AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Bloomberg • Katrina Manson

SpaceX and xAI enter classified Pentagon contest for voice‑controlled autonomous drone swarms

SpaceX and its wholly owned AI subsidiary xAI are competing in a classified Pentagon contest to develop voice‑controlled, autonomous drone‑swarm technology, people familiar with the matter say. The entry brings Musk’s space and AI capabilities into a sensitive U.S. defence autonomy competition against traditional contractors.

Also: Bloomberg Law
2026-02-16T11:04:25.060566-08:00
F-16   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Jaroslaw Adamowski

Slovakia in talks with US to buy four more F-16s

By DefenseNews.com: The additional jets would enable the country to shoulder its own air-policing missions, according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

2026-02-16T05:25:36.084345-08:00
Saudi Arabia   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Saudi Arabia orders four C-27J Spartan transports for maritime patrol missions

By FlightGlobal: Saudi Arabia has ordered four Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical transports in a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) configuration. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029, the Italian airframer says.

Also: Air Data News, AeroTime, Janes and Aviation Week
2026-02-16T02:24:27.096294-08:00
Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon puts portions of LEO constellation on hold amid acquisition reviews

By SpaceNews.com: Portions of the Pentagon’s LEO constellation on hold as acquisition reviews proceed Portions of the Pentagon’s LEO constellation on hold as acquisition reviews proceed.

2026-02-16T03:17:22.289906-08:00
Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Boeing  
war.gov

DoD and DOE Transport Next‑Gen Microreactor to Hill AFB Aboard C‑17 to Boost Military Energy Resilience

By war.gov: At March Air Reserve Base, Calif., a next-generation nuclear reactor was loaded aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for transport to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, ensuring greater energy security for.

2026-02-15T19:42:16.185836-08:00