Daily briefing
September 18, 2026
Executive summary
The unmanned, naval, and air domains dominated today's reporting, with eighteen drone items, fourteen naval, and thirteen air developments framing a day defined by the industrialization of autonomous warfare and the hardening of allied deterrence. The single most consequential signal came from space, where U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess publicly confirmed that Guardians now operate weapons in orbit to defend the joint force, an unusually explicit acknowledgment of orbital combat. Equally significant is the accelerating counter-drone cost-exchange race, with the U.S. Army testing Perseus Defense's roughly $2,500 Mk-III interceptor alongside the Navy's new Naval Affordable Interceptor Prototype effort, both aimed at breaking the unfavorable economics of meeting cheap threats with premium munitions. Allied air power advanced on two fronts as Finland received its first F-35As at Rovaniemi and Lockheed Martin rolled out Germany's first of thirty-five jets, while Britain confirmed steel-cutting for its first SSN-AUKUS submarine in 2027. The connective thread is the convergence of directed energy, mass-produced attritable systems, and affordable interceptors, as Ukraine plans to scale robotic warfare by an order of magnitude and Japan's Prodrone targets 58,000 drones annually. Senior leaders should watch the widening gap between fielded drone mass and the trained operators, engines, and interceptors needed to sustain and counter it.
◆ Articles covered
- Landukdefencejournal.org.ukFrance selects THUNDART for long-range land strike
France’s procurement agency selected THUNDART, a joint MBDA-Safran program, to develop a sovereign long-range land-strike capability for the Army and replace its ageing LRU rocket artillery. The award followed a successful demonstration firing in April 2026 and is intended to deliver an autonomous operational capability by 2030. MBDA will lead the weapon effort while Safran contributes inertial navigation and optronics designed for GPS-denied conditions, giving France a domestically controlled deep-strike option able to evolve through later upgrades throughout future conflicts.
- AirJanesIndian Air Force receives HTT-40, completes Tejas FOC trainer acquisition
The Indian Air Force has received the HAL HTT-40 basic trainer and completed the Tejas Final Operational Clearance trainer acquisition. The turboprop HTT-40 addresses ab-initio pilot training needs. The deliveries support India's indigenous aerospace production goals. The trainer replaces aging platforms in the IAF fleet.
- DronesDefence BlogHanwha, General Atomics test runway-free drone in South Korea
General Atomics and Hanwha Aerospace demonstrated the Mojave short-takeoff-and-landing drone from a South Korean Army airfield, including a landing on a tank maneuver route and a return flight from Pocheon. Mojave’s 450-horsepower turboprop and high-lift wing are intended to support operations from very short, damaged or improvised surfaces. The partners plan to transition lessons into the production Gray Eagle STOL, with first flight expected in early 2027 and deliveries from 2028, while targeting more than 70 percent Korean-supplied components.
- DronesArmy TechnologyBabcock, DCE partner to develop and support UGVs
Babcock and DCE have partnered to develop and support uncrewed ground vehicles. The collaboration targets autonomous logistics and combat support platforms for land forces. It reflects growing interest in robotic ground systems. The partnership combines integration and sustainment expertise.
- AirDefence Industry EuropeU.S. aircraft losses in Operation Epic Fury include three F-15Es lost to friendly fire, damaged F-35A and up to 30 MQ-9s
A Defense Department inspector general report recorded substantial U.S. aircraft losses during Operation Epic Fury, including four destroyed F-15Es, a combat-damaged F-35A and as many as 30 MQ-9 drones. Three F-15Es were lost to friendly fire and one to enemy action, while tankers, helicopters and other aircraft were also damaged or destroyed across roughly 36,000 combat sorties. The report valued the losses at about $3.7 billion and highlighted the operational risks of dense air-defense environments, high sortie rates and imperfect identification among friendly forces.
- NavalNaval NewsFuture USS Baltimore to Serve as U.S. Navy's Elite Seabed Warfare Submarine
The U.S. Navy and General Dynamics are adapting the future Virginia-class submarine USS Baltimore for a specialized seabed-warfare role intended to succeed USS Jimmy Carter. The configuration is expected to support covert work around undersea infrastructure, intelligence collection, special operations and the deployment or recovery of unmanned systems. Concentrating these capabilities in a modern attack submarine reflects the growing military importance of cables, sensors and other seabed assets, while preserving a discreet platform with exceptional stealth for missions in heavily monitored or contested waters.
- SpaceDefence Industry EuropeU.S. Space Force chief says service operates on-orbit weapons to defend the Joint Force and sets new combat priorities
Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess said Guardians operate weapons in orbit to defend the joint force against space-enabled attacks, bringing an unusually direct public description of the service’s combat role. He set three priorities: strengthening Guardian identity, arming and growing the force, and integrating space power at operational scale across joint campaigns. Schiess also cited VICTUS HAZE’s 17-hour response as evidence of improving agility, while calling for organizational and acquisition changes that can field resilient, combat-relevant capabilities faster.
- NavalJanesSatellite imagery suggests China's fourth carrier could rival Ford class in size
Satellite imagery of China’s fourth aircraft carrier under construction at Dalian shows a bulbous bow and a projected length of roughly 336–339 metres, placing it near or slightly above the Ford class in size. The ship, commonly called Type 004, appears to be assembled from large prefabricated sections, although Chinese authorities have disclosed neither its specifications nor propulsion system. Its dimensions and two large internal compartments have renewed speculation that it could become China’s first nuclear-powered surface warship, but that assessment remains unconfirmed.
- NavalDefence BlogU.S. Navy advances first new nuke since Cold War
The U.S. Navy awarded JRC Integrated Systems a $47.4 million modification for engineering and technical support on the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile known as SLCM-N. Work is scheduled through November 2030, with $10.1 million in prior-year funds obligated at award across sites including Washington, Virginia and Maryland. The program pairs a submarine-launched missile with the planned W80-5 warhead and targets an initial capability around 2034, restoring a theater nuclear option the Navy has not fielded since the Cold War.
- CyberDefence Industry EuropeL3Harris says RASOR hybrid SATCOM reroutes U.S. military data around jamming and cyberattacks, targets NSA approval in early 2027
L3Harris says its Rapidly Adaptable Standards-compliant Open Radio, or RASOR, can automatically reroute classified military traffic across different satellite constellations, orbits, bands and waveforms when jamming or cyberattacks disrupt a path. The modular system uses an open architecture that can accept third-party hardware and software, and the company is also offering it for the Air Force’s command-and-control modernization under sustained attack. L3Harris expects to seek NSA Type 1 certification in early 2027, a prerequisite for protecting the most sensitive national-security communications.
- LandReutersInsight: Russia adapts a training missile to lead its ballistic onslaught of Ukraine
Russia has increasingly used the RM48U, a target missile derived from the S-400 air-defense family, as a ballistic strike weapon against Ukraine while stocks of higher-value missiles remain constrained. Ukrainian analysis cited by Reuters found RM48Us represented more than half of 228 ballistic and hypersonic launches in July and the first eight days of August, although their average miss distance was about 300 metres. The adaptation adds volume and complicates interception, but provides less accuracy and destructive effect than Iskander missiles, and the Ukrainian figures were not independently verified.
- SpaceDefence Industry EuropeICEYE leads European consortium chosen by ESA to design sovereign space intelligence architecture for EU security and defence
The European Space Agency selected an ICEYE-led consortium to study an architecture for the planned EU Earth Observation Governmental Service, a sovereign intelligence capability for civil-security and defense users. The ARISE team will examine how synthetic-aperture-radar constellations and other European assets could deliver persistent, all-weather observation and rapid access to imagery. ESA also commissioned a separate Leonardo-led study, allowing Europe to compare approaches before selecting an operational design intended to reduce dependence on non-European intelligence sources and support time-sensitive governmental missions.
- DronesDefence BlogU.S. Army tests a cheap missile made to intercept drones
Perseus Defense tested its Mk-III low-cost counter-drone interceptor at Yuma Proving Ground with U.S. Northern Command, NORAD and Joint Interagency Task Force 401. Designed to cost about $2,500 per round, the kinetic missile was loaded into an eight-shot launcher during a homeland-defense experiment aimed at defeating inexpensive unmanned aircraft without expending premium air-defense weapons. The effort responds to the unfavorable economics exposed by drone incursions such as the 2023 activity over Langley Air Force Base and could provide a scalable layer against mass attacks.
- IndustryShephard MediaV-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing received a $35.5 million order to supply 73 additional Onboard Diagnostic System Safety Health Indicator kits for V-22 Ospreys operated by the United States and Japan. The upgrade supports NAVAIR’s move toward fleet-wide predictive monitoring of the tiltrotor’s drive system, using additional data to identify emerging mechanical problems before they become critical. Expanding installation across variants should improve maintenance planning, aircraft availability and operational risk management across a demanding fleet as the services address reliability and safety concerns highlighted by previous mishaps.
- DronesJanesAustralia's DroneShield enhances C-UAS suite with laser technology
DroneShield announced a collaboration with AIM Defence to make its DroneSentry operational platform interoperable with the Fractl high-power laser effector. The planned integration is intended to coordinate RF sensing, AI-enabled software, sensor fusion, command-and-control and directed energy through a common operating environment, adding a hard-kill option alongside DroneShield’s electronic-warfare capabilities. Initial work will focus on selected military and government users through demonstrations, interoperability activity and potential future deployments; no fielding schedule or integrated-system performance figures were disclosed.
- AirArmy RecognitionUS Air Force considers restarting C-17 Globemaster III production as replacement moves toward 2040s
Air Mobility Command is examining whether restarting Boeing C-17 Globemaster III production could help bridge a strategic-airlift gap while a next-generation replacement remains unlikely before the 2040s. The study reflects concern over sustaining capacity as the existing fleet ages and demand for long-range deployment remains high. Reopening a line closed in 2015 would require reconstituting suppliers, tooling and skilled labor, so the review must weigh readiness gains against substantial cost, schedule and industrial risk rather than treating a restart as a near-term decision.
- IndustryDefence BlogU.S. Air Force joins Navy in funding Castelion hypersonic missile maker
The Air Force Research Laboratory added $16.4 million to a contract with Castelion, joining the Navy in funding the company’s hypersonic-weapons development. Castelion is pursuing Blackbeard as a lower-cost, rapidly producible strike missile, and the Navy separately awarded the startup a $200 million agreement for continued development. Cross-service investment broadens the potential customer base and supports flight testing, manufacturing scale-up and integration under operational conditions, reflecting Pentagon demand for hypersonic weapons that can be bought in larger numbers than traditional exquisite systems.
- IndustryDefence BlogAnduril wins deal to help design future aircraft
The U.S. Air Force awarded Anduril a contract worth up to $85 million to develop computer-based design tools for future aircraft. The work is intended to let engineers explore configurations, evaluate performance and test design choices in digital environments before committing to expensive physical prototypes. By emphasizing model-based development and faster iteration, the award seeks to shorten acquisition timelines and reduce technical risk across next-generation air systems, while further expanding Anduril’s role from autonomous platforms and mission software into the engineering infrastructure used to create them.
- DronesDefence Industry EuropeASELSAN demonstrates integrated electronic warfare and ISR on Bayraktar TB2 drones for air-defence suppression in live trials
ASELSAN demonstrated an integrated electronic-warfare and surveillance package on Bayraktar TB2 drones during live trials at Konya attended by more than 15 international delegations. An ANTIDOT 2ES100 support pod detected and geolocated emitters, passed targeting data to an ANTIDOT 2EA200 pod, and enabled digital radio-frequency-memory jamming, while a FULMAR200 AESA radar produced high-resolution all-weather imagery. The sequence showed how inexpensive unmanned aircraft could combine passive detection, active suppression and synthetic-aperture-radar reconnaissance for operations against defended targets, including in conditions where satellite navigation is degraded.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeTKMS says its UK unit wins contract to develop next-generation torpedo defence system for current and future Royal Navy submarines
The UK Ministry of Defence selected TKMS ATLAS UK to develop and supply a next-generation torpedo countermeasure system for current and future Royal Navy submarines. The program is intended to improve detection, classification and defeat of advanced incoming torpedoes through a modern, adaptable defensive suite. Applying a common approach across today’s boats and planned classes should simplify support while protecting submarine freedom of action in increasingly contested waters, where sophisticated sensors and weapons make early warning, rapid decision-making and credible decoys central to survivability.
- AirDefence Industry EuropeRaytheon says next StormBreaker weapon lot will add M Code anti-jam GPS for U.S. Air Force and allies in contested environments
Raytheon says the next production lot of GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bombs will incorporate military M-Code GPS for the U.S. Air Force and international customers. M-Code is designed to provide stronger encryption, authentication and resistance to jamming than legacy satellite-navigation signals, improving weapon reliability in contested electromagnetic environments. Combined with StormBreaker’s multimode seeker, data link and ability to engage moving targets in poor weather, the navigation upgrade will add another layer of resilience without changing the weapon’s core precision-strike role.
- Institutionalaviationweek.comKey Focus For First Golden Dome Rollout: Protect Leadership
The first fielding phase of the Golden Dome homeland missile-defense architecture will prioritize protection of national leadership and continuity of command against a limited or decapitation-style strike. Program leadership described this as an achievable initial layer rather than immediate nationwide coverage against every missile trajectory and attack scale. The rollout will integrate sensors, battle management and interceptors already in service or approaching maturity, creating a foundation that can expand in later increments as new space-based tracking, networking and defensive technologies become available.
- AirDefence BlogFinland's first F-35 jets have arrived in the country
Finland’s first two F-35A fighters arrived at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi on September 18, opening the domestic transition from the F/A-18 Hornet to a 64-aircraft stealth fleet. Finnish aircraft and personnel will build training, maintenance and operational processes in parallel through rigorous validation before initial operational capability in early 2028. Full capability is planned by the end of 2030, giving Finland a modern multirole platform for national defense and NATO operations, with formal arrival activities scheduled to continue in October.
- AirDefence Industry EuropeSaab builds T-7A Red Hawk fuselages in Indiana for planned 350-aircraft fleet set to train more than 1,000 U.S. Air Force pilots annually
Saab is producing the aft fuselage for the U.S. Air Force’s T-7A Red Hawk at its West Lafayette, Indiana, facility while Boeing completes final assembly and overall program integration. The service plans a fleet of 350 aircraft to replace the T-38 and train more than 1,000 pilots annually. Modern avionics, embedded instruction and a digitally engineered production system are intended to better prepare crews for advanced fighters and bombers, while the Indiana work establishes a domestic manufacturing base for Saab’s portion of the program.
- IndustryJanesUS awards long-lead contract for next aircraft carrier amid Ford-class uncertainty
The U.S. Navy awarded a long-lead-material contract for its next Ford-class aircraft carrier, preserving supplier activity before full construction authorization. Early procurement covers components with lengthy manufacturing timelines and helps maintain continuity across the specialized nuclear-carrier industrial base. The step reduces schedule risk for the future ship but does not eliminate broader uncertainty over cost, design changes, shipyard capacity and the Navy’s long-term carrier plan, all of which will influence when the vessel enters full-rate construction and eventual service.
- AirDefence Industry EuropeLockheed Martin rolls out Germany's first of 35 F-35A stealth fighters, with domestic arrivals due in 2027 and full capability by 2029
Lockheed Martin rolled out Germany’s first F-35A, the initial aircraft in a planned fleet of 35 that will replace Tornados in the nuclear-sharing mission and strengthen conventional air operations. Early jets will support training in the United States before arrivals in Germany begin in 2027, with full operational capability targeted for 2029. The milestone advances Luftwaffe modernization while requiring new basing, security, maintenance and weapons infrastructure before the fleet can assume continuous duties within German and NATO force structures after demanding operational certification.
- Dronesaviationweek.comDebrief: Boeing Details Digital Benefits Of MQ-28 Development
Boeing highlighted how digital engineering accelerated development of Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft by linking models, requirements, manufacturing data and test results in a common environment. Engineers could evaluate configurations and interfaces before building hardware, reducing redesign and allowing software and airframe work to proceed more concurrently. The approach supported rapid prototyping of a collaborative aircraft intended to fly with crewed fighters, and its lessons are relevant to future variants because a controlled digital baseline can simplify upgrades, production changes and integration of new payloads.
- InstitutionalReutersPoland joins anti-ballistic missile coalition with Ukraine
Poland joined a coalition with Ukraine and European partners seeking a more affordable defense against ballistic missiles, adding political and industrial weight to an initiative announced in July. The participating countries aim to combine requirements, engineering and procurement rather than rely exclusively on costly Patriot interceptors for every engagement. Details of the design, funding and schedule remain unsettled, but the effort addresses a clear operational need exposed by Russia’s campaign against Ukraine: larger magazines and lower-cost weapons capable of defeating sustained ballistic attacks on cities, forces and critical infrastructure.
- NavalDefense DailyNavy Seeks New Affordable Interceptor In Request For White Papers
The U.S. Navy launched an accelerated effort called the Naval Affordable Interceptor Prototype and requested industry white papers for a lower-cost anti-air weapon. The service wants greater magazine depth against drones, cruise missiles and other numerous threats that can impose an unfavorable exchange ratio when engaged with premium interceptors during large raids. Rapid prototyping will explore mature technologies, launcher compatibility and scalable production, with the goal of adding an economical defensive layer rather than replacing longer-range missiles needed for the most demanding targets.
- SpaceDefense DailyU.S. Space Force Pins Hopes on Space-Based Radar Systems, Northrop Grumman Building GMTI System
The U.S. Space Force is placing new emphasis on space-based radar for persistent ground moving-target indication, with Northrop Grumman developing a system intended to track mobile objects from orbit. Such sensors could maintain coverage across wide or denied regions where aircraft are constrained, while feeding targeting and operational awareness networks with timely movement data. The program must still solve challenges involving radar power, data processing, revisit rates and resilient communications, but it marks a significant expansion of military space missions beyond traditional missile warning and overhead imagery.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukSteel to be cut on first new generation British attack sub
Britain plans to cut steel for its first SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarine in 2027, formally beginning production of the class that will replace the Royal Navy’s Astute boats. The design is being developed with Australia and the United States and is intended to combine long endurance, advanced sensors, strike weapons and compatibility with allied systems. The UK remains focused on delivering its lead submarine in the late 2030s, a schedule that depends on sustained investment in Barrow shipyard capacity, reactor production, suppliers and the specialized workforce.
- IndustryDefence Industry EuropeBAE Systems Australia secures $32 million contract to keep Mk 45 naval guns combat-ready on Hobart destroyers and Anzac frigates
BAE Systems Australia received a five-year, $32 million contract to sustain Royal Australian Navy Mk 45 five-inch guns on Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates. Work includes preventive, corrective and priority maintenance, with gun refurbishment aligned to the Destroyer Capability Enhancement program beginning with HMAS Hobart at Osborne. Support will be performed principally in Henderson, Western Australia, preserving local technical expertise and fleet availability under demanding deployments while establishing experience applicable to the same weapon planned for the future Hunter-class frigates.
- Spaceukdefencejournal.org.ukUK seeks allies for space-based missile warning network
The United Kingdom is working with NATO allies and other partners on a future space-based missile-warning network for the Euro-Atlantic region. The concept would use persistent overhead sensors to detect, assess and track ballistic, cruise and hypersonic threats, feeding a layered integrated air-and-missile-defense architecture. Britain’s broader plan includes £790 million for command systems, radars and control infrastructure, while international development and procurement are meant to share cost, expand geographic coverage and ensure data can move quickly between allied sensors and defensive weapons.
- AirDefense OneAir Force contemplates unmanned tankers
The U.S. Air Force is monitoring Navy progress with unmanned aerial refueling as it considers how autonomous tankers might support future operations. Officials acknowledge that reliable autonomy for very large aircraft is not yet mature, but see potential for reducing crew exposure and extending fighter operations in contested theaters. Any operational concept will have to address safe formation flight, fuel transfer, communications loss, certification, cyber resilience and integration with crewed aircraft, making incremental experimentation more likely than a near-term replacement for the KC-46 or KC-135.
- Institutionalukdefencejournal.org.ukNorthrop expands NATO missile defence partnerships
Northrop Grumman signed new cooperation agreements in Estonia and expanded relationships with Polish industry as it markets air-and-missile-defense, weapons and surveillance systems across NATO. Local partnerships can support integration, maintenance and production while helping allied customers meet industrial-participation and sovereign-support requirements. The effort reflects rising European demand for layered defenses and resilient supply chains, and positions Northrop to connect U.S.-developed sensors, command systems and effectors with national capabilities rather than offering isolated equipment that is difficult to sustain or network.
- Navalbairdmaritime.comArgentine Government includes purchase of submarines, frigates in draft 2027 national budget
Argentina’s draft 2027 national budget includes planned funding for new submarines and frigates, signaling an attempt to rebuild major naval capabilities after years of limited investment. The proposal identifies fleet renewal as a priority but does not settle platform choices, suppliers, contract values or delivery timelines, all of which would require later approval and negotiation. If funded, the acquisitions could restore undersea operations and improve patrol, escort and maritime-security capacity, though affordability and long-term sustainment will be as consequential as the initial purchase.
- Airukdefencejournal.org.ukRAF test autonomy projects against US Air Force architecture
The Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office is assessing British autonomy projects against the U.S. Air Force’s Autonomy Government Reference Architecture to ensure future systems can exchange services and operate together. Britain’s modular PYRAMID mission-system standard has already demonstrated compatibility, providing a technical bridge between national programs. Aligning interfaces and behaviors early should reduce later integration cost for collaborative aircraft and uncrewed systems during high-intensity operations, while allowing each country to retain its own hardware and software suppliers within a common coalition operating framework.
- DronesDefence BlogU.S. Army tests tethered drone on a light squad vehicle
U.S. Army soldiers and capability developers spent two weeks at Fort Benning evaluating tethered drones mounted on Infantry Squad Vehicles under demanding field conditions. A cable can provide continuous power and a protected data path, keeping a sensor aloft for persistent local surveillance even when radio links or satellite navigation are jammed. The trials examined whether small units could operate the equipment while moving or from short halts without overburdening crews, supporting a mobile observation capability that is harder to exhaust than battery-powered quadcopters.
- DronesDefence BlogMSI-DS debuts a new gun mount made for the drone fight
MSI-Defence Systems unveiled TERRAHAWK RAPTOR at DVD 2026 as its lightest counter-UAS remote weapon station, designed for integration on tactical vehicles and uncrewed ground vehicles. The fully integrated mount supports 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm weapons and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, while its multispectral suite combines thermal and high-definition television sensors with a high-rate laser for detection, tracking, identification and engagement. An AI-enabled fire-control system supports precision video target tracking, giving mobile forces an organic detection-to-engagement chain rather than requiring external sensors or fire control.
- DronesDefence Industry EuropeEDGE's POWERTECH targets global drone and missile engine market with proprietary designs and European supply chain
EDGE subsidiary POWERTECH is targeting the international drone and missile propulsion market with proprietary engine designs and a European-centered supply chain. The strategy seeks to reduce dependence on constrained foreign sources as demand rises for small turbines and other powerplants used in cruise missiles, loitering munitions and uncrewed aircraft. Building control over design, components and production could improve availability and export flexibility for EDGE platforms, although market success will depend on proving reliability, scaling output and meeting the varied cost and performance needs of customers.
- Airukdefencejournal.org.ukNATO drills new layered air defence over Romania
NATO conducted a multinational integrated air-and-missile-defense exercise over Romania as it shifts beyond traditional air policing toward protection against aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. French Rafales joined Romanian, Greek and Turkish F-16s and Spanish F/A-18s, supported by Spanish A400M and Turkish KC-135 tankers. The scenario linked sensors, command and control, fighters and ground forces in opposing teams, testing how allied assets can share information and sustain a layered defense of the eastern flank under complex conditions.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukSpanish Navy orders SIMBAD RC missile defence systems
The Spanish Navy ordered three MBDA SIMBAD RC shipborne air-defense systems for installation on vessels already in active service. Each remotely operated launcher uses MISTRAL surface-to-air missiles and can provide primary short-range defense or an additional layer against aircraft, drones, anti-ship missiles and sea-skimming threats in all weather. The framework agreement is MBDA’s first direct contract with the service and introduces a compact capability today that allows one operator to engage close threats without exposing personnel at the launcher.
- LandJanesDVD 2026: Babcock plans eight Patria 6x6 variants for British Army with at least 60% local content
Babcock outlined eight Patria 6×6 variants for the British Army and said at least 60 percent of their content would be sourced locally. The family approach would adapt a common protected mobility platform to several battlefield roles, reducing separate vehicle types while supporting domestic assembly, suppliers and through-life maintenance. The proposal aligns with the Army’s wider mobility modernization, but the final mix, quantities and procurement schedule will depend on requirements and competition; its industrial plan is therefore as central to the offer as the base vehicle’s performance.
- Dronesforbes.comUkraine To Scale Up Robot War By "An Order Of Magnitude"
Ukraine plans to expand ground-robot operations by an order of magnitude, moving uncrewed vehicles from limited specialist use toward routine battlefield logistics, evacuation, reconnaissance and attack missions. Scaling requires far more platforms, trained operators, repair capacity and reliable command links, as well as tactics that let robots work alongside drones, artillery and infantry under heavy electronic warfare. The objective is to reduce human exposure and compensate for manpower constraints, but mass use will depend on affordability and rapid replacement because many systems are expected to be lost or damaged.
- LandArmy RecognitionU.S., Japan and Australia Build More Integrated Long-Range Fires Capability in Orient Shield 26
U.S., Japanese and Australian forces used Orient Shield 26 to build a more integrated long-range-fires network across multiple locations in Japan. The exercise combined field maneuver, command and control, sustainment and live firing by systems including HIMARS with guided rockets, allowing partners to practice passing targeting information and coordinating effects at operationally relevant distances. Rehearsing multinational fires in a dispersed, contested environment improves interoperability and demonstrates that allied launchers, sensors and headquarters can operate as a combined formation rather than as separate national contingents.
- NavalNaval NewsNAVANTIA Celebrates Naming of BAM-IS Submarine Rescue Vessel
Navantia named the Spanish Navy’s new underwater-intervention vessel A-21 Poseidón after its successful float-out at Puerto Real. Built to replace Neptuno and support the S-80 submarine fleet, the ship can deploy a rescue vehicle, operate remotely controlled systems to 3,000 metres and conduct diving, repair, recovery, search and hyperbaric-treatment missions. Poseidón is also certified as a mother ship for NATO and U.S. submarine-rescue systems, giving Spain a primary national platform that can support allied crews and specialized underwater operations.
- Dronesmilitarytimes.comAs experimental drone battalion ends, Army aims to push drones to every squad
The U.S. Army is closing its temporary 600-person Unmanned Assault Battalion after Saber Junction while distributing drone capability across formations down to squad level. Officials said the service has fielded 10,000 drones and is adding 30,000 more, but training enough qualified operators remains the main obstacle to placing one-way attack systems in every squad by the fiscal-year end. The experiment consumed 2,000 drones, half of them expendable, reinforcing the view that unmanned aircraft must be treated both as common equipment and as munitions requiring mass supply.
- DronesThe War ZoneNew Details About Secretive RQ-170 Sentinel Drone Squadron Shared With New Award
The Air & Space Forces Association named the 30th Reconnaissance Squadron its 2025 remotely piloted aircraft squadron of the year, revealing rare details about a unit known to operate the RQ-170 Sentinel. The squadron flew 87 intelligence missions across three areas of responsibility, supported urgent forward deployments, completed six major exercises and accelerated aircrew qualification. It also moved 250 tons of personnel, equipment and highly classified material across four combatant commands, underscoring the continuing value of low-observable reconnaissance even though the specific operations and aircraft assignments remain classified.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukFive ROMULUS 151 drone ships now under construction
Five HII ROMULUS 151 uncrewed surface vessels are under construction in Louisiana, with the first hull structurally complete and flipped for deck and pilothouse work. Breaux Brothers Enterprises is building four craft in New Iberia and Halimar Shipyard a fifth in Morgan City, spreading production across multiple yards for scalable fleet production. The modular vessels use HII’s open Odyssey Advanced Autonomy architecture and are intended for surveillance, mine countermeasures, strike and operation of other robotic systems, allowing mission payloads and software to change as requirements evolve.
- LandDefence BlogUkraine destroys Russian S-400 launcher in Bryansk region
Ukraine says FP-1 drones destroyed a Russian S-400 launcher near Poroshino in Bryansk Oblast on September 17. Manufacturer Fire Point claimed the launcher had been modified for ground attack and previously used against Kyiv, while open-source analysts geolocated photographs of the wreckage; Ukraine’s General Staff separately reported strikes on two launchers in the region. The attack demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to reach valuable air-defense assets inside Russia and forces Moscow to weigh protecting strategic systems against deploying them closer to launch areas.
- Airaviationweek.comEngine Provider Sees 'Disconnect' In U.S. Air Force CCA Planning
Honeywell says U.S. Air Force propulsion planning for the next Collaborative Combat Aircraft increment is diverging from what some airframe manufacturers want. The service is emphasizing fuel efficiency and a medium-thrust engine, while companies have shown interest in roughly 6,000–8,000 pounds of thrust to carry useful payloads over operational ranges. Honeywell is positioning both its existing 6,000-pound-thrust F124 and the smaller Skyshot 1600, arguing that aggressive schedules favor reliable available engines and that additional fuel may solve range needs more quickly than a new propulsion design.
- DronesDefense DailyDrone Mothership Developer Modalic Gives Peek At First Production Aircraft
Modalic showed its first production aircraft as it advances a drone-mothership concept designed to carry smaller uncrewed systems toward an operating area. Airborne launch can extend the reach of compact drones, bypass difficult ground-launch conditions and let one larger platform distribute sensors or effectors across several objectives. The production reveal indicates progress beyond demonstration hardware today, but the company has disclosed limited information about payload, recovery method, performance, customer commitments or delivery timing, leaving the operational scale and maturity of the system unclear.
- Industryaviationweek.comRune Wins Army Contract For Coordinating Autonomous Resupply
The U.S. Army Applications Laboratory awarded Rune Technologies $4.1 million to expand deployment of its TyrOS autonomous-resupply coordination software with the 1st Cavalry Division. TyrOS is designed to plan and manage logistics missions across different uncrewed aircraft and ground vehicles rather than tying units to a single robotic platform. The technology-maturation effort will test how software can route supplies, respond to changing priorities and coordinate mixed fleets in field conditions, advancing a resilient distribution model that reduces soldier exposure on contested supply routes.
- Dronesasia.nikkei.comJapan's Prodrone gears up to mass produce 58,000 drones a year
Japanese drone manufacturer Prodrone is preparing production capacity of up to 58,000 aircraft a year, a major increase aimed at anticipated government, industrial and security demand. Large-scale domestic output could reduce dependence on overseas suppliers and shorten replenishment times for systems increasingly treated as consumable equipment. Reaching the target will require automated assembly, reliable component sourcing, quality control and firm orders across multiple models; the plan therefore represents both an industrial ambition and a test of whether Japan can sustain competitive high-volume drone manufacturing.
- Dronesukdefencejournal.org.ukIDV unveils upgraded British VIKING UGV with EW and strike roles
IDV unveiled upgraded British-built VIKING uncrewed ground vehicles in precision-effects and electronic-warfare configurations at DVD 2026. One vehicle carried Leonardo’s Guardian Vantage signals-intelligence and jamming system, while the series-hybrid powertrain can run sensors on battery with the engine off and travel up to 30 kilometres electrically for a lower signature. VIKING can be carried by Chinook and configured for ISTAR, counter-drone, logistics or casualty evacuation, giving operators a common robotic platform for missions ranging from passive collection to strike.
- DronesArmy RecognitionU.S. Special Forces Expand Small Attack Drone Capabilities with Explosive Payloads
U.S. Army Green Berets from 5th Special Forces Group tested small attack drones fitted with explosive payloads at Fort Campbell in August. First-person-view control gives small teams a portable precision effect that can observe and strike while limiting direct exposure, although the public release withheld the aircraft model, range, payload and employment method for security reasons. The activity shows unmanned systems moving beyond reconnaissance into routine tactical lethality and complements broader special-operations training intended to spread drone proficiency across formations rather than confine it to dedicated specialists.
- AirArmy RecognitionFrench Rafale Fighters in Poland Test NATO Airpower Survival Against Missile and Drone Attacks
French Rafale fighters dispersed across Polish locations in a NATO drill focused on preserving combat airpower during missile and drone attacks on established bases. The exercise tested rapid movement, operations from alternate sites, support by small teams and continued command and logistics under threat and disrupted communications. Practicing this posture reduces the vulnerability created by concentrating aircraft, fuel and weapons at a few known airfields, while strengthening France’s ability to reinforce the eastern flank and operate with Polish and allied forces in a contested environment.
- LandDefence BlogIndia's homegrown air defense system finds new buyers
Former DRDO chairman Samir Kamat said India exported its Akash surface-to-air missile system to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, adding two Central Asian customers to the program. Armenia had previously been the only confirmed foreign buyer, selecting the Mk 1S variant and receiving deliveries from late 2024. The reported sales broaden India’s defense-export reach and provide additional validation for a domestically developed air-defense system, although order values, quantities, delivery schedules and the exact configurations supplied to the two new customers were not publicly detailed.
- DronesJanesPoland unveils light machine gun and rifle-mounted C-UAV system
Poland unveiled a domestically developed 5.56×45 mm light-machine-gun demonstrator and a rifle-mounted counter-drone system at the MSPO 2026 exhibition in Kielce. The machine gun, developed by Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom, extends Poland’s small-arms portfolio, while the compact counter-UAS equipment is intended to give individual soldiers a portable response to nearby drones. Both concepts reflect battlefield demand for greater squad-level firepower and organic drone defense, though they remain demonstrators and will require further testing before procurement or fielding decisions.
- NavalThe War ZoneMarine Colonel Who Led Mideast Combat Deployment Wants His Own Drone Boats
Col. Chris Niedziocha, who led the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during a recent Middle East combat deployment, wants future MEUs to carry their own uncrewed surface vessels. He sees drone boats scouting highly contested beaches and other littoral areas before Marines enter, reducing risk and giving commanders organic reconnaissance rather than relying entirely on Navy assets. The request follows growing combat use of maritime robots, including U.S. one-way attack vessels, and highlights a gap between Marine expeditionary concepts and the operational ownership of autonomous systems needed to execute them.
- Dronesukdefencejournal.org.ukUS Marines link drone sensors and forward air bases in drill
The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit operated two expeditionary advanced bases simultaneously off California with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. At one site, coastal radars, electronic sensors and small drones detected, identified and tracked vessels before transmitting data through Navy–Marine command networks; the wider event also included a separate forward aircraft-refueling function. Splitting sensing, command and sustainment across locations tested how Marines can support naval operations without presenting one concentrated target or node, a core requirement for expeditionary advanced base operations in contested littorals.
- Navalukdefencejournal.org.ukUS attack submarine operates in Norway's High North
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware completed a port visit to Grøtsund, Norway, as the U.S. Navy expands undersea activity in the High North. Operating from Norwegian facilities demonstrates allied access, improves familiarity with Arctic approaches and signals that NATO can sustain capable submarines near strategically important Russian naval routes. The visit also supports crew rest, logistics and coordination without disclosing patrol details, combining a routine operational requirement with a visible deterrence message in waters receiving greater attention from both allied and Russian forces.
- Cyberukdefencejournal.org.ukUK receives Babcock AI system to analyse hostile comms
Babcock delivered its Nomad artificial-intelligence signals-intelligence platform to the UK Ministry of Defence under an urgent operational requirement. Nomad processes intercepted voice and text close to collection, cleaning, transcribing, translating and analyzing communications before presenting information about a target’s position, movement and capabilities under severe time pressure. Edge processing reduces dependence on reach-back infrastructure and can shorten the interval between collection and action in contested environments, while human operators remain responsible for interpreting outputs and applying them to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
- InstitutionalDefense NewsUS Air Force has a $14 billion supply hole, service officials say
U.S. Air Force leaders identified a $14 billion aircraft-parts shortfall as supply-related groundings rose 87 percent over seven years. About 53 percent of the fleet is more than 30 years old and 55 percent has exceeded its planned useful life, increasing pressure on sustainment accounts; the fiscal 2027 request includes $4.2 billion for the activity group managing spares and backlogs. The service is pursuing better forecasting, additive manufacturing, long-term contracts and multiple suppliers, while the North Star campaign shows how concentrated parts funding can raise B-52 readiness.
- NavalDefence Industry EuropeAustralia presses China over submarine-launched ballistic missile test during Beijing defence talks, warns of regional escalation risks
Australia raised concerns with Chinese officials after a submarine-launched ballistic missile test, warning that such activity can increase escalation risk and strategic uncertainty across the Indo-Pacific. Discussing the event during defense talks in Beijing gave Canberra a direct channel to seek transparency about notification, intent and the safe conduct of long-range weapons testing. The exchange also reflects the broader significance of China’s improving sea-based nuclear deterrent: more survivable submarines and missiles complicate regional warning, crisis management and allied planning even when a launch is conducted as a test.
- Airaviationweek.comTop USAF Officer in Europe Outlines Opportunities Amid Modernization
Lieutenant General Jason Hinds, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command, argued that European investment in domestically produced aircraft and weapons should not be read as a retreat from the United States. He said allies are responding to American calls to expand the transatlantic defense-industrial base and increase their own capacity. The modernization creates opportunities for interoperable systems, shared production and stronger regional sustainment, provided national procurement choices remain connected through common standards, training, command arrangements and operational planning.
- LandThe War ZoneGerman Forces Surge Onto Baltic Island In First-Of-Its-Kind NATO Drill
Swedish and German forces launched Silver Wotan, described as their first joint rehearsal of rapid reinforcement plans for Sweden’s strategically important Baltic island of Gotland. The exercise tests how quickly troops, ships, aircraft and weapons can reach the island and begin operating together under NATO arrangements during a crisis. Gotland’s position affects sea and air movement across the Baltic and the defense of nearby allies, so proving reinforcement procedures strengthens deterrence by showing that an attempted seizure or blockade would encounter a coordinated multinational response.
- DronesJanesAFA 2026: United States Micro Turbine targets US small jet engine market
United States Micro Turbine, founded in San Francisco in May 2026, is entering the domestic market for small jet engines used in drones and missiles. Its first product, the single-spool USMT-400 turbojet, produces 400 newtons of thrust, weighs 3.75 kilograms and can burn Jet-A, JP-8 or diesel. The company is targeting a supply gap created by surging defense demand and reduced access to Chinese engines, but it must demonstrate durability, manufacturing scale and cost competitiveness before becoming a dependable source for high-volume munition programs.
- Landukdefencejournal.org.ukQinetiQ to build digital twin of UK vehicle test range
QinetiQ and AVL agreed to create a digital twin of the Hurn Proving Ground in Hampshire for defense and commercial vehicle development. The virtual model will let engineers simulate routes, loads and operating conditions before physical trials, helping identify design issues and plan test programs more efficiently. Linking simulated and real-world results can reduce cost, vehicle wear and range time while improving repeatability, though the twin alone will complement rather than eliminate live testing needed to validate safety, durability and performance in complex terrain.
- Airscmp.comCould China's sixth-generation fighter carry a laser to defend against missiles?
A display by AVIC’s Beijing Precision Engineering Institute at a defense-electronics exhibition offered the clearest public indication that China is studying a laser tracking and aiming system for fighter aircraft. Analysts say such a directed-energy weapon could eventually help a sixth-generation fighter defeat incoming missiles, but an operational installation would require substantial electrical power, cooling, precise beam control and adequate dwell time. The exhibit demonstrates active research rather than proof of a fielded capability, and no specific aircraft, output level or development schedule was disclosed.
- SpaceDefence Industry EuropeEU and South Korea establish secure satellite working group to assess future integration with the IRIS² connectivity constellation
The European Commission and South Korea created a joint working group to explore secure satellite communications and possible future integration with the EU’s IRIS² constellation. Officials will exchange information on current and planned programs, identify joint applications and assess technical options for system-level cooperation. Access could give South Korea a resilient European connectivity architecture while European companies benefit from Korean industrial expertise, but the administrative arrangement today starts a study process rather than committing either side to procurement, membership or a final integration model.
- IndustryDefense DailyLockheed Martin Gets GM Defense-Made PAC-3 MSE Components Under One Month From Order
General Motors’ defense arm delivered its first critical PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement components to Lockheed Martin only 22 days after receiving the production order. The rapid handoff of missile-housing parts demonstrates how automotive manufacturing capacity can be adapted to relieve bottlenecks in a heavily demanded air-and-missile-defense supply chain. Expanding the supplier base should help Lockheed raise interceptor output, improve resilience against single-source disruptions and replenish U.S. and allied inventories consumed by deployments, training and support to partners facing ballistic and cruise missile threats.
- IndustryArmy TechnologyBAE Systems OneArc wins US Army contract for embedded vehicle training
BAE Systems OneArc received a U.S. Army Other Transaction Agreement to integrate its Embedded Collective Training solution on a platoon of combat vehicles at Fort Hood, Texas, during the Force Development Innovation & Assessment event. The deployment is described as the first commercially available embedded trainer installed in a U.S. Army combat vehicle, allowing crews to conduct precision gunnery progression and qualification tasks using the platform’s own controls and procedures. The system is intended to support distributed and platoon-level collective training while reducing reliance on fixed simulator facilities, with later phases planned to extend the approach to other crewed and uncrewed ground platforms.
- AirJanesAFA 2026: Dragon Cart palletised munitions programme still 'on track' for 2027 operational deployment
The U.S. Air Force says its Dragon Cart palletized-munitions program remains on track for operational deployment in 2027. The effort became a program of record in April 2026 and is continuing concept development, experimentation, and testing before fielding. Dragon Cart is designed to let transport aircraft such as the C-130 and C-17 release palletized weapons, increasing the number of aircraft able to contribute to long-range strike missions. The program evolved from earlier Palletized Munitions and Rapid Dragon demonstrations, but officials did not announce production quantities, assigned units, or a newly awarded procurement contract at AFA 2026.
- SpaceDefense DailyTrue Anomaly and Northrop Grumman Aiming to Build GHOST-R Prototypes to Reduce RG-XX Costs
The Defense Innovation Unit and Space Systems Command selected True Anomaly and Northrop Grumman to build competing GHOST-R prototypes for the RG-XX program. Both companies are expected to place lower-cost reconnaissance satellites in orbit by 2028, using commercial spacecraft buses and electro-optical payloads. The vehicles are intended to collect high-resolution space-to-space imagery of objects in geosynchronous orbit, supporting identification, characterization, and tactical awareness. The prototype competition is meant to reduce cost and schedule risk before a larger acquisition, and the awards do not establish final constellation size, production quantities, or a single program winner.
- IndustryDefense DailySikorsky Nabs Army Deal For 16 More Black Hawks, Sets Path For New 'Multiple-Year' Contract
The U.S. Army awarded Sikorsky a $234.5 million contract modification to build 16 additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The order sustains the Army's utility-helicopter fleet and keeps work flowing through Sikorsky's production line while the service prepares its next longer-term acquisition arrangement. It also serves as an initial step toward an eleventh multiple-year Black Hawk contract, with the undefinitized agreement expected to be finalized in the first half of 2027. The award covers new aircraft rather than a life-extension package, but the public notice did not specify individual delivery dates for the 16 helicopters.