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Defense Daily • Rich Abott

U.S. Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.76B PAC-3 MSE contract to accelerate Patriot interceptor production

The U.S. government awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.7 billion undefinitized/premilinary contract to produce Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors, advancing accelerated output under a contract action described as a key production ramp. Lockheed had targeted raising annual PAC-3 interceptor output from ~600 to 2,000 over seven years.

2026-04-09T14:39:16.098317-07:00

FlightGlobal

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

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

Bloomberg

Pentagon proposes $2 billion for Lockheed's classified AIM-260, signaling possible production acceleration

2026-04-07T14:12:42.839712-07:00

AeroTime

US Army, Anduril complete first helicopter-launched Altius 700 from AH-64E Apache

2026-04-07T07:26:15.258756-07:00

News Timeline

Defense Daily

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U.S. Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.76B PAC-3 MSE contract to accelerate Patriot interceptor production The U.S. government awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.7 billion undefinitized/premilinary contract to produce Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors, advancing accelerated output under a contract action described as a key production ramp. Lockheed had targeted raising annual PAC-3 interceptor output from ~600 to 2,000 over seven years.

2026-04-09T14:39:16.098317-07:00

U.S. Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.76B PAC-3 MSE contract to accelerate Patriot interceptor production

FlightGlobal

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Eurofighter Typhoon fires APKWS laser‑guided rockets in BAE counter‑UAS trial BAE Systems test‑fired APKWS laser‑guided rockets from a Eurofighter Typhoon at its Warton facility using an RAF test and evaluation aircraft, striking a ground target. The trial demonstrates a low‑cost precision option for air‑to‑air/counter‑UAS engagement and will be followed by further evaluation activity.

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

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

Bloomberg

Pentagon proposes $2 billion for Lockheed's classified AIM-260, signaling possible production acceleration The Trump administration's proposed budget includes $2 billion for Lockheed Martin's classified AIM-260 air-to-air missile program, a sizeable boost that, according to Pentagon documents, could accelerate production timelines and increase the likelihood of near-term deployment of the weapon now in development.

2026-04-07T14:12:42.839712-07:00

Pentagon proposes $2 billion for Lockheed's classified AIM-260, signaling possible production acceleration

AeroTime

US Army, Anduril complete first helicopter-launched Altius 700 from AH-64E Apache At Yuma Proving Ground an AH-64E Apache launched a rocket-powered Anduril Altius 700 loitering munition in the service's first 'launched-effect' deployment from the attack helicopter. The medium-range drone carries a ~15 kg warhead and is reported to have a nominal range of about 160 km, extending Apache strike reach.

2026-04-07T07:26:15.258756-07:00

US Army, Anduril complete first helicopter-launched Altius 700 from AH-64E Apache

DefenseNews.com

U.S. commanders warn Congress Russia could deploy nuclear weapons in space to disable satellites Top leaders from U.S. Strategic Command and the Space Force told Congress that Russia could deploy nuclear weapons in space that might disable satellites, delivering an assessment as commanders warned of expanding adversary capabilities across multiple theaters and emerging space threats.

2026-04-06T06:41:17.762466-07:00

U.S. commanders warn Congress Russia could deploy nuclear weapons in space to disable satellites

Reuters

Seoul says North Korea testing carbon‑fibre ICBM tech with solid‑fuel engine to carry multiple warheads South Korean lawmakers say Pyongyang tested a solid‑fuel rocket engine intended for an ICBM incorporating carbon‑fibre structures to extend range and permit delivery of heavier — potentially multiple — warheads. The test signals technical refinement in North Korea’s strategic missile and payload capabilities.

2026-04-05T23:10:54.018108-07:00

Seoul says North Korea testing carbon‑fibre ICBM tech with solid‑fuel engine to carry multiple warheads

FlightGlobal

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin a 12-month joint study into a successor to MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The study will assess future threat environments and define requirements for a next-generation BVR weapon for Typhoon and Rafale fleets.

2026-04-02T03:21:24.464331-07:00

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor

New York Times

Iran conflict spotlights LIG Nex1 interceptors’ strong performance at a fraction of U.S. cost South Korea’s LIG Nex1-made missile interceptors are reported to be performing effectively in the Iran conflict while costing only a small fraction of comparable U.S. interceptors, drawing attention to lower-cost alternatives for regional air-defence procurement and potential export opportunities for Seoul’s defence sector.

2026-04-01T21:21:27.909537-07:00

Iran conflict spotlights LIG Nex1 interceptors’ strong performance at a fraction of U.S. cost

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

U.S. Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.76B PAC-3 MSE contract to accelerate Patriot interceptor production

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

Pentagon proposes $2 billion for Lockheed's classified AIM-260, signaling possible production acceleration

US Army, Anduril complete first helicopter-launched Altius 700 from AH-64E Apache

News Timeline