Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Pentagon proposes $2 billion for Lockheed's classified AIM-260, signaling possible production acceleration

The Trump administration's proposed budget includes $2 billion for Lockheed Martin's classified AIM-260 air-to-air missile program, a sizeable boost that, according to Pentagon documents, could accelerate production timelines and increase the likelihood of near-term deployment of the weapon now in development.

Also: Bloomberg Law
2026-04-07T14:12:42.839712-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF to Deploy K1000 Solar-Powered Ultra-Long-Endurance UAV to Middle East for ISR and Communications Relay

By FlightGlobal: Having previously demonstrated a flight endurance of more than 75h, the uncrewed K1000ULE is meant as an airborne communications retransmission node or a platform for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

2026-04-07T10:47:19.733741-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Indonesia moves toward receiving KF-21 prototype as Jakarta weighs fighter options and ends Boeing talks

By Air Data News: South Korea has agreed to transfer one of the six KF-21 Boramae prototypes to Indonesia, advancing the long-delayed joint fighter program between the two countries as the aircraft nears the end of its development phase.

Also: Aviacionline
2026-04-07T08:59:30.307332-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

US Army conducts first launched-effect of Anduril Altius 700 from AH-64E Apache

By AeroTime: An AH-64E Apache launched an Anduril Altius 700 medium-range drone at Yuma Proving Ground in the first launched effect deployment from the attack helicopter.

Also: aviationnews.eu, defenceconnect.com.au and united24media.com
2026-04-07T07:26:15.258756-07:00
Supply Chain   Europe   M&A   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

UK's Senior agrees to $1.9 billion takeover by aerospace investor Tinicum and Blackstone

By Reuters: Senior Plc agreed on Tuesday to a 1.4 billion pound ($1.9 billion) takeover proposal from a consortium comprising Tinicum and Blackstone , potentially ending months of pursuit of the British aerospace and defence supplier.

Also: Financial Times
2026-04-07T06:26:43.950116-07:00
Helicopter   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

South Korean Army Surion Helicopter Intrudes Into DMZ During Yeoncheon Wildfire Suppression; Joint Military Probe Launched

By AeroTime: A South Korean Army Surion helicopter crossed into the DMZ while battling a wildfire near the border, sparking an investigation into whether it reached the MDL.

2026-04-07T02:51:54.376198-07:00