Defense News

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

Reuters • Mike Stone

Pentagon and Lockheed accelerate AIM-260 production as U.S. weighs new-build F-16s

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have signed a framework agreement to expand production of the classified AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, a successor to the AIM-120 AMRAAM, with testing accelerating and a future multiyear buy in prospect. The effort supports U.S. and allied air-combat capabilities amid concerns over the aging fighter fleet.

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Pentagon Cuts New AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Production Deal, Testing Accelerating

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

New-Build F-16s For The USAF Is An Idea That Won’t Go Away, For Good Reason

Also: FlightGlobal, Bloomberg, DefenseNews.com, Aviation Week, aviationnews.eu, defence-blog.com, Breaking Defense, Aviation A2Z, The Aviationist, defence-industry.eu, Seeking Alpha, edrmagazine.eu and 23 more

40 Sources

2026-09-17T05:35:54.116303-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

US Navy should target carriers in fight with China, report says

By DefenseNews.com: A U.S. think tank devised a strategy to target Chinese aircraft carriers by using similar tactics that China has planned against American ships.

Also: Navy Times, news.ssbcrack.com and Military Times

4 Sources

2026-09-17T10:21:18.306161-07:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Orders

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 ‘Siskin II’ trainers

By FlightGlobal: Lead pair of Swiss-built turboprops complete ferry flight from Europe. Canada has welcomed its first pair of Pilatus PC-21s, with the basic trainers to be fielded as part of Ottawa’s overarching Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme.

1 Source

2026-09-17T09:50:14.255902-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Eurofighter F-16 Europe Airports Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Poland issues air attack alert as Russian jet drone nears border

By AeroTime: Poland scrambled fighters, issued an air attack alert and suspended flights at two airports as a Russian jet-powered drone approached its border.

DefenseNews.com

Germany sending fighter jets to Latvia to protect election from drone incidents

Kyiv Independent

Poland Scrambles Fighters After Russian Drone Attack Near Ukrainian Border

7 Sources

2026-09-17T04:21:07.847928-07:00

Eurofighter Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Germany to send Eurofighters to Latvia to protect airspace during election

By AeroTime: Germany will deploy four Eurofighter jets to Latvia to protect its airspace during the October 3 parliamentary election amid repeated drone incursions.

2 Sources

2026-09-17T05:06:49.235573-07:00

Viasat Satellite Europe Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Viasat and PGZ Sign MoU to Explore Military Satellite Communications in Poland

By SpaceWatch Global: Viasat and Poland’s PGZ have signed an LoI to explore cooperation on military SATCOM, ground infrastructure and space capabilities.

2 Sources

2026-09-17T01:55:58.096952-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Thales

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France qualifies Rafale’s Talios targeting pod for upgraded Mirage 2000D

By AeroTime: France has qualified the Talios targeting pod for its upgraded Mirage 2000D fleet, replacing Damocles with improved targeting and tracking capabilities.

1 Source

2026-09-17T01:37:35.304344-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Boeing

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

2026-09-16T19:50:08.244740-07:00

Pentagon and Lockheed accelerate AIM-260 production as U.S. weighs new-build F-16s

Pentagon Cuts New AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Production Deal, Testing Accelerating

New-Build F-16s For The USAF Is An Idea That Won’t Go Away, For Good Reason

US Navy should target carriers in fight with China, report says

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 ‘Siskin II’ trainers

Poland issues air attack alert as Russian jet drone nears border

Germany sending fighter jets to Latvia to protect election from drone incidents

Poland Scrambles Fighters After Russian Drone Attack Near Ukrainian Border

Germany to send Eurofighters to Latvia to protect airspace during election

Viasat and PGZ Sign MoU to Explore Military Satellite Communications in Poland

France qualifies Rafale’s Talios targeting pod for upgraded Mirage 2000D

Houthi rebels claim shoot down of Saudi F-15SA

Yemen’s Houthis Claim Downing of Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Fighter Over Marib

Houthis claim shooting down of Saudi fighter in first combat loss for Advanced Eagle

US Navy should target carriers in fight with China, report says

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 ‘Siskin II’ trainers

Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missile, Agrees to Accelerate Production

Germany to send Eurofighters to Latvia to protect airspace during election

Poland issues air attack alert as Russian jet drone nears border

Viasat and PGZ Sign MoU to Explore Military Satellite Communications in Poland

U.S. Intelligence Warns of China Theft Over Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudis

How The Air Force Patched Up A Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135

US Air Force considers buying new ‘F-16G’ fighters after 21-year gap

Ukraine successfully tests new interceptor against jet-powered Shahed drones

U.S. confirms first deployment of ‘on-orbit space control weapons’

U.S. Navy advances carrier drones, hypersonic weapons and autonomous resupply aircraft

Pratt & Whitney clears F-35 engine upgrade design review and licenses F100 production to Hermeus

NATO Eurofighter Shoots Down Drone After Belarus-to-Lithuania Airspace Incursion

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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