Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

USAF says Sentinel ICBM will clear major milestone this year, targets early‑2030s operational date

U.S. Air Force leaders expect the Sentinel ground‑based ICBM program to clear a key developmental milestone this year and to reach operational status in the early 2030s. Gen. Dale White said the service “has not lowered the bar” or accepted additional program risk as it advances.

Also: DVIDS / U.S. DoD and miragenews.com
2026-02-17T08:53:48.149477-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   F-16   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Ukraine denies ‘secret’ international F-16 squadron claim

By AeroTime: Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat has dismissed a report that US and Dutch pilots are flying Ukrainian F-16s over Kyiv, citing lack of evidence.

Also: pravda.com.ua, defensemirror.com, defence-industry.eu, prm.ua, Defence24 and 3 more
2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

By AeroTime: Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries say they designed, built, and flew the Venom autonomous strike aircraft in 71 days, continuing a shift toward rapid defense manufacturing.

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00
Dassault Aviation   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

India requests 31 additional carrier-capable Rafale Marine fighters as 114‑jet MRFA deal advances

By AeroTime: A French report indicates that India has asked France for 31 additional carrier-capable Rafale jets, as New Delhi clears a key step for a 114-jet MRFA buy.

2026-02-17T05:05:01.374836-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Policy  
eVTOL Insights • Jason Pritchard

AtkinsRéalis and Anduril UK partner to accelerate sovereign autonomous systems for UK defence

By eVTOL Insights: AtkinsRéalis has entered into a teaming agreement with Anduril UK to provide critical safety, assurance and regulatory expertise that will.

Also: UK Defence Journal and UK Defence Journal
2026-02-17T03:46:12.192264-08:00