UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com

DARPA launches $6.5M Lift Challenge to build drones that carry up to 4× their weight

DARPA has opened the Lift Challenge, a $6.5 million open competition inviting companies and independent 'garage' innovators to design small unmanned aircraft that can carry up to four times their own weight for logistics and resupply roles. Prizes are intended to spur breakthrough airframe and subsystem concepts.

Also: AirForceTimes, Military Times and 4 more
2026-02-18T07:15:29.481484-08:00
Supply Chain   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Workforce & Skills Development   Defense Policy  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

Canada to Prioritize Domestic Suppliers in C$180B Defense Procurement, Targets 240% Growth

By Aviation Week: Canada will prioritize domestic businesses for the award of an estimated C$180 billion in military procurement contracts over the next 10 years.

Also: Skies Magazine, SpaceQ, Wings and Wings
2026-02-17T11:56:45.611614-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Embraer  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Embraer delivers first two A-29 Super Tucanos to Uruguay, kicking off six-aircraft fleet renewal program

By AeroTime: Embraer has delivered the first two A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the Uruguayan Air Force, launching a six-aircraft fleet renewal program.

2026-02-18T06:41:11.492451-08:00
Europe   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals   BAE Systems  
Reuters

BAE Systems posts 12% FY operating profit rise as order backlog hits record £83.6bn

By Reuters: BAE Systems said a "new era" of defence spending would drive its growth for years to come after the British contractor reported a 12% rise in full-year operating profit on Wednesday and a record 83.6 billion-pound ($113.50 billion) order backlog.

Also: Bloomberg, Aviation Week, This is Money, defence-industry.eu, spacewar.com, business-live.co.uk, The Independent, insidermedia.com, Business Wire, Seeking Alpha and 4 more
2026-02-17T23:35:19.519998-08:00