UAV Development & Drone Programs   General Atomics   Aviation Safety & Regulation  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B SkyGuardian “Flight Into Known Icing” (FIKI) certification tests

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems says it has concluded a flight test campaign to certify the MQ-9B SkyGuardian for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), including a series of flights conducted in known icing conditions. The effort is positioned as a step toward broader all-weather, high-latitude operational capability.

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com and 10 more
2026-04-21T05:33:32.443461-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon officially ends OCX program, citing risk and delays

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon announced April 20 it has formally terminated the Next Generation Operational Control System, or OCX, ending a 15-year effort to modernize the ground system that operates the U.S.

Also: Aviation Week and 5 more
2026-04-20T15:38:16.984894-07:00
Satellite   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airbus   Thales  
Reuters • Gianluca Lo Nostro, Mateusz Rabiega

France, Poland boost defence ties with military satellite project

By Reuters: France and Poland ‌will build a telecommunications satellite for the Polish military, the companies involved in the project said on Monday, as Paris and Warsaw strengthen their economic and defence ties.

Also: Airbus and 7 more
2026-04-20T12:18:13.735192-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Germany receives final A400M as Airbus pushes upgrades amid shrinking backlog

By Air Data News: Luftwaffe completes 53-aircraft fleet while manufacturer seeks new roles and customers for Airbus has delivered the 53rd and final A400M Atlas to the German Air Force , completing the country’s order more than a decade after the first aircraft entered service in 2014.

Also: Janes
2026-04-20T14:01:54.597336-07:00