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Breaking Defense • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

France selects MBDA–Safran “Thundart” for long-range rocket artillery replacement of LRU

France’s defense minister announced that a MBDA and Safran consortium has won the contract for the French Army’s new long-range rocket artillery, the FLP-T program. The Thundart solution is positioned to start deliveries of first units in 2029, displacing other contenders reportedly including Lockheed Martin’s bid for the LRU successor.

2026-06-15T05:46:44.348989-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Shield AI highlights X-BAT underwater-capable system as Boeing continues long-range JDAM development at Sea-Air-Space

2026-06-15T06:49:20.692693-07:00

FlightGlobal

Ukraine plans IRIS-T integration on Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters

2026-06-15T06:02:33.285688-07:00

SpaceNews.com

CSIS: U.S. solid rocket motor output rising, but bottleneck persists for Pentagon missile-defense demand

2026-06-13T21:21:40.877588-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

Shield AI highlights X-BAT underwater-capable system as Boeing continues long-range JDAM development at Sea-Air-Space At Sea-Air-Space in Washington, D.C., Shield AI showcased its X-BAT and Boeing shared updates on long-range JDAM progress, reinforcing both companies’ push to field next-generation, standoff-capable defense effects. The cluster also includes an overview of an emerging underwater special-forces equipment concept and defense finance takeaways.

2026-06-15T06:49:20.692693-07:00

Shield AI highlights X-BAT underwater-capable system as Boeing continues long-range JDAM development at Sea-Air-Space

FlightGlobal

Ukraine plans IRIS-T integration on Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters Ukraine is set to begin arming its Lockheed Martin F-16 fleet with the German-produced IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile, according to the weapon’s manufacturer. The move underscores how donor-provided fighters are being rapidly adapted with European air-combat effects.

2026-06-15T06:02:33.285688-07:00

Ukraine plans IRIS-T integration on Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters

Breaking Defense

France selects MBDA–Safran “Thundart” for long-range rocket artillery replacement of LRU France’s defense minister announced that a MBDA and Safran consortium has won the contract for the French Army’s new long-range rocket artillery, the FLP-T program. The Thundart solution is positioned to start deliveries of first units in 2029, displacing other contenders reportedly including Lockheed Martin’s bid for the LRU successor.

2026-06-15T05:46:44.348989-07:00

France selects MBDA–Safran “Thundart” for long-range rocket artillery replacement of LRU

SpaceNews.com

CSIS: U.S. solid rocket motor output rising, but bottleneck persists for Pentagon missile-defense demand A CSIS report says U.S. production of solid rocket motors is increasing, but growth is not fast enough to satisfy the Pentagon’s missile-defense program requirements. The study flags solid rocket motors as an enduring bottleneck across the U.S. industrial base, constraining scaling for defense interceptors.

2026-06-13T21:21:40.877588-07:00

CSIS: U.S. solid rocket motor output rising, but bottleneck persists for Pentagon missile-defense demand

Reuters

North Korea condemns US approval for advanced air-to-air missile sale to South Korea North Korea’s foreign ministry, citing KCNA, condemned a U.S. decision to approve the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea. Pyongyang warned the transfer would worsen tensions on the Korean peninsula, escalating criticism of the U.S.-South Korea defense relationship.

2026-06-12T14:47:42.989229-07:00

North Korea condemns US approval for advanced air-to-air missile sale to South Korea

Breaking Defense

Saronic and Castelion plan 2027 maritime hypersonic launch from MUSV Marauder with Blackbeard Saronic and Castelion say they will integrate Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic missile with Saronic’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Marauder for a first-of-its-kind maritime launch demonstration. The partners target a launch demo next year, with a maritime launch planned for 2027.

2026-06-11T12:19:53.778202-07:00

Saronic and Castelion plan 2027 maritime hypersonic launch from MUSV Marauder with Blackbeard

SpaceNews.com

Missile defense in the age of saturation warfare As battlefield innovation drives more complex threat mixes, missile defense is increasingly challenged by saturation—when attackers combine mass, speed, and coordinated timelines to overwhelm detection, tracking, and intercept capacity. The cluster frames how evolving concepts of operations are forcing defense planners to rethink effectiveness under maximum load conditions.

2026-06-11T04:33:23.409630-07:00

Missile defense in the age of saturation warfare

FlightGlobal

US State Department clears $292M FMS for South Korea to buy 70 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to South Korea for 70 Raytheon AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, with related equipment, valued at $292 million. The authorization is intended to enhance South Korea’s air-defense capability.

2026-06-11T01:13:27.949362-07:00

US State Department clears $292M FMS for South Korea to buy 70 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

France selects MBDA–Safran “Thundart” for long-range rocket artillery replacement of LRU

Shield AI highlights X-BAT underwater-capable system as Boeing continues long-range JDAM development at Sea-Air-Space

Ukraine plans IRIS-T integration on Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters

CSIS: U.S. solid rocket motor output rising, but bottleneck persists for Pentagon missile-defense demand

News Timeline