UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

U.S. Air Force achieves first live-fire milestone for Collaborative Combat Aircraft: Anduril YFQ-44A fires AIM-120 AMRAAM at dig

The U.S. Air Force conducted its first live-fire test for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, using an Anduril YFQ-44A to launch an AIM-120 AMRAAM at a digital target in secluded airspace over the Mojave Desert. Service leaders said the drone tracked the target as the weapon came off—moving the program beyond inert carriage and data-link testing.

Also: Defense Scoop, defence-blog.com, insidedefense.com and Air & Space Forces Mag
2026-07-15T08:17:03.882731-07:00
China   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Military Times staff

First the coast guard, then an ICBM: China tests new, long-term ways to hold off rivals in Asia

By DefenseNews.com: Experts say Beijing used both methods to try out new, attention-grabbing and long-term ways to deter others from challenging its territorial claims.

Also: Military Times
2026-07-15T08:45:42.111077-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK Royal Air Force studying total future fleet size for nuclear-capable F-35A

By FlightGlobal: Initial purchase of 12 conventional take-off jets will support operational conversion unit, service says. The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is working to determine its future fleet requirement for the Lockheed Martin F-35A, as the service works toward regaining an air-launched nuclear weapons capability from next decade.

2026-07-15T06:59:06.790764-07:00
Leadership   Europe   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airbus  
Breaking Defense • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

MBDA to replace CEO with Airbus executive

By Breaking Defense: During his time at MBDA, Éric Béranger oversaw the firm’s major industrial ramp-up.

Also: AeroTime, Reuters and Seeking Alpha
2026-07-15T05:30:17.815035-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Pentagon Blocks Watchdog’s Review of Costly F-35 Program

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon has blocked the public release of a congressionally-mandated annual report on the costly and controversial F-35 fighter jet program for the first time in more than 20 years.

2026-07-15T02:29:11.394080-07:00
Eurofighter   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Germany’s first Quadriga-programme Eurofighter makes flight debut

By FlightGlobal: New aircraft is one of 58 on order for Berlin. Airbus Defence & Space has flown its first Tranche 4 Eurofighter to have been produced for the German air force as part of Berlin’s Project Quadriga acquisition.

Also: Janes, grosswald.org and defence-blog.com
2026-07-15T01:16:19.055091-07:00