Defense News

Viasat Satellite Europe Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Viasat and Poland’s PGZ explore military SATCOM and space cooperation

Viasat and Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa have signed a letter of intent to examine cooperation on advanced military satellite communications, ground infrastructure and broader space capabilities. The agreement, signed Sept. 16, 2026, could establish a framework for future collaboration between the U.S. provider and Poland’s defense group.

2 Sources

2026-09-17T01:55:58.096952-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Thales

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France qualifies Rafale’s Talios targeting pod for upgraded Mirage 2000D

By AeroTime: France has qualified the Talios targeting pod for its upgraded Mirage 2000D fleet, replacing Damocles with improved targeting and tracking capabilities.

1 Source

2026-09-17T01:37:35.304344-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Boeing

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Houthi rebels claim shoot down of Saudi F-15SA

By FlightGlobal: The F-15SA is among the most advanced versions of the venerable twin-tailed jet. Yemen’s Houthi militant group has claimed the shootdown of a Boeing F-15SA fighter operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).

aviationnews.eu

Yemen’s Houthis Claim Downing of Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Fighter Over Marib

Janes

Houthis claim shooting down of Saudi fighter in first combat loss for Advanced Eagle

5 Sources

2026-09-16T19:50:08.244740-07:00

Saudi Arabia China Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals Defense Policy

New York Times • Dustin Volz, Edward Wong

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

By New York Times: Internal reports, including one from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, say China could acquire U.S. jet technology through spying or cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Also: AeroTime and Economic Times

4 Sources

2026-09-16T14:50:07.547466-07:00

MRO

The War Zone • Howard Altman

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

By The War Zone: In addition, pushing advanced repair work closer to the front lines was critical in keeping as many airframes supporting the mission as possible.

1 Source

2026-09-16T17:05:52.362180-07:00

Satellite L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

By SpaceNews.com: NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — L3Harris Technologies is moving a missile-tracking satellite developed for the Missile Defense Agency into production for Golden Dome with few design changes.

Also: Defense Daily

2 Sources

2026-09-16T11:30:44.401113-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Boeing Boeing 737

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

By FlightGlobal: Commander of Air Education and Training Command expects to have 14 of the Boeing jets ready in August 2027. The US Air Force (USAF) expects to have its first full squadron of Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jets ready by next summer.

Aviation A2Z

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

3 Sources

2026-09-16T11:20:07.454893-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

By The War Zone: Allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is growing as USAFE works to ensure interoperability across a wide mix of future systems. Allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is growing as USAFE works to ensure interoperability across a wide mix of future systems.

1 Source

2026-09-16T11:56:08.098344-07:00

Viasat and Poland’s PGZ explore military SATCOM and space cooperation

France qualifies Rafale’s Talios targeting pod for upgraded Mirage 2000D

Houthi rebels claim shoot down of Saudi F-15SA

Yemen’s Houthis Claim Downing of Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Fighter Over Marib

Houthis claim shooting down of Saudi fighter in first combat loss for Advanced Eagle

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

L3Harris moves HBTSS missile-tracking satellites into production for Golden Dome

T-7A trainer fleet to reach initial operational capability in 2027: USAF training chief

U.S. Air Force Advances B-52 Engine Replacement and Radar Modernization Programs

How The USAF Is Preparing For European Allies To Join The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Club

Viasat and PGZ Sign MoU to Explore Military Satellite Communications in Poland

France qualifies Rafale’s Talios targeting pod for upgraded Mirage 2000D

Houthi rebels claim shoot down of Saudi F-15SA

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

U.S. military’s highest-ranking officer says future battlefields will extend to the moon

U.S. military’s highest-ranking officer says future battlefields will extend to the moon

US Air Force considers buying new ‘F-16G’ fighters after 21-year gap

Ukraine successfully tests new interceptor against jet-powered Shahed drones

Wingcopter unveils electric reconnaissance drone with six-hour endurance

U.S. confirms first deployment of ‘on-orbit space control weapons’

Swarm Aero unveils Gamera as low-cost MQ-9 contender as USAF targets 500 CCAs and thousands of attack drones by 2032

U.S. Navy advances carrier drones, hypersonic weapons and autonomous resupply aircraft

Pratt & Whitney clears F-35 engine upgrade design review and licenses F100 production to Hermeus

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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