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DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Raytheon pitches GBU-49 to rapidly add F-35 moving-target strike capability

The U.S. Air Force—and more recently the U.S. Marine Corps—has identified Raytheon’s GBU-49 as the fastest path to enabling the F-35 to prosecute moving targets. The push positions the weapon as a near-term capability upgrade to complement the jet’s existing targeting options.

2026-04-26T15:34:25.623686-07:00

AeroTime

Russia warns European hosts of French Rafale nuclear-capable strategic bombers will become priority targets

2026-04-24T07:03:21.261074-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force awards $3.2B contract set to 12 firms for Golden Dome space-based interceptor prototypes

2026-04-24T16:24:07.924039-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Northrop could win up to $85B for GBSD next-gen ICBMs, targeting an earlier fielding via accelerated contracting

2026-04-25T10:05:28.328266-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Raytheon pitches GBU-49 to rapidly add F-35 moving-target strike capability The U.S. Air Force—and more recently the U.S. Marine Corps—has identified Raytheon’s GBU-49 as the fastest path to enabling the F-35 to prosecute moving targets. The push positions the weapon as a near-term capability upgrade to complement the jet’s existing targeting options.

2026-04-26T15:34:25.623686-07:00

Raytheon pitches GBU-49 to rapidly add F-35 moving-target strike capability

DefenseNews.com

Northrop could win up to $85B for GBSD next-gen ICBMs, targeting an earlier fielding via accelerated contracting Northrop is positioned to receive an approximately $85 billion award for the U.S. Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program earlier than expected, contingent on continued access to secure facilities. The timing would compress the path to next‑generation ICBM production and deployment.

2026-04-25T10:05:28.328266-07:00

Northrop could win up to $85B for GBSD next-gen ICBMs, targeting an earlier fielding via accelerated contracting

SpaceNews.com

Space Force awards $3.2B contract set to 12 firms for Golden Dome space-based interceptor prototypes The U.S. Space Force selected 12 companies to develop space-based interceptor (SBI) prototypes under President Trump’s Golden Dome missile-defense initiative, awarding a total of $3.2 billion. The program targets an initial operational capability in 2028, even as the service frames boost-phase intercept affordability as a gating factor.

2026-04-24T16:24:07.924039-07:00

Space Force awards $3.2B contract set to 12 firms for Golden Dome space-based interceptor prototypes

DefenseNews.com

ArianeGroup weighs Germany-based production of conventional ballistic missiles for Europe’s deep-strike needs ArianeGroup is studying options for producing conventional ballistic missiles in Germany, as European policymakers push for more deep-strike capabilities amid conflict-driven demand for “conventional ballistic missile” options. Bruneau said the rationale is tied to the expansion of active conflicts and the need for flexible deep-strike choices.

2026-04-24T11:21:04.606889-07:00

ArianeGroup weighs Germany-based production of conventional ballistic missiles for Europe’s deep-strike needs

AeroTime

Russia warns European hosts of French Rafale nuclear-capable strategic bombers will become priority targets Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Grushko, said Moscow will add European nations that host French nuclear-capable Rafale aircraft to its priority target list following President Macron’s Gdansk visit. The warning ties potential hosting arrangements directly to “immediate” targeting in a conflict scenario.

2026-04-24T07:03:21.261074-07:00

Russia warns European hosts of French Rafale nuclear-capable strategic bombers will become priority targets

DefenseNews.com

Feinstein to seek block of Air Force nuclear-capable cruise missile program funding Sen. Dianne Feinstein plans to introduce an effort to block funding for the U.S. Air Force’s new nuclear-capable cruise missile program. The move targets the program’s budget outlays and adds political friction as lawmakers consider how the capability should proceed.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.429882-07:00

Feinstein to seek block of Air Force nuclear-capable cruise missile program funding

DefenseNews.com

USAF weighs KC-135 laser weapon integration but remains undecided on platform and concept-of-operations The U.S. Air Force is exploring mounting a laser weapon on a KC-135, but officials say the effort is “still in the infancy stage,” with uncertainty over where and how the system would be employed. The decision is framed as part of broader directed-energy experimentation rather than a near-term commitment.

2026-04-23T07:06:32.736024-07:00

USAF weighs KC-135 laser weapon integration but remains undecided on platform and concept-of-operations

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS Lockheed Martin announced a $25 million investment in Fortem Technologies, a provider of airspace security solutions, citing urgent demand tied to countering UAS threats. The move signals sustained defense-prime focus on scaling detection/mitigation capabilities for rapidly evolving drone risks.

2026-04-23T03:35:01.360735-07:00

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

Raytheon pitches GBU-49 to rapidly add F-35 moving-target strike capability

Russia warns European hosts of French Rafale nuclear-capable strategic bombers will become priority targets

Space Force awards $3.2B contract set to 12 firms for Golden Dome space-based interceptor prototypes

Northrop could win up to $85B for GBSD next-gen ICBMs, targeting an earlier fielding via accelerated contracting

News Timeline