Hypersonic Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Gerry Doyle

US CENTCOM seeks first operational use of long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile against Iran

US Central Command has asked to deploy the Army’s long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for potential use against Iran, including targeting ballistic-missile launchers deep inside the country. The request signals a push toward longer-range hypersonic effects in a time-compressed contingency.

2026-04-30T01:10:05.906728-07:00

Middle East Europe Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Washington has spent $25 billion on Iran war, mostly on munitions

By FlightGlobal: The Pentagon consumed thousands of precision-guided missiles in the early weeks of the war, equivalent to several years of production.

AirForceTimes

Iran war has cost $25 billion so far, Pentagon official says

Air & Space Forces Mag

Iran War Has Cost $25 Billion So Far, Pentagon Says

2026-04-29T19:03:04.888874-07:00

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force selects firms to build counter-surveillance payloads for satellites

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Space Rapid Capabilities Office selected three companies to develop sensors designed to help U.S. military satellites in geosynchronous orbit detect when they are being tracked from the ground.

Also: Breaking Defense and spacewar.com

2026-04-29T17:07:58.476220-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin to Deliver Training Devices and Services for E-130J Phoenix II Aircraft

By Lockheed Martin: Releases BEGIN CONTAINER Newsroom News Releases Lockheed Martin to Deliver Training Devices and Services for E-130J Phoenix II Aircraft The E-130J is based on Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and will support the U.S.

aviationnews.eu

Lockheed Martin Selected to Provide Advanced Training Systems for Navy’s New E-130J Phoenix II Fleet

Air Data News

Lockheed Martin to Provide Training Systems for U.S. Navy E-130J TACAMO Fleet

Also: AeroTime

2026-04-29T10:22:19.502838-07:00

Space Force AI Workforce & Skills Development

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Department of Air Force Plans Initiative to Hire AI Talent

By Via Satellite: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) in the U.S. has unveiled plans to tap into top AI talent. This has direct implications to the government’s space strategy as the Space Force comes under the organizational umbrella of DAF.

2026-04-29T17:05:57.610011-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pentagon chief affirms commitment to fielding sixth-generation naval fighter

By FlightGlobal: US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth says a contract decision for the US Navy's F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter is planned for August.

2026-04-29T17:41:48.277750-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Washington Post • Dan Lamothe, Tara Copp

U.S. aircraft carrier to leave Mideast, reducing military might amid Iran war

By Washington Post: The USS Gerald R. Ford, at sea for 10 months, is in need of repair. Its exit, though, reduces the firepower on hand as Trump presses Tehran to make peace.