Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
Payload • Rachael Zisk

Pentagon selects Varda, Stratolaunch for MACH-TB Task Area 3 reusable hypersonic test flights

The Pentagon last week awarded Task Area 3 contracts under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program to Varda Space Industries and Stratolaunch. Task Area 3 funds development of reusable flight concepts to support more frequent, lower-cost hypersonic missile test flights.

2026-01-26T05:07:21.216789-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy   Boeing  
DefenseNews.com • Gordon Arthur

India’s on-again, off-again aerial tanker saga edges closer to an end

By DefenseNews.com: In the meantime, the Indian Air Force’s tanker fleet comprising six Ilyushin Il-78MKI aircraft acquired from Uzbekistan in 2003-2004, is running on fumes.

2026-01-26T02:47:52.358535-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal

Air forces must overhaul doctrine to unlock the combat advantage of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By FlightGlobal: Militaries eager to introduce unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft will fail to gain a combat edge unless they transform their entire operating concept, argues Fahad ibne Masood.

2026-01-26T01:52:25.821523-08:00
Supply Chain   L3Harris   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

RAAF accepts first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine ISR/EW aircraft after programme delays

By FlightGlobal: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has accepted its first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (ISREW) aircraft, with the Bombardier G550-derived platform arriving at RAAF Edinburgh on 24 January following delays to the programme.

Also: asdnews.com and worldairnews.co.za
2026-01-25T19:53:42.950941-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   BAE Systems  
defencetoday.com • Neil Ritchie

UK selects seven industry partners for Project NYX to develop 'loyal wingman' helicopter drones for Apache

By defencetoday.com: The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced the selection of seven industry partners for Project NYX, a programme to develop "loyal wingman" helicopter drones.

Also: asdnews.com, aerospaceglobalnews.com and business-live.co.uk
2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00