Defense News

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Space Force weighs $1B Space Exchange Point satellite network to connect incompatible military constellations

The Space Force is considering 12 or 13 Space Exchange Point satellites to translate communications between SpaceX’s SDN Backbone and other Pentagon communications and missile-tracking satellites, according to sources. The proposed fix could cost about $1 billion, addressing an interoperability gap among systems intended to support military space operations.

Also: SpaceNews.com and insidedefense.com

3 Sources

2026-11-06T06:28:44.525483-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

By FlightGlobal: Victory in the navy’s F/A-XX contest, along with its earlier F-47 win, means the airframer has a stranglehold on US sixth-generation fighter programmes.

1 Source

2026-11-06T06:05:13.503488-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Bloomberg • Jen Judson

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon has tasked US robotics startup Machina Labs with trying to mass-produce cheap attack drones in quickly assembled modular factories as autonomous systems continue to change modern warfare.

1 Source

2026-11-06T06:05:23.219890-08:00

Eurofighter Europe Airbus Airbus A320

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

By AeroTime: The Eurofighter-nosed Airbus A320 has completed flight validation with the ECRS Mk1 radar in Germany, ahead of 2027 deliveries to German and Spanish fighters.

Also: Simple Flying and hensoldt.net

4 Sources

2026-11-06T05:34:27.503342-08:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Payload • Daniel Molland

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

By Payload: Russia’s recent RPO likely allowed it to characterize ICEYE's radar in enough detail to build a ground-based jammer (or spoofer) to deploy in Ukraine next year.

1 Source

2026-11-06T05:35:14.840539-08:00

Satellite Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

AST SpaceMobile Joins U.S. Space Force Program to Advance Space-Based Sensing

By SpaceWatch Global: AST SpaceMobile will support STR under a USSF program to advance space-based sensing using commercially developed satellite technology.

Bloomberg

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

SpaceNews.com

AST SpaceMobile to develop own rocket using Firefly engines

Also: Payload, CNA, Seeking Alpha, fireflyspace.com and exterrajsc.com

8 Sources

2026-11-06T01:34:55.539636-08:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Reuters • Andrew Osborn

Russia must swiftly expand its answer to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, security council says

By Reuters: Russia needs to ‌urgently expand its homegrown equivalent to Starlink, its Security Council said on Friday, warning that Elon Musk's satellite network could be used to destabilise society and politics in unspecified countries.

Reuters

Russia using own version of Starlink for military comms over Ukraine, Kyiv says

moderndiplomacy.eu

Russia's Answer to Starlink Is Already Operating Over Ukraine

Also: ANI News Agency and 3 more

7 Sources

2026-11-06T04:04:26.240294-08:00

Helicopter Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

By FlightGlobal: European Defence Fund initiative will develop technologies for next-generation military powerplant. Work on a project that could eventually yield a European next-generation military rotorcraft engine has officially kicked off.

1 Source

2026-11-06T05:05:32.380563-08:00

Space Force weighs $1B Space Exchange Point satellite network to connect incompatible military constellations

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

AST SpaceMobile Joins U.S. Space Force Program to Advance Space-Based Sensing

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

AST SpaceMobile to develop own rocket using Firefly engines

Russia must swiftly expand its answer to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, security council says

Russia using own version of Starlink for military comms over Ukraine, Kyiv says

Russia's Answer to Starlink Is Already Operating Over Ukraine

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

Europe nears decision on competing hypersonic interceptor programs

Elysian to develop next-generation drone technologies via Dutch defence ministry project

F-35B releases Meteor missile from internal weapons bay for first time

Kazakhstan air force welcomes its second A400M airlifter

ArianeGroup and France’s DGA complete second SyLEx sounding-rocket flight, testing technology for M51.4

RIAT to leave RAF Fairford for MOD Boscombe Down from 2027

Korean Air’s aerospace unit pursues defense growth in South Korea’s uncrewed aircraft market

Eurofighter consortium sees market for 200-plus additional Typhoons, with operations extending beyond 2060

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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