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DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta

Feinstein to seek block of Air Force nuclear-capable cruise missile program funding

Sen. Dianne Feinstein plans to introduce an effort to block funding for the U.S. Air Force’s new nuclear-capable cruise missile program. The move targets the program’s budget outlays and adds political friction as lawmakers consider how the capability should proceed.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.429882-07:00

DefenseNews.com

USAF weighs KC-135 laser weapon integration but remains undecided on platform and concept-of-operations

2026-04-23T07:06:32.736024-07:00

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

2026-04-23T03:35:01.360735-07:00

FlightGlobal

US State Department clears $414M missile sales: 530 AGM-114R2 Hellfires and 152 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders to Netherlands and L

2026-04-22T22:50:41.243490-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Feinstein to seek block of Air Force nuclear-capable cruise missile program funding Sen. Dianne Feinstein plans to introduce an effort to block funding for the U.S. Air Force’s new nuclear-capable cruise missile program. The move targets the program’s budget outlays and adds political friction as lawmakers consider how the capability should proceed.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.429882-07:00

Feinstein to seek block of Air Force nuclear-capable cruise missile program funding

DefenseNews.com

USAF weighs KC-135 laser weapon integration but remains undecided on platform and concept-of-operations The U.S. Air Force is exploring mounting a laser weapon on a KC-135, but officials say the effort is “still in the infancy stage,” with uncertainty over where and how the system would be employed. The decision is framed as part of broader directed-energy experimentation rather than a near-term commitment.

2026-04-23T07:06:32.736024-07:00

USAF weighs KC-135 laser weapon integration but remains undecided on platform and concept-of-operations

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS Lockheed Martin announced a $25 million investment in Fortem Technologies, a provider of airspace security solutions, citing urgent demand tied to countering UAS threats. The move signals sustained defense-prime focus on scaling detection/mitigation capabilities for rapidly evolving drone risks.

2026-04-23T03:35:01.360735-07:00

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

FlightGlobal

US State Department clears $414M missile sales: 530 AGM-114R2 Hellfires and 152 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders to Netherlands and L The U.S. State Department approved a combined USD414 million Foreign Military Sales package bolstering European air and ground strike and self-protection. The Netherlands will buy 530 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles with technical assistance, while Lithuania is cleared for 152 RTX AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders and related equipment.

2026-04-22T22:50:41.243490-07:00

US State Department clears $414M missile sales: 530 AGM-114R2 Hellfires and 152 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders to Netherlands and L

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon-linked hypersonic competition drives US Navy to integrate Patriot into Aegis The US Navy is integrating the Patriot missile system into the Aegis combat system as it fields the PAC-3 MSE interceptor at sea for the first time. The integration is positioned as a response to China’s hypersonic weapons and reflects the Pentagon’s broader push to understand and counter high-speed threats.

2026-04-22T14:34:52.429503-07:00

Pentagon-linked hypersonic competition drives US Navy to integrate Patriot into Aegis

The War Zone

RAACM-ER targets long-range anti-ship role with Tomahawk-like reach at lower cost The RAACM-ER cruise missile is positioned for an Air Force long-range anti-ship requirement, offering a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles while targeting lower unit cost. Its stated performance footprint draws direct parallels to Tomahawk’s long-range strike profile, adapted for anti-ship use.

2026-04-22T13:24:08.292412-07:00

RAACM-ER targets long-range anti-ship role with Tomahawk-like reach at lower cost

AeroTime

Rheinmetall lands Bundeswehr framework for FV-014 loitering munition, with a €300m first call-off Rheinmetall has signed a multibillion-euro framework contract with the Bundeswehr for the FV-014 loitering munition, with an initial €300m call-off. The award expands Germany’s ability to procure expendable precision-strike effectors under a scalable procurement structure.

2026-04-22T04:50:20.527994-07:00

Rheinmetall lands Bundeswehr framework for FV-014 loitering munition, with a €300m first call-off

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force: Ballistic missile striking Saudi capital traced to Iranian manufacture A senior U.S. Air Force official said Iran manufactured the ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Shiite rebels toward Saudi Arabia’s capital, backing Riyadh’s earlier allegations. The official cited physical remnants bearing “Iranian markings,” linking the attack to Iranian supply rather than an indigenous Houthi system.

2026-04-22T04:35:34.235582-07:00

US Air Force: Ballistic missile striking Saudi capital traced to Iranian manufacture

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

Feinstein to seek block of Air Force nuclear-capable cruise missile program funding

USAF weighs KC-135 laser weapon integration but remains undecided on platform and concept-of-operations

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

US State Department clears $414M missile sales: 530 AGM-114R2 Hellfires and 152 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders to Netherlands and L

News Timeline