Defense News

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs BAE Systems

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Royal Navy launches Nyan strike drones from HMS Queen Elizabeth in first carrier trials

The Royal Navy has launched BAE Systems’ Nyan one-way-effector drones from HMS Queen Elizabeth, marking the service’s first strike-drone launches from an aircraft carrier. Separate reporting says TEKEVER’s AR5 also demonstrated carrier takeoff and landing, validating an additional uncrewed aircraft for shipboard operations.

Naval News • Naval News Staff

Strike drones launched from British aircraft carrier for the first time

The Independent • Anna Loren

Royal Navy launches strike drones from aircraft carrier for first time

6 Sources

2026-11-06T10:55:58.836886-08:00

MRO Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Sierra Nevada, BAE, Collins and GE Aerospace partner on KC-135 avionics and fuel system modernisation

By FlightGlobal: US Air Force KC‑135 Center Console Refresh (CCR) effort seeks to address obsolescence issues in the aged but strategically important tanker aircraft.

1 Source

2026-11-06T13:04:59.353504-08:00

Middle East Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

By FlightGlobal: The US Department of State has approved a potential $100 million sale to Jordan for up to 1,500 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) guided rockets.

1 Source

2026-11-06T12:05:23.147864-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Barry Rosenberg

Europe's airpower future is taking shape, but not as originally planned

By Breaking Defense: Europe's airpower strategy is shifting as the FCAS program falters, GCAP advances and collaborative combat aircraft reshape the future of European fighter fleets.

1 Source

2026-11-06T10:04:45.502305-08:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Canada facing ‘knife-edge timeline’ to replace Hornets as F-35 purchase remains in limbo

By FlightGlobal: Final decision needed soon, as air force prepares for future beyond 'increasingly operationally irrelevant' CF-18 fleet.

Also: defenceobserver.ca and Aviation Week

3 Sources

2026-11-06T08:00:39.135579-08:00

Satellite Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

AST SpaceMobile Joins U.S. Space Force Program to Advance Space-Based Sensing

By SpaceWatch Global: AST SpaceMobile will support STR under a USSF program to advance space-based sensing using commercially developed satellite technology.

Bloomberg

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

Via Satellite

AST SpaceMobile to Build its Own Rocket to Deal With Launch Crunch

Also: Reuters, Ars Technica, SpaceNews.com, Payload, fireflyspace.com, Seeking Alpha, quiltyspace.com and 6 more

16 Sources

2026-11-06T01:34:55.539636-08:00

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

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

By Breaking Defense: To translate between the SpaceX-built SDN Backbone and other Pentagon communications and missile tracking satellites, sources said the Space Force is eyeing 12 or 13 Space Exchange Point birds.

SpaceNews.com

Viasat wins Space Force network operations contract worth up to $450 million

Via Satellite

Viasat Q2: Defense Growth, Aviation Headwinds, and New Compensation Incentives

Also: Breaking Defense, newspaceeconomy.ca, satelit.web.id, insidedefense.com and 5 more

12 Sources

2026-11-06T06:28:44.525483-08:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopters Are Now Firing Cruise Missiles

By The War Zone: New footage highlights Russia’s push to field lower-cost standoff weapons from unconventional platforms. New footage highlights Russia’s push to field low-cost standoff weapons from unconventional platforms.

Also: Economic Times

2 Sources

2026-11-06T09:35:34.926726-08:00

Royal Navy launches Nyan strike drones from HMS Queen Elizabeth in first carrier trials

Strike drones launched from British aircraft carrier for the first time

Royal Navy launches strike drones from aircraft carrier for first time

Sierra Nevada, BAE, Collins and GE Aerospace partner on KC-135 avionics and fuel system modernisation

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

Europe's airpower future is taking shape, but not as originally planned

Canada facing ‘knife-edge timeline’ to replace Hornets as F-35 purchase remains in limbo

AST SpaceMobile Joins U.S. Space Force Program to Advance Space-Based Sensing

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

AST SpaceMobile to Build its Own Rocket to Deal With Launch Crunch

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

Viasat wins Space Force network operations contract worth up to $450 million

Viasat Q2: Defense Growth, Aviation Headwinds, and New Compensation Incentives

Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopters Are Now Firing Cruise Missiles

Sierra Nevada, BAE, Collins and GE Aerospace partner on KC-135 avionics and fuel system modernisation

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

Uncrewed Nyan, AR5 trials advance UK Royal Navy’s hybrid carrier air wing development

Europe's airpower future is taking shape, but not as originally planned

BCE Consulting outlines the critical elements of layered air defense architecture

Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopters Are Now Firing Cruise Missiles

Cut to US aid would impact Israeli acquisition timelines, spending: Analysts

BCE Consulting outlines the critical elements of layered air defense architecture

Protection or preparation for attack? Counterspace capabilities, international law and nuclear command and control

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

ArianeGroup and France’s DGA complete second SyLEx sounding-rocket flight, testing technology for M51.4

RIAT to leave RAF Fairford for MOD Boscombe Down from 2027

Korean Air’s aerospace unit pursues defense growth in South Korea’s uncrewed aircraft market

Eurofighter consortium sees market for 200-plus additional Typhoons, with operations extending beyond 2060

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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