Defense News

L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Axios • Colin Demarest

L3Harris opens robotic rocket motor factory in Arkansas

L3Harris has opened a robotic rocket motor factory in Camden, Arkansas, adding a new production facility to a site where the company already operates more than 100 buildings across 2,000 acres. The announcement highlights continued investment in the company’s manufacturing footprint, though no output or capacity figures were provided.

1 Source

2026-10-22T08:28:38.693737-07:00

Europe Embraer

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

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

By Air Data News: Spain’s Eurofighters and F-18s are compatible with the tanker’s hose-and-drogue system, unlike Portugal’s own F-16s Portugal and Spain have approved a bilateral agreement that will allow Portuguese Air Force Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft equipped for aerial refueling to support Spanish military aircraft.

1 Source

2026-10-22T07:35:00.897073-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Orders

FlightGlobal • Lizzie Rix

Argentina’s military accepts sixth and final Bell 407GXi

By FlightGlobal: The helicopters will help to enhance operational capability. The Argentinian armed forces have received their sixth Bell 407GXi, completing a process initiated in 2023.

1 Source

2026-10-22T06:05:29.759767-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

BlackSky announces Gen-3 contract with international defense agency

By SpaceNews.com: ISCO — BlackSky Technology announced a “seven-figure” contract to provide an international defense agency in a “contested region” with assured access to high-resolution Gen-3 imagery and data, Herndon, Virginia-based BlackSky announced Oct.

1 Source

2026-10-22T05:35:43.875841-07:00

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

Reuters

Lockheed, Pentagon strike initial deal to produce 850 F-35 jets

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin has entered an initial production and sustainment agreement with the Department of Defense for at least 850 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets over ‌the next 10 years, they said on Thursday.

1 Source

2026-10-22T04:04:23.001323-07:00

Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Politico • Audrey Decker

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

By Politico: Other rocket-makers have faced delays getting their vehicles up and running, leaving the Pentagon in a bind.

1 Source

2026-10-22T03:37:08.459279-07:00

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

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

Skyfly Secures $10 million To Commercialize Axe personal eVTOL aircraft

By AINonline: Hybrid-electric uncrewed defense variant also revealed.

Aviation Week

Beta Details VTOL Progress Following FAA Market Survey Approval

mrobusinesstoday.com

BETA Technologies’ ALIA A250 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

Also: India Defense News and 3 more

8 Sources

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

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Aatreyee Dasgupta, Mike Stone

Lockheed lifts annual forecast as missile, jet production ramps up

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin raised its annual sales and profit forecasts on Thursday after beating Wall Street estimates for third-quarter results, as ‌ongoing geopolitical conflicts drove demand for its missile defense systems and fighter jets.

1 Source

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

L3Harris opens robotic rocket motor factory in Arkansas

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

Argentina’s military accepts sixth and final Bell 407GXi

BlackSky announces Gen-3 contract with international defense agency

Lockheed, Pentagon strike initial deal to produce 850 F-35 jets

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

Skyfly Secures $10 million To Commercialize Axe personal eVTOL aircraft

Beta Details VTOL Progress Following FAA Market Survey Approval

BETA Technologies’ ALIA A250 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

Lockheed lifts annual forecast as missile, jet production ramps up

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

BlackSky announces Gen-3 contract with international defense agency

Lockheed lifts annual forecast as missile, jet production ramps up

Lockheed, Pentagon strike initial deal to produce 850 F-35 jets

Turkey says it is waiting for sale contract from Qatar for Eurofighter Typhoon jet procurement

How Does the Ukrainian Military Use Starlink?

Any Decision To Buy New-Build F-16s Not An "Urgent" Priority: USAF

AIM-174B, AIM-260A seen together on Super Hornet for the first time

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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