Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

US Air Force seeks target drones that can replicate stealth fighters and small UAVs

The U.S. Air Force is looking to acquire target drones capable of mimicking the performance of multiple aircraft types, including stealth fighters and small unmanned aerial vehicles. The requirement points to a broader need for more representative, adaptable platforms for testing and training air defenses.

Also: AirForceTimes, Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com

4 Sources

2026-08-17T11:35:18.227397-07:00

AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense

Project Talon Portfolio puts mission autonomy at the center of future CCA operations

By Breaking Defense: Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon Portfolio brings together Talon Blue, Talon IQ and Prism to advance autonomous capabilities for future collaborative combat aircraft.

1 Source

2026-08-17T10:34:47.537927-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF designates GE-Kratos engine as F143 and awards initial production contract

By FlightGlobal: The 800lbf (3.5kN)-thrust turbofan will be used to power Lockheed's JASSM cruise missile. A small, low-cost turbofan jointly developed by GE Aerospace and Kratos has received a production contract from the US Air Force (USAF).

Satellite Evolution

Kratos and GE Aerospace’s GEK800 Engine receives US military type designation F143-ZZ-100 and EMD contract award for JASSM

interestingengineering.com

New 800-lb thrust turbofan engine selected for US Air Force JASSM cruise missile

5 Sources

2026-08-17T08:50:09.894042-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

NEW

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

First components for Switzerland’s F-35As take shape in Italy

By Air Data News: The first physical components destined for Switzerland’s future F-35A fleet have entered production at Leonardo’s Cameri facility in northern Italy, several years before the country begins receiving the fighters.

1 Source

2026-08-17T11:51:15.881297-07:00

Satellite Space Force Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Space Force brings 5 companies on-board Space Data Network

By Breaking Defense: The new awards are aimed at demonstrating the ability of multiple satellite networks to connect to the Space Force's emerging Space Data Network.

DefenseNews.com

US Space Force, Japan launch sensor to bolster space surveillance above Indo-Pacific

AeroTime

FAA moves air traffic network overhaul to AT&T under multibillion-dollar deal

6 Sources

2026-08-17T06:19:47.656195-07:00

Leadership L3Harris Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters • Aatreyee Dasgupta, Shivansh Tiwary

L3Harris ousts CEO Kubasik over conduct breach, names insider Mehta as replacement

By Reuters: L3Harris Technologies ‌said on Monday Chairman and CEO Christopher Kubasik had left the company after a board investigation found he had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the defense contractor's code of conduct, sending its shares down 3.3% in afternoon trading.

Breaking Defense

Kubasik ousted as L3Harris CEO following conduct violation, company says

SpaceNews.com

L3Harris names space sector leader Sam Mehta CEO after Kubasik steps down

Also: Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, FlightGlobal, Defense Daily, Defense One, Seeking Alpha and Yahoo Finance

10 Sources

2026-08-17T05:06:39.097415-07:00

Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

The Hill • Max Rego

Retired colonel knocks Trump order to cut back on ‘critical’ joint exercises with South Korea

By The Hill: Retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton on Sunday suggested President Trump made “an unforced error” in ordering the Pentagon to scale back its joint exercises with the South Korean military.

Also: AirForceTimes

2 Sources

2026-08-17T08:06:12.369272-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Japan tests Helsing HX-2 as Rakuten enters defense brokerage

By AeroTime: Japan is testing Helsing’s HX-2 loitering munition as Rakuten helps the German defense startup navigate the country’s complex procurement system.

1 Source

2026-08-17T06:50:07.686097-07:00

US Air Force seeks target drones that can replicate stealth fighters and small UAVs

Project Talon Portfolio puts mission autonomy at the center of future CCA operations

USAF designates GE-Kratos engine as F143 and awards initial production contract

Kratos and GE Aerospace’s GEK800 Engine receives US military type designation F143-ZZ-100 and EMD contract award for JASSM

New 800-lb thrust turbofan engine selected for US Air Force JASSM cruise missile

First components for Switzerland’s F-35As take shape in Italy

Space Force brings 5 companies on-board Space Data Network

US Space Force, Japan launch sensor to bolster space surveillance above Indo-Pacific

FAA moves air traffic network overhaul to AT&T under multibillion-dollar deal

L3Harris ousts CEO Kubasik over conduct breach, names insider Mehta as replacement

Kubasik ousted as L3Harris CEO following conduct violation, company says

L3Harris names space sector leader Sam Mehta CEO after Kubasik steps down

Retired colonel knocks Trump order to cut back on ‘critical’ joint exercises with South Korea

Japan tests Helsing HX-2 as Rakuten enters defense brokerage

First components for Switzerland’s F-35As take shape in Italy

US Air Force looks to acquire target drones that can mimic stealth jets

Project Talon Portfolio puts mission autonomy at the center of future CCA operations

USAF designates GE-Kratos engine as F143 and awards initial production contract

Retired colonel knocks Trump order to cut back on ‘critical’ joint exercises with South Korea

Japan tests Helsing HX-2 as Rakuten enters defense brokerage

What happened with the USS Abraham Lincoln?

Indian Air Force Seeks New Transport Aircraft Proposals

How Ukraine’s Satellites Help Drive Its War Drones

U.S. Navy Reviews Ford-Class Carrier Redesign Amid Trump Aesthetic Concerns

Spanish F-18 shoots down drone over Romania after entry from Moldova

Navy weighs billion-dollar carrier redesign to reflect Trump’s World War II preferences

U.S. pulls its last aircraft carrier from Asia as Iran war reshapes global naval posture

US Navy carrier availability strained as USS Abraham Lincoln passes 260 days at sea

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Reliance, Rolls-Royce to explore local engine for India’s AMCA

HAL taps local suppliers for Prachand LCH fuselage sections

US Commander Says Mental Health a Priority Aboard USS Lincoln

Suspected Russian drone shot down in Romanian airspace

Navy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferences

US pulls last aircraft carrier in Asia as Trump focuses on Iran and the Western Hemisphere

Top U.S. Middle East Commander Visits Deployed USS Lincoln Aircraft Carrier

Has Uzbekistan received Chinese J-10 fighters? What we know so far