Defense News

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Space Force weighs $1B Space Exchange Point satellite network to connect incompatible military constellations

The Space Force is considering 12 or 13 Space Exchange Point satellites to translate communications between SpaceX’s SDN Backbone and other Pentagon communications and missile-tracking satellites, according to sources. The proposed fix could cost about $1 billion, addressing an interoperability gap among systems intended to support military space operations.

1 Source

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

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

NEW

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

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

By FlightGlobal: Victory in the navy’s F/A-XX contest, along with its earlier F-47 win, means the airframer has a stranglehold on US sixth-generation fighter programmes.

1 Source

2026-11-06T06:05:13.503488-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

Bloomberg

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon has tasked US robotics startup Machina Labs with trying to mass-produce cheap attack drones in quickly assembled modular factories as autonomous systems continue to change modern warfare.

1 Source

2026-11-06T06:05:23.219890-08:00

Eurofighter Europe Airbus Airbus A320

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

By AeroTime: The Eurofighter-nosed Airbus A320 has completed flight validation with the ECRS Mk1 radar in Germany, ahead of 2027 deliveries to German and Spanish fighters.

Also: Simple Flying and hensoldt.net

3 Sources

2026-11-06T05:34:27.503342-08:00

Helicopter Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

By FlightGlobal: European Defence Fund initiative will develop technologies for next-generation military powerplant. Work on a project that could eventually yield a European next-generation military rotorcraft engine has officially kicked off.

1 Source

2026-11-06T05:05:32.380563-08:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Payload • Daniel Molland

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

By Payload: Russia’s recent RPO likely allowed it to characterize ICEYE's radar in enough detail to build a ground-based jammer (or spoofer) to deploy in Ukraine next year.

1 Source

2026-11-06T05:35:14.840539-08:00

Hypersonic Europe Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Andrew White

Europe nears decision on competing hypersonic interceptor programs

By Breaking Defense: The European Commission is expected to select one of two competing consortia by the end of November to advance development of a European interceptor targeting hypersonic and ballistic missile threats, with a system-level demonstrator targeted for 2030.

1 Source

2026-11-06T03:20:37.960560-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Elysian to develop next-generation drone technologies via Dutch defence ministry project

By FlightGlobal: Developer has previously focused on 90-seat battery-electric airliner.

2 Sources

2026-11-06T04:05:06.969804-08:00

Space Force weighs $1B Space Exchange Point satellite network to connect incompatible military constellations

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

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

Europe nears decision on competing hypersonic interceptor programs

Elysian to develop next-generation drone technologies via Dutch defence ministry project

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

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

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

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

F-35B releases Meteor missile from internal weapons bay for first time

Kazakhstan air force welcomes its second A400M airlifter

NATO opens counter-drone marketplace with 16 systems from five companies

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

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

France qualifies Airbus U010 Aliaca VTOL drone for navy service

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

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