Defense News

NASA

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

NASA’s SR-71 revival remains unconfirmed, but aircraft #844 offers a credible path back to flight

NASA has not confirmed plans to return SR-71 Blackbird #844 to the air, but the aircraft’s existing attributes could make it the strongest candidate for a revival. The effort could also deliver value beyond flight-test data by rebuilding expertise around the Blackbird’s specialized supply chain.

2 Sources

2026-09-30T16:20:38.677290-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

What will Golden Dome actually defend? Senators press for answers

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Congressional budget analysts have finally been briefed on the Pentagon’s classified Golden Dome architecture, six months after producing a $1.2 trillion estimate that has become a flashpoint in the debate over the missile-defense program.

1 Source

2026-09-30T15:00:39.743849-07:00

AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

CNBC • Luke Fountain

Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to help Pentagon with warfare initiative, Hegseth says

By CNBC: Pete Hegseth, in remarks about the state of the military, announced a project led by two GOP-supporting tech executives to examine military capabilities.

Air & Space Forces Mag

Hegseth Unveils New Autonomous Warfare Command in ‘State of the Force’ Address

Bloomberg

Hegseth Picks Musk, Luckey, Gingrich for Warfare Research Unit

Also: ANI News Agency

5 Sources

2026-09-30T13:05:17.446922-07:00

Aircraft Carrier North America

The War Zone • Ian Ellis-Jones

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group Deploy from West Coast

By The War Zone: The five-ship Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and three-ship Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group deploy back-to-back from the West Coast.

Also: Forbes

2 Sources

2026-09-30T13:35:48.528603-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Ukraine’s F-16 Fleet Is In A Readiness Crisis

By The War Zone: As the war rages on, more than half of the aging fighters are reportedly grounded, while Western air-to-air missile stocks are also running low. As the war rages on, more than half of the aging fighters are reportedly grounded, while Western air-to-air missile stocks are also running low.

1 Source

2026-09-30T10:16:38.019286-07:00

Middle East Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Alex Wickham

Burnham Says Iran Likely Involved in UK Airbase Incident

By Bloomberg: Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK government believes the Iranian state was behind a security incident at an airbase that’s used by the US to launch strikes on the country.

politico.eu

UK says Iran involved in RAF Fairford incident

Reuters

UK links Iran to suspected plot outside airbase used by US bombers

Also: NBC News, Economic Times, Euronews and 5 more

12 Sources

2026-09-30T09:10:50.661403-07:00

Hypersonic 777X Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

2026-09-30T10:35:38.597645-07:00

Aircraft Carrier MRO Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • J.D. Simkins

2026-09-30T09:05:35.002029-07:00

NASA’s SR-71 revival remains unconfirmed, but aircraft #844 offers a credible path back to flight

What will Golden Dome actually defend? Senators press for answers

Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to help Pentagon with warfare initiative, Hegseth says

Hegseth Unveils New Autonomous Warfare Command in ‘State of the Force’ Address

Hegseth Picks Musk, Luckey, Gingrich for Warfare Research Unit

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group Deploy from West Coast

Ukraine’s F-16 Fleet Is In A Readiness Crisis

Burnham Says Iran Likely Involved in UK Airbase Incident

UK says Iran involved in RAF Fairford incident

UK links Iran to suspected plot outside airbase used by US bombers

Stratolaunch acquires Boeing 777-200ER to support hypersonic Talon-A flights

Stratolaunch buys Boeing 777 to expand hypersonic flight testing

Stratolaunch buys Boeing 777 for hypersonic testing

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to undergo $5.1B mid-life overhaul

Navy Takes Partial Acceptance of CVN-79 Carrier, HII Nabs CVN-75 Midlife Overhaul Contract

USS Harry S. Truman to Undergo $5.1 Billion Mid-Life Overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding

Lessons Learned From Getting An SR-71 In The Air Again May Be As Valuable As Its Flight Test Data

What will Golden Dome actually defend? Senators press for answers

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group Deploy from West Coast

Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to help Pentagon with warfare initiative, Hegseth says

Anduril requests flight approval for new twin-boom CP-200 remotely piloted aircraft

Stratolaunch acquires Boeing 777-200ER to support hypersonic Talon-A flights

Anduril requests flight approval for new twin-boom CP-200 remotely piloted aircraft

Sweden contributes fighter jets to NATO mission in Poland again

Could an SR-71 Blackbird fly again? NASA's secretive moves raise the possibility

Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller to lead U.S. Space Command

Two aviators eject after EA-18G Growler landing mishap aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Raytheon wins up to $20.7 billion contract to produce AMRAAM missiles at record rates

Boeing expands St. Louis facilities as F-47 production ramps up

Raytheon wins up to $20.7 billion contract to produce AMRAAM missiles at record rates

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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