Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Airbus

Reuters • Sabine Siebold

Airbus flies Kratos Valkyrie in Europe as it targets collaborative combat capability by 2029

Airbus and Kratos completed the first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie, a US-built uncrewed aircraft intended to operate alongside Eurofighters. The demonstrator reached Mach 0.8; Airbus says the flight campaign supports a European Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability targeted for 2029, though the aircraft has not yet incorporated Airbus’ European mission system.

Aeronews • Teodor Stefan

Airbus and Kratos Complete First European Flight of Valkyrie Uncrewed Combat Aircraft

Airbus

Airbus U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft takes off for its maiden flight in Europe

Also: defence-blog.com, UK Defence Journal, aviationnews.eu, Seeking Alpha, The Aviationist, euro-sd.com and defence-industry.eu

14 Sources

2026-10-12T03:04:31.654848-07:00

aviation North America

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Stratolaunch Roc returns to flight with two sorties on the same day

By Air Data News: The aircraft with the world’s largest wingspan completed two pilot training flights in California after five months on Stratolaunch’s Roc aircraft returned to the skies on October 2, completing two flights from Mojave Air & Space Port in California on the same day after approximately five months without flying.

1 Source

2026-10-12T02:14:37.610165-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

German Space Command's Major General Traut Warns of Russian Threat to Commercial Satellite Networks

By SpaceWatch Global: Germany’s space commander warns Russian satellites shadowing an ICEYE spacecraft could threaten Starlink and allied space networks amid war.

1 Source

2026-10-12T01:34:50.265544-07:00

SAAB Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

Saab Gripen E, the First Brazilian-Built Supersonic Fighter, Flies

By AINonline: Locally-assembled Saab Gripen E will operate from Anápolis Air Force Base.

1 Source

2026-10-12T01:04:52.916006-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Christophe Bosquillon

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Nightingale Song: the UK Echoes the U.S. Space Power Narrative. But Europe Is Not Quite There Yet.

By SpaceWatch Global: Christophe Bosquillon examines the UK's emerging space power doctrine, U.S. orbital weapons and Europe's challenge of turning defence rhetoric into capability.

1 Source

2026-10-12T01:34:51.047971-07:00

Dassault Aviation Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

France plans to continue sixth-generation fighter development alone after FCAS breakup

By Air Data News: Government targets a new demonstrator development phase in 2027, but funding and industrial arrangements France plans to continue developing its next-generation combat aircraft without Germany and Spain, preserving work on a future fighter despite the collapse of the three-country partnership earlier this year.

Also: Simple Flying

2 Sources

2026-10-11T14:14:54.738227-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Air Data News • BAE Systems, Ricardo Meier

GCAP sixth-generation fighter program opens first engineering facility in Italy

By Air Data News: Edgewing, the company responsible for the design and development of the future Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter, has opened its first national engineering facility in Turin, Italy.

1 Source

2026-10-11T13:54:35.976832-07:00

aviation UAV Development & Drone Programs Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Wall Street Journal • Jillian Kay Melchior

The Race to Defeat Russia’s Jet Drones

By Wall Street Journal: The West needs to pay attention as Ukraine defends itself against a novel Russian weapon.

4 Sources

2026-10-11T09:49:20.445090-07:00

Airbus flies Kratos Valkyrie in Europe as it targets collaborative combat capability by 2029

Airbus and Kratos Complete First European Flight of Valkyrie Uncrewed Combat Aircraft

Airbus U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft takes off for its maiden flight in Europe

Stratolaunch Roc returns to flight with two sorties on the same day

German Space Command's Major General Traut Warns of Russian Threat to Commercial Satellite Networks

Saab Gripen E, the First Brazilian-Built Supersonic Fighter, Flies

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Nightingale Song: the UK Echoes the U.S. Space Power Narrative. But Europe Is Not Quite There Yet.

France plans to continue sixth-generation fighter development alone after FCAS breakup

GCAP sixth-generation fighter program opens first engineering facility in Italy

The Race to Defeat Russia’s Jet Drones

Airbus tests Valkyrie drone in Europe, plans 2029 combat readiness

Stratolaunch Roc returns to flight with two sorties on the same day

#SpaceWatchGL GRAY SPACE – The Nightingale Song: the UK Echoes the U.S. Space Power Narrative. But Europe Is Not Quite There Yet.

German Space Command's Major General Traut Warns of Russian Threat to Commercial Satellite Networks

Saab Gripen E, the First Brazilian-Built Supersonic Fighter, Flies

France plans to continue sixth-generation fighter development alone after FCAS breakup

Israel Bans Foreign Pilots and Flight Attendants With Dual Nationality of 31 Countries in Response to Thwarted Terror Attack

Lockheed Martin unveils PAC-3 Edge interceptor designed to counter hypersonic threats

SpaceX launches 21 satellites to orbit for the US military after 5-day delay (video)

Russia may turn to nuclear space weapons to counter U.S. missile defenses, report says

Lockheed Martin unveils PAC-3 Edge interceptor with new seeker, flight controls and multi-pulse motor

RUSI report warns Russia could use nuclear space weapons against U.S. missile defenses

NHIndustries markets 14 low-hour Norwegian NH90 naval helicopters to prospective buyers

Lockheed Martin to provide Philippine Air Force S-70i Black Hawk simulators and training through 2032

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