Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Daniel Terrill

Kratos combat drone makes first European flight as turbojet production advances

Kratos says the flight and engine-production progress support its effort to serve a range of unmanned missions with new aircraft and propulsion capabilities. The milestone combines an operational demonstration in Europe with movement on a key in-house capability, though the company did not disclose further program details in the available report.

Also: Military Times

2 Sources

2026-10-15T11:05:21.285971-07:00

SAAB Military Aircraft Procurement

NEW

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Saab prepares to launch flight testing on Sweden’s first GlobalEye airborne early warning jet

By FlightGlobal: The aircraft is undergoing testing and verification ahead of its first flight and subsequent delivery to the Swedish air force.

Also: defence-blog.com and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-10-15T11:05:08.991402-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

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The War Zone

Army Wants High-Energy Laser Weapons It Can Put On "Any Vehicle In The Motorpool"

By The War Zone: The Army sees modular laser systems not tied to specific vehicles as key to truly operationalizing and distributing counter-drone laser capabilities.

1 Source

2026-10-15T11:30:30.470699-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

Bloomberg • Alex Wickham

UK Sends Ukraine More Storm Shadow Missiles to Hit Russian Sites

By Bloomberg: The UK is sending Ukraine more long-range Storm Shadow missiles so it can disrupt Russian military operations targeting its civilian infrastructure before the winter, people familiar with the matter said.

1 Source

2026-10-15T09:05:31.974801-07:00

aviation Saudi Arabia Middle East Airports Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • John Davison

How are Yemen’s Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia so effectively?

By Reuters: Houthi militants who control northwestern Yemen have in the past week attacked Riyadh international airport and hit the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, in air assaults that have laid bare Saudi Arabia's vulnerability to threats from its enemy next door.

1 Source

2026-10-15T10:04:33.754501-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Asia-Pacific (APAC)

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Australia’s $1.7B air battle system links RAAF F-35As to missile defense network

By AeroTime: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will get a new system for monitoring Australian airspace and coordinating responses to air and missile threats, as part of a AU $2.4 billion (approximately US $1.7 billion) investment over six years announced by Australia’s Department of Defence on October 15, 2026.

1 Source

2026-10-15T07:19:27.832948-07:00

Dassault Aviation Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France to receive just two Rafales in 2027 as air chief warns of fighter strain

By AeroTime: France's air chief warns that its fighter fleet is overstretched as just two new Rafales are expected in 2027, alongside further Mirage 2000-5 retirements.

DefenseNews.com

France to go it alone on next-gen combat aircraft after FCAS collapse

3 Sources

2026-10-15T06:19:29.043599-07:00

Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Lizzie Rix

Draken deploys Sting and Phantom Sky training combination for first time

By FlightGlobal: The NATO training exercise was the largest test of the UK's homeland defence.

1 Source

2026-10-15T08:05:50.979268-07:00

Kratos combat drone makes first European flight as turbojet production advances

Saab prepares to launch flight testing on Sweden’s first GlobalEye airborne early warning jet

Army Wants High-Energy Laser Weapons It Can Put On "Any Vehicle In The Motorpool"

UK Sends Ukraine More Storm Shadow Missiles to Hit Russian Sites

How are Yemen’s Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia so effectively?

Australia’s $1.7B air battle system links RAAF F-35As to missile defense network

France to receive just two Rafales in 2027 as air chief warns of fighter strain

France to go it alone on next-gen combat aircraft after FCAS collapse

Draken deploys Sting and Phantom Sky training combination for first time

Saab prepares to launch flight testing on Sweden’s first GlobalEye airborne early warning jet

Army Wants High-Energy Laser Weapons It Can Put On "Any Vehicle In The Motorpool"

Kratos combat drone completes first Euro flight, advances turbojet engine production

How are Yemen’s Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia so effectively?

UK Sends Ukraine More Storm Shadow Missiles to Hit Russian Sites

Draken deploys Sting and Phantom Sky training combination for first time

Ukraine says it damaged six Russian military jets in missile strike on airfield

America's not ready for space war

BlackSky Renews HEO Deal, Adds Gen-3 Imagery for Space Domain Awareness

Tillis calls on Pentagon inspector general to investigate Ukraine’s Starshield loss

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

German Eurofighters escort Corendon 737 to Nuremberg after false hijack alert

U.S. expands drone research and counter-drone investment, from FAA testing to $729 million Raytheon awards

AEVEX’s Specter is a jet-powered, one-way attack drone pitched for low-cost, multi-mission use

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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