North America   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF breaks ground on Sentinel prototype silo as warhead count and IOC timing remain unclear

The U.S. Air Force broke ground Feb. 13 on a prototype silo for Northrop Grumman’s LGM-35A Sentinel, even as key design and force‑sizing details — notably warhead count — remain unresolved. Sentinel’s initial operational capability has been pushed into the early 2030s amid a growing Chinese nuclear force.

Also: Shephard Media, Defense Daily and Defense Daily
2026-02-25T13:55:19.307442-08:00
Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

‘Golden Dome’ Will Require Unprecedented Coordination Across U.S. Combatant Commands

By SpaceNews.com: Golden Dome to require unprecedented coordination between U.S. combatant commands Golden Dome to require unprecedented coordination between U.S. combatant commands.

2026-02-25T13:37:22.358572-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Boeing  
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The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

USAF Reserve Chief Seeks Surplus F‑15E Retentions and Procurement of F‑15EX Eagle II Aircraft

By The War Zone: The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them. The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them.

2026-02-25T13:55:18.553177-08:00
Supply Chain   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
defence-industry.eu

Ursa Major unveils HAVOC medium-range hypersonic missile system designed for affordable, scalable production

By defence-industry.eu: Ursa Major has introduced the HAVOC Missile System, a medium-range hypersonic capability designed to deliver high-speed performance at scale to meet urgent warfighter requirements.

Also: marinecorpstimes.com, Military Times, interestingengineering.com, marketforecast.com and asdnews.com
2026-02-25T07:16:23.048322-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Brian Everstine

USAF to Complete Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Prototypes but Delay Budgeting for Full Fleet

By Aviation Week: The U.S. Air Force will continue the two Boeing E-7A Wedgetail rapid prototypes.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and Aviation Week
2026-02-24T12:11:11.124497-08:00
China   Satellite   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio, Roxana Tiron

Pentagon Spends $12.6 Billion to Upgrade Surveillance of China’s Subs, Satellites

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon plans to spend an additional $12.6 billion to improve surveillance of China’s military maneuvers, submarines and satellites as the US tries to counter the “unprecedented Chinese military buildup” in Asia, according to a budget document sent to Congress.

Also: South China Morning Post and Bloomberg Law
2026-02-25T09:13:32.750103-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Leonardo CEO signals AW149 likely to be selected for UK New Medium Helicopter programme

By FlightGlobal: Leonardo chief executive Roberto Cingolani has given the clearest indication yet that the company's AW149 platform has been selected by the UK for its New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-02-25T09:35:07.960094-08:00