UAV Development & Drone Programs   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Footage appears to show Patriot intercepting Russian 3M22 Zircon during Feb. 15–16 strike

Video released by Ukraine’s Air Command Center appears to show a Patriot surface‑to‑air missile system intercepting a Russian 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile amid a Feb. 15–16 strike that Kyiv says also included four Zirkons, an Iskander, a Kh‑31 and about 62 drones, with at least 13 injured.

2026-02-17T01:13:37.142660-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
aviationnews.eu • Jeroen Vogelaar

Peru Approves €60M Budget for C-27J Spartan Next Generation Fleet Expansion to Boost Tactical Airlift

By aviationnews.eu: Aviation News – The Fuerza Aérea del Peru (FAP) is set to significantly bolster its tactical airlift capabilities following the approval of a €60 million (240 million sol) budget for the acquisiti….

Also: Air Data News
2026-02-16T09:40:46.119150-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Bayraktar  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Bayraktar TB3 conducts live naval strikes from Turkish carrier during exercise

By FlightGlobal: Turkey's Bayraktar TB3 unmanned air vehicle has successfully conducted live naval strikes from the TCG Anadolu aircraft carrier during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise in the Baltic Sea, marking a significant milestone in carrier-based UAV operations.

Also: Daily Sabah, defence-industry.eu and defence.m5dergi.com
2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US Army tests 30mm proximity-fused rounds from AH‑64 Apache to counter drones

By FlightGlobal: The US Army has successfully tested new 30mm proximity-fused cannon ammunition aboard the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, enhancing the rotorcraft's ability to engage unmanned aircraft systems at various ranges during trials at Arizona's Yuma Proving Ground.

2026-02-16T20:44:36.344199-08:00
AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Bloomberg • Katrina Manson

SpaceX and xAI Join Secret Pentagon Contest to Develop Voice-Controlled Autonomous Drone Swarms

By Bloomberg: Elon Musk’s SpaceX and wholly owned subsidiary xAI are competing in a secretive new Pentagon contest to produce voice-controlled, autonomous drone swarming technology, according to people familiar with the matter.

Also: Bloomberg Law and Stars and Stripes
2026-02-16T11:04:25.060566-08:00
Saudi Arabia   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Saudi Arabia orders four C-27J Spartan transports for maritime patrol missions

By FlightGlobal: Saudi Arabia has ordered four Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical transports in a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) configuration. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029, the Italian airframer says.

Also: Air Data News, AeroTime, Aviacionline, Janes and Aviation Week
2026-02-16T02:24:27.096294-08:00