China   Satellite   Middle East   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The Economist • The Economist

How Chinese satellites filled the US imagery gap for Iran during Operation Epic Fury

Since Operation Epic Fury began Feb. 28, China has taken a careful approach to supporting Iran, including using satellite capabilities to sustain visibility and intelligence when American imagery coverage reportedly went dark. The cluster traces how Chinese alternatives helped keep Iran’s war effort informed.

2026-04-19T20:51:28.498430-07:00
MRO   Helicopter   Sikorsky   Supply Chain   Europe   M&A   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Textron  
Aviation Week • Tony Osborne

Bell Establishes Ukrainian Subsidiary For Long-Term Cooperation

By Aviation Week: The company, called Bell Textron Ukraine, will be the hub of the manufacturer’s future activities in the country.

2026-04-17T10:45:15.785400-07:00
Museums   UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pratt & Whitney PW500 engine will power Northrop Grumman YFQ-48 autonomous fighter

By FlightGlobal: The Northrop jet is the first uncrewed fighter prototype to officially feature a Pratt & Whitney engine. Military airframer Northrop Grumman has selected a business jet engine from Pratt & Whitney to power the company’s new YFQ-48A Talon Blue uncrewed fighter jet.

Also: defence-blog.com, Defense Daily and 4 more
2026-04-17T15:16:11.915042-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

Air Force unit executes test of Anduril’s semiautonomous combat drone

By DefenseNews.com: Airmen operated Auduril's YFQ-44A jet-powered combat drone, which could someday fly alongside piloted fighters.

Also: AirForceTimes, c4isrnet.com and Military Times
2026-04-17T12:59:53.196480-07:00
Satellite   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Lockheed Martin nabs $105M ground system contract to support next-gen GPS

By Breaking Defense: The upgrade to be performed under then new contract would allow Lockheed Martin's AEP ground system to replace RTX's long-troubled OCX program for future GPS IIIF birds.

2026-04-17T15:37:15.080655-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Air Force lets operational crews fly CCA drones in early field exercise

By Air Data News: Air Force (USAF) has conducted an exercise in which operational personnel, rather than test pilots, took direct control of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototype to evaluate how the system could be used in real missions.

Also: The Aviationist and news.ssbcrack.com
2026-04-17T02:01:02.552594-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Air Data News • ADN Staff

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin $1.9 billion contract for C-130J training and maintenance

By Air Data News: Ten-year IDIQ contract extends support for C-130J aircrew and Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a sole-source, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract worth up to $1.9 billion to continue the C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) program.

Also: AviationPros and defenceturkey.com
2026-04-17T05:08:16.417273-07:00