Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Gabriele Petrauskaite

Ukraine and Russia Trade Long-Range Drone Strikes as Attacks Hit Strategic Bomber Base, Refinery and Logistics Hub

Ukraine claimed strikes on a Russian strategic bomber airfield, a seven-million-ton refinery and air-defense and radar sites, while a major Wildberries logistics hub in Samara suffered extensive damage and fires. Russia launched 133 drones at Ukraine, and one Russian drone briefly entered Romanian airspace.

aviationnews.eu • Marcel Van Leeuwen

Massive Ukrainian Drone Strike Severely Damages Major Wildberries Logistics Hub in Russia’s Samara Region

Kyiv Independent • Abbey Fenbert

Romania scrambles F-16s as Russian drone crosses Ukraine's Danube River border

5 Sources

2026-08-02T06:17:35.755997-07:00

AI Hypersonic

Space.com • Mike Wall

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic vehicle surpasses 10-flight milestone

By Space.com: Stratolaunch has now conducted more than 10 flights with its Talon-A hypersonic vehicle, an autonomous, air-launched craft that can travel five times the speed of sound.

1 Source

2026-08-02T07:02:42.161970-07:00

Blue Origin Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. Air Force expands Blue Origin rocket cargo contract

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Air Force Research Laboratory has added $11.7 million to a Blue Origin contract aimed at exploring how commercial rockets could be used to transport military supplies around the world, expanding the agreement to about $13 million.

1 Source

2026-08-02T05:06:09.147748-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

F-35B Crashes And Burns At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (Updated)

By The War Zone: The F-35B crashed near the end of the runway at the sprawling Marine Corps base at around 10AM local time. Add TWZ (opens in a new tab) More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.

Flying Magazine

F-35 Involved in Serious Accident in San Diego

The Aviationist

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Crashes at MCAS Miramar

Also: Associated Press, Breaking Defense, Simple Flying, Stars and Stripes, The Hill, Aerotech News, Economic Times, ANI News Agency, al.com, defensemirror.com, timesofsandiego.com, San Diego Union-Tribune and 12 more

33 Sources

2026-07-31T12:14:11.177452-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Congressional watchdog warns of risks to $21 billion B-52 modernization

By Air Data News: Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has raised concerns about cost growth and schedule risks affecting the U.S. Air Force's effort to modernize the B-52 Stratofortress, a package of upgrades now valued at about $21 billion.

Also: Task & Purpose

2 Sources

2026-08-01T04:57:30.723286-07:00

Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

Reuters • Che Pan, Ryan Woo

China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed shoal in South China Sea

By Reuters: China's military and China Coast ‌Guard conducted joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media reports.

Also: Economic Times

2 Sources

2026-08-01T02:56:48.722383-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Policy

Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

Japan Conducts First Tomahawk Live-Fire Test

By Aviation Week: Japan has conducted its first live-fire test of the RTX BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile.

AeroTime

Japan fires Tomahawk cruise missile from warship for first time

Also: Janes

3 Sources

2026-07-30T18:47:57.988993-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

2026-07-31T04:34:28.888098-07:00

Ukraine and Russia Trade Long-Range Drone Strikes as Attacks Hit Strategic Bomber Base, Refinery and Logistics Hub

Massive Ukrainian Drone Strike Severely Damages Major Wildberries Logistics Hub in Russia’s Samara Region

Romania scrambles F-16s as Russian drone crosses Ukraine's Danube River border

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic vehicle surpasses 10-flight milestone

U.S. Air Force expands Blue Origin rocket cargo contract

F-35B Crashes And Burns At Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (Updated)

F-35 Involved in Serious Accident in San Diego

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Crashes at MCAS Miramar

Congressional watchdog warns of risks to $21 billion B-52 modernization

China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed shoal in South China Sea

Japan Conducts First Tomahawk Live-Fire Test

Japan fires Tomahawk cruise missile from warship for first time

Turkey’s new KAAN fighter prototype completes first taxi test ahead of flight

Turkey’s KAAN 5th-Gen Fighter Begins Runway Taxi Tests Ahead of Next Flight Testing Phase

Turkey’s Latest Kaan Fighter Prototype Begins Taxi Tests

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic vehicle surpasses 10-flight milestone

Ukraine Claims Long-Range Drone Strike Damaged Russian Air-Defense and Radar Sites

U.S. Air Force expands Blue Origin rocket cargo contract

Congressional watchdog warns of risks to $21 billion B-52 modernization

China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed shoal in South China Sea

NATO next-generation rotorcraft project advances to concept design stage

Ukraine Could Use F-16s to Hunt Russian Ballistic-Missile Launchers—If the U.S. Unlocks One Capability

Facing a lack of kit, Space Force creates $981M pool to buy training capabilities

Inside the effort to show Congress what war in space looks like

NATO next-generation rotorcraft project advances to concept design stage

Marine Corps F-35B crashes near San Diego; pilot ejects with non-life-threatening injuries

Japan conducts first live-fire test of Tomahawk cruise missile from warship

Turkey’s KAAN Fighter Prototype Begins Powered Taxi Tests Ahead of First Flight

Ukraine Could Use F-16s to Hunt Russian Ballistic-Missile Launchers—If the U.S. Unlocks One Capability

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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