Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

F-22 demonstrates airborne control of Anduril YFQ-44A collaborative combat aircraft

A Lockheed Martin F-22 has demonstrated the ability to take airborne control of an Anduril YFQ-44A collaborative combat aircraft, showing a crewed fighter directing a CCA in flight. The test highlights the operational concept of pairing the USAF’s top fighter with an uncrewed aircraft for missions under fighter control.

Also: realcleardefense.com

2 Sources

2026-10-19T21:05:04.202562-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman

Army's Plan To Launch Hundreds Of Balloons Into Enemy Territory If A Future Conflict Breaks Out

By The War Zone: The balloons would be used to surveil vast areas of enemy territory, decoy defenses, provide networking and launch drone attacks behind enemy lines.

1 Source

2026-10-19T13:05:08.192602-07:00

Space Force Middle East Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force eyes fivefold expansion of Middle East command

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force’s Middle East command could expand fivefold over the next several years as the Space Force expands its role in military operations.

1 Source

2026-10-19T14:00:39.623382-07:00

Satellite Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Space Policy & International Cooperation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

Washington Post • Francesca Ebel, John Hudson, Michael Birnbaum

Trump administration holds up Patriot missiles for Ukraine

By Washington Post: Delays in approving transfers from partner countries coincide with a worsening rupture between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

san.com

Trump-Zelenskyy rift widens over Russian sanctions, oil strikes and Starshield

militarnyi.com

Zelensky: US Supplies Ukraine With Just 12 Patriot Missiles a Month

6 Sources

2026-10-19T16:04:39.393200-07:00

Supply Chain Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals BAE Systems

Defense Daily • Cal Biesecker

BAE Agrees To Increase APKWS Production Under Multi-Year Framework With DoD

By Defense Daily: BAE Systems will “surge” production of its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to 25,000 annually for the Defense Department under a new agreement that also creates a path to further increase production to 35,000 units per year to meet international demand.

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon, BAE sign deal for up to 25,000 precision-guided munition kits a year

grosswald.org

BAAINBw Signs a Seven-Year Net-Interceptor Drone Framework With ARGUS Interception — Over EUR 1.1 Billion, About 450 Systems, EUR 165 Million First Call-Off by 2027

13 Sources

2026-10-19T10:55:21.683248-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Boeing

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Germany Drops Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Rapid Procurement Plan

By The War Zone: A broader competition for Germany’s CCA requirement is now likely to extend into the next decade. A broader competition for Germany’s CCA requirement is now likely to extend into the next decade.

1 Source

2026-10-19T14:55:06.716324-07:00

GA Military Aircraft Procurement

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Air Force test pilot school adds water landings to curriculum

By FlightGlobal: Trainees are flying both the Icon A5 and Lake Aircraft LA-4 Buccaneer amphibians. US Air Force (USAF) officers training to become test pilots are now practicing water landings as part of their qualification.

1 Source

2026-10-19T13:05:01.483550-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

We Finally Know The B-21 Raider's True Wingspan

By The War Zone: We don't have to endure bizarrely small size estimates for the B-21 anymore.

1 Source

2026-10-19T11:05:33.654604-07:00

F-22 demonstrates airborne control of Anduril YFQ-44A collaborative combat aircraft

Army's Plan To Launch Hundreds Of Balloons Into Enemy Territory If A Future Conflict Breaks Out

Space Force eyes fivefold expansion of Middle East command

Trump administration holds up Patriot missiles for Ukraine

Trump-Zelenskyy rift widens over Russian sanctions, oil strikes and Starshield

Zelensky: US Supplies Ukraine With Just 12 Patriot Missiles a Month

BAE Agrees To Increase APKWS Production Under Multi-Year Framework With DoD

Pentagon, BAE sign deal for up to 25,000 precision-guided munition kits a year

BAAINBw Signs a Seven-Year Net-Interceptor Drone Framework With ARGUS Interception — Over EUR 1.1 Billion, About 450 Systems, EUR 165 Million First Call-Off by 2027

Germany Drops Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Rapid Procurement Plan

US Air Force test pilot school adds water landings to curriculum

We Finally Know The B-21 Raider's True Wingspan

CCA evolution continues as F-22 takes control of YFQ-44A

Trump administration holds up Patriot missiles for Ukraine

Germany Drops Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Rapid Procurement Plan

Space Force eyes fivefold expansion of Middle East command

US Air Force test pilot school adds water landings to curriculum

Army's Plan To Launch Hundreds Of Balloons Into Enemy Territory If A Future Conflict Breaks Out

Singapore emerges as customer behind secret F-35 variant development program

You can’t have a fence high enough to protect your facility against drones

US awards US$91 million contract to redesign V-22 Osprey flight control system

Shield AI software cuts autonomous flight development to six weeks

Starlink restrictions constrain Ukraine’s military communications and drone interception

Starlink access for Ukraine reportedly throttled as U.S. official warns Zelensky against claims; Lithuania gateway faces arson a

Two Saudi National Guard crew killed in AH-6i crash near Yemen as Houthis claim strike

USAF F-22 pilot directs Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury in flight, advancing crewed-uncrewed combat teaming

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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