Aircraft Carrier   China   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt

US intercepts fifth sanctioned Venezuelan tanker in carrier‑launched raid, warns China to keep away from the Americas

A predawn raid by Marines and sailors launched from USS Gerald R. Ford intercepted a fifth sanctioned tanker carrying Venezuelan oil, part of a U.S. campaign to disrupt Caracas’s revenue. Washington framed the operation as a warning to Beijing over its expanding footprint in the region.

Also: Dallas Morning News
2026-01-11T05:18:22.914071-08:00
Helicopter   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

The Story Of Ukraine’s Rare Mi-24 Hind Radiation Detection Helicopters

By The War Zone: While no longer equipped for nuclear, biological, and chemical recce, a tiny force of Mi-24RKhR helicopters still fights for Ukraine. While no longer equipped for nuclear, biological, and chemical recce, a tiny force of Mi-24RKhR helicopters still fights for Ukraine.

2026-01-10T13:25:46.173557-08:00
Reuters • Andrew Osborn

Russia Reports Firing Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile at Ukrainian Energy and Drone Manufacturing Sites

By Reuters: The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although there was no suggestion that the one used in the overnight attack had been fitted with them.

Also: Wall Street Journal, politico.eu, Janes, AeroTime, tass.com, news.ssbcrack.com, Sky News, aero-space.eu, Independent.ie, militarywatchmagazine.com, Euronews, realcleardefense.com and 31 more
2026-01-08T23:02:31.746901-08:00
Space Force   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

US Air Force creates 'Portfolio Acquisition Executives' to streamline weapons procurement and cut bureaucracy

By Breaking Defense: The fresh approach is meant to streamline weapons procurement and cut through bureaucracy, though details like exactly what authorities new Portfolio Acquisition Executives will have are being worked out.

Also: Defense Scoop, news.defcros.com, news.ssbcrack.com, Military Times, insidedefense.com, Defense Daily and 3 more
2026-01-09T11:52:42.938534-08:00
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Navy integrates autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft with F-35s in Joint Simulation Environment to develop new fighter tactics

By FlightGlobal: The US Navy has digitally integrated autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft with Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters inside the Joint Simulation Environment, as the service begins a fleet transformation that will see uncrewed fighters operated alongside conventional aircraft.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com, Navy Times, marinecorpstimes.com, Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com
2026-01-09T05:28:00.902972-08:00
Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Northrop Grumman, Kratos Selected to Integrate XQ-58 Valkyrie for Marine Corps MUX TACAIR Program

By Breaking Defense: Northrop Grumman will serve as the prime contractor and integrate mission systems on Kratos’s XQ-58 Valkyrie for the Marine Corps’s MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

Also: Air Data News, DefenseNews.com, FlightGlobal, Aviation A2Z, Shephard Media, asdnews.com, The Aviationist, Northrop Grumman, Defense Scoop, news.defcros.com, Seapower Magazine, defenceconnect.com.au and 27 more
2026-01-08T06:09:17.995465-08:00