Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

DefenseNews.com

CSIS urges the U.S. Navy to target China’s expanding aircraft-carrier fleet

A Center for Strategic and International Studies report proposes that the U.S. counter China’s strategy for threatening American aircraft carriers by adopting an offensive approach against Beijing’s carrier fleet. The analysis follows China’s growing use of submarines, ballistic missiles and other advanced systems to hold U.S. carriers at risk.

Reuters

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Pentagon accelerates Lockheed’s AIM-260 missile production as F-16 fleet expansion gains traction

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin are moving to accelerate production and testing of the classified AIM-260 air-to-air missile, intended to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM and strengthen U.S. and allied air-combat capabilities. Separately, Lockheed is pitching new-build F-16s as the Air Force considers how to expand its aging fighter fleet, while Patriot interceptor production receives new component support.

AeroTime

Ukraine tests domestic interceptor against jet-powered Shahed drones

Ukraine says it has successfully tested a domestically developed interceptor designed to counter jet-powered Shahed attack drones. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the system remains under development, with additional technical work required as testing continues.

SpaceNews.com

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

L3Harris Technologies is moving its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites into production for the Missile Defense Agency’s Golden Dome initiative, with few design changes from the existing HBTSS design. The decision signals a transition from satellite development toward scaled production for missile-warning and tracking missions.

The War Zone

Lockheed Martin proposes modular architecture to expand the JASSM missile family

Lockheed Martin’s FLEX concept would give the AGM-158 JASSM family a common modular architecture supporting longer-range variants, anti-ship missions and additional launch configurations. The proposal is intended to broaden the missile’s operational flexibility while building on the existing JASSM family design.

defence-industry.eu

Rafael, Lockheed Martin integrate SPICE 1000 stand-off weapon on Israeli F-35I Adir

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun integrating the 1,000-pound SPICE 1000 air-to-surface munition on Israel’s F-35I Adir. The electro-optically guided weapon has a range exceeding 120 kilometers and is designed to operate in jammed and GPS-denied environments, with potential implications for other F-35 operators.

FlightGlobal

Thales targets international exports to sustain Belfast production of Lightweight Modular Missile

Thales is pursuing additional international sales of its UK-produced Lightweight Modular Missile (LMM), citing export demand as important to sustaining production in Belfast. The company has sharply increased output since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022 and outlined a new UK technology strategy.

Spaceflight Now

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Avio completes second successful Vega C launch of 2026 with FLEX and Sentinel-3C

Avio completes the second successful Vega C launch of 2026, deploying the European Space Agency’s FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C Earth-observation satellites from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The mission places two science and environmental-monitoring spacecraft into orbit and demonstrates continued Vega C operations.