Breaking Defense
• Theresa Hitchens
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has issued a call to industry seeking proposals to field an operational power-beaming capability via satellites. The effort targets power beaming between spacecraft (space-to-space) and downlink to Earth (space-to-ground), with an operational goal by 2030.
Reuters
• Cassell Bryan-Low, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher
By Reuters: Spiralling security risks are expected to push defence to the forefront of Britain's Farnborough Airshow, as aerospace and arms makers struggle to keep pace with demand for weapons while cementing a fragile recovery in civil jet and engine production.
Royal Aeronautical Society
AeroTime
• Jean Carmela Lim
By AeroTime: France and Germany have formally shifted their defense relationship away from the wreckage of a failed joint fighter jet program. President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz met near Cologne on July 17, 2026, to move toward new areas of cooperation, including nuclear deterrence.
AeroTime
• Jean Carmela Lim
By AeroTime: Australia’s Northern Territory will serve as a hub of international air power from July 20 to August 7, 2026, as 19 partner nations take part in Exercise Pitch Black 26, a three-week air combat training exercise.
FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
By FlightGlobal: The VENOM jets use an aftermarket kit that allows a pilot to switch between traditional human flight controls and autonomous flight with the flip of a switch.
FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
By FlightGlobal: Second surveillance aircraft completes functional check flight. Boeing Defence UK has completed the first flight of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) second E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, and received a new contract to support the type’s introduction to service.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
By FlightGlobal: The Australian government will explore several financing models to fill trainer requirement. Canberra has reached out to airframers as it explores possibilities to replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF's) fleet of BAE Systems Hawk 127 advanced jet trainers.
AINonline
• Charlotte Bailey
By AINonline: Odys VTOL extends counter-drone system aloft.
defence-blog.com
Via Satellite
• Mark Holmes
