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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France awards Airbus and Thales Alenia Space contract for IRIS military Earth-observation system

The French Defence Procurement Agency has awarded Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space a joint-prime contract to develop IRIS, a next-generation military optical observation system designed for ultra-high-resolution imagery. Airbus is lead contractor, with Thales Alenia Space serving as co-contractor on the program.

Satellite Evolution • Satellite Evolution Group

Airbus to deliver IRIS, France’s next generation military Earth observation satellites

SpaceWatch Africa • Space Watch

Thales Alenia awarded contract contract for the development of IRIS ultra-high-resolution military optical observation space system

Also: Unmanned Airspace and 3 more

9 Sources

2026-11-10T00:49:10.902504-08:00

Europe North America Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Wall Street Journal • Alexander Ward, Shelby Holliday

U.S. Aircraft Evacuated From Second U.K. Base Due to Iran Threat

By Wall Street Journal: evacuated American aircraft from a Royal Air Force base in England on Monday in the wake of a threat from Iran, according to people familiar with the matter.

Reuters

US aircraft evacuated from second British base due to Iran threat, WSJ reports

Air Data News

US reportedly evacuates aircraft from British airbase amid Iranian threat

Also: AeroTime, The Guardian, NBC News, The Independent, ANI News Agency, CNN, Stars and Stripes and 4 more

14 Sources

2026-11-09T23:28:16.569856-08:00

Europe Defense Budgets & Spending Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Gilles Rabin

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe's Next Sputnik Moment Won't Be a Launch

By SpaceWatch Global: Europe's space industry faces a new Sputnik moment. Gilles Rabin explores industrial scaling, defence investment and Europe's changing space landscape.

1 Source

2026-11-10T01:55:17.874001-08:00

Europe Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters

Hensoldt targets €10 billion annual revenue by 2035

By Reuters: German defence electronics maker Hensoldt is targeting annual revenue of 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) by 2035, it ‌said on Tuesday, as higher European defence spending boosts demand for military electronics.

4 Sources

2026-11-10T01:04:33.397480-08:00

China UAV Development & Drone Programs Asia-Pacific (APAC)

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Fresh Chinese video offers new clues about GJ-11

By FlightGlobal: New official footage of GJ-11 closely follows shipborne milestone by type's naval variant.

Also: Air Data News

3 Sources

2026-11-09T22:05:03.069917-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

MQ-58 Valkyrie Drones Now Cost $6M-$8M Each

By The War Zone: Kratos still sees Valkyrie's relative affordability as key to staying ahead of a growing field of competing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone designs.

1 Source

2026-11-09T17:04:51.926225-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Policy

Reuters • David Shepardson

(JA) Trump administration to accelerate adoption of counter-drone systems in response to growing threats

By Reuters: トランプ米政権は９日、増大する脅威に対応するた‌め、対ドローン（無人機）システムの導入を加速させる措置を講じていると発表した。.

1 Source

2026-11-09T15:20:45.996769-08:00

Europe Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman

Security Levels At U.S. Bases In England Raised Without Explanation

By The War Zone: Aviation spotters had noticed unusual aircraft activity at RAF Mildenhall, which prompted our inquiries to the USAF.

1 Source

2026-11-09T14:55:15.767926-08:00

France awards Airbus and Thales Alenia Space contract for IRIS military Earth-observation system

Airbus to deliver IRIS, France’s next generation military Earth observation satellites

Thales Alenia awarded contract contract for the development of IRIS ultra-high-resolution military optical observation space system

U.S. Aircraft Evacuated From Second U.K. Base Due to Iran Threat

US aircraft evacuated from second British base due to Iran threat, WSJ reports

US reportedly evacuates aircraft from British airbase amid Iranian threat

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe's Next Sputnik Moment Won't Be a Launch

Hensoldt targets €10 billion annual revenue by 2035

Fresh Chinese video offers new clues about GJ-11

MQ-58 Valkyrie Drones Now Cost $6M-$8M Each

(JA) Trump administration to accelerate adoption of counter-drone systems in response to growing threats

Security Levels At U.S. Bases In England Raised Without Explanation

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe's Next Sputnik Moment Won't Be a Launch

Hensoldt targets €10 billion annual revenue by 2035

France orders IRIS spy satellites from Airbus, Thales

U.S. Aircraft Evacuated From Second U.K. Base Due to Iran Threat

Fresh Chinese video offers new clues about GJ-11

MQ-58 Valkyrie Drones Now Cost $6M-$8M Each

Army fields launched effects to 11 of 12 divisions, with Griffon Aerospace delivering the majority

B-1B Lancer Pilots Are Now Training On HondaJets

Firefly sees business opportunities as Pentagon turns to cislunar space

Korean Air Aerospace pushes forward with Collaborative Combat Aircraft plans

U.S. Army assesses FD-1 interceptor drones in Poland as it seeks lower-cost counter-UAS options

First Turkish Eurofighter Typhoon fuselage enters assembly at BAE factory

Germany expects decision on alternative fighter strategy by March 2027 after FCAS collapse

US Air Force plans palletized cruise-missile launches from C-17s and C-130s, with Dragon Cart capability targeted for 2027

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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