Defense News

Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force expands Starshield satellite service across military aircraft fleets

The Pentagon has awarded SpaceX a new fleet-level contract to expand Starshield satellite-network services aboard military aircraft, offering a clearer view of how the classified communications capability is being integrated across U.S. aviation fleets.

1 Source

2026-08-26T15:36:10.174481-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Hypersonic Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons

NEW

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

U.S. Navy Begins Testing Blackbeard Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile on F/A-18 Super Hornet

By The War Zone: The Navy is aiming to have at least a limited operational arsenal of Blackbeard hypersonic missiles within the next two years.

Also: interestingengineering.com

2 Sources

2026-08-26T15:50:08.091903-07:00

Europe Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Polish Institute Reports Continued GNSS Disruption Along Country’s North Coast

By European Spaceflight: a sharp increase in deliberate satellite navigation signal interference around Gdańsk, on the country’s northern coast. The institute reports that significant disruption occurred on almost two-thirds of days during the first half of August.

1 Source

2026-08-26T13:20:17.001946-07:00

Honeywell Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Collins completes altitude tests of proposed F-35 power and cooling upgrade

By FlightGlobal: RTX division is vying with incumbent Honeywell to upgrade the F-35's power system. Collins Aerospace has completed high-altitude testing of a proposed solution for increasing electrical power and cooling on Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter.

4 Sources

2026-08-26T13:05:16.327758-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Air Force awards $766 million for B-52 radar modernization

By Breaking Defense: One contract worth up to $603 million was issued to RTX subsidiary Raytheon, while a second valued at roughly $163 million was issued to B-52 prime contractor Boeing.

Breaking Defense

Boeing Secures Potential $131 Billion, Decade-Plus F-15 Contract

3 Sources

2026-08-26T10:19:46.770729-07:00

China Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Lockheed’s Pricey F-35 Sees 10% Cost Jump for Needed Upgrades

By Bloomberg: The cost of the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 program — already the most expensive in US history — has risen by about $51 billion, or about 10%, since late 2023 because of software, readiness, spare parts and engine power improvements.

Also: insidedefense.com and Bloomberg Law

3 Sources

2026-08-26T09:06:54.856966-07:00

North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection) NASA

Reuters • A.J. Vicens, Raphael Satter

US says Chinese hackers broke into Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve, Senate

By Reuters: The U.S. said on Wednesday it had disrupted a Chinese hacking operation ‌responsible for break-ins and attempts on the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Senate, and other sensitive government agencies.

CNBC

Fed, NASA and DOJ among victims of Chinese state-sponsored hacker group: Court documents

Economic Times

US says it disrupted Chinese hacking operation targeting government agencies

6 Sources

2026-08-26T07:51:12.856762-07:00

Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management NASA

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

LeoLabs wins $20 million Space Force deal for Scout radar

By SpaceNews.com: eoLabs WASHINGTON — LeoLabs won a $20.68 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to deliver a modified version of its transportable Scout radar and demonstrate the technology for a defense mission beyond its traditional use tracking satellites and debris in orbit.

Also: SpaceNews.com, Seeking Alpha and Defense Daily

4 Sources

2026-08-26T06:51:00.182946-07:00

Space Force expands Starshield satellite service across military aircraft fleets

U.S. Navy Begins Testing Blackbeard Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile on F/A-18 Super Hornet

Polish Institute Reports Continued GNSS Disruption Along Country’s North Coast

Collins completes altitude tests of proposed F-35 power and cooling upgrade

Air Force awards $766 million for B-52 radar modernization

Boeing Secures Potential $131 Billion, Decade-Plus F-15 Contract

Lockheed’s Pricey F-35 Sees 10% Cost Jump for Needed Upgrades

US says Chinese hackers broke into Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve, Senate

Fed, NASA and DOJ among victims of Chinese state-sponsored hacker group: Court documents

US says it disrupted Chinese hacking operation targeting government agencies

LeoLabs wins $20 million Space Force deal for Scout radar

U.S. Navy Begins Testing Blackbeard Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile on F/A-18 Super Hornet

Space Force expands Starshield service for military aircraft

Polish Institute Reports Continued GNSS Disruption Along Country’s North Coast

Collins completes altitude tests of proposed F-35 power and cooling upgrade

Air Force awards $766 million for B-52 radar modernization

Lockheed’s Pricey F-35 Sees 10% Cost Jump for Needed Upgrades

HAL, Safran Sign Contract to Develop Aravalli Engine for India’s 13-Ton IMRH Helicopter

160th SOAR MH-60 Black Hawk Crashes in Colorado, Crew Safe

TAI expands launch options for Simsek-K system

U.S. Air Force C-17 lands in Moscow, no reason given

US Air Force C-17 lands in Moscow carrying CIA Director John Ratcliffe for undisclosed talks

US Navy reveals AIM-424 Malice long-range air-to-air missile for F-35C and future fighters

Hungarian Air Force Gripen Crashes During Emergency Landing at Szolnok; Pilot Ejects Safely

ICEYE establishes India subsidiary to provide sovereign SAR intelligence and build local satellite production

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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