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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Vietnam evaluates Dassault Rafale as Hanoi reconsiders decades of Sukhoi dependence

Vietnam is in talks with Dassault Aviation to evaluate acquiring Rafale fighters, potentially becoming a new international customer as Hanoi reviews decades‑long reliance on Russian Sukhoi jets. The move aims to strengthen the air force’s strike and surveillance capability and represents a strategic procurement shift.

2026-02-06T09:49:15.166123-08:00

DefenseNews.com

Shield AI and ST Engineering to integrate Hivemind for AI‑driven drone swarms and manned–unmanned teaming in Singapore

2026-02-06T06:58:33.555370-08:00

CNBC

Palmer Luckey: US could cut billions from defense spending — procurement rewards spending over innovation

2026-02-06T02:14:07.711108-08:00

Reuters

Singapore Airshow 2026 opens with 35 static displays as China showcases military, civil and Luanniao near‑space concept

2026-02-05T23:29:00.278108-08:00

News Timeline

Air Data News

Vietnam evaluates Dassault Rafale as Hanoi reconsiders decades of Sukhoi dependence Vietnam is in talks with Dassault Aviation to evaluate acquiring Rafale fighters, potentially becoming a new international customer as Hanoi reviews decades‑long reliance on Russian Sukhoi jets. The move aims to strengthen the air force’s strike and surveillance capability and represents a strategic procurement shift.

2026-02-06T09:49:15.166123-08:00

Vietnam evaluates Dassault Rafale as Hanoi reconsiders decades of Sukhoi dependence

SpaceNews.com

How we helped usher in the modern era of AI at the U.S. National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency A first‑person account of how modern artificial intelligence was introduced at the U.S. National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency, describing the authors' role in that transition and its implications for geospatial intelligence capabilities. It examines operational impacts, data workflows and workforce adaptation during NGA's AI modernization.

2026-02-06T09:08:22.720443-08:00

How we helped usher in the modern era of AI at the U.S. National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency

DefenseNews.com

Shield AI and ST Engineering to integrate Hivemind for AI‑driven drone swarms and manned–unmanned teaming in Singapore At the Singapore Airshow Shield AI and ST Engineering announced a partnership to integrate Shield's Hivemind autonomy into Singaporean drone operations, using AI to optimise drone‑to‑drone swarms and manned–unmanned teaming. The work will tune swarm behaviour and human–drone interactions for military operational use.

2026-02-06T06:58:33.555370-08:00

Shield AI and ST Engineering to integrate Hivemind for AI‑driven drone swarms and manned–unmanned teaming in Singapore

CNBC

Palmer Luckey: US could cut billions from defense spending — procurement rewards spending over innovation Anduril founder Palmer Luckey said the US can cut billions from defense spending because current procurement metrics reward high spending over capability, leaving primes disincentivized to innovate. He warned the defense industrial base prioritizes budgets, not effective systems, and urged reprioritization.

2026-02-06T02:14:07.711108-08:00

Palmer Luckey: US could cut billions from defense spending — procurement rewards spending over innovation

Reuters

Singapore Airshow 2026 opens with 35 static displays as China showcases military, civil and Luanniao near‑space concept The 10th Singapore Airshow opened with 35 static displays and eight flying teams. China used the event to prominently showcase both military and civil aviation capabilities — including the Luanniao near‑space "flying aircraft carrier" concept — drawing heavy regional attention and expert skepticism over feasibility.

2026-02-05T23:29:00.278108-08:00

Singapore Airshow 2026 opens with 35 static displays as China showcases military, civil and Luanniao near‑space concept

FlightGlobal

Top Aces targets Asia‑Pacific with adversary air services using modified F‑16s Top Aces is pursuing adversary‑air contracts across the Asia‑Pacific after holding talks with Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia at the Singapore Airshow. The Canadian contractor operates more than 150 tactical aircraft, including F‑16s modified to replicate fifth‑generation threats for training.

2026-02-05T21:37:51.856245-08:00

Top Aces targets Asia‑Pacific with adversary air services using modified F‑16s

FlightGlobal

Saab to fly fighter‑sized unmanned demonstrator in 2027 to inform Sweden's 2030 Future Fighter decision Saab will conduct the first flight of a fighter‑sized unmanned demonstrator in 2027 under Sweden’s government‑funded Future Fighter System programme. The 2027 airborne tests will mature technologies and deliver data to inform Stockholm’s planned decision on its next combat aircraft by 2030.

2026-02-05T19:54:45.052759-08:00

Saab to fly fighter‑sized unmanned demonstrator in 2027 to inform Sweden's 2030 Future Fighter decision

Reuters

Kratos and Taiwan test Mighty Hornet IV (modified MQM‑178): Mach 0.8, high‑G performance and integrated mission/payload systems Kratos and Taiwan's NCSIST integrated a custom payload and mission system into the jet‑powered Mighty Hornet IV (a modified MQM‑178) and flight‑tested it to Mach 0.8, sustaining high‑G manoeuvres above 35,000 ft. The trials demonstrated MUM‑T support and compatibility with loitering munitions to scale low‑cost strike capacity.

2026-02-05T19:08:14.500278-08:00

Kratos and Taiwan test Mighty Hornet IV (modified MQM‑178): Mach 0.8, high‑G performance and integrated mission/payload systems

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Vietnam evaluates Dassault Rafale as Hanoi reconsiders decades of Sukhoi dependence

Shield AI and ST Engineering to integrate Hivemind for AI‑driven drone swarms and manned–unmanned teaming in Singapore

Palmer Luckey: US could cut billions from defense spending — procurement rewards spending over innovation

Singapore Airshow 2026 opens with 35 static displays as China showcases military, civil and Luanniao near‑space concept

News Timeline