News

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow, Theresa Hitchens

SECAF launches AMTI satellite acquisition with base contract for first space-based aircraft tracking increment

The Department of the Air Force has awarded the base contract for new space-based air moving target indication (AMTI) systems, kicking off the program’s competition for the first operational “increment” of satellites capable of tracking aircraft from space. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said awards are expected “fairly shortly.”

2026-04-15T17:43:15.259368-07:00

Air Data News

Rosoboronexport signs Su-57E export agreements at DSA-2026, but named buyers and timelines remain undisclosed

2026-04-15T16:39:17.669330-07:00

Breaking Defense

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use

2026-04-15T13:15:16.762358-07:00

Breaking Defense

Raytheon contract: $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine, with Germany production at COMLOG

2026-04-15T07:54:30.492416-07:00

News Timeline

Breaking Defense

SECAF launches AMTI satellite acquisition with base contract for first space-based aircraft tracking increment The Department of the Air Force has awarded the base contract for new space-based air moving target indication (AMTI) systems, kicking off the program’s competition for the first operational “increment” of satellites capable of tracking aircraft from space. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said awards are expected “fairly shortly.”

2026-04-15T17:43:15.259368-07:00

SECAF launches AMTI satellite acquisition with base contract for first space-based aircraft tracking increment

Air Data News

Rosoboronexport signs Su-57E export agreements at DSA-2026, but named buyers and timelines remain undisclosed Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said it signed export agreements for the Sukhoi Su-57 during DSA-2026 in Kuala Lumpur. It confirmed interest in the Su-57E export variant but did not disclose the number of aircraft, customer identities, or delivery timelines, adding that its potential customer base is expanding.

2026-04-15T16:39:17.669330-07:00

Rosoboronexport signs Su-57E export agreements at DSA-2026, but named buyers and timelines remain undisclosed

Breaking Defense

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use Raytheon’s Chuck Angus says RTX is modifying the EA-18G Growler’s next-generation jammer to generate non-kinetic effects and protect high-value assets, using its Surface Electronic Attack System concept so the capability can work from land or sea.

2026-04-15T13:15:16.762358-07:00

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use

The War Zone

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms Boeing is identifying growing interest in an optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook configuration, positioning the type as a launch platform for drone swarms. The concept ties crewed helicopter flexibility to scalable uncrewed strike/sensing options—designed to expand mission reach without fully ceding control to autonomy.

2026-04-15T11:35:11.644276-07:00

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms

The War Zone

General Atomics maps Mojave’s austere runways to loitering-strike UAS missions General Atomics says the Mojave testbed could operate from very rough fields and support a full mission set: escorting helicopters, striking targets, conducting surveillance and networking, and transporting cargo. The concept positions Mojave as a scalable hub for distributed unmanned operations from austere locations.

2026-04-15T10:34:59.565523-07:00

General Atomics maps Mojave’s austere runways to loitering-strike UAS missions

FlightGlobal

Airbus advances autonomous H145 and MQ-72 cargo helicopter tests with integrated edge computing partners Airbus U.S. Space & Defense and partners Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs completed their fourth autonomous flight test on the H145, integrating all four technologies on one aircraft. Separately, Airbus said it has completed its fourth MQ-72 autonomous cargo-helicopter test flight, extending the program’s flight-test cadence toward a military logistics role.

2026-04-15T09:53:32.849911-07:00

Airbus advances autonomous H145 and MQ-72 cargo helicopter tests with integrated edge computing partners

Breaking Defense

❗️

Raytheon contract: $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine, with Germany production at COMLOG Raytheon has finalized a $3.7 billion contract to deliver Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile‑Tactical (GEM‑T) interceptors to Ukraine, alongside Patriot command-and-control stations, launchers and radars sold directly to the Netherlands under a separate reported deal. A new GEM‑T production facility in Schrobenhausen, operated by COMLOG (Raytheon/MBDA Deutschland), is planned to support supply-chain resilience and replenish Ukraine’s interceptor inventory.

2026-04-15T07:54:30.492416-07:00

Raytheon contract: $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine, with Germany production at COMLOG

The War Zone

❗️

U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push The U.S. Army has officially designated its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)—developed from the V-280 Valor—as the MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” revealed April 15 at the Army Aviation Warfighting Summit. The name sets a formal identity for the program as Bell delivers the first of six MV-75 test aircraft to support fielding.

2026-04-15T07:35:36.436499-07:00

U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push

Menu

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

SECAF launches AMTI satellite acquisition with base contract for first space-based aircraft tracking increment

Rosoboronexport signs Su-57E export agreements at DSA-2026, but named buyers and timelines remain undisclosed

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use

Raytheon contract: $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine, with Germany production at COMLOG

News Timeline