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Satellite   Space Force   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

AST SpaceMobile plans 20-ton Blackbird rocket, tapping Firefly engines in $1.3 billion deal

AST SpaceMobile plans to build its own launch vehicle, described in coverage as a 20-ton rocket and named Blackbird or Blacklift, to deploy its direct-to-device satellite constellation. Firefly Aerospace will supply the engines under a reported $1.3 billion deal, as AST seeks greater control over access to orbit amid a constrained launch market.

Also: Via Satellite, Reuters, Ars Technica, Payload, fireflyspace.com, Seeking Alpha, quiltyspace.com and 7 more
2026-11-06T01:34:55.539636-08:00
Viasat   Satellite   Space Force   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
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Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

By Breaking Defense: To translate between the SpaceX-built SDN Backbone and other Pentagon communications and missile tracking satellites, sources said the Space Force is eyeing 12 or 13 Space Exchange Point birds.

Air & Space Forces Mag

The Space Force Goes to War

Also: Via Satellite, Breaking Defense, Aviation Week, smallsatnews.com, newspaceeconomy.ca, satelit.web.id, insidedefense.com, Defense Daily and 8 more
2026-11-06T06:28:44.525483-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   BAE Systems  
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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Uncrewed Nyan, AR5 trials advance UK Royal Navy’s hybrid carrier air wing development

By FlightGlobal: Service details recent work conducted using one-way effector and uncrewed logistics platform. The UK Royal Navy (RN) has demonstrated an expansion to its operational Carrier Strike capability, with first trials conducted aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth using Nyan one-way effectors.

Also: Business Insider and 3 more
2026-11-06T10:55:58.836886-08:00
Middle East   Helicopter   Sikorsky   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Deals  
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FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

By FlightGlobal: The US Department of State has approved a potential $100 million sale to Jordan for up to 1,500 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) guided rockets.

2026-11-06T12:05:23.147864-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Policy  
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Bloomberg • Arne Delfs

Germany Sees Fighter Jet Decision by March, Minister Tells Funke

By Bloomberg: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expects a decision on the formation of a new air combat partnership to jointly build a next-generation fighter jet by the end of March 2027, following the scrapping of the Franco-German FCAS project earlier this year.

2026-11-07T07:04:48.430583-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

F-35B releases Meteor missile from internal weapons bay for first time

By AeroTime: An F-35B has released a Meteor missile test asset from its internal weapons bay for the first time, advancing UK and Italian integration plans.

Also: Air Data News, defenceconnect.com.au and 3 more
2026-11-06T02:34:26.597236-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
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Reuters • Andrew Osborn

Russia must swiftly expand its answer to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, security council says

By Reuters: Russia needs to ‌urgently expand its homegrown equivalent to Starlink, its Security Council said on Friday, warning that Elon Musk's satellite network could be used to destabilise society and politics in unspecified countries.

Also: ANI News Agency and 6 more
2026-11-06T04:04:26.240294-08:00