euro-sd.com
• Thomas Liebe
France has approved MBDA and Safran’s Thundart guided rocket program to replace the Army’s LRU and extend land-strike range to 150 km. The move comes as Sweden, Croatia and other European armies pursue different long-range fires architectures, while Australia declares initial operational capability for JASSM-ER and LRASM.
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons
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The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for two long-range strike capabilities: JASSM-ER integration on its F/A-18F Super Hornets and LRASM on its P-8A Poseidon fleet. The milestone expands Australia’s ability to conduct stand-off land-attack and anti-ship missions.
France has approved MBDA and Safran’s Thundart guided rocket program to replace the Army’s LRU and extend land-strike range to 150 km. The move comes as Sweden, Croatia and other European armies pursue different long-range fires architectures, while Australia declares initial operational capability for JASSM-ER and LRASM.
Ukraine’s new Shershen surface-to-air missile system is designed with an open architecture that could allow Kyiv to combine different interceptors as its missile inventory changes. The approach may provide flexibility to integrate adapted air-to-air missiles into a ground-based air-defense system.
RTX is collaborating with fusion-energy startup Xcimer to assess whether high-energy laser technology rooted in Cold War research could support directed-energy defenses. The effort highlights a potential crossover between fusion research and systems designed to counter missiles and drones.
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An Iranian ballistic missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base reportedly caused significant damage to a U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II, including the loss of a wing, and lighter damage to approximately eight F-15E Strike Eagles. The incident underscores the operational exposure of forward-deployed aircraft in the region.
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MBDA and Safran won approval to supply France’s new long-range land-strike capability, while the U.S. expanded military connectivity with 21 PWSA Tranche-1 satellites. Separate awards include up to $4.84 billion for Northrop Grumman’s CIRCM system, $4.7 billion to L3Harris for PAC-3 MSE propulsion and $343.2 million for T56 sustainment.
Russia is using the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt to promote the export Su-57E, S-71 drones, drone-like missiles, upgraded Ka-52 helicopters and air-defense systems, including the ZAK-30 Citadel. The showcase comes as the Su-57’s operational effectiveness remains difficult to establish publicly.
The U.S. Army has selected Boeing and Anduril to advance to the next phase of its competition for a midrange interceptor under the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 program. Separately, Anduril is providing autonomy software for a hypersonic aircraft startup targeting a 2027 flight test.
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