Defense News

Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Divya Rajagopal, Ernest Scheyder

Lockheed Martin seeks U.S. critical-mineral supplies amid pressure to reduce China reliance

Lockheed Martin is in discussions to purchase supplies of two critical minerals from U.S. mines, according to two sources familiar with the talks. The effort follows President Donald Trump’s push for defense contractors to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

1 Source

2026-08-04T10:15:59.261711-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

By Air Data News: Request for information signals possible challenge to decades-long Pratt & U.S. Air Force (USAF) is exploring alternative engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and Lockheed Martin F-16 , opening the door to new suppliers for fighter aircraft that have long relied on powerplants from Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace .

Also: AeroTime

2 Sources

2026-08-04T02:51:25.014795-07:00

Event Farnborough Airshow Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

By Breaking Defense: We review a few final insights and observations from this year's Farnborough International Airshow.

1 Source

2026-08-04T07:59:38.158964-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

By FlightGlobal: UK-built tactical UAS is heading for operational service within the coming months.

Also: Aerospace Testing Intnl and calibredefence.co.uk

3 Sources

2026-08-04T06:35:11.418324-07:00

eVTOL Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Archer Aviation

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Archer, Korean Air to work on militarised Midnight eVTOL

By FlightGlobal: Work anticipates potential interest from South Korean procurement agency. Archer Aviation and Korean Air have teamed up to convert the US company’s Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for military use.

AINonline

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL Prototype Completes California Round Trip

Vertical Mag

Archer’s Midnight completes city-to-city flights in California

Also: eVTOL Insights, Urban Air Mobility News, AirMed&Rescue and 4 more

10 Sources

2026-08-04T01:45:09.889798-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Hypersonic Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

By AeroTime: Australia’s new 10-year defense technology strategy prioritizes the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, hypersonic weapons, high-energy lasers, AI and quantum systems.

1 Source

2026-08-04T04:44:56.482847-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US eyes alternative engines for F-15EX, F-16

By FlightGlobal: Department of War request could lead to shake-up of long running engine duopoly for two key USAF types.

2 Sources

2026-08-03T21:31:07.155674-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Supply Chain North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Wall Street Journal • Heather Somerville, Scott Calvert

Anduril Weighs Baltimore Shipyard Investment to Build Drone Boats

By Wall Street Journal: The defense-tech company is in talks for a production site at historic Sparrows Point, as the Iran war has demonstrated the utility of unmanned surface vessels.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-08-03T17:14:12.434068-07:00

Lockheed Martin seeks U.S. critical-mineral supplies amid pressure to reduce China reliance

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

Archer, Korean Air to work on militarised Midnight eVTOL

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL Prototype Completes California Round Trip

Archer’s Midnight completes city-to-city flights in California

Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

US eyes alternative engines for F-15EX, F-16

Anduril Weighs Baltimore Shipyard Investment to Build Drone Boats

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

Archer, Korean Air to work on militarised Midnight eVTOL

US Air Force jet engine manufacturing plagued by ‘significant challenges’

K2 Selected for Space Force Satellite Laser-Link Testing

Rheinmetall unveils new guided-missile frigate projected for North American tender

Northrop gets $3B framework deal to increase motor production for PAC-3, THAAD

Northrop Grumman Signs $3 Billion Framework Deals to Ramp Patriot and THAAD Interceptor Production

NH90 Block 1 begins flight testing with Link 22, upgraded sensors and enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities

Satellite communications deals span Spain’s secure SpainSat NG-III, Europe’s IRIS² network, Starlab and LATAM connectivity

Ukraine’s Long-Range Drone Campaign Hits Russian Logistics, Bomber Base and Air-Defense Sites

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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