Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

SDA awards $30M HALO prototype to AST SpaceMobile for tactical broadband demo

The Space Development Agency has awarded AST SpaceMobile a $30 million prototype agreement under its HALO (Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit) commercial solutions program to demonstrate tactical satellite communications (TACSATCOM) military broadband from commercial LEO assets.

Also: Defense Daily and insidedefense.com
2026-02-23T10:17:20.937507-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Canada and Denmark’s MQ-9B orders could deepen Arctic surveillance cooperation

By DefenseNews.com: Both countries have ordered MQ-9B drones from General Dynamics, a hardware choice that some experts believe offers cooperation prospects in the High North.

Also: c4isrnet.com
2026-02-23T09:31:08.971831-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

HAL denies crash behind IAF Tejas fleet grounding

By AeroTime: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has pushed back against reports that a Tejas crash led to the Indian Air Force grounding the fleet, calling the event a minor ground incident.

Also: aerospaceglobalnews.com, India Defense News and news.ssbcrack.com
2026-02-23T08:11:47.556465-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Economic Times

IAF grounds Tejas fleet after runway overshoot; pilot ejects as jets undergo detailed technical checks

By Economic Times: The Indian Air Force has grounded its Tejas fighter jet fleet. This action follows a runway overshoot incident earlier this month. The pilot ejected safely.

Also: ANI News Agency, Economic Times and India Defense News
2026-02-23T08:00:33.921159-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
DefenseNews.com

Defense Dollars: India Buys Fighter Jets; Lockheed Unveils 'Lamprey'; Who’s Providing Drone Defence at the World Cup?

By DefenseNews.com: Who’s providing drone defense at the World Cup? And what fighters did India buy recently? Plus: a new submersible that attaches to hulls of ships to recharge.

Also: AirForceTimes and marinecorpstimes.com
2026-02-23T06:50:42.147343-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Fighter Drone Nicknamed 'Dark Merlin'

By The War Zone: Merlins are small but fierce birds that attack in groups and are known for their stealthy attacks.

Also: suasnews.com, UK Defence Journal, The Aviationist and 5 more
2026-02-23T03:53:48.711016-08:00