Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Ashley Roque

Army to offer additional vendors an IFPC interceptor shoot-off alongside Lockheed Martin and Boeing-Anduril teams

The Army will continue working with the Lockheed Martin and Boeing-Anduril teams in the Indirect Fire Protection Capability interceptor competition while hosting a “shoot-off opportunity” for additional vendors, Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano said. The service is inviting companies not selected for the competition to demonstrate their systems.

1 Source

2026-10-14T05:04:52.826372-07:00

Helicopter Sikorsky

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The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Sikorsky Aiming For Black Hawk 'Nose Jobs' To Be Available Within The Next Year

By The War Zone: A larger swappable nose creates opportunities to rapidly inject new capabilities and flexibility into old and new H-60 helicopters.

1 Source

2026-10-14T05:35:32.738882-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Europe Military Aircraft Procurement

NEW

Reuters • Florence Loeve

French navy chief sees no threat to US catapult supply for future carrier

By Reuters: The US has not yet decided whether to abandon the electromagnetic launch system for aircraft carriers, France's navy chief said on Wednesday, two months after President Donald Trump ordered the ‌US Navy to drop the technology that France has chosen for its next carrier.

1 Source

2026-10-14T05:04:39.995540-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement

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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

F-35C fighter lands on Ford-class aircraft carrier for the first time

By Air Data News: The milestone took place aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy, which will enter service fully equipped to operate the stealth fighter, unlike the first carrier of Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II stealth fighter landed aboard the future USS John F.

1 Source

2026-10-14T05:06:30.296429-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement

defence-industry.eu • Martin Chomsky Sea

F-35C fighters complete landing and takeoff trials aboard aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy

By defence-industry.eu: Two Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II fighters have conducted landing and takeoff trials aboard John F. Kennedy in the Atlantic.

The Aviationist

F-35C Lands for the First Time on a Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier

3 Sources

2026-10-14T02:55:15.458631-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization

DefenseNews.com • Eve Sampson

US Army transfers 600 enlisted soldiers to Space Operations Branch

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. Army bolstered its Space Operations Branch by 600 soldiers, officially creating the branch’s first permanent enlisted cadre.

Also: Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com

3 Sources

2026-10-14T02:45:37.031692-07:00

Space Force Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Germany’s European Space Component Command and Academy: The Race for a Location Begins

By SpaceWatch Global: Bavaria and NRW compete to host Germany’s European Space Component Command and Space Safety and Security Academy. Accessibility may decide.

1 Source

2026-10-14T02:55:32.344837-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

By FlightGlobal: Basic trainer began flight activities in Switzerland on 9 October. Pilatus has launched flight-test activities with a first PC-7 MKX ordered for the French air force, with the basic trainer completing a debut sortie on 9 October.

2 Sources

2026-10-14T03:05:45.506125-07:00

Army to offer additional vendors an IFPC interceptor shoot-off alongside Lockheed Martin and Boeing-Anduril teams

Sikorsky Aiming For Black Hawk 'Nose Jobs' To Be Available Within The Next Year

French navy chief sees no threat to US catapult supply for future carrier

F-35C fighter lands on Ford-class aircraft carrier for the first time

F-35C fighters complete landing and takeoff trials aboard aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy

F-35C Lands for the First Time on a Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier

US Army transfers 600 enlisted soldiers to Space Operations Branch

Germany’s European Space Component Command and Academy: The Race for a Location Begins

Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

Sikorsky Aiming For Black Hawk 'Nose Jobs' To Be Available Within The Next Year

Didn't get picked for IFPC interceptor competition? Army says come demo anyway

F-35C fighter lands on Ford-class aircraft carrier for the first time

F-35C fighters complete landing and takeoff trials aboard aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy

French navy chief sees no threat to US catapult supply for future carrier

Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

Airbus Details Progress With Lakota Connector Uncrewed Cargo Helicopter

Garmin Reaches Milestone With 1,000th G1000 King Air Retrofit

Startup wants US soldiers to command AI agents through its smart glasses

Viasat Places Order for All.Space Hydra Max Terminals

Airbus and Kratos fly U740 Valkyrie in Europe, targeting German combat-ready capability by 2029

AEVEX’s Specter is a jet-powered, one-way attack drone pitched for low-cost, multi-mission use

Army finds systemic failures behind fatal UH-60L–airliner collision near Washington

Ukraine tests interceptor drones as Russia deploys fast, jet-powered attack drones over Kyiv

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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