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Aviation Week • Guy Norris

Hermeus flies Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 and closes $350M Series C to scale hypersonic production

Hermeus completed an uncrewed maiden flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 from Spaceport America in early March — its second new aircraft type to fly in under a year — and simultaneously closed a $350 million Series C to accelerate production, relocate HQ to Los Angeles and push toward mission‑ready high‑Mach platforms.

2026-04-07T14:12:12.143427-07:00

SpaceNews.com

LeoLabs launches military-focused space domain awareness tool

2026-04-08T06:06:46.228991-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Polish firm teams with Northrop and ST Engineering to pursue multibillion‑euro ammunition contracts

2026-04-08T07:22:42.038259-07:00

FlightGlobal

BAE fires APKWS laser‑guided rockets from Eurofighter Typhoon in C‑UAS trial

2026-04-08T06:31:40.868043-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Polish firm teams with Northrop and ST Engineering to pursue multibillion‑euro ammunition contracts A Polish defence company has teamed with Northrop Grumman and ST Engineering to bid for Poland’s multibillion‑euro ammunition contracts, reflecting a wider rush by global suppliers to localise munitions production in eastern and central Europe to meet growing ground‑forces requirements.

2026-04-08T07:22:42.038259-07:00

Polish firm teams with Northrop and ST Engineering to pursue multibillion‑euro ammunition contracts

FlightGlobal

BAE fires APKWS laser‑guided rockets from Eurofighter Typhoon in C‑UAS trial BAE Systems test‑fired APKWS laser‑guided Hydra‑70 rockets from an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon at its Warton site, striking a ground target in a live trial. The demonstration validates a lower‑cost, precision option to defeat one‑way attack drones and scale counter‑UAS defenses.

2026-04-08T06:31:40.868043-07:00

BAE fires APKWS laser‑guided rockets from Eurofighter Typhoon in C‑UAS trial

SpaceNews.com

LeoLabs launches military-focused space domain awareness tool LeoLabs has launched a military-focused space domain awareness tool that delivers space monitoring and tracking capabilities for defense users. The offering packages the company's orbital sensors and analytics into a product tailored for military use, intended to support operational space situational awareness.

2026-04-08T06:06:46.228991-07:00

LeoLabs launches military-focused space domain awareness tool

MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines buys AeroDesignWorks to enter UAV and guided‑missile propulsion market MTU Aero Engines has acquired Cologne‑based AeroDesignWorks, making the drone propulsion specialist a wholly owned subsidiary as MTU expands into propulsion for unmanned aerial vehicles and modern guided‑missile systems. The deal pairs AeroDesignWorks' small‑engine and turbojet expertise with MTU's industrial engine manufacturing capabilities.

2026-04-08T06:06:39.393704-07:00

MTU Aero Engines buys AeroDesignWorks to enter UAV and guided‑missile propulsion market

FlightGlobal

British Army H145 Jupiter HC2s begin Brunei training mission The British Army has deployed the first pair of Airbus H145 Jupiter HC2 light twins to Brunei for a training mission, operated by 667 Squadron as part of a £148 million 2024 order for six aircraft. The H145s replace Puma HC2s retired from service in March.

2026-04-08T04:06:57.778631-07:00

British Army H145 Jupiter HC2s begin Brunei training mission

SpaceNews.com

Capella Space wins $49M military communications satellite demo contract Capella Space has won a $49 million contract to demo a military communications satellite. The award will fund a technology demonstration to validate the company’s space‑based communications payload and ground integration for defense use, advancing its entry into military satcom demonstrations.

2026-04-08T03:32:23.643710-07:00

Capella Space wins $49M military communications satellite demo contract

AeroTime

Belgium signs for five Cessna C408 SkyCouriers, becomes launch military customer for Textron Belgium has contracted Textron Aviation for five Cessna C408 SkyCourier twin‑turboprop transports, making it the launch military customer, Textron announced on 7 April. The lightweight transports are earmarked for special missions and will involve Belgium’s aerospace industry in modification and support work.

2026-04-08T01:06:21.755397-07:00

Belgium signs for five Cessna C408 SkyCouriers, becomes launch military customer for Textron

SpaceWatch Global

Astroscale UK completes CDR for UK MoD 'Orpheus' space‑domain awareness mission Astroscale UK has completed the Critical Design Review for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Orpheus space‑domain awareness mission, a formal design milestone that advances the programme into detailed design and positions it to progress toward hardware production and system integration.

2026-04-07T22:59:44.420199-07:00

Astroscale UK completes CDR for UK MoD 'Orpheus' space‑domain awareness mission

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Hermeus flies Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 and closes $350M Series C to scale hypersonic production

LeoLabs launches military-focused space domain awareness tool

Polish firm teams with Northrop and ST Engineering to pursue multibillion‑euro ammunition contracts

BAE fires APKWS laser‑guided rockets from Eurofighter Typhoon in C‑UAS trial

News Timeline