AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

F-35 Tests AI-Enhanced Combat Identification in Real-Time Flight Demo

Lockheed Martin flew an F-35 in a company-led demonstration that used a tactical AI combat-identification model to generate in-flight identifications of unknown radar emitters in real time. The test showed AI can resolve confusing threat emissions faster, shortening pilot decision time and automating sensor fusion.

Also: Aviation Week and The Aviationist
2026-02-24T05:34:12.673226-08:00
Supply Chain   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF reaches deal with Northrop to accelerate B-21 production by 25%

By FlightGlobal: The US Air Force (USAF) and Northrop Grumman have agreed to a $4.5 billion production acceleration for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, increasing the annual build rate by 25% to expedite delivery of the next-generation strategic aircraft.

Also: aviationnews.eu, Australian Aviation, AeroTime, The Aviationist, Aviation Week, Air & Space Forces Mag, Northrop Grumman, defence-blog.com, news.ssbcrack.com, defencetoday.com, Military Times, Stars and Stripes and 14 more
2026-02-23T22:00:38.274005-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   China   Satellite   Middle East   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Gavin Finch, John Irish, Parisa Hafezi

Exclusive: Iran nears deal to buy supersonic anti-ship missiles from China

By Reuters: Iran is close to a deal with China to purchase anti‑ship cruise missiles, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations, just as the United States deploys a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Also: defensemirror.com, moderndiplomacy.eu and abcnews.com
2026-02-24T02:06:17.901529-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Kelly A Grieco, Maximilian K Bremer

Opinion: The US Air Force needs more airpower — why joint assets, not just advanced fighters, matter for a potential strike on Iran

By DefenseNews.com: Opinion: Aircraft fly, but mass sails: The lengthy military buildup for a potential strike on Iran proves joint assets matter more than exquisite warplanes alone.

Also: AirForceTimes
2026-02-24T03:36:07.005000-08:00
Satellite   AI   Europe   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Europe’s Wake-Up Call on Sovereign Geospatial Intelligence — Day 1, DGI 2026

By SpaceWatch Global: Day one at DGI 2026, the world’s leading international geospatial intelligence event, delivered a clear and consistent message. From the opening sessions it became evident that the era of relying on others for critical intelligence capabilities is coming to an end.

Also: SpaceWatch Africa
2026-02-24T03:54:51.821199-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

GA‑ASI MQ‑20 Avenger teams with USAF F‑22; GA‑ASI advances MQ‑9B long‑range standoff weapons integration

By FlightGlobal: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has conducted a manned-unmanned teaming demonstration between its MQ-20 Avenger and a US Air Force (USAF) F-22, while separately advancing long-range standoff weapons integration for the MQ-9B.

Also: Janes, aviation-defence-universe.com, nextgendefense.com, UASweekly, aerospaceglobalnews.com, worldairnews.co.za, aero-defence.tech, aero-defence.tech, uasvision.com, India Defense News, Aviacionline and 8 more
2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
DVIDS / U.S. DoD

Collaborative Combat Aircraft program progresses through deliberate weapons integration testing

By DVIDS / U.S. DoD: The Air Force has entered the next phase of developmental testing for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, initiating disciplined weapons integration and captive carry evaluations using inert test munitions to validate airworthiness, safety, and systems performance.

Also: Air Data News, The Aviationist, Aviation Week, Skies Magazine, defence-blog.com, defensemirror.com, Defense One, spaceanddefense.io, miragenews.com, news.defcros.com, defence-industry.eu, Defense Daily and 9 more
2026-02-23T16:56:20.295578-08:00