Defense News

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

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue makes first fully autonomous flight

Northrop Grumman’s internally funded YFQ-48A Talon Blue has completed its first flight at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The autonomous test covered taxiing, takeoff, in-flight maneuvering and landing, advancing the company’s bid for a role in the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft portfolio.

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue makes first autonomous flight

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48 Flies for the First Time

Also: defence-blog.com

5 Sources

2026-10-03T11:06:16.602153-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Workforce & Skills Development

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

More than 600 soldiers join Army’s new space operations career field

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — More than 600 soldiers have joined the Army’s new space operations career field, giving the service its first permanent enlisted workforce dedicated to the space domain.

1 Source

2026-10-03T08:55:39.131780-07:00

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

politico.eu • Victor Jack

Sandu slams Russia as attack debris hits Moldova in latest airspace violation

By politico.eu: Three missile and two drones entered Moldovan airspace and caused collateral damage in the country, local authorities said.

1 Source

2026-10-03T05:55:34.122023-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airbus

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Germany considers 16 new A400Ms in potential lifeline for Airbus production

By Air Data News: Germany is considering the purchase of 16 additional Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, a potential order that could extend production of the European airlifter at a critical point for the program.

Also: aviationnews.eu and mrobusinesstoday.com

3 Sources

2026-10-02T23:50:57.543591-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

All The Weapons A Single Navy Fighter Squadron Launched During Operation Epic Fury

By The War Zone: Strike Fighter Squadron 41's F/A-18Fs let loose hundreds of air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons during the war with Iran.

1 Source

2026-10-02T15:56:15.706863-07:00

AI M&A Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Pentagon partners with CIA’s In-Q-Tel for ‘technology scouting’

By Breaking Defense: The CIA-funded investment firm, which has helped finance startups from Anduril to Palantir, is now formally coordinating with the Pentagon’s Critical Technologies office.

1 Source

2026-10-02T09:50:19.914396-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the US aerospace industry

By FlightGlobal: A win in two sixth-generation programmes secures Boeing’s fighter enterprise for the next 50 years, while leaving other manufacturers out in the cold.

1 Source

2026-10-02T14:35:18.336141-07:00

Satellite Space Force Europe LEO L3Harris Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

Bloomberg • Amy Thomson, Paula Doenecke

2026-09-30T23:49:59.002959-07:00

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue makes first fully autonomous flight

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue makes first autonomous flight

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48 Flies for the First Time

More than 600 soldiers join Army’s new space operations career field

Sandu slams Russia as attack debris hits Moldova in latest airspace violation

Germany considers 16 new A400Ms in potential lifeline for Airbus production

All The Weapons A Single Navy Fighter Squadron Launched During Operation Epic Fury

Pentagon partners with CIA’s In-Q-Tel for ‘technology scouting’

What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the US aerospace industry

Nokia, Iceye to Launch Sovereign Satellite Service for Defense

Space Force picks two companies to build new ‘space-to-space’ satellites by 2028

ICEYE Expands into Sovereign Satcom Capabilities with Nokia Partnership

Northrop Grumman's Talon Blue Collaborative Combat Aircraft Has Flown

More than 600 soldiers join Army’s new space operations career field

Sandu slams Russia as attack debris hits Moldova in latest airspace violation

Germany considers 16 new A400Ms in potential lifeline for Airbus production

All The Weapons A Single Navy Fighter Squadron Launched During Operation Epic Fury

What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the US aerospace industry

Rheinmetall, Argotec launch first satellite for military air-defense network

Taiwan receives first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 jets amid rising Chinese pressure

Hunt For MQ-9 Reaper Successor Surprisingly Includes Exotic Aircraft Manufacturer Otto Aerospace

Finland presents first F-35s as transition to operational service begins

U.S. Space Force and industry advance military, sovereign satellite communications and in-space ISR capabilities

Pentagon partners with CIA-backed In-Q-Tel for critical-technology scouting

U.S. prepares to deploy roughly 9,000 troops and a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid Iran tensions

Senators press Pentagon for details on Golden Dome’s missile-defense architecture after $1.2 trillion estimate

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

French Air Force plans loyal wingman flight in 2028 in sovereign AI push

Blackstone launches defense company focused on drone and missile technology

EU Military Chief Urges NATO Integration Into Europe’s Space Security Programs

Shield AI announces new test flight and production sites for X-Bat jet

US Adds Carrier and 10,000 Troops to Mideast, Official Says

Space Force retires Cold War-era missile-warning constellation after final maneuver exercise

Amprius Secures $75 Million U.S. Grant for Drone Battery Production

USAF B-1B joins NATO air defense drill over Baltic states