Defense News

Space Defense & Militarization

DefenseNews.com • Eve Sampson

U.S. Army transfers 600 enlisted soldiers to Space Operations Branch

The U.S. Army has added 600 enlisted soldiers to its Space Operations Branch, establishing the branch’s first permanent enlisted cadre. The move expands the Army’s dedicated space workforce and formalizes an enlisted component within a service responsible for military space operations.

Also: Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com

3 Sources

2026-10-14T02:45:37.031692-07:00

Space Force Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Germany’s European Space Component Command and Academy: The Race for a Location Begins

By SpaceWatch Global: Bavaria and NRW compete to host Germany’s European Space Component Command and Space Safety and Security Academy. Accessibility may decide.

1 Source

2026-10-14T02:55:32.344837-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

By FlightGlobal: Basic trainer began flight activities in Switzerland on 9 October. Pilatus has launched flight-test activities with a first PC-7 MKX ordered for the French air force, with the basic trainer completing a debut sortie on 9 October.

1 Source

2026-10-14T03:05:45.506125-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Airbus

The War Zone • Jamie Hunter

Airbus Details Progress With Lakota Connector Uncrewed Cargo Helicopter

By The War Zone: Branded Content: This aircraft is planned to enable continuous logistics support, while reducing sustainment requirements and risk to personnel.

Aviation Week

Four Options Emerge For U.S. Army UH-72A Trainer Future

aero-defence.tech

Containerized VTOL UAS Deployment for Austere Expeditionary Operations

6 Sources

2026-10-13T15:05:21.542066-07:00

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

DefenseNews.com • Sebastian Sprenger

Lockheed eyes fresh PAC-3 interceptor production options for Ukraine, Europe

By DefenseNews.com: “If we were to go forward with exploring any kind of production in Germany, we would likely do that with a company like Diehl,” a Lockheed executive said.

Breaking Defense

Avio, Lockheed sign agreement for solid rocket motor production

APAC Defence Reporter

Lockheed Martin debuts PAC-3 Edge for US Army's future interceptor program

Also: Aviation Week, Army Times, Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and 4 more

11 Sources

2026-10-13T10:06:15.361668-07:00

aviation Satellite MRO GA BizAv LEO Military Aircraft Procurement

Flying Magazine • Meg Godlewski

Garmin Reaches Milestone With 1,000th G1000 King Air Retrofit

By Flying Magazine: Landmark Garmin avionics package was delivered for a U.S. Army C-12 Huron flight deck upgrade.

AINonline

Duncan Aviation Orders 40 Galileo HDX Low-Earth-orbit Satcom Systems

AINonline

U.S. Army C-12 Huron Marks 1,000th Garmin King Air Retrofit

Also: Via Satellite

5 Sources

2026-10-13T11:35:19.789464-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

DefenseNews.com • Daniel Terrill

Startup wants US soldiers to command AI agents through its smart glasses

By DefenseNews.com: Rivet's CEO envisions a world where a soldier commands an AI agent, and the AI agent commands the robots and drones.

Also: Army Times and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-10-13T12:10:37.924846-07:00

Viasat Satellite

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Viasat Places Order for All.Space Hydra Max Terminals

By Via Satellite: Viasat has placed an order for multiple All.Space Hydra MAX satcom terminals which are designed to transmit multiple satellite links simultaneously. The Hydra Max terminal is now approved for operation on Viasat’s global NextGen Ka-band network, including Mil Ka-band.

Also: Satellite Evolution, spaceanddefense.io and satelliteinternet.com

4 Sources

2026-10-13T12:55:11.513232-07:00

U.S. Army transfers 600 enlisted soldiers to Space Operations Branch

Germany’s European Space Component Command and Academy: The Race for a Location Begins

Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

Airbus Details Progress With Lakota Connector Uncrewed Cargo Helicopter

Four Options Emerge For U.S. Army UH-72A Trainer Future

Containerized VTOL UAS Deployment for Austere Expeditionary Operations

Lockheed eyes fresh PAC-3 interceptor production options for Ukraine, Europe

Avio, Lockheed sign agreement for solid rocket motor production

Lockheed Martin debuts PAC-3 Edge for US Army's future interceptor program

Garmin Reaches Milestone With 1,000th G1000 King Air Retrofit

Duncan Aviation Orders 40 Galileo HDX Low-Earth-orbit Satcom Systems

U.S. Army C-12 Huron Marks 1,000th Garmin King Air Retrofit

Startup wants US soldiers to command AI agents through its smart glasses

Viasat Places Order for All.Space Hydra Max Terminals

Pilatus launches flight testing with first PC-7 MKX trainer for French air force

Germany’s European Space Component Command and Academy: The Race for a Location Begins

US Army transfers 600 enlisted soldiers to Space Operations Branch

Airbus Details Progress With Lakota Connector Uncrewed Cargo Helicopter

US Army to test SNC degraded visual environment sensor on ‘MX’ autonomous Black Hawk

Precision at scale: APKWS counters the threat

US Army to test SNC degraded visual environment sensor on ‘MX’ autonomous Black Hawk

Precision at scale: APKWS counters the threat

Space Force stands up new special operations HQ

Kaizen Aims to Speed Up How the Military Buys Counter-Drone Technology

Airbus and Kratos fly U740 Valkyrie in Europe, targeting German combat-ready capability by 2029

AEVEX’s Specter is a jet-powered, one-way attack drone pitched for low-cost, multi-mission use

Army finds systemic failures behind fatal UH-60L–airliner collision near Washington

Ukraine tests interceptor drones as Russia deploys fast, jet-powered attack drones over Kyiv

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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