Defense News

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agree to 10-year F-35 framework for at least 850 aircraft, pending congressional approval and fundi

The framework would cover F-35 production and sustainment over the next decade, guaranteeing at least 850 fighters for the U.S. military. The agreement would be the program’s largest contract to date and its longest commitment yet, but lawmakers’ approval and funding remain necessary.

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to decade-long F-35 framework deal for hundreds of jets

DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets

Also: Bloomberg, aviationnews.eu, defaeroreport.com, The Hill, FlightGlobal, AeroTime, Air Data News, Wall Street Journal, Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week, The War Zone, Stars and Stripes and 30 more

62 Sources

2026-10-22T04:04:23.001323-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters

US Democratic senator probes Ukraine's loss of Starshield service

By Reuters: Democratic US Senator Richard Blumenthal on Thursday said he had opened an inquiry into Ukraine's loss of critical access to the Pentagon's Starshield satellite communications service and the resulting degrading of Kyiv's ability to defend itself against Russian attacks.

1 Source

2026-10-22T15:04:27.745079-07:00

Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Europe Military Aircraft Procurement

Reuters

Britain to use military aircraft to fight climate change-fuelled wildfires

By Reuters: Britain said on Thursday it would for the first time use military helicopters and ‌aircraft to fight wildfires after its hottest summer on record, as the government steps up efforts to combat a threat it says ⁠is being fuelled by climate change.

Also: UK Defence Journal and The Independent

3 Sources

2026-10-22T16:04:22.892834-07:00

China Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Four KJ-3000 Radar Jets At Chinese Factory Point To Serial Production

By The War Zone: The KJ-3000 is the most capable of China’s rapidly expanding airborne early warning and control aircraft fleet. The KJ-3000 is the most capable of China’s rapidly expanding airborne early warning and control aircraft fleet.

1 Source

2026-10-22T14:05:33.159149-07:00

Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force taps six companies to provide satellite surveillance backup

By SpaceNews.com: Illustration by NorthStar Earth & Space WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force has awarded its first operational contracts under a program designed to enlist commercial satellite operators during military crises.

SpaceNews.com

Space Force moves to give startups a foothold in classified programs

SpaceWatch Africa

UK advances new space strategy to bolster defences against threats from space

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, Business Insider, Defense Daily and 4 more

10 Sources

2026-10-22T09:06:06.316442-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Ground-Launched Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time

By The War Zone: The first public look at the missile in a surface-launched configuration comes as its manufacturer expands production. The first public look at the missile in a surface-launched configuration comes as its manufacturer expands production.

1 Source

2026-10-22T13:28:21.962926-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Via Satellite • Kelevitch Thursday

The Question Gulf Buyers Are Now Asking: Who Can Switch This Off?

By Via Satellite: On April 4, Planet Labs told customers it would withhold imagery of Iran and the surrounding conflict zone indefinitely, retroactive to March 9.

1 Source

2026-10-22T14:15:31.549040-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon

By Ars Technica: The Russian official who called commercial satellites "legitimate targets" now says concerns are "unfounded.".

1 Source

2026-10-22T12:00:39.389405-07:00

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agree to 10-year F-35 framework for at least 850 aircraft, pending congressional approval and fundi

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to decade-long F-35 framework deal for hundreds of jets

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets

US Democratic senator probes Ukraine's loss of Starshield service

Britain to use military aircraft to fight climate change-fuelled wildfires

Four KJ-3000 Radar Jets At Chinese Factory Point To Serial Production

Space Force taps six companies to provide satellite surveillance backup

Space Force moves to give startups a foothold in classified programs

UK advances new space strategy to bolster defences against threats from space

Ground-Launched Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time

The Question Gulf Buyers Are Now Asking: Who Can Switch This Off?

US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon

Britain to use military aircraft to fight climate change-fuelled wildfires

US Democratic senator probes Ukraine's loss of Starshield service

Four KJ-3000 Radar Jets At Chinese Factory Point To Serial Production

The Question Gulf Buyers Are Now Asking: Who Can Switch This Off?

Ground-Launched Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time

US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon

A-4 'Super' Skyhawks Playing The Bad Guys In European Skies

Skyfly Secures $10 million To Commercialize Axe personal eVTOL aircraft

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

'Ability to strike back': Denmark commits to long-range missile orders

Musk ordered a slowdown of Ukraine’s military-grade Starlink service, raising concerns over Kyiv’s reliance on the network for w

French Mirage 2000D crashes during night training flight, killing one crew member; second remains missing

UK to deploy Typhoons, Voyager tanker and A400M to support Saudi defensive operations against Houthi attacks

Russian satellite closes to within 3,281 feet of U.S.-registered ICEYE radar satellite

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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