Defense News

North America

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Retired F-117s remain in USAF use for exercises and technology tests through 2034

The U.S. Air Force continues to fly the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk nearly two decades after its formal retirement from combat service in 2008. The aircraft supports military exercises and technology testing, with plans to sustain it through 2034.

1 Source

2026-10-10T03:55:07.784796-07:00

Satellite Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Defense & Militarization

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX launches 21 satellites to orbit for the US military after 5-day delay

By Space.com: SpaceX launched 21 "data transport" satellites for the U.S. military today (Oct. 10), sending them up from California's central coast.

Also: Northrop Grumman and SpaceNews.com

3 Sources

2026-10-10T01:05:22.039491-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense

Drones and autonomous warfare: ‘One-way attack’ and reshaping ISR

By Breaking Defense: AEVEX explains how autonomous air and maritime systems, drones and ISR capabilities are reshaping multi-domain warfare through coordinated operations, greater resilience and improved battlefield awareness.

Also: UK Defence Journal

2 Sources

2026-10-09T13:04:42.627721-07:00

aviation Aircraft Finance & Leasing Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airbus Airbus A320 Airbus A330 Boeing Boeing 737

ch-aviation • Luciano Braganca

France leases Falcon 8X to cover gov't fleet maintenance

By ch-aviation: This article is only available with a subscription for Business Jet News.

aviationnews.eu

Avolon Secures Major Expansion with Firm Order for 140 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

Dj's Aviation

250 Airbus & Boeing Aircraft Ordered

Also: Bloomberg, Aviation24, Air Data News, FlightGlobal, Reuters, Aviation Week, World Airline News, Airline Economics, ch-aviation, Boarding Area, flyinginireland.com, aeromorning.com and 7 more

36 Sources

2026-10-09T02:35:29.220010-07:00

Satellite Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Russia may turn to nuclear space weapons to counter U.S. missile defenses, report says

By SpaceNews.com: RUSI study warns that Moscow has incentives to use a nuclear weapon to disable proliferated satellite networks supporting U.S.

1 Source

2026-10-09T06:40:39.238069-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Ideal Aerosmith debuts ‘Troublemaker’ for one-way attack

By Breaking Defense: The company is aiming to tackle a “sweet spot” in the strike market with the Group 3 Troublemaker, and has a “sponsor” in the US Navy, according to executive David Markert.

1 Source

2026-10-09T11:04:43.604450-07:00

aviation UAV Development & Drone Programs

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense

A leap in drone range and payloads come from a battery with different chemistry

By Breaking Defense: Licerion Strike battery technology delivers high energy density and extended flight time for unmanned aerial systems and other demanding applications.

1 Source

2026-10-09T08:04:52.127716-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization

Space.com • Micah Hanks

Did the Soviet Union really fire a cannon from a space station?

By Space.com: According to some reports, at the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union mounted a rapid-fire cannon aboard a secretive military space station.

1 Source

2026-10-09T08:06:19.237129-07:00

Retired F-117s remain in USAF use for exercises and technology tests through 2034

SpaceX launches 21 satellites to orbit for the US military after 5-day delay

Drones and autonomous warfare: ‘One-way attack’ and reshaping ISR

France leases Falcon 8X to cover gov't fleet maintenance

Avolon Secures Major Expansion with Firm Order for 140 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

250 Airbus & Boeing Aircraft Ordered

Russia may turn to nuclear space weapons to counter U.S. missile defenses, report says

Ideal Aerosmith debuts ‘Troublemaker’ for one-way attack

A leap in drone range and payloads come from a battery with different chemistry

Did the Soviet Union really fire a cannon from a space station?

Why are the pioneering F-117 stealth jets still valuable to the US Air Force?

SpaceX launches 21 satellites to orbit for the US military after 5-day delay

Drones and autonomous warfare: ‘One-way attack’ and reshaping ISR

Ideal Aerosmith debuts ‘Troublemaker’ for one-way attack

A leap in drone range and payloads come from a battery with different chemistry

Did the Soviet Union really fire a cannon from a space station?

Pentagon recruits drone pilots from across services for upcoming competition

Army report cites systemic flaws that led to fatal DCA midair collision

Philippines to receive first training devices for its S-70i Black Hawks

Nigerian air force investigates fatal loss of ATR 42MP Surveyor

Avolon orders 250 Boeing and Airbus jets, including 110 Airbus aircraft, with option for 100 more

Romania signs €757 million deal for 12 Airbus H225M helicopters

Raytheon wins up to $6.3 billion Pentagon contract for SM-3 Block IB production and sustainment

Army report attributes 2025 DCA midair collision that killed 67 to systemic failures

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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