Defense News

Hypersonic Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Ukraine report traces Russia’s Zircon hypersonic missile production chain and identifies U.S.-origin electronics

Ukraine’s intelligence service says it has mapped the production chain for Russia’s Zircon hypersonic missile and identified U.S.-origin electronics inside the weapon. The findings challenge Moscow’s claims about Zircon’s capabilities while highlighting the technology and supply-chain dependencies underpinning Russia’s strategic weapons production.

1 Source

2026-08-31T14:50:04.461834-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Video: Shield AI and GE Aerospace test thrust-vectoring F110 engine for X-Bat

By FlightGlobal: The propulsion project for Shield AI's collaborative combat aircraft combines the proven fighter engine with an off-the-shelf Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle system.

1 Source

2026-08-31T13:50:02.327486-07:00

Israel Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AirForceTimes • Cristina Stassis

US Air Force chief of staff discusses ‘regional situation’ with Israeli military officials

By AirForceTimes: U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Ken Wilsbach visited Israel recently and met with Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Air Force top officials.

Also: DefenseNews.com and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-08-31T13:12:20.703365-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

All.Space Wins DIU Award Focused on Increasing Production Rate

By Via Satellite: All.Space has received a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for its Hydra satcom terminal under a contract focused on increasing production rates in the U.S.

1 Source

2026-08-31T13:12:30.846147-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters

Pentagon signs 7-year deals to increase missile production

By Reuters: The Pentagon said on Monday it ‌secured seven-year agreements with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) and ⁠Lockheed Martin to increase missile production.

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics get framework deals to surge Patriot, THAAD production

defensehere.com

US Department of War signs 7-year agreements to expand THAAD and PAC-3 production

Also: AeroTime, insidedefense.com, Seeking Alpha, Defense Daily, Economic Times and Military Times

9 Sources

2026-08-31T06:05:51.978989-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Asia-Pacific (APAC)

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Japan’s ASM-3 Kai Supersonic Cruise Missile May Have An Air-To-Air Capability

By The War Zone: Japan calls the ASM-3 Kai an “air-to-surface/anti-air” weapon, potentially pointing to a new counter to large high-value airborne targets. Japan calls the ASM-3 Kai an “air-to-surface/anti-air” weapon, potentially pointing to a new counter to high-value airborne targets.

1 Source

2026-08-31T10:20:13.834306-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Navy seeking new long-range air-launched torpedo dubbed ‘Silent Anvil’

By FlightGlobal: The anti-submarine munition is to be captive-carried and released from internal or external aircraft weapons stations. The US Navy is exploring options for a new air-launched torpedo.

1 Source

2026-08-31T08:51:07.428570-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Gravitics to build ‘orbital carriers’ for space-based missile defense

By SpaceNews.com: Illustration of Gravitics' Orbital Carrier WASHINGTON — Gravitics was selected by Lockheed Martin to build three spacecraft for demonstrations of space-based missile defense technologies under the Pentagon’s Golden Dome program, according to regulatory filings.

1 Source

2026-08-31T05:15:40.840971-07:00

Ukraine report traces Russia’s Zircon hypersonic missile production chain and identifies U.S.-origin electronics

Video: Shield AI and GE Aerospace test thrust-vectoring F110 engine for X-Bat

US Air Force chief of staff discusses ‘regional situation’ with Israeli military officials

All.Space Wins DIU Award Focused on Increasing Production Rate

Pentagon signs 7-year deals to increase missile production

Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics get framework deals to surge Patriot, THAAD production

US Department of War signs 7-year agreements to expand THAAD and PAC-3 production

Japan’s ASM-3 Kai Supersonic Cruise Missile May Have An Air-To-Air Capability

US Navy seeking new long-range air-launched torpedo dubbed ‘Silent Anvil’

Gravitics to build ‘orbital carriers’ for space-based missile defense

Ukraine Report Challenges Russia’s Zircon Hypersonic Claims, Traces U.S.-Origin Electronics

Video: Shield AI and GE Aerospace test thrust-vectoring F110 engine for X-Bat

US Air Force chief of staff discusses ‘regional situation’ with Israeli military officials

All.Space Wins DIU Award Focused on Increasing Production Rate

Japan’s ASM-3 Kai Supersonic Cruise Missile May Have An Air-To-Air Capability

US Navy seeking new long-range air-launched torpedo dubbed ‘Silent Anvil’

RAF A400M Deploys U.S. and Royal Marines, JLTVs to Strategic Arctic Island

Space Force struggling to integrate commercial space data: Officials

Indonesia and US launch annual military exercises

United Arab Emirates says it intercepted an Iranian drone over its territorial waters

Pentagon raises estimated F-35 acquisition cost by $51 billion to $536.2 billion as unit prices rise

C-390, C-130J and A400M compete for India’s potential 60-aircraft airlifter requirement

Turkey’s first serial-production Hürjet completes maiden flight as Spain order advances

Greece advances €3.1 billion nationwide air defense network with Israeli systems

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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