Defense News

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters • Mike Stone

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Move to Accelerate Classified AIM-260 Air-to-Air Missile Production

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin are advancing a production ramp-up for the classified AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, intended for U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets and viewed as central to maintaining an air-combat advantage over China. The agreement’s scale, schedule and value remain undisclosed.

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Pentagon Cuts New AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Production Deal, Testing Accelerating

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Lockheed to expand production of secretive AIM-260 long-range air-to-air missile

Also: Bloomberg, DefenseNews.com, Breaking Defense, aviationnews.eu, Aviation A2Z, The Aviationist, Seeking Alpha, edrmagazine.eu, defensemirror.com, defence-industry.eu, Aviation Week, Economic Times and 12 more

28 Sources

2026-09-17T05:35:54.116303-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Orders

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 ‘Siskin II’ trainers

By FlightGlobal: Lead pair of Swiss-built turboprops complete ferry flight from Europe. Canada has welcomed its first pair of Pilatus PC-21s, with the basic trainers to be fielded as part of Ottawa’s overarching Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme.

1 Source

2026-09-17T09:50:14.255902-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Eurofighter F-16 Europe Airports Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Poland issues air attack alert as Russian jet drone nears border

By AeroTime: Poland scrambled fighters, issued an air attack alert and suspended flights at two airports as a Russian jet-powered drone approached its border.

DefenseNews.com

Germany sending fighter jets to Latvia to protect election from drone incidents

Kyiv Independent

Poland Scrambles Fighters After Russian Drone Attack Near Ukrainian Border

7 Sources

2026-09-17T04:21:07.847928-07:00

Eurofighter Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Germany to send Eurofighters to Latvia to protect airspace during election

By AeroTime: Germany will deploy four Eurofighter jets to Latvia to protect its airspace during the October 3 parliamentary election amid repeated drone incursions.

2 Sources

2026-09-17T05:06:49.235573-07:00

Viasat Satellite Europe Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

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

By SpaceWatch Global: Viasat and Poland’s PGZ have signed an LoI to explore cooperation on military SATCOM, ground infrastructure and space capabilities.

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 Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Boeing

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

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

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

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Move to Accelerate Classified AIM-260 Air-to-Air Missile Production

Pentagon Cuts New AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Production Deal, Testing Accelerating

Lockheed to expand production of secretive AIM-260 long-range air-to-air missile

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 ‘Siskin II’ trainers

Poland issues air attack alert as Russian jet drone nears border

Germany sending fighter jets to Latvia to protect election from drone incidents

Poland Scrambles Fighters After Russian Drone Attack Near Ukrainian Border

Germany to send Eurofighters to Latvia to protect airspace during election

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

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

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

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 ‘Siskin II’ trainers

Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missile, Agrees to Accelerate Production

Germany to send Eurofighters to Latvia to protect airspace during election

Poland issues air attack alert as Russian jet drone nears border

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NATO Eurofighter Shoots Down Drone After Belarus-to-Lithuania Airspace Incursion

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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