Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera drone built for extreme range as a potential Reaper successor

Swarm Aero has debuted Gamera, a simple, non-stealthy aircraft designed around extreme range rather than low observability. The company is positioning the drone as a potential successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, challenging prevailing assumptions about the design priorities for long-endurance unmanned aircraft.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-14T06:05:26.356923-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Satellogic to launch six more Earth-observation satellites for Office of Naval Research Slingshot III program

By SpaceNews.com: PARIS – Satellogic announced an agreement Sept. 14 with Innovative Defense Technologies to launch six additional Earth-observation satellites for the U.S.

1 Source

2026-09-14T05:16:36.719062-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Washington Post • Brady Africk, Elaine McCusker

The U.S. should fight like its enemies are watching

By Washington Post: America’s adversaries target U.S. bases using satellite imagery. Here’s how the U.S. should respond.

1 Source

2026-09-14T03:50:07.949765-07:00

AI Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon seeks AI to turn space, missile data into decisions within seconds

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is seeking an artificial intelligence system capable of turning a flood of space, missile and intelligence data into operational threat assessments within seconds, a demanding application that would move commercial AI closer to the military decision-making loop.

2 Sources

2026-09-14T01:45:42.251140-07:00

Europe Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

defence-industry.eu • Martin Chomsky

Finland joins French nuclear deterrence initiative, opening path to joint drills and temporary deployments of French strategic air forces

By defence-industry.eu: Finland has agreed to join France’s initiative on the European dimension of its nuclear deterrent after confidential talks between the two governments.

AeroTime

Finland opens talks on nuclear-capable French Rafale deployments

2 Sources

2026-09-14T01:50:44.830076-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Cost of B-21 bomber infrastructure at first operational base doubles to US$2 billion

By Air Data News: US Air Force estimated a US$1 billion investment at Ellsworth in 2021, while preparations continue to receive the first Raider in 2027 estimated cost of infrastructure required to accommodate the B-21 Raider at Ellsworth Air Force Base has doubled to about US$2 billion, five years after the U.S.

Also: defensehere.com

2 Sources

2026-09-14T00:21:01.321526-07:00

Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Lockheed Martin teases mysterious new Skunk Works aircraft

By Air Data News: Cryptic video offers only a frontal silhouette, with the Vectis collaborative combat aircraft a likely candidate ahead of its planned first flight in 2027.

1 Source

2026-09-14T02:21:07.524144-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Bayraktar

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Baykar conducts ballistic missile test from Akinci UAV

By FlightGlobal: New UAV-300 weapon adds to Akinci’s available strike options. Turkish uncrewed aircraft maker Baykar has successfully tested a new supersonic ballistic missile launched from its Akinci UAV.

1 Source

2026-09-13T23:35:25.404543-07:00

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera drone built for extreme range as a potential Reaper successor

Satellogic to launch six more Earth-observation satellites for Office of Naval Research Slingshot III program

The U.S. should fight like its enemies are watching

Pentagon seeks AI to turn space, missile data into decisions within seconds

Finland joins French nuclear deterrence initiative, opening path to joint drills and temporary deployments of French strategic air forces

Finland opens talks on nuclear-capable French Rafale deployments

Cost of B-21 bomber infrastructure at first operational base doubles to US$2 billion

Lockheed Martin teases mysterious new Skunk Works aircraft

Baykar conducts ballistic missile test from Akinci UAV

Swarm Aero debuts Gamera drone in bid to succeed Reaper

Satellogic to launch six more Earth-observation satellites for Office of Naval Research Slingshot III program

The U.S. should fight like its enemies are watching

Finland joins French nuclear deterrence initiative, opening path to joint drills and temporary deployments of French strategic air forces

Lockheed Martin teases mysterious new Skunk Works aircraft

Pentagon seeks AI to turn space, missile data into decisions within seconds

Trump downplays report China entities helped Iran before attack that killed US troops

Operational F-15EX drops live bombs for first time

U.S. Links Chinese Satellite Imagery to Iranian Strike That Killed Three Troops

Australia clears JASSM-ER, LRASM for Super Hornets

France advances Rafale F5 as Pegase 2026 projects combat and support capability into the 2030s

U.S. Says Chinese Satellite Imagery Supported Iranian Strike That Killed Three Troops

Indra to Develop New Tactical UAS Family for Spain, With First Deliveries Planned for 2028

European defense industry group urges vigilance after suspicious incidents

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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