Defense News

Dassault Aviation Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Dassault to develop Rafale F5 independently, targets export sales from 2035

Dassault Aviation is developing the Rafale F5 without a foreign industrial partner, CEO Eric Trappier said. The company expects to offer the upgraded “super Rafale” on international markets from 2035, setting a long-term export horizon for the fighter program and its industrial base.

1 Source

2026-08-27T01:49:56.762850-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs MRO General Atomics Military Aircraft Procurement

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Fujitsu, General Atomics to explore MRO for uncrewed aircraft

By FlightGlobal: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will start operating the MQ-9B in 2027. Fujitsu and General Atomics have entered a pact to explore MRO support for UAS in Japan, as the arrival of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft approaches.

1 Source

2026-08-26T22:50:10.921157-07:00

Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Asia-Pacific (APAC)

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Manila takes final batch of S-70i Black Hawks

By FlightGlobal: The S-70i serves a number of roles for the Philippines, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The Philippines has taken its final deliveries of the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk, bringing Manila’s total fleet of the type to 47 examples.

2 Sources

2026-08-26T21:20:13.346170-07:00

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

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

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

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force expands Starshield service for military aircraft

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is expanding its use of SpaceX’s Starshield satellite network aboard military aircraft, awarding the company a new fleet-level service contract that sheds light on how the system is being integrated across U.S.

1 Source

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

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) 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

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag

4 Sources

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

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

China Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Boeing

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, Bloomberg Law and aerospaceglobalnews.com

4 Sources

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