UAV Development & Drone Programs   Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

French Army: Ukraine combat validates helicopters for air assault and counter‑drone roles, accelerates manned–unmanned teaming

French Army leaders say combat in Ukraine has validated the helicopter's role in air‑assault and counter‑drone missions and is accelerating adoption of manned‑unmanned teaming. The comments crystallize operational lessons shaping doctrine, training and capability development, and the integration of unmanned systems for rotary‑wing forces.

2026-01-14T07:46:01.605160-08:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Thales  
thalesgroup.com

Thales' TopOwl DD helmet boosts NH90 pilot situational awareness for low-visibility missions

By thalesgroup.com: The TopOwl offers unmatched capabilities for piloting in low-visibility conditions, ensuring safety and mission success through augmented reality. This is achieved by synthesizing terrain vision with data from mission and flight sensors and cameras as well as light intensifier tubes that will also be improved by as part of this contract.

2026-01-13T23:33:34.744448-08:00
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Completes First Flight Test of Next‑Generation Short‑Range Interceptor (NGSRI)

By Lockheed Martin: WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M,. Jan. 13, 2026 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully completed the first of a series of flight tests to demonstrate its Next-Generation Short-Range...

Also: asdnews.com, Army Recognition, Defense Daily and 4 more
2026-01-13T10:58:03.260699-08:00
Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Shephard Media • Lucy Powell

Project Nightfall to test fire deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine by 2027

By Shephard Media: The UK competition for industry to develop deep-strike capabilities for Ukraine in its war effort against Russia will also provide benefits for the country’s own long-range strike efforts.

Also: asdnews.com
2026-01-13T05:52:10.183590-08:00
China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

China unveils upgraded J-20A and twin-seat J-20S stealth fighters on 15th anniversary of first flight

By Air Data News: Chinese official media have disclosed new details on upgraded variants of the J-20 stealth fighter, designated J-20A and J-20S, marking 15 years since the.

2026-01-14T00:36:33.372381-08:00
MRO   Helicopter   Safran   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Thales  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

France and Spain award contracts to upgrade NH90 special‑forces helicopters for low‑visibility operations

By FlightGlobal: France and Spain look set to significantly enhance the ability of some of their NH Industries NH90 battlefield helicopters to operate in low-visibility conditions following the award of key development contracts to equipment suppliers.

Also: Aviation Week, Janes and news.defcros.com
2026-01-14T01:26:27.589128-08:00