Defense News

Hypersonic Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

USAF’s HACM hypersonic cruise missile begins flight testing over Australia

The U.S. and Australia’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile has entered flight testing over Australia after major delays. The milestone moves the jointly pursued weapon into a test phase, though the available reports provide no further details on the schedule or results.

1 Source

2026-10-05T16:35:36.751075-07:00

Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing

NEW

New York Times • Eric Schmitt, Julian E. Barnes

Potential Iranian Drone Attack Led to Exit of U.S. Aircraft from British Air Base

By New York Times: According to U.S. and British officials, 12 B-1 Air Force bombers from R.A.F. Fairford air base were withdrawn because of the risk of a drone attack ordered by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

1 Source

2026-10-05T19:50:13.742168-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Carley Welch

Pentagon picks 4 vendors for counter-drone directed energy pilot program

By Breaking Defense: AeroVironment, Epirus, Kord and Boeing were selected for JIATF-401's pilot program.

Also: Janes and Defense Scoop

3 Sources

2026-10-05T15:05:49.798265-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airbus Airbus A320

Aviation Week • Tony Osborne

Spain Selects A321 For Sigint Mission, Air Force Pub Reveals

By Aviation Week: Spain has selected Airbus’ A321neo narrowbody airliner as the platform for a new signals intelligence (Sigint) platform.

The War Zone

Spain Picks Airbus A321 For New Electronic Intelligence Aircraft

4 Sources

2026-10-05T10:49:47.580211-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Reuters • Dan Catchpole

After notching two jet fighter contracts, Boeing could be turning the page

By Reuters: Boeing's won the contract for the US Navy's next-generation fighter due to years of investment, decades of experience building carrier-based jets and a design approach that closely matched the Pentagon's push for easier-to-upgrade aircraft, according to people familiar ‌with the competition.

1 Source

2026-10-05T11:19:58.364635-07:00

Satellite Sustainability & Climate Initiatives Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon betting on solar power from space

By SpaceNews.com: Illustration by Overview Energy WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is funding technology to beam solar power from space to Earth, pursuing a potential source of electricity for military installations that depend on vulnerable fuel supply lines.

1 Source

2026-10-05T14:00:40.575955-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

DefenseNews.com

Amentum wins NORAD warning system contract as Raytheon gets missile production award

By DefenseNews.com: Amentum scores a win with a contract to help protect a vital military hub, while Raytheon gets tapped to make more air-to-air missiles.

DefenseNews.com

Boeing locks in 7-year deal to triple PAC-3 MSE seeker output

Breaking Defense

Boeing nabs potential $14.7 billion PAC-3 seeker contract

Also: Reuters, Janes, Aviation Week, Boeing, insidedefense.com, realcleardefense.com, homelandprepnews.com, AirForceTimes, Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and 11 more

28 Sources

2026-10-05T06:50:00.583287-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Lockheed offers to upgrade India's C-130Js for MTA competition

By Air Data News: Lockheed Martin has offered to modernize the Indian Air Force's existing C-130J-30 fleet in its campaign for India's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) competition, which calls for the acquisition of 60 new transport aircraft.

Also: aviationnews.eu

2 Sources

2026-10-05T11:35:17.433466-07:00