Satellite   Hypersonic   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
Aviation Week • Robert Wall

POLARIS wins German BAAINBw contract to build two-stage reusable hypersonic vehicle for satellite deployment

POLARIS Spaceplanes has won a contract from Germany’s BAAINBw to develop and flight-test a two-stage, horizontal take-off, fully reusable hypersonic research vehicle capable of deploying satellites. The programme—reported to have prior DARPA and UK DE&S support—targets reusable high-speed flight demonstration and orbital delivery technologies.

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

POLARIS Spaceplanes Wins Contract for Reusable Hypersonic Vehicle

Also: defence-industry.eu
2026-01-27T04:07:10.953720-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Tayfun Ozberk

Turkey delivers first armed drone to Ukrainian Navy, much to Russia’s ire

By DefenseNews.com: After completing acceptance tests, the drone, along with mobile control terminals and spare parts, will be deployed at the Ukrainian Navy’s 10th Naval Aviation Brigade in Mykolaiv.

2026-01-27T21:03:21.468293-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Lockheed’s Record F‑35 Deliveries Mask Backlog of Jets Delayed About Two Years, Pentagon Says

By Bloomberg: Lockheed Martin Corp.’s record F-35 deliveries last year come with a caveat: Slightly less than half of the 191 jets the US accepted in its largest weapons program should have been delivered about two years ago, according to the Pentagon.

Also: Simple Flying and Bloomberg Law
2026-01-27T18:09:29.839678-08:00
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close

By The War Zone: A photo has surfaced that appears to show a mock-up of the roughly 20-foot-long weapon on display at an exhibition. A photo has appeared that appears to show a mock-up of the roughly 20-foot weapon on display in an exhibition.

2026-01-27T16:18:03.966237-08:00