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Air defense news in North America — daily AI-summarized, archived in full.

116 articles indexed · 103 in archive

◆ This Week

13 articles

USSOCOM on track to receive 31 OA-1Ks by end of FY 2026

USSOCOM is on track to receive 31 OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft by the end of FY 2026. The program milestone marks fielding progress for special operations air support. Details cover delivery schedule and capability.

JanesAug 17

North AmericaAir

U.S. Army Expands $750 Million Drone Marketplace With Group 3 UAS and Mission Payloads

The US Army expanded its $750 million drone marketplace to include Group 3 UAS and mission payloads. The vehicle streamlines rapid unmanned systems procurement. Broadens acquisition options for larger tactical drones.

Army RecognitionAug 17

North AmericaAir

US forms first multinational attack drone task force

The US formed its first multinational attack drone task force. The unit brings allied partners together to develop and employ strike drones. Reflects institutionalization of drone warfare doctrine.

Army TechnologyAug 17

North AmericaAir

Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy complete E-2D Block II design review, moving next-generation airborne command and control toward 2029 flight tests

Northrop Grumman and the US Navy completed the E-2D Block II critical design review, targeting 2029 flight tests. The upgrade advances next-generation airborne command and control. A key program milestone for carrier AEW&C.

Defence Industry EuropeAug 17

North AmericaAir

U.S. Air Force plans cheaper MQ-9 Reaper successor after Iran combat use, targeting 2031 fielding and massed drone operations

The USAF plans a cheaper MQ-9 Reaper successor after combat losses over Iran, targeting 2031 fielding and massed drone operations. The program prioritizes attritable, affordable UAS. Signals a shift toward drone mass.

Defence Industry EuropeAug 17

North AmericaAir

Lockheed Martin Builds a Layered Counter-Drone Architecture for the Age of Autonomous Swarms

Lockheed Martin detailed a layered counter-drone architecture designed to defeat autonomous swarms. The system integrates sensors, effectors and command layers. Reflects growing focus on countering mass drone threats.

Army RecognitionAug 17

North AmericaAir

U.S. Air Force Buys Chinese DJI Drones for Counter-Drone Training at Nuclear Missile Base

The USAF plans to buy DJI drones for counter-UAS training at F.E. Warren, testing radars and jammers against real signals. The purchase supports realistic C-UAS training at a nuclear missile base. Notable given DJI's Chinese origin.

Army RecognitionAug 17

North AmericaAir

Northrop Grumman says LITENING brings fifth-generation-like sensing and networking capabilities to F-16 and other fourth-generation fighters

Northrop Grumman says its LITENING targeting pod delivers fifth-generation-like sensing and networking to F-16s and other legacy fighters. The upgrade extends multi-domain sensor capability. Enhances fourth-gen fleet relevance.

Defence Industry EuropeAug 17

North AmericaAir

Army's Apache grounding prompted by deadly Texas crash will end this week, memo says

The US Army's AH-64 Apache grounding, prompted by a deadly Texas crash, will end this week per an internal memo. The fleet returns to flight status after safety review. Details cover the grounding cause and resumption.

Defense OneAug 17

North AmericaAir

Hawaii firm tests basalt-fiber drones at U.S. Navy exercise

A Hawaii firm tested basalt-fiber drones at a US Navy exercise. The novel material offers durability and manufacturing advantages for expendable UAS. A notable materials-technology demonstration.

Defence BlogAug 17

North AmericaAir

Drones May Play Significant Role in Future Air Superiority

US officials say drones may play a significant role in future air superiority missions. The remarks emphasize collaborative combat aircraft and autonomy. Reflects evolving air-power doctrine.

Defense DailyAug 17

North AmericaAir

US still pressures Canada to buy E-7 Wedgetail airborne radars during tariff talks despite GlobalEye selection

The US is still pressing Canada to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft during tariff talks despite Ottawa's GlobalEye selection. The dispute affects Canadian airborne radar procurement. Details the competing platforms.

Army RecognitionAug 17

North AmericaAir

DARPA explores novel designs for high-payload drones | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 8.18.26

DARPA is exploring novel designs for high-payload drones. The effort seeks new configurations for heavy-lift unmanned aircraft. Part of ongoing US advanced UAS research.

militarytimes.comAug 17

First production batch of HERO 120 attack drones clears US Army's final quality test before deployment

The first production batch of HERO 120 loitering munitions has passed final U.S. Army quality testing. The lot acceptance milestone clears the systems for deployment. HERO 120 provides a man-portable precision-strike loitering capability. The result moves the Army program from production validation toward fielding.

Army RecognitionAug 7

North AmericaAir

U.S. Army Moves to Make High-Energy Lasers a Permanent Counter-Drone Weapon

The U.S. Army is moving to establish high-energy lasers as a permanent counter-drone capability. The effort focuses on fielding directed-energy systems for operational air defence. Lasers offer a potential low-cost-per-shot option against small unmanned aircraft. The move signals transition from experimentation toward sustained deployment.

Army RecognitionAug 7

North AmericaAir

USAF Returns Damaged C-17 To Flight Using New Process

The U.S. Air Force has returned a damaged C-17 to flight using a new repair process. The effort demonstrates an updated approach to strategic-airlift sustainment. C-17 availability is central to global U.S. military mobility operations. The repair provides a readiness-relevant maintenance milestone.

aviationweek.comAug 7

North AmericaAir

U.S. Air Force Seeks New Ground Launcher to Defend Air Bases Against Drone Swarms and Cruise Missiles

The U.S. Air Force is seeking a new ground-based launcher for air-base defence. The requirement addresses drone swarms and cruise-missile threats. The system would contribute to layered protection of fixed and expeditionary airfields. The initiative reflects increased emphasis on base survivability in contested environments.

Army RecognitionAug 7

North AmericaAir

ARX Robotics validates GEREON autonomous fleet in major US Army trials

ARX Robotics has validated its GEREON autonomous fleet in major U.S. Army trials. The trials assessed uncrewed ground-system capability in a military context. GEREON is intended to support autonomous logistics and battlefield mobility missions. The validation is a significant milestone for ARX’s U.S. Army engagement.

Army TechnologyAug 7

North AmericaAir

USS Theodore Roosevelt Is The First Carrier With A Drone Control Center Ready For MQ-25 Stingray Ops

USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first carrier fitted with a drone control center for MQ-25 operations. The facility supports integration of the Navy’s carrier-based unmanned tanker. MQ-25 is designed to extend the range and endurance of carrier air wings. The installation is a key readiness step ahead of operational Stingray deployment.

The War ZoneAug 7

North AmericaAir

New American combat drones armed and flown in desert

New U.S. combat drones have been armed and flown during desert testing. The activity provides an operational-development milestone for armed uncrewed aircraft. Desert testing can assess endurance, weapons integration and systems reliability. The program reflects continuing U.S. investment in combat-capable autonomous systems.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukAug 7

North AmericaAir

US Air Force drone fires AIM-120 in live test

A U.S. Air Force unmanned aircraft has fired an AIM-120 missile in a live test. The event demonstrates air-to-air weapon employment from an uncrewed platform. The test is relevant to future collaborative-combat and autonomous aviation concepts. It provides a capability milestone for armed U.S. combat drones.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukAug 7

North AmericaAir

U.S. Northern Command pairs F-35s and HIMARS in Alaska, engaging simulated target 135 miles away in Arctic defence operation

U.S. Northern Command linked F-35 aircraft and HIMARS in an Arctic defence exercise. The force engaged a simulated target at a distance of 135 miles. The event demonstrates integration between airborne sensing and land-based precision fires. The exercise is relevant to distributed operations in the Arctic theatre.

Defence Industry EuropeAug 7

North AmericaAir

Europe’s robot vehicles survive brutal US desert test

European robotic vehicles completed demanding desert testing in the United States. The trials evaluated unmanned ground-system reliability and mobility in harsh terrain. Desert conditions provide a stringent assessment of autonomy, endurance and platform survivability. The results support further development of robotic vehicle concepts for military users.

Defence BlogAug 6

North AmericaAir

X-62 test jet uses AI to intercept airborne target

The X-62 test aircraft used artificial intelligence during an airborne target-intercept event. The test contributes to development of autonomy for air-combat mission applications. X-62A VISTA is used to evaluate advanced flight-control and autonomy software. The milestone informs future crewed and collaborative combat aircraft programs.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukAug 6

North AmericaAir

Boeing Begins JDAM LR Payload Unit Production for 500-Pound Strikes Beyond 300 Nautical Miles

Boeing has begun production of the JDAM LR payload unit for 500-pound-class weapons. The system is intended to extend precision-strike range beyond 300 nautical miles. The production step moves the long-range guided bomb capability toward wider availability. JDAM LR could provide aircraft with stand-off strike options against defended targets.

Army RecognitionAug 6

North AmericaAir

An Air Force robot made the C-17 part no vendor would

The U.S. Air Force used a robot to manufacture a needed C-17 component. The part was produced after no commercial vendor was available. The case demonstrates the role of automated manufacturing in sustaining aging aircraft. It is a practical readiness milestone for Air Force depot maintenance.

militarytimes.comAug 6

North AmericaAir

Special Report: Australia's Boresight scales target UAV production in US

Australian company Boresight is scaling target-UAV production in the United States. Target drones provide realistic aerial threats for missile, radar and air-defense testing. US production expands availability for defense test and evaluation customers. The move reflects increased demand for expendable unmanned target systems.

JanesAug 6

North AmericaAir

U.S. Demonstrates First P-8A Poseidon Tasking of MQ-4C Triton Drone for Future Naval Teaming

The US Navy demonstrated P-8A Poseidon tasking of an MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft. The event advances integration between crewed maritime patrol aircraft and high-altitude unmanned surveillance systems. Triton can extend the surveillance reach of P-8A operations. The demonstration supports future naval crewed-uncrewed teaming concepts.

Army RecognitionAug 6

North AmericaAir

L3Harris completes first two-ship F-16C and F-16D flight tests of Viper Shield electronic warfare system at Edwards Air Force Base

L3Harris completed two-ship flight testing of its Viper Shield electronic-warfare suite on F-16C and F-16D aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base. The milestone advances integration and operational validation of the digital EW system. Viper Shield is intended to improve F-16 threat detection, warning and survivability. The program supports the F-16V/Viper modernization ecosystem.

Defence Industry EuropeAug 6

North AmericaAir

U.S. Navy Tests Firestorm FPV Drone Factory Aboard USS Essex Amphibious Ship for At-Sea Production

The US Navy tested a Firestorm first-person-view drone production capability aboard USS Essex. The concept explores at-sea manufacture of small uncrewed systems. Shipboard production could shorten resupply timelines and enable rapid adaptation of drone designs. The test supports distributed maritime logistics and unmanned warfare experimentation.

Army RecognitionAug 6

North AmericaAir

U.S. Air Force wants to test robotic boom control on old KC-135 tanker

The US Air Force plans to test robotic boom control on a KC-135 tanker. The effort examines automation of the aerial-refuelling boom function. Autonomous or assisted boom control could reduce operator workload and improve tanker availability. The trial supports wider Air Force interest in autonomous refuelling technologies.

Defence BlogAug 6

North AmericaAir

XQ-58 Valkyrie Crashes At Dugway Proving Ground In Utah (Updated)

An XQ-58 Valkyrie uncrewed aircraft crashed at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. The Valkyrie is a low-cost jet drone used to advance collaborative combat aircraft concepts. The incident may affect ongoing flight-test and autonomy-development activity. The cause and program consequences were not specified in the report.

The War ZoneAug 6

North AmericaAir

Report: US doesn’t have enough interceptors for war with China

A new assessment concludes that US interceptor inventories may be insufficient for a conflict with China. The report focuses on the scale of air and missile defense munitions required in a high-intensity war. Interceptor production and stockpile depth are central issues for deterrence planning. The finding adds urgency to US missile-defense procurement and industrial-base expansion.

Defense OneAug 6

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