UAV Development & Drone Programs   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Coast Guard deploys Shield AI V‑BAT to Pacific to bolster maritime drug interdiction

FlightGlobal reports: The US Coast Guard has operationally deployed a Shield AI V-BAT uncrewed aerial vehicle, marking a significant evolution of the service's aviation capabilities as it enhances maritime drug interdiction operations in the Pacific.

2025-10-17T14:45:09.324485-07:00

Today In Defense

Last Updated: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, 5:56 PM PDT

2025-10-17T17:56:16.176758-07:00 2025-10-17T17:56:16.176758-07:00 (2025-10-17T17:56:16.176758-07:00)

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Soviets Tested 'Hard‑Kill' ICBM Silo Defense That Showered Incoming Warheads With Metal Darts

By The War Zone: Russia got as far as testing the terminal hard-kill active protection-like system for protecting its ICBMs from incoming ballistic missile barrages. The Soviets got as far as testing a hard-kill active protection system to protect its ICBM siloes from incoming ballistic missile warheads.

2025-10-17T12:49:30.106814-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Finance & Leasing   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Budgets & Spending   Workforce & Skills Development  
Aviation Week • Brian Everstine

USAF Seeks to Lease Civilian Aircraft Near Bases to Maintain Pilot Currency Amid Readiness Shortfalls

By Aviation Week: The U.S. Air Force, faced with ongoing readiness issues across much of its fleet, has issued a call to aircraft owners who are near bases to help out.

Also: Flying Magazine
2025-10-17T06:20:16.712059-07:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada Presses Lockheed for Greater Industrial Benefits, Warns It May Choose Saab Gripen if F‑35 Deal Falls Short

By Air Data News: Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly has increased pressure on Lockheed Martin to secure additional economic benefits for Canada before.

2025-10-17T11:35:16.285920-07:00
Supply Chain   North America   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
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Breaking Defense • Carley Welch

U.S. Army awards Lockheed $9.8 billion multiyear contract for thousands of PAC-3 missiles

By Breaking Defense: ![](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/250903_DVIDS_pac3_mse_launch_8775345-scaled-e1756934380384-360x200.jpg) Army awards Lockheed multiyear $9.8 billion contract for thousands of PAC-3 missiles The award is the "largest contract in Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control history," according to a company executive.

2025-10-17T11:12:33.443940-07:00
MRO   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
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Economic Times • ET Online

Embraer and Mahindra partner to bring C-390 Millennium to India for IAF Medium Transport Aircraft bid, with local manufacturing plans

By Economic Times: Mahindra Group and Embraer Defense & Security have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to introduce the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.

Also: Air Data News, Aviacionline, Financial Express, ANI News Agency, Economic Times and 12 more
2025-10-17T02:23:24.005549-07:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
NPR • Geoff Brumfiel

Amateur tracker detects emissions from classified SpaceX 'Starshield' satellites in protected radio band

By NPR: An amateur satellite tracker stumbled across the signal, which is coming from Starshield satellites in a "hidden" part of the radio spectrum.

2025-10-17T02:24:36.508587-07:00