Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI General Atomics Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

General Atomics and Spirit Defense team to ramp up FQ-42 fighter-drone production for USAF demand

General Atomics is working with Spirit Defense, a Boeing subsidiary, to help increase production of its FQ-42 collaborative combat aircraft as the U.S. Air Force seeks fighter drones over the next six years. The partnership points to an effort to build manufacturing capacity around the emerging uncrewed combat-aircraft requirement.

Also: Simple Flying

2 Sources

2026-10-23T13:55:38.289121-07:00

Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

Inside the Pentagon, the pressure is on to find a home for a new spaceport

By Ars Technica: Space Force considering options: public-private, federal installation, state land.

1 Source

2026-10-23T13:04:54.797379-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Denmark To Buy Anthem Munitions, Joint Strike Missiles In Dual Long-Range Strike Push

By The War Zone: The ground- and air-launched weapons will give Denmark all-new options for striking deep behind enemy lines as NATO reinforces its Baltic flank.

Also: defensemirror.com, grosswald.org and defenceagenda.com

4 Sources

2026-10-23T10:05:50.479994-07:00

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Dassault chief reiterates demonstrator plan for Rafale-successor sixth-gen fighter

By FlightGlobal: Eric Trappier says aircraft could be flying by 2031 provided development contract is received promptly.

Also: Reuters

2 Sources

2026-10-23T09:05:03.513561-07:00

Satellite Space Force Military Aircraft Procurement Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon looking past Earth orbit for its next military frontier

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is moving to acquire its first military capabilities designed for the vast reaches between Earth and the moon, setting a goal of fielding an initial system by late 2029 as Pentagon leaders describe cislunar space as a future battlefield.

Also: SpaceNews.com, SpaceNews.com and insidedefense.com

4 Sources

2026-10-23T07:49:03.164448-07:00

North America Accident

The Hill • Ryan J. Karlin

2 Air Force pilots eject from training jet in Texas

By The Hill: Two Air Force pilots safely ejected from their aircraft near San Antonio on Thursday because of potential issues with their landing gear.

Also: avweb.com

2 Sources

2026-10-23T08:14:43.417246-07:00

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling

By DefenseNews.com: The goal is for AI to automatically analyze refueling operations from cameras mounted on the tankers and provide “hot wash” feedback to the tanker crews.

news.ssbcrack.com

U.S. Air Force Seeks AI Solutions for Enhanced Aerial Refueling Training

Also: DefenseNews.com, Military Times and Military Times

5 Sources

2026-10-23T07:50:39.264810-07:00

Eurofighter Dassault Aviation Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

2026-10-23T04:34:27.445582-07:00

General Atomics and Spirit Defense team to ramp up FQ-42 fighter-drone production for USAF demand

Inside the Pentagon, the pressure is on to find a home for a new spaceport

Denmark To Buy Anthem Munitions, Joint Strike Missiles In Dual Long-Range Strike Push

Dassault chief reiterates demonstrator plan for Rafale-successor sixth-gen fighter

Pentagon looking past Earth orbit for its next military frontier

2 Air Force pilots eject from training jet in Texas

US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling

U.S. Air Force Seeks AI Solutions for Enhanced Aerial Refueling Training

RAF Typhoons and French Rafales train together in first joint nuclear deterrence exercise

France, UK carry out joint airborne nuclear-strike exercise for first time

British jets join French nuclear exercise for first time, France says

General Atomics FQ-42 CCA Drone Production Ramp Up To Be Boosted By Boeing Subsidiary

Inside the Pentagon, the pressure is on to find a home for a new spaceport

Denmark To Buy Anthem Munitions, Joint Strike Missiles In Dual Long-Range Strike Push

Dassault chief reiterates demonstrator plan for Rafale-successor sixth-gen fighter

‘The West can’t stop me’: Space wars heat up as Russia tails a Ukraine-linked US satellite

2 Air Force pilots eject from training jet in Texas

‘The West can’t stop me’: Space wars heat up as Russia tails a Ukraine-linked US satellite

Exclusive: DoD Taps Orbital Operations for Cryogenic Spacecraft Demo

Qatari Barzan unveils aerial drones, unmanned surface vessels at Milipol 2026

RAF aircraft will be used to fight wildfires for first time

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agree to 10-year F-35 framework for at least 850 aircraft, pending congressional approval and fundi

French Mirage 2000D crashes during night training flight, killing one crew member; second remains missing

FAA authorizes BETA’s ALIA A250 eVTOL for market-survey flights with prospective customers

Russian Su-30SM crashes during training in Kaliningrad; both crew members eject

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Lockheed Martin’s Vectis unmanned fighter will have both air-to-air and air-to-ground capability

EXCLUSIVE: Saudi missile plant expansion may produce more powerful missiles, study says

China’s first aircraft carrier forms ‘evolving pattern’ of voyages in disputed Asian seas

EU awards €29.5M to Lithuania, Estonia for drone warhead production

Iceye and Nokia Look to Develop Satcom Capability for Ukraine

Rocket Report: SpaceX says no thanks to military launches; Spanish rocket nearly ready

Portugal authorizes purchase of three C-390s for Greece

Indonesian F-16s, Super Tucanos practice on civilian road