Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Policy  
justice.gov

Former U.S. Air Force pilot arrested in Indiana, accused of providing unauthorized flight training to Chinese military

Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, a former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot known as “Runner,” was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana after a DOJ criminal complaint alleges he provided and conspired to provide unauthorized “defense services” — including flight training — to Chinese military pilots, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.

Also: The Hill, news.ssbcrack.com and spacewar.com
2026-02-25T17:13:42.309920-08:00
AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF to pick first Collaborative Combat Aircraft — uncrewed fighter and autonomy software — by year-end 2026

By FlightGlobal: The US Air Force will select a winner for its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft increment by the end of 2026, choosing both an uncrewed fighter design and mission autonomy software provider as the service accelerates towards production of autonomous tactical jets.

2026-02-25T17:45:45.497795-08:00
North America   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF Sentinel ICBM Warhead Count Remains Unclear — Significant Implications for Deterrence and Acquisition

By The War Zone: We now know much more about the USAF's sprawling plans for new Sentinel ICBM silos with features not found on Minuteman III.

Also: Shephard Media, Defense Daily and Defense Daily
2026-02-25T13:55:19.307442-08:00
Hypersonic   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
defence-industry.eu

Ursa Major unveils HAVOC medium-range hypersonic missile system designed for affordable, scalable production

By defence-industry.eu: Ursa Major has introduced the HAVOC Missile System, a medium-range hypersonic capability designed to deliver high-speed performance at scale to meet urgent warfighter requirements.

Also: AirForceTimes, marinecorpstimes.com, Military Times, interestingengineering.com and marketforecast.com
2026-02-25T07:16:23.048322-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Boeing  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

USAF Reserve Chief Seeks Surplus F‑15E Retentions and Procurement of F‑15EX Eagle II Aircraft

By The War Zone: The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them. The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them.

2026-02-25T13:55:18.553177-08:00
Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

‘Golden Dome’ Will Require Unprecedented Coordination Across U.S. Combatant Commands

By SpaceNews.com: Golden Dome to require unprecedented coordination between U.S. combatant commands Golden Dome to require unprecedented coordination between U.S. combatant commands.

2026-02-25T13:37:22.358572-08:00
AI   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)   Boeing  
Reuters

Pentagon probes Boeing and Lockheed exposure to Anthropic’s Claude amid potential supply‑chain risk designation

By Reuters: The Pentagon has asked defense contractors to assess their reliance on Anthropic, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, ahead of its Friday deadline for the AI service provider to respond to a request to eliminate safeguards.

2026-02-25T15:11:41.738356-08:00