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Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Navy receives first C-130J-30 for conversion into E-130J Phoenix II nuclear communications aircraft

The U.S. Navy has taken delivery of the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules destined for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II. The aircraft will support the Take Charge And Move Out mission, replacing the jet-powered E-6B Mercury as the Navy’s airborne nuclear communications platform.

Also: FlightGlobal, defence-industry.eu and insidedefense.com
2026-10-16T08:55:27.398383-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   North America   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
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DefenseNews.com • Eve Sampson

‘Weaponized light’: KBR’s new base defense technology pits lasers against drones

By DefenseNews.com: The Pentagon recently selected KBR's Firefly system for a pilot program to test defending U.S. military installations against adversarial drones.

Also: Army Times, news.ssbcrack.com and Military Times
2026-10-16T07:05:37.495856-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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Reuters

Bulgaria seeks NATO anti-drone systems, says defence minister

By Reuters: Bulgaria has formally asked NATO to deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone ​systems to bolster its defences after a series of drone ‌attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Friday.

Also: DefenseNews.com and Unmanned Airspace
2026-10-16T02:04:22.587588-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Satellite   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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Reuters

(JA) Russia Nearly Completes Large Drone Launch Base in Just Six Weeks, Satellite Images Show; Ukraine Struggles to Counter Drones Traveling Up to 600 km/h

By Reuters: ロシアが、ジェットエンジン搭載ドローンを発射する大規模な新基地を、わずか6週間でほぼ完成させた。防衛専門家の見解とロイターによる衛星画像の分析で分かった。 この施設はウクライナにほど近い場所にあり、ロシアが攻撃能力を拡大させていることを示している。 プラネット・ラブズとエアバスが提供した商用衛星画像によると、ロシア南西部ロストフ州の建設地は、8月31日時点では何もない野原だった。しかし、10月14日までにサッカー場約126面分の広さを持つ複合施設に変わっていた。.

2026-10-15T17:50:39.331345-07:00
Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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Bloomberg • Gerry Doyle

Why US Eyes in the Sky Are So Vital to Ukraine’s Defense

By Bloomberg: In the face of Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine needs more than weapons to protect itself. Satellites provide a crucial early warning that a projectile has been launched, as well as information on how to intercept it.

2026-10-15T21:05:14.196653-07:00