UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Textron  
Breaking Defense • Carley Welch

Army selects AV LASSO prototyping contender with Switchblade 400 offer, joining Textron and Uvision in loitering-munition race

The U.S. Army will receive AV’s Switchblade 400 portable anti-armor loitering munition for the AV LASSO prototyping competition, the company said. Switchblade 400 is described as a medium-range system, placing AV alongside Textron and Uvision in the early-stage contest to demonstrate concepts and hardware.

2026-05-04T06:50:37.781519-07:00
Helicopter   Supply Chain   Leadership   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Tejas veteran steps into top job at HAL

By FlightGlobal: aims to boost innovation at state airframer. A veteran of the Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft programme has been tapped as the company’s new leader.

Also: India Defense News, aviationindia.net and english.mathrubhumi.com
2026-05-04T03:22:00.549777-07:00
Middle East   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US invokes emergency powers for $2.1 billion APKWS sale to Middle East trio

By FlightGlobal: Emergency Foreign Military Sales notifications clear guided rocket deliveries to three Gulf-region allies, with Patriot and Integrated Battle Command System sales also approved for Qatar and Kuwait.

2026-05-04T01:37:06.046937-07:00
Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

BlackSky Wins Nearly $30 Million, One-Year Assured Contract from International Defense Customer

By SpaceWatch Global: BlackSky Technology Inc. has announced a nearly $30 million, one-year Assured contract from an international defense customer, following the opening general availability of its Gen-3 very high-resolution imagery with the commissioning of its fourth satellite.

2026-05-04T01:50:42.252548-07:00