under the SANTAM programme
Indra will supply 147 domestically designed tactical aircraft, organized into 49 systems, under Spain's SANTAM programme. The fleet comprises the conventional TARSIS-W and vertical-take-off TARSIS-VTOL; both have a 150-kilogram maximum take-off weight, a six-metre wingspan, endurance of about ten hours and a datalink range exceeding 120 kilometres. Payloads include electro-optical/infrared sensors with laser designation and synthetic-aperture radar, while the TARSIS-W can carry light weapons; deliveries are scheduled from 2028 to 2030.
- NavalDefence BlogSatellite images confirm Ukraine’s strike on Russian warship
Commercial satellite imagery has provided visual evidence consistent with Ukraine's reported strike on a Russian naval vessel. The images allow analysts to compare the ship's condition and location before and after the attack, offering independent corroboration when official claims from both sides remain incomplete or contested. They do not by themselves reveal the weapon used, precise damage below the waterline or the vessel's eventual return-to-service prospects, so the confirmed significance is that a Russian maritime asset was reached and affected rather than a definitive assessment that it was destroyed.
- SpaceReutersAerospacelab wins €2.4 billion deal to build majority of IRIS² satellites
Belgian satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab secured an agreement valued at approximately €2.4 billion to build the majority of spacecraft planned for the IRIS² secure-connectivity constellation. The award positions its high-volume production approach at the center of a European network intended to deliver resilient government, defense and commercial communications while reducing dependence on non-European operators. The contract is a major industrial scale-up rather than proof that the constellation is already operational; factory expansion, payload integration, launch scheduling and acceptance testing must remain aligned for initial services planned near the end of the decade.
- AirArmy RecognitionFrench Navy receives first Falcon 2000 LXS Albatros maritime surveillance aircraft
France's defense procurement agency delivered the first Falcon 2000 LXS Albatros maritime-surveillance aircraft to the French Navy under the AVSIMAR programme. The platform combines long endurance with the Searchmaster active electronically scanned radar, Euroflir 410 electro-optical turret, modern communications and provisions for search-and-rescue equipment, replacing aging Falcon surveillance fleets. France has ordered 12 aircraft across successive decisions, with initial operational capability expected after naval testing and crew conversion; delivery of the first airframe starts qualification and training rather than immediately providing the complete planned fleet.
- DronesDefence BlogUkrainian interceptor drones join Pentagon test at Yuma
Ukrainian interceptor drones participated in a US Department of Defense evaluation at Yuma Proving Ground, bringing combat-informed counter-drone designs into an American test environment. The event gives US evaluators a controlled basis for measuring detection-to-intercept performance, speed, guidance, reliability and cost against representative targets while exposing Ukrainian teams to formal range and safety requirements. Participation does not indicate a Pentagon production award or operational adoption, but it can accelerate comparative assessment of low-cost kinetic interceptors designed to defeat one-way attack drones without consuming scarce surface-to-air missiles.
- Navalscmp.comUS Navy plans compact Silent Anvil torpedo as China’s submarine fleet surges
The US Navy is seeking prototypes for Silent Anvil, a compact air-launched anti-submarine torpedo intended for carriage by a wider range of crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The programme allows either a new gliding torpedo or a wing-and-guidance kit for an existing weapon, with limits of 268 pounds, 70 inches in length and 7.5 inches in diameter. The Navy wants an initial prototype within 18 months and could order as many as 180 systems over three years, with releases contemplated from 10 to 60,000 feet and between Mach 0.25 and 0.85.
- NavalThe War ZoneNavy Destroyer Packs New ‘Piggy-Backed’ Point Defense System That Combines 30mm And .50 Cal Guns
The destroyer USS Mustin has received the Mk 38 Mod 4 point-defence system, pairing a 30 mm Mk 44 Mod 3 Bushmaster II cannon with a piggy-backed .50-calibre M2 machine gun on one mount. A separate Mk 48 Mod 2 electro-optical sight and Mk 134 console support target tracking and remote operation, while the two weapons offer different effects against drones and small boats. The Navy ordered 15 low-rate initial-production systems in 2023 and its fiscal 2027 plan calls for installation across Flight IIA and Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
- NavalJanesAnduril confirms Iran captured UUV
Anduril confirmed that Iran captured a Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle near the Strait of Hormuz after the system malfunctioned. The 5.8-meter platform is designed for missions including mine countermeasures, seabed mapping, intelligence collection and inspection of subsea infrastructure, while US officials said the lost vehicle was an older configuration without classified payloads or data. Even with protected software, physical possession may expose mechanical design and manufacturing details, making the incident both a counterintelligence concern and a reminder that attritable uncrewed systems can still yield technology and propaganda value when recovered intact.
- AirJanesJapan air force seeks AARGM-ER for F-35 fleet
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force included procurement of the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range in its fiscal 2027 budget request for the F-35 fleet. AARGM-ER is designed to engage air-defence emitters at greater range and uses a multimode seeker to prosecute targets that shut down, move or employ countermeasures. The request starts the funding and acquisition process, but Japan has not disclosed the planned missile quantity, programme value, delivery schedule or timetable for operational integration on its F-35As and F-35Bs.
- CyberJanesUK planning cyber ‘target' satellite to test vulnerabilities
The United Kingdom is planning a dedicated satellite that would serve as a controlled cyber target for testing the resilience of space systems. Operators could use the spacecraft to practice detecting intrusion, isolating compromised functions and restoring services without risking an operational communications or surveillance asset, improving realism beyond ground-only exercises. The project remains in planning, so mission design, launch date, contractor roles and budget are not final; its importance lies in creating a repeatable orbital environment for validating defensive tools, procedures and personnel against vulnerabilities that increasingly affect military space operations.
- NavalJanesUSMC receives first prototype of autonomous SHARC vessel
The US Marine Corps received the first prototype of the SHARC autonomous vessel, a 37.75-foot catamaran developed by Tactical Composites for expeditionary missions. The craft uses twin 300-horsepower diesel engines, offers a payload of roughly 14,000 pounds and is designed for more than 1,000 nautical miles of range, with a bow ramp supporting logistics, casualty evacuation and uncrewed-system handling. Delivery begins evaluation rather than operational fielding, and Marine testing must confirm autonomy, communications, seakeeping, payload integration and maintainability before the service decides whether to procure additional vessels.
- AirThe War ZoneOperational F-15EXs Drop Live Bombs For The First Time
Operational US Air Force F-15EX aircraft released live bombs for the first time, moving the type's fielding effort beyond developmental testing and inert training stores. The event allowed aircrews, maintainers and weapons personnel to validate loading, mission planning, release procedures and aircraft-system performance under unit operating conditions. It is a qualification and readiness milestone rather than proof of full combat capability across the Eagle II's extensive planned weapon set, and additional test points, software clearances, tactics development and squadron conversion work are required as more aircraft enter service.
- LandDefence Industry EuropeMAN revives historic STAR military truck brand in Poland with RMMV and WB Group to pursue European defence logistics orders
MAN is reviving Poland's STAR military-truck brand with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and WB Group to pursue Polish and wider European logistics requirements. The partners displayed a MAN TGS 6x6 at MSPO and plan future STAR vehicles based on MAN's TGM and TGS ranges, using chassis production in Kraków and WB Group capabilities in communications, C4ISR, reconnaissance systems and integration. The initiative initially targets non-combat logistics and support roles for armed forces, emergency services and humanitarian organizations; no vehicle order or production volume was announced.
- IndustryDefence Industry EuropeHENSOLDT gets €15 million Bundeswehr deal to connect military helicopters to digital battle network without airframe changes
HENSOLDT received a contract worth about €15 million to connect Bundeswehr helicopters to a digital battle network without requiring structural airframe modifications. The approach uses removable or externally integrated equipment to exchange mission data, improving situational awareness and coordination while avoiding the cost, downtime and certification burden of a conventional cockpit redesign. The award provides a practical bridge for legacy aircraft as German forces expand networked operations, although the public announcement does not identify every helicopter type, equipment quantity or delivery milestone; cybersecurity, radio compatibility and operational testing remain essential to fielding.
- LandDefence Industry EuropeHanwha Systems links real-time satellite intelligence to K9 howitzers and Chunmoo rocket launchers in overseas AI debut at MSPO 2026
Hanwha Systems demonstrated an overseas artificial-intelligence sensor-to-shooter concept that linked near-real-time satellite intelligence with K9 self-propelled howitzers and Chunmoo rocket launchers at MSPO 2026. The architecture is designed to automate imagery exploitation and pass target information rapidly to fire units, reducing manual processing and shortening the interval between detection and engagement. The display shows technical integration and export ambition rather than a fielded Polish capability or completed procurement, and operational use would require validated targeting accuracy, secure communications, command authorization, interoperability and rules governing human oversight of lethal decisions.
- NavalNaval NewsNevesbu Unveils SIGMA 9113 Corvette Refurbishment Concept for Indonesia
Nevesbu presented a refurbishment concept for Indonesia's four SIGMA 9113 Diponegoro-class corvettes, concentrating extensive sensor, weapon, command and communications work into a three-month maintenance period. The plan is intended to coordinate with the TACTICOS combat-management and sensor modernization awarded to Thales and PT Len in 2022 while keeping structural changes and ship downtime under control. Indonesian representatives gave positive initial feedback, and Nevesbu's next step is a full-scale design; no refurbishment contract, budget or start date has been announced.
- CyberDefence Industry EuropeLockheed Martin, IBM to bring first Quantum System Two to Switzerland in defense-backed push for navigation, AI and advanced manufacturing
Lockheed Martin and IBM will install Switzerland's first IBM Quantum System Two at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre in Lugano under an armasuisse offset arrangement. IBM will operate the system, equipped with a Nighthawk processor, and plans to make it available to Swiss universities, companies and start-ups by the end of 2026. Initial joint projects will examine quantum sensing for navigation and the design of metallic alloys for additive manufacturing, alongside hybrid quantum-classical computing research.
- AirDefence BlogNew B-21 hangar heads to Missouri’s Whiteman Air Force Base
The US Air Force awarded a $74.8 million project for a radio-frequency and measurements hangar at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The facility will contain one B-21 aircraft position plus maintenance, test and support spaces needed for low-observable and electronic-signature work. Whiteman is planned as the B-21's second main operating base after Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, and the construction contract is scheduled for completion by September 25, 2029.
- NavalDefence BlogBAE Systems to rebuild two Mk 45 guns for U.S. Navy warships
BAE Systems received a $38.2 million US Navy modification to overhaul two Mk 45 Mod 4 naval guns at its Louisville, Kentucky, facility. The 5-inch, 62-caliber system uses digital controls and a strengthened mount to provide surface-fire support and ship self-defense, and refurbishment restores serviceable capability without buying entirely new mounts. Work is scheduled for completion in March 2030 using fiscal 2024 shipbuilding funds, while the cost-plus-incentive structure reflects uncertain overhaul findings; the award covers two specific gun systems rather than a fleetwide replacement or new munition procurement.
- InstitutionalReutersGermany diverted over a third of defence-designated debt, Ifo says
Germany used roughly €11 billion of the €28.6 billion in additional borrowing recorded under its defense and security exemption in 2025 for purposes that the Ifo institute classified as non-defense. Ifo calculated that total exemption spending rose by €17.6 billion more than actual defense outlays, arguing that budget shifts diluted the intended military increase. The Finance Ministry disputes the methodology and says the expenditures comply with legal definitions, making the figures part of an accounting debate rather than proof of unlawful diversion; the disagreement matters because investors and allies are tracking whether exceptional debt produces real capability growth.
- LandShephard MediaPolaris expands Arctic mobility offering as US military orders grow
Polaris developed the Military 850 Voyageur 155 Crossover snowmobile in less than a year as US demand for lightweight Arctic mobility increased. The platform is configured for military passenger transport, cargo movement and towing in deep snow and extreme cold, extending the company's existing family of commercially derived tactical vehicles. Polaris says it has received orders from the US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, although customer-specific quantities, values and delivery dates were not disclosed.
- Dronesasianmilitaryreview.comHavelsan and AOI sign sales agreement for HAMZA-1 UAV
HAVELSAN and Egypt's Arab Organization for Industrialization signed a sales agreement for the HAMZA-1 fixed-wing vertical-take-off-and-landing uncrewed aircraft at the El Alamein airshow. The jointly developed system is based on HAVELSAN's Bozbey design, has a maximum take-off weight of about 40 kilograms and can carry up to 15 kilograms of surveillance payload. The agreement supports local production in Egypt, but the partners did not disclose the order value, aircraft quantity, sensor configuration or delivery schedule.
- AirDefence BlogRussia’s glide bomb strikes hit a new monthly record in August
Russian forces set a new monthly record for glide-bomb attacks against Ukraine in August, according to Ukrainian tracking of strike activity. Conversion kits allow aircraft to release heavy bombs from farther behind the front, combining large explosive effects with a lower cost than many powered missiles and complicating interception by exposing defenders to frequent attacks. The record indicates sustained production and tactical reliance, though daily claims do not always permit independent verification of every weapon or impact; the trend increases pressure on air defenses, hardened positions, dispersal practices and efforts to strike launch aircraft and their bases.
- NavalNaval NewsWhy Japan’s Industry is Pulling Back from the U.S. Navy Frigate Plan
Japanese industry is showing reluctance to join a proposed US Navy frigate effort built around foreign designs because domestic yards already face tight capacity, delivery commitments and complex export constraints. Washington is considering options including Japan's Mogami-derived New FFM, South Korea's Chungnam class and Türkiye's Istanbul class, potentially building initial ships overseas before shifting production to the United States. No design has been selected, and a study is due in November 2026; industrial availability, technology transfer, US legal requirements and the Navy's ability to avoid redesign will be as decisive as ship performance.
- LandDefence BlogU.S. Army buys Scorpion Light mortar systems
The US Army awarded a $12.9 million agreement for the 81 mm Scorpion Light mortar system integrated on the Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility. The vehicle carries 72 mortar rounds and combines a digital fire-control system with Nett Warrior connectivity, allowing crews to receive fire missions, engage and relocate rapidly. The announcement confirms integration and procurement activity but does not disclose the number of systems ordered, receiving units or a complete fielding timetable.
- DronesDefence BlogU.S. Marines’ new drone killer gets confirmation from V2X
V2X confirmed a $19 million US Marine Corps contract for Tempest counter-drone vehicles, including delivery, maintenance, software and training. A related Pentagon notice valued the work at about $19.06 million for 10 vehicles through August 10, 2027, although V2X described its award as an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract and did not confirm that both notices cover exactly the same scope. Tempest uses a modified Can-Am Maverick X3 with sensors and two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire launchers to engage Class 2 and Class 3 uncrewed aircraft.
- SpaceReutersUK deepens reliance on Musk's SpaceX, spending nearly $40 million on satellite services
The United Kingdom has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, including about 1,000 Starshield terminals and 500 Starlink terminals for defense use. Starshield provides a military-oriented service with dedicated terminals, gateways, encryption and traffic priority, while Starlink adds widely available low-orbit connectivity that can support deployed units and resilient command links. The procurement offers rapid capacity but deepens dependence on a private US operator, creating policy questions around assurance, sovereignty and continuity; resilient military communications will still require contractual safeguards, protected ground infrastructure and alternative pathways if service is degraded or denied.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeBabcock extends Seaspan’s Royal Canadian Navy submarine support role for six years ahead of transition to a new fleet
Babcock extended Seaspan Victoria Shipyards' subcontract through 2032 for maintenance, repair and refit work on the Royal Canadian Navy's four Victoria-class submarines. The six-year agreement supports the Victoria In-Service Support Contract at Esquimalt and sustains more than 300 skilled workers plus a Canadian supplier network of about 480 companies. It follows Canada's CAD1.1 billion extension of Babcock's prime support contract and is intended to keep the current boats available while a replacement fleet of up to 12 submarines is prepared for the mid-2030s.
- NavalShephard MediaSouth Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
South Korea, Japan and Türkiye are competing for potential access to a future US frigate programme through their Chungnam, New FFM and Istanbul-class designs. The Navy is studying whether one or two initial ships could be built abroad and later units produced domestically, a model intended to obtain capability faster while rebuilding US shipyard capacity. No contestant has been selected and a study is expected in November 2026; congressional restrictions, combat-system integration, design changes, intellectual property, workforce capacity and technology transfer could determine whether any foreign-derived option actually reaches contract.
- DronesDefence BlogPoland unveils a new jet-powered strike drone
Poland's WB Group unveiled the jet-powered WARMATE 30, also referred to as GLADIUS 2, for long-range strikes against high-value and time-sensitive targets. The flying-wing vehicle uses a Polish turbojet with a launch booster, carries an interchangeable warhead of up to 30 kilograms and is designed to exchange data with the GLADIUS reconnaissance-strike system and TOPAZ command system. WB Group says prototypes are in testing and the system is entering series production; the article does not disclose a procurement quantity, unit price or delivery schedule.
- SpaceReutersStarlink rival Eutelsat plans OneWeb expansion after €1 billion satellite order
Eutelsat ordered 229 additional low-Earth-orbit satellites from Airbus for about €1 billion to expand and replenish its OneWeb constellation. The order follows a previous batch of 440 satellites and is intended to maintain a network of more than 600 spacecraft at roughly 1,200 kilometres altitude for government and enterprise connectivity through 2034. Deliveries of the earlier batch are due to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, while two Ariane launch missions are planned for 2027 and 2028.
- LandJanesIndonesia fields RM-70 Vampire multiple rocket launcher
Indonesia has fielded the RM-70 Vampire 122 mm multiple-launch rocket system with the Marine Corps. The modernized launcher mounts 40 tubes on a Tatra 8x8 chassis and carries a second 40-round pack for rapid reloading after a salvo. It can use Grad-family ammunition, including Indonesia's locally developed R-Han 122B rocket, while the article does not specify how many additional launchers were fielded or identify a new acquisition contract.
- LandJanesMSPO 2026: PGZ unveils heavy IFV
Poland's PGZ unveiled a heavy infantry fighting vehicle concept at MSPO 2026, addressing an army requirement for greater protection and firepower alongside modern main battle tanks. A heavier platform can carry thicker armor, larger sensors and a more capable weapon station than lighter amphibious vehicles, but the added mass creates tradeoffs in mobility, transport, bridging and sustainment. The exhibition vehicle represents an industrial proposal rather than a production award, and final configuration, powertrain, active protection, troop capacity, schedule and unit cost remain open; prototype trials will be necessary before Poland can choose a fieldable design.
- AirJanesAustralian firms join forces on hypersonic test capability
Gilmour Space Technologies and Hypersonix Launch Systems signed an agreement to offer sovereign hypersonic flight-test services in Australia and overseas. Gilmour will contribute rocket propulsion, launch operations, mission integration and test infrastructure, while Hypersonix provides scramjet propulsion and hypersonic vehicle expertise. The partnership follows the February 2026 flight of Hypersonix's DART AE test vehicle at more than Mach 5 and is aimed at providing repeatable test options for defence and commercial customers; no programme value or booked flight campaign was disclosed.
- Institutionalmilitarytimes.comNavy must ‘start killing manned programs,’ defense official says
A senior defense official argued that the US Navy must cancel some crewed programmes if it is to fund uncrewed systems at operationally meaningful scale. The statement frames autonomy as a force-structure and budget choice rather than an inexpensive add-on, because robotic vessels still require sensors, payloads, communications, control software, maintenance and experimentation while competing with large ships and aircraft for procurement money. No specific cancellation decision accompanied the comment, so it represents policy pressure rather than an approved plan; Congress, combatant requirements and demonstrated reliability will shape which programmes, if any, are reduced.
- InstitutionalJanesMach Industries announces another USD600 million in Series C funding
Mach Industries raised an additional $600 million in a continuation of its Series C financing, following the $300 million announced in June. The new investment values the company at about $3.7 billion and will support development and production of long-range strike systems, counter-UAS products, propulsion and energetics. Mach also plans to expand manufacturing and move more programmes toward full-rate production, although the private financing is separate from government procurement revenue.
- IndustryDefence Industry EuropeNorthrop Grumman expands European defense presence with Estonian IBCS agreements and deeper Bushmaster production ties in Poland
Northrop Grumman signed new Estonian agreements focused on local integration, sustainment and modernization opportunities for the Integrated Battle Command System. The company is also expanding cooperation in Poland around production and support for Bushmaster chain guns used on platforms including the Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle. The arrangements deepen regional engineering and supply-chain involvement, but they are preliminary industrial agreements and do not disclose a combined contract value, guaranteed order volume or delivery schedule.
- DronesDefence Industry EuropeU.S. Army tests SGT STOUT counter-drone protection for airborne artillery during multinational Saber Junction 26 exercise in Germany
The US Army tested the SGT STOUT short-range air-defense vehicle in a counter-drone role while protecting airborne artillery during multinational exercise Saber Junction 26 in Germany. Integrating the system with maneuvering gun units allowed soldiers to rehearse detection, tracking, command coordination and engagement against uncrewed threats in a contested field setting rather than on an isolated range. Exercise employment provides operational feedback but does not prove every threat can be defeated, and lessons on sensor coverage, ammunition, communications, mobility and crew workload will inform tactics and future configuration decisions.
- DronesArmy TechnologyNorthrop Grumman, SandboxAQ test quantum navigation on Lumberjack UAS
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ tested quantum-assisted navigation aboard the Lumberjack uncrewed aircraft to demonstrate positioning when satellite signals are unavailable or unreliable. The approach uses highly sensitive magnetic measurements and artificial-intelligence processing to compare observed features of Earth's magnetic field with reference data, providing an independent navigation input without transmitting an easily detected signal. Flight testing is an important integration milestone, but public results do not establish universal accuracy or operational readiness; performance can vary with maps, altitude, interference, sensor calibration and the quality of fusion with inertial and other onboard systems.
- DronesDefense DailyUse Of Laser Weapons Helping Reduce Illegal Drone Use On Southern Border, DoD CTO Says
The Pentagon's chief technology office said operational laser systems are helping reduce illegal drone activity along the US southern border. Directed energy offers a reusable, low-cost-per-shot means of disabling suitable small aircraft, allowing forces to preserve missiles and gun ammunition while collecting real-world data on tracking, engagement and maintenance. The result supports broader counter-drone adoption but does not make lasers a complete solution: dust, weather, line of sight, dwell time and power availability constrain performance, while positive identification, airspace coordination and non-kinetic alternatives remain necessary for safe domestic operations.
- LandArmy RecognitionU.S. Army Tests FIM-92 Stinger Short-Range Air Defense Missile to Destroy Frontline Drones
US Army personnel used the FIM-92 Stinger against a drone target during Super Garuda Shield at Baturaja, Indonesia. The live-fire event paired US Marine low-altitude air-defense specialists with soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment and provided Indonesian participants exposure to complementary short-range systems, rehearsing detection, engagement and multinational coordination. Stinger gives mobile troops a proven infrared-guided defense against low-altitude aircraft, but the exercise was a training demonstration rather than a new procurement or combat deployment; actual counter-drone efficiency also depends on target value, missile availability and layered sensors.
- Dronesaviationweek.comFrance Buys Additional Airbus U050 Capa-X Drone Systems
France's defence aviation maintenance agency ordered four additional Airbus U050 Capa-X systems, representing eight aircraft, for Army and Navy use. The 120-kilogram vertical-take-off-and-landing platform can carry a payload of up to 20 kilograms and is advertised with more than ten hours of endurance; French trials demonstrated seven hours of flight and operations at a range of 100 kilometres. The new systems are scheduled for delivery in 2027, adding to the aircraft already acquired for evaluation.
- SpaceDefense DailyTrustPoint CEO Previews Independent PNT Satellite Constellation With EnduroSat Deal
TrustPoint contracted EnduroSat to manufacture 40 satellites in the United States for a commercial positioning, navigation and timing constellation operating in C-band. The network is intended to provide a GPS-independent signal for government, infrastructure and autonomous-system users, including service in environments affected by jamming or spoofing. The companies did not disclose the contract value, launch dates, orbital deployment sequence or timetable for initial operational service.
- SpaceDefense DailyTwo Task Order Awards Notched By Lockheed Martin for GPS Ground Segment
Lockheed Martin received two US Space Force task orders worth approximately $114 million for the GPS ground segment. The larger award, valued at about $96 million, covers a GPS IIIF Contingency Operations System, while a separate $17.5 million order funds Phase 1 of the Architecture Evolution Plan's transition to x86 computing. Together the tasks modernize command-and-control infrastructure and provide backup capability for operating newer GPS spacecraft; they are distinct awards rather than a single undifferentiated support contract.
- NavalJanesUS firm plans expanded AUV deployment in Taiwan
US company Vatn Systems signed a memorandum with Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to expand deployment of its S12 autonomous underwater vehicles. The cooperation covers AI-enabled command and control, local supply and sustainment capacity, and potential missions including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, decoy activity and kinetic roles. The memorandum does not specify a contract value, vehicle quantity or delivery timetable, and follow-on procurement terms have not been announced.
- AirArmy RecognitionSPEEL PRAHA to Bring Modular Avionics to Replace Legacy Systems Across Military Aircraft Fleets
Czech company SPEEL PRAHA will present a modular avionics portfolio that allows military operators to replace obsolete cockpit and recording equipment without redesigning an aircraft's entire architecture. The offering includes the PDU-159 digital head-up display with night-vision compatibility, CARE crash-protected recorder, data-acquisition units supporting ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553, and software for post-flight analysis. The approach targets fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters with mixed legacy systems, improving flight-data management, debriefing and maintenance while limiting retrofit risk; actual installation still requires platform certification, interface engineering and customer-specific qualification.
- AirDefence BlogAustralia sends two F-35 fighters to New Zealand
Two Royal Australian Air Force F-35As from No. 3 Squadron made the type's first visit to New Zealand, operating from Ohakea between September 8 and 10. Training included simulated bombing coordinated by New Zealand ground personnel, mock interception of an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon and low-level navigation over the North Island, giving both forces practical experience with fifth-generation aircraft integration. The temporary deployment was an interoperability activity rather than a basing or procurement decision, and it was particularly notable because New Zealand has operated no fast-jet combat fleet since retiring its Skyhawks in 2001.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukGovernment again commits not to extend Dreadnought sub life
The UK government again stated that it does not plan to extend the designed service life of the Dreadnought-class ballistic-missile submarines. The position reinforces an acquisition model in which the four boats are built, supported and ultimately replaced on a planned cycle while sustaining continuous at-sea nuclear deterrence, rather than relying on a late-life extension to cover future delays. It is a policy commitment, not a new construction contract or retirement date, and its credibility depends on stable maintenance, reactor and weapons support plus timely development of whatever successor capability is eventually approved.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukClyde infrastructure programme expands industry capacity
The Clyde infrastructure programme is increasing industrial capacity around the Royal Navy's Scottish submarine base to support current operations and the transition to future fleets. Expanded docks, engineering facilities, logistics, utilities and secure support areas are needed as Faslane concentrates the United Kingdom's attack submarines and continuous at-sea deterrent, while also sustaining a larger specialist workforce and supplier network. The programme is delivered through multiple projects rather than one completed facility, so benefits depend on phased construction, workforce growth and careful sequencing that preserves day-to-day submarine availability while major work continues.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukRules for Navy uncrewed surface vessels make progress
Work is progressing on the regulatory framework for Royal Navy uncrewed surface vessels, addressing how autonomous craft can be designed, certified and operated safely alongside crewed shipping. Clear rules are needed for collision avoidance, command responsibility, communications loss, navigation lights, cybersecurity and remote human oversight before experimental vessels can transition into routine service or operate internationally. The progress is enabling rather than a declaration that every autonomous mission is approved, and technical standards must remain aligned with maritime law, classification requirements and operational doctrine as the Navy introduces larger numbers of robotic platforms.
- Airaviationweek.comDebrief: Germany’s F-35 Journey Comes Full Circle
Germany's F-35 programme has reached the first-aircraft flight milestone after decades in which Berlin alternately favored European combat-aircraft solutions and resisted acquiring the US stealth fighter. The 35-aircraft purchase ultimately reflects the urgent need to replace Tornado for NATO nuclear sharing, while also providing modern sensing, data fusion and coalition interoperability; initial German jets will support training in the United States before moving to Büchel. The milestone closes the procurement debate but not the delivery challenge, which still includes infrastructure, certification, weapons integration, pilot conversion and long-term sustainment.
- Spacescmp.comJapan’s AI satellites and other space ambitions ‘a serious threat’, China warns
Chinese analysts warned that Japan's planned artificial-intelligence-enabled satellites and wider military space expansion could pose a serious security threat. Their concern centers on constellations able to process imagery and other sensor data rapidly, support resilient communications and improve targeting or maritime awareness, capabilities that can shorten decision cycles across the Indo-Pacific. The warning is a strategic assessment from China rather than evidence that every announced Japanese satellite is operational or offensive, and it reflects a broader regional competition in launch capacity, space-domain awareness, protected networks and counterspace resilience.
- IndustryDefence Industry EuropeAeroVironment receives first international order for LOCUST counter-drone laser systems and support, valued at more than $50 million
AeroVironment has secured the first international purchase of its LOCUST counter-uncrewed-aircraft laser, with systems and support valued above $50 million. LOCUST uses directed energy to defeat small drones while reducing dependence on comparatively expensive interceptor missiles, giving operators a reusable option for sustained base and force protection. The customer, unit count, delivery schedule and precise support package remain undisclosed, but the export award broadens the system's market beyond US users and provides a significant reference customer for future overseas counter-drone competitions in the expanding counter-UAS market.
- AirJanesEmbraer presents first KC/C-390 for Uzbekistan
Embraer presented the first C-390 Millennium for the Uzbekistan Air Force on September 10, making Uzbekistan the type's first Central Asian customer. The aircraft is the first of two covered by a December 2024 order whose customer remained undisclosed until the Singapore Airshow in February 2026. Uzbekistan plans to use the C-390 primarily for transport and humanitarian missions; the aircraft can carry up to 26 tonnes, cruise at 470 knots and operate from temporary or unpaved runways. Embraer did not announce a handover date or contract value, so the presentation marks a production milestone rather than confirmed operational delivery.
- LandArmy TechnologyUK deprioritises tank live-fire exercises
The British Army has been directed to suspend non-essential training for much of the year as budget pressure and delays to the Defence Investment Plan disrupt previously scheduled activity. Collective events involving tanks, Apache helicopters and some large-scale live-fire exercises are being postponed, while training for deployed troops, units preparing to deploy and forces held at readiness will continue. Army leaders describe the adjustment as part of a move toward lessons from Ukraine, including drone warfare, alongside a planned long-term overhaul of training. The immediate cancellations nevertheless reduce opportunities to practise combined-arms manoeuvre and live gunnery until funding and priorities are clarified.
- Spaceaviationweek.comFinland Urges Musk To Allow Starlink Use Against Russia
Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk to relax restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Starlink connectivity to support strikes inside Russia. Kyiv regards the satellite network as operationally important for resilient communications and unmanned systems, but SpaceX uses geographic and policy controls that limit service beyond Ukraine and in some occupied areas. The appeal follows reports that Musk continued to oppose enabling deep-strike use, despite Ukrainian efforts to secure permission through U.S. political channels. No policy change, technical modification or government agreement was announced, leaving Ukraine dependent on a privately controlled service whose battlefield permissions can be altered unilaterally.
- Airaviationweek.comGE Plans To Double Fighter Engine Production By 2032
GE Aerospace plans to more than double deliveries of its F110 and F404/F414 fighter engines by 2032 as U.S. and international aircraft demand rises. The company is streamlining factory flows, adding automation and additive manufacturing, and investing in suppliers; it says its Flight Deck operating system cut defect-resolution time by 40% while lifting output. Air Force planning indicates F110 demand could exceed 180 engines annually by fiscal 2034, supporting aircraft including the F-15EX and F-16. GE has also made $600 million in recent production-system investments, including $100 million at its Lynn, Massachusetts, site, while exact annual output totals remain undisclosed.
- Dronesaviationweek.comDARPA Prepares To Tackle Next CCA Autonomy Challenge
DARPA and the U.S. Air Force are preparing modified F-16C fighters under the VENOM program to test autonomous agents in multi-aircraft, beyond-visual-range combat with live sensors. Human pilots will remain aboard as safety observers while a VENOM Autonomy Kit constrains software behavior and allows experimental algorithms to control selected flight functions. The aircraft arrived in June and are undergoing safety-of-flight certification before autonomous multi-ship tactical tests targeted within the next year. The related AIR program is funded through fiscal 2028, while common government autonomy-interface standards are still being finalized.
- LandJanesCroatia orders Chunmoo MRLs from Hanwha Aerospace
Hanwha Aerospace signed a EUR 411.8 million contract with Croatia's Ministry of Defence to supply 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher systems. The package includes ammunition carriers, fire-direction command vehicles, integrated logistics support, training, lifecycle support and several types of precision-guided rockets for short-, medium- and long-range missions. Deliveries will continue through 2030, and the Croatian configuration will incorporate the Polish-developed TOPAZ battlefield management system. The acquisition gives Croatia a new long-range precision-fires capability and makes it the latest European customer for Chunmoo.