Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

Wall Street Journal

Ukraine tests interceptor drones as Russia deploys fast, jet-powered attack drones over Kyiv

Russia attacked Ukraine with 116 drones from five directions on the night of Oct. 11; 95 were reported to be jet-powered, and Ukrainian air defenses destroyed or suppressed most targets, though one hit was recorded. Ukrainian developers are testing interceptor drones against the faster threat, while a separate report describes efforts to divert Russian missiles by deceiving their navigation systems.

DefenseNews.com

High activity

Lockheed Martin unveils PAC-3 Edge interceptor with new seeker, flight controls and multi-pulse motor

Lockheed Martin says its PAC-3 Edge interceptor adds a new seeker and upgraded flight controls, alongside a multi-pulse rocket motor supplied by Northrop Grumman. The company says the design is intended to counter hypersonic threats. The supplied articles also include separate coverage of the GCAP fighter program.

SpaceNews.com

RUSI report warns Russia could use nuclear space weapons against U.S. missile defenses

A Royal United Services Institute study says Moscow has incentives to use a nuclear weapon in space to disable proliferated satellite networks that support U.S. missile defenses. The warning highlights the exposure of space-based defense infrastructure to attacks with potentially broad effects across satellite networks.

Wall Street Journal

Wall Street veteran Steve Feinberg takes on the Pentagon’s missile problem

After a July cabinet meeting at Camp David, President Donald Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to call Steve Feinberg. The episode frames Feinberg’s role in addressing the Pentagon’s missile challenge, bringing a Wall Street veteran into a high-stakes defense problem.

The War Zone

Blackbeard hypersonic missile shown launching from ground-based launcher

Blackbeard, part of the U.S. Army’s push to make hypersonic weapons more mobile and affordable, has been shown launching from a ground-based launcher. The report provides no further details on the missile’s performance or program schedule.

Navy Times

High activity

Raytheon wins up to $6.3 billion Pentagon contract for SM-3 Block IB production and sustainment

The multi-year award covers production and sustainment of Standard Missile-3 Block IB interceptors as the Pentagon works to replenish missile-defense inventories and increase munitions output. It follows a framework agreement between the Defense Department and Raytheon to expand production of the interceptor.

AeroTime

South Korea tests first domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle

South Korea says it has successfully tested its first domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle. President Lee Jae-myung called for the system’s rapid deployment, marking a step from development testing toward a potential operational capability.

Breaking Defense

Tiberius Aerospace pitches 150-km liquid-fueled ramjet munition for 155mm howitzers

Tiberius Aerospace is discussing SCEPTRE, a liquid-fueled ramjet munition designed to fire from a 155mm howitzer and reach targets as far as 150 km away. The concept combines artillery launch with substantially extended reach, according to the available description.