Defense News

Satellite L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

L3Harris Technologies is moving its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites into production for the Missile Defense Agency’s Golden Dome initiative, with few design changes from the existing HBTSS design. The decision signals a transition from satellite development toward scaled production for missile-warning and tracking missions.

1 Source

2026-09-16T11:30:44.401113-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

By The War Zone: Allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is growing as USAFE works to ensure interoperability across a wide mix of future systems. Allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is growing as USAFE works to ensure interoperability across a wide mix of future systems.

1 Source

2026-09-16T11:56:08.098344-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing Boeing 737

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

By FlightGlobal: Commander of Air Education and Training Command expects to have 14 of the Boeing jets ready in August 2027.

Aviation A2Z

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

3 Sources

2026-09-16T11:20:07.454893-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

By AeroTime: Wingcopter has unveiled an all-electric reconnaissance drone that it says can remain airborne for up to six hours, expanding its defense business with an aircraft designed to launch vertically without a runway or catapult.

2 Sources

2026-09-16T12:51:34.111111-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

defence-industry.eu • Lukasz Prus Land

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

By defence-industry.eu: Flensburg Technology Systems unveiled the first pre-series TAHR light airborne combat vehicle for Germany’s Special Forces Command, or KSK, on 15 September.

Breaking Defense

German-Israeli company FTS unveils new light combat vehicle for German Special Forces

defence-blog.com

Germany’s special forces get their first new TAHR vehicle

4 Sources

2026-09-16T03:35:04.476224-07:00

Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Air Force turns to private flight schools to solve pilot shortage

By FlightGlobal: The service says it has now reached its target of training 1,500 new pilots annually after years of shortfalls. After years of grappling with a shortage of trained aviators, the US Air Force says it is now on track to meet its annual target for new pilots.

1 Source

2026-09-16T10:19:57.002953-07:00

China Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters • Eduardo Baptista

China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race

By Reuters: China urged the United States to halt its military build-up in outer space after Washington acknowledged it has weapons deployed in orbit, while Chinese state media ‌warned the move could fuel a global arms race.

Scientific American

It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space

news.ssbcrack.com

U.S. Military Unprepared for Potential Nuclear Threats in Space

Also: DefenseNews.com, Bloomberg, AirForceTimes and Military Times

8 Sources

2026-09-15T22:35:25.612640-07:00

Satellite Space Force LEO Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force gives SpaceX latitude on design of $2.3 billion satellite network

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The U.S. Space Force is giving SpaceX latitude to design one of the military’s new low-Earth orbit satellite networks, setting performance requirements rather than prescribing the number and configuration of spacecraft needed to meet them.

2 Sources

2026-09-16T06:51:57.824891-07:00

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

German-Israeli company FTS unveils new light combat vehicle for German Special Forces

Germany’s special forces get their first new TAHR vehicle

US Air Force turns to private flight schools to solve pilot shortage

China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race

It’s official: The U.S. has weapons in space

U.S. Military Unprepared for Potential Nuclear Threats in Space

Space Force gives SpaceX latitude on design of $2.3 billion satellite network

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

FTS presents first pre-series TAHR airborne combat vehicle for German special forces under framework agreement covering up to 200 systems

US Air Force turns to private flight schools to solve pilot shortage

How the industrial base is responding to Air Force, Space Force needs

B-52 engine and radar upgrades top US$23 billion as USAF moves to recover schedule

Houthis claim Saudi F-15 shootdown over Yemen as Mecca drone row escalates

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Factory Floor Is the Frontline: What NATO DIANA Reveals About the Real Bottleneck

U.S. confirms first deployment of ‘on-orbit space control weapons’

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera as low-cost MQ-9 contender as USAF targets 500 CCAs and thousands of attack drones by 2032

U.S. Navy advances carrier drones, hypersonic weapons and autonomous resupply aircraft

Pratt & Whitney clears F-35 engine upgrade design review and licenses F100 production to Hermeus

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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