Defense News

Aircraft Carrier Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • J.D. Simkins

USS Harry S. Truman to undergo $5.1 billion mid-life nuclear refueling and overhaul

The U.S. Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls a contract covering the USS Harry S. Truman’s mid-life nuclear refueling and complex overhaul. Work is scheduled through November 2031 and is intended to prepare the aircraft carrier for the second half of its service life.

Also: Navy Times and defensemirror.com

3 Sources

2026-09-30T09:05:35.002029-07:00

Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

NEW

Bloomberg • Alex Wickham

Burnham Says Iran Likely Involved in UK Airbase Incident

By Bloomberg: Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK government believes the Iranian state was behind a security incident at an airbase that’s used by the US to launch strikes on the country.

Also: Reuters

2 Sources

2026-09-30T09:10:50.661403-07:00

Space Force Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Sana Pashankar

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield Has Money Problems

By Bloomberg: Space Force general reveals some details as the program’s funding is stalled in Congress ahead of the midterms.

1 Source

2026-09-30T07:36:06.197142-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan

By FlightGlobal: Pact with Baku to explore local manufacturing of precision-guided munitions. Turkish company Aselsan has signed new agreements with Azerbaijan spanning a range of its technologies.

1 Source

2026-09-30T08:05:17.978048-07:00

Museums Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) NASA

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Could an SR-71 Blackbird fly again? NASA's secretive moves raise the possibility

By Air Data News: An SR-71 Blackbird that has not flown for nearly 27 years has quietly disappeared from its outdoor display at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, while former members of the program have reportedly been contacted about the possibility of returning the aircraft to flight.

AINonline

SR-71 Removed From Museum Amid Speculation It Could Return as an X-Plane

5 Sources

2026-09-30T06:16:28.161004-07:00

China Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

Reuters • Greg Torode, Josh Smith, Poppy McPherson

China carves new military presence in Southeast Asian neighbour

By Reuters: China’s latest expansion of its overseas military footprint was carved from a patch of farmland in Laos over the past year, satellite imagery showed, as analysts said the new support centre could deepen Beijing's presence in Southeast Asia.

1 Source

2026-09-30T07:36:47.024114-07:00

Space Force Leadership Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller expected to be tapped for U.S. Space Command

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller Jr. is expected to be nominated to become the next commander of U.S. Space Command, according to sources.

1 Source

2026-09-30T06:16:39.593879-07:00

SAAB Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Sweden contributes fighter jets to NATO mission in Poland again

By Reuters: Sweden will from October deploy Gripen fighter jets to Poland as part of ‌a NATO airspace surveillance mission, the Nordic country's government said on Wednesday.

Also: defence-industry.eu and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-30T06:06:27.681313-07:00

USS Harry S. Truman to undergo $5.1 billion mid-life nuclear refueling and overhaul

Burnham Says Iran Likely Involved in UK Airbase Incident

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield Has Money Problems

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan

Could an SR-71 Blackbird fly again? NASA's secretive moves raise the possibility

SR-71 Removed From Museum Amid Speculation It Could Return as an X-Plane

China carves new military presence in Southeast Asian neighbour

Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller expected to be tapped for U.S. Space Command

Sweden contributes fighter jets to NATO mission in Poland again

Burnham Says Iran Likely Involved in UK Airbase Incident

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to undergo $5.1B mid-life overhaul

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan

China carves new military presence in Southeast Asian neighbour

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield Has Money Problems

Riyadh gets closer to F-35s, Damascus presses sovereignty and an expert take on Iran

Riyadh gets closer to F-35s, Damascus presses sovereignty and an expert take on Iran

Mission-K Day 2 "Give Us Tactical ISR from Space": Lessons from Ukraine and Three Defence Challenges

U.K. counterterrorism police say no explosives found in vans near air base

How Ukraine’s Naval Drones Are Remaking War at Sea

Two aviators eject after EA-18G Growler landing mishap aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Raytheon wins up to $20.7 billion contract to produce AMRAAM missiles at record rates

RTX Races to Expand Tomahawk and Other Missile Production Amid U.S. Operations Against Iran

Dassault positions Rafale for Portugal’s F-16 replacement with industry cooperation pact

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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