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The War Zone

Rusty Dagger cruise missile appears publicly in ground-launched configuration as production expands

The low-cost cruise missile has been seen publicly for the first time in a surface-launched configuration. The debut comes as its manufacturer expands production, bringing attention to both the weapon’s launch options and the effort to increase output.

1 Source

2026-10-22T13:28:21.962926-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon

By Ars Technica: The Russian official who called commercial satellites "legitimate targets" now says concerns are "unfounded.".

1 Source

2026-10-22T12:00:39.389405-07:00

Europe

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

A-4 'Super' Skyhawks Playing The Bad Guys In European Skies

By The War Zone: The A-4 Skyhawk, first flown seven decades ago, is famed for its role as a Cold War 'red air' aggressor, and it lives on doing that mission to this day in Europe.

1 Source

2026-10-22T11:35:04.431826-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters • Aatreyee Dasgupta, Mike Stone

Lockheed lands Pentagon deal for 850 F-35 jets, lifts annual forecast

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin announced an agreement on Thursday to sell the Pentagon at least 850 stealthy ‌F-35 Lightning II fighter jets over the next 10 years, a deal worth at least $78 billion.

Breaking Defense

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to decade-long F-35 framework deal for hundreds of jets

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets

Also: Bloomberg, aviationnews.eu, FlightGlobal, AeroTime, Air Data News, Wall Street Journal, Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week, Stars and Stripes, defence-blog.com, interestingengineering.com, Seeking Alpha and 20 more

47 Sources

2026-10-22T04:04:22.740387-07:00

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force taps six companies to provide satellite surveillance backup

By SpaceNews.com: Illustration by NorthStar Earth & Space WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force has awarded its first operational contracts under a program designed to enlist commercial satellite operators during military crises.

SpaceNews.com

Space Force moves to give startups a foothold in classified programs

SpaceWatch Africa

UK advances new space strategy to bolster defences against threats from space

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, Business Insider, Defense Daily, ssc.spaceforce.mil and insidedefense.com

8 Sources

2026-10-22T09:06:06.316442-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Deals

Breaking Defense • Tim Martin

'Ability to strike back': Denmark commits to long-range missile orders

By Breaking Defense: Copenhagen said it would purchase Joint Strike Missiles for its F-35s and a new ground-launched munition from an American firm.

1 Source

2026-10-22T11:04:42.902964-07:00

Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

The War Zone • Ian Ellis-Jones

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

By The War Zone: Satellite imagery depicts new construction and cleared wreckage after strikes at an Iranian airbase with underground hangars and taxiway tunnels.

1 Source

2026-10-22T07:28:25.086561-07:00

aviation eVTOL UAV Development & Drone Programs Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Beta Technologies

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

2026-10-22T04:04:57.822906-07:00

Rusty Dagger cruise missile appears publicly in ground-launched configuration as production expands

US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon

A-4 'Super' Skyhawks Playing The Bad Guys In European Skies

Lockheed lands Pentagon deal for 850 F-35 jets, lifts annual forecast

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to decade-long F-35 framework deal for hundreds of jets

Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets

Space Force taps six companies to provide satellite surveillance backup

Space Force moves to give startups a foothold in classified programs

UK advances new space strategy to bolster defences against threats from space

'Ability to strike back': Denmark commits to long-range missile orders

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

Skyfly Secures $10 million To Commercialize Axe personal eVTOL aircraft

FAA Grants BETA Technologies First-Ever eVTOL Market Survey Authorization for ALIA A250

BETA Secures First FAA Market Survey Authorisation for Electric VTOL Aircraft

Ground-Launched Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time

US official: Russia's stalker satellite sure looks like an orbital weapon

A-4 'Super' Skyhawks Playing The Bad Guys In European Skies

'Ability to strike back': Denmark commits to long-range missile orders

Space Force taps six companies to provide satellite surveillance backup

Construction Of Iran’s “Eagle 44” Underground Airbase Hasn’t Stopped Despite War

Portuguese KC-390s to refuel Spanish fighters under new bilateral agreement

L3Harris opens robotic rocket motor factory in Arkansas

Argentina’s military accepts sixth and final Bell 407GXi

Space Force scrambles as Musk’s SpaceX retires its major rocket

Musk ordered a slowdown of Ukraine’s military-grade Starlink service, raising concerns over Kyiv’s reliance on the network for w

French Mirage 2000D crashes during night training flight, killing one crew member; second remains missing

UK to deploy Typhoons, Voyager tanker and A400M to support Saudi defensive operations against Houthi attacks

Russian satellite closes to within 3,281 feet of U.S.-registered ICEYE radar satellite

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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