News

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

Lockheed Martin's 'Raptor 2.0' — a deep F-22 overhaul including stealth underwing fuel tanks and new sensor pods — has entered flight testing, offering extended range and improved passive sensing. Simultaneously, USAF trials of the AGM-181 LRSO, seen on B-52s, are advancing the service's nuclear modernization.

2026-03-23T14:29:59.109615-07:00

FlightGlobal

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed's PrSM Increment 2 completes first flight test, demonstrates moving‑target anti‑ship capability

2026-03-18T16:49:25.634799-07:00

Bloomberg

Pentagon testing office: insufficient data to assess combat effectiveness of first U.S. hypersonic missile

2026-03-19T14:12:30.884783-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Fusion engine for missile warning stalled by lack of government dataset A fusion engine intended to improve missile warning is being hampered by the absence of a government dataset required for development and validation, restricting developers’ ability to train and test algorithms and slowing progress toward operational deployment and integration with existing warning systems.

2026-03-24T03:39:50.833889-07:00

Fusion engine for missile warning stalled by lack of government dataset

The War Zone

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance Lockheed Martin's 'Raptor 2.0' — a deep F-22 overhaul including stealth underwing fuel tanks and new sensor pods — has entered flight testing, offering extended range and improved passive sensing. Simultaneously, USAF trials of the AGM-181 LRSO, seen on B-52s, are advancing the service's nuclear modernization.

2026-03-23T14:29:59.109615-07:00

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

The Hill

USAF successfully tests new supersonic missile as Pentagon pushes faster weapons development The U.S. Air Force has successfully flight-tested a new supersonic missile, a demonstration that coincides with Pentagon efforts to accelerate weapons development and field advanced strike capabilities. The trial underscores growing momentum in rapid prototyping and expedited acquisition pathways for high-speed weapons.

2026-03-21T08:39:20.489708-07:00

USAF successfully tests new supersonic missile as Pentagon pushes faster weapons development

FlightGlobal

❗️

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE The US State Department approved $16.5 billion in emergency arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, with the UAE receiving the largest share. Packages cover ballistic missile‑defence radars, a $1.86 billion F‑16 weapons package, potential AIM‑120 AMRAAMs, counter‑drone systems and spare parts.

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Bloomberg

Pentagon testing office: insufficient data to assess combat effectiveness of first U.S. hypersonic missile The Pentagon's testing office says it lacks sufficient flight-test data to determine the combat effectiveness of the US's first hypersonic missile, and does not expect enough information until early next year — a further sign the United States is struggling to match China and Russia in fielding the capability.

2026-03-19T14:12:30.884783-07:00

Pentagon testing office: insufficient data to assess combat effectiveness of first U.S. hypersonic missile

FlightGlobal

UK orders additional Thales Martlet missiles as counter-drone demand surges The UK Ministry of Defence has placed another order for Thales' Martlet lightweight multirole missile after demand surged for air-launched counter-drone weapons amid the Middle East conflict. The contract boosts UK stocks of small, helicopter- and light‑aircraft‑launched missiles for defeating small UAS and short‑range aerial threats.

2026-03-19T04:19:33.502591-07:00

UK orders additional Thales Martlet missiles as counter-drone demand surges

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed's PrSM Increment 2 completes first flight test, demonstrates moving‑target anti‑ship capability On March 12, 2026 Lockheed Martin completed the first flight test of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2, validating a new multi‑mode seeker and the ability to engage moving maritime targets during a 350‑km flight. The anti‑ship variant is progressing rapidly through initial tests with significant investment behind it.

2026-03-18T16:49:25.634799-07:00

Lockheed's PrSM Increment 2 completes first flight test, demonstrates moving‑target anti‑ship capability

DefenseNews.com

Elbit to fit high‑power directed‑energy lasers on Israeli fighter jets and helicopters Elbit Systems announced during its 2025 financial presentation it will develop and integrate high‑power directed‑energy laser weapons for the Israeli Air Force, targeting installation on fighter jets and military helicopters. The disclosure signals a new phase in Elbit's laser R&D, moving efforts toward airborne platforms.

2026-03-18T04:29:49.498482-07:00

Elbit to fit high‑power directed‑energy lasers on Israeli fighter jets and helicopters

Menu

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Lockheed's PrSM Increment 2 completes first flight test, demonstrates moving‑target anti‑ship capability

Pentagon testing office: insufficient data to assess combat effectiveness of first U.S. hypersonic missile

News Timeline