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: edrmagazine.eu
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, Stars and Stripes, defence-blog.com, news.ssbcrack.com, defencetoday.com, Military Times 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