Defense News

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Washington Post • Mary Ilyushina

Ukraine seeks continued access to military Starlink as Russia develops a rival system

Kyiv is pressing President Donald Trump to preserve access to Starlink’s military service, while Russia works on a system intended to match the satellite internet capability. The developments put access to commercial satellite communications and competing wartime infrastructure at the center of the conflict’s space-enabled operations.

Also: counteroffensive.news

2 Sources

2026-10-17T02:04:32.003956-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

F-22 pilot commands YFQ-44A autonomous combat drone in flight for first time

By Air Data News: A US Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot has directed an Anduril YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) during flight for the first time, demonstrating how crewed fighters could command autonomous aircraft during combat missions.

Also: defensemirror.com

2 Sources

2026-10-17T00:04:28.972505-07:00

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

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

First C-130J For Navy’s New E-130J Phoenix II Ballistic Submarine Communications Fleet Delivered

By The War Zone: The E-130J will be taking over the Take Charge And Move Out mission from the jet-powered E-6B Mercury. The E-130J will be taking over the Take Charge And Move Out mission from the jet-powered E-6B Mercury.

FlightGlobal

US Navy receives first C-130J for conversion into E-130J nuclear command and control aircraft

c-130.net

Navy accepts first C-130J-30 for next-generation TACAMO fleet

Also: defensemirror.com, insidedefense.com, defence-industry.eu and Seapower Magazine

7 Sources

2026-10-16T08:55:27.398383-07:00

aviation UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

The Army's Plan For Employing LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Against Its Adversaries

By The War Zone: A vision of Army units launching long-range one-way attack drones at targets like enemy warships and ballistic missile is taking shape.

1 Source

2026-10-16T12:29:08.370759-07:00

Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

As Space Force opens market for in-orbit surveillance, Northrop Grumman touts its experience

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman is pointing to its longstanding role in military space surveillance as newer companies compete for a share of the market.

1 Source

2026-10-16T14:50:39.743885-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Canada’s Snowbirds Say Farewell To The CT-114 Tutor Jet

By The War Zone: After 55 years with the Tutor, the aerobatic team faces an extended hiatus before transitioning to the PC-21 turboprop in the early 2030s. After 55 years with the Tutor, the aerobatic team faces an extended hiatus before transitioning to the PC-21 in the early 2030s.

Also: Aviation24 and FlightGlobal

3 Sources

2026-10-16T11:55:50.060666-07:00

Supply Chain Europe Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

Reuters

US arms firm Anduril could make interceptors in Europe, executive says

By Reuters: US defence firm Anduril could eventually manufacture its newly unveiled Steelfin interceptor missiles in Europe, a company executive said this week, as governments aim to expand air-defence production after global conflicts highlighted shortages of interceptor missiles.

1 Source

2026-10-16T13:04:27.609439-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Space Defense & Militarization

DefenseNews.com

How Iridium Is Helping the Army Stay Connected Beyond Line of Sight

By DefenseNews.com: Iridium discusses satellite communications that keep soldiers and unmanned systems connected, along with navigation technology for GPS-disrupted environments.

1 Source

2026-10-16T11:05:31.890558-07:00

Ukraine seeks continued access to military Starlink as Russia develops a rival system

F-22 pilot commands YFQ-44A autonomous combat drone in flight for first time

First C-130J For Navy’s New E-130J Phoenix II Ballistic Submarine Communications Fleet Delivered

US Navy receives first C-130J for conversion into E-130J nuclear command and control aircraft

Navy accepts first C-130J-30 for next-generation TACAMO fleet

The Army's Plan For Employing LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Against Its Adversaries

As Space Force opens market for in-orbit surveillance, Northrop Grumman touts its experience

Canada’s Snowbirds Say Farewell To The CT-114 Tutor Jet

US arms firm Anduril could make interceptors in Europe, executive says

How Iridium Is Helping the Army Stay Connected Beyond Line of Sight

As Ukraine worries about Starlink access, Russia is developing a system to match it

F-22 pilot commands YFQ-44A autonomous combat drone in flight for first time

As Space Force opens market for in-orbit surveillance, Northrop Grumman touts its experience

US arms firm Anduril could make interceptors in Europe, executive says

The Army's Plan For Employing LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Against Its Adversaries

Canada’s Snowbirds Say Farewell To The CT-114 Tutor Jet

Germany changes course on plans to buy MQ-28 drone wingman: Boeing official

Families wait for answers after Nigerian military plane crash

‘Weaponized light’: KBR’s new base defense technology pits lasers against drones

Norway's $2 trillion wealth fund was frozen out of major defense companies. That may be about to change

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

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

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

U.S. Army to grow space workforce toward 1,000 and test stratospheric balloons

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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