Today In Defense
Last Updated: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, 5:07 AM PDT
2025-09-18T05:07:13.693954-07:00 2025-09-18T05:07:13.693954-07:00 (2025-09-18T05:07:13.693954-07:00)
Space.com
• Tereza Pultarova
Ukraine destroys giant radio telescope used by Russian military
By Space.com: The RT-70 radio telescope in Crimea was once used to support missions to Venus and transmit messages to potential alien life in the cosmos.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
RAND Urges USAF to Expand European Cross‑Servicing to Support Agile Combat Employment amid F‑16/F‑35 Interoperability Issues
By FlightGlobal: US think tank Rand has urged the US Air Force to deepen maintenance partnerships with European allies to support dispersed operations under the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy, citing challenges with Lockheed Martin F-16 and F-35 interoperability.
SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
US Space Force chief warns U.S. satellite tracking is 'too slow' for modern threats
By SpaceNews.com: Space Force chief: Current satellite tracking ‘too slow' for modern threats Space Force Chief: Current satellite tracking ‘too slow' for modern threats.
Bloomberg Law
• Tony Capaccio
Pentagon Completes Golden Dome Outline, Though Silent on Costs
By Bloomberg Law: Space Force General Michael Guetlein, the four-star general leading President Donald Trump’s effort to build the Golden Dome air and space missile defense network, has completed a blueprint for the program, but the Pentagon declined to give any details about its scope or cost.
Aviation Week
• Robert Wall
Israel’s Iron Dome Cleared for Production Deliveries After Graduation Exercise
By Aviation Week: Iron Beam prime contractor Rafael, along with the Israeli Air Force and the Directorate of Defense Research & Development, have completed weeks of testing in southern Israel.
The Aviationist
• Parth Satam
PLA Publicly Shows Conversion of Legacy J-6 Fighter into UAV/UCAV for Taiwan Strait Operations
By The Aviationist: Reports indicated the PLA Air Force is converting its older J-6, J-7 and J-8 jets into UAVs and UCAVs to be used from airfields in the Taiwan Strait. In.
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
Portugal signs for sixth KC‑390 and secures 10 NATO purchase options
By AeroTime: Portugal and Embraer have signed an amendment confirming a sixth KC-390 and 10 purchase options first announced in June, reinforcing its NATO role.
