Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Kratos Says XQ-58 Valkyrie Production Is Ramping Up Despite Crash Setback

Kratos says its XQ-58 Valkyrie autonomous combat drone program is moving into production, including variants with built-in landing gear, despite a crash this week. The company is targeting the U.S. Marine Corps and additional international customers as demand for attritable unmanned aircraft grows.

Also: dronelife.com

2 Sources

2026-08-06T11:33:46.106897-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Airports Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

By AeroTime: Lithuanian military intelligence says Russia may use captured Ukrainian drones to strike Baltic critical infrastructure and deny responsibility.

time.com

An Explosive Drone Was Found Near Runway at German Airport. Here's What We Know So Far

nationalsecurityjournal.org

Explosive-Laden Drone Shuts Leipzig Runways Near Ukrainian Cargo Aircraft

Also: Business Insider and news.ssbcrack.com

5 Sources

2026-08-06T07:59:21.024031-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Aviation Safety & Regulation Boeing Boeing 747

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

By AeroTime: A new Pentagon report blames interior design problems and certification issues for delays of Boeing’s two new VC-25B presidential aircraft.

1 Source

2026-08-06T08:44:19.374031-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development

Bloomberg • Lizette Chapman

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

By Bloomberg: Hadrian, a defense manufacturing startup that serves the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Corp. and others, secured a $7.87 billion valuation in a funding round that will help the company expand its workforce.

2 Sources

2026-08-06T07:16:01.873089-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

By FlightGlobal: New combination offers the ability to engage slow-speed aerial threats. Paramount’s Mwari multi-role platform now has the ability to use Aselsan’s ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, following the recent completion of an integration activity.

1 Source

2026-08-06T06:44:47.043665-07:00

Event Europe Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

By AeroTime: Finland and Sweden sent delegations to Australia's Exercise Pitch Black for the first time this year, focusing on fighter integration and maintenance.

1 Source

2026-08-06T05:59:14.775137-07:00

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

Seapower Magazine • Press Release

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

By Seapower Magazine: ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million Undefinitized Contract Action to acquire the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR), a precision-guided munition that can travel over 300 nautical miles with a 500-pound class (226-kilogram) payload.

Breaking Defense

Air Force signs off on production of long-range JDAM

DefenseNews.com

Boeing wins first production contract for jet-powered JDAM

Also: FlightGlobal, Aeronews, Air & Space Forces Mag, marketforecast.com, Seapower Magazine and 5 more

14 Sources

2026-08-05T13:30:55.127045-07:00

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

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Australia confirms AIM-260 air-to-air missile procurement

By FlightGlobal: Long-range weapon will initially be used by RAAF’s F/A-18F Super Hornets. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be the first nation outside of the USA to operate the Lockheed Martin AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM).

The War Zone

Australia To Become First Foreign Operator Of AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile

Also: Aviation Week and Janes

4 Sources

2026-08-05T21:31:05.695500-07:00

Kratos Says XQ-58 Valkyrie Production Is Ramping Up Despite Crash Setback

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

An Explosive Drone Was Found Near Runway at German Airport. Here's What We Know So Far

Explosive-Laden Drone Shuts Leipzig Runways Near Ukrainian Cargo Aircraft

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

Air Force signs off on production of long-range JDAM

Boeing wins first production contract for jet-powered JDAM

Australia confirms AIM-260 air-to-air missile procurement

Australia To Become First Foreign Operator Of AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile

XQ-58 Valkyrie Drones With Built-In Landing Gear Are Now In Production

Boeing Air Force One delays worsen as report reveals interior design problems

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

US Navy concludes C-2A Greyhound operations

XQ-58 Valkyrie Crashes At Dugway Proving Ground In Utah (Updated)

Royal Navy demonstrates Wildcat helicopter controlling aerial drones

P-8 Poseidon Crews Controlling MQ-4C Triton Drones Becoming A Reality

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390s in first Latin American sale outside Brazil

Archer’s Midnight completes California city-to-city flight as eVTOL sector advances commercial and defense applications

U.S. Navy seeks uncrewed aircraft for ultra-long-range carrier strike in the Pacific

Military services advance networked maritime operations with autonomous aircraft, drones and surface vessels

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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