Defense News

Satellite Space Force Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

US Space Force awards Sphinx Defense a $287M OTA for ESS mission planning app (phase 3)

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Sphinx Defense a $287 million Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement to develop and complete prototyping for phase 3 of a mission planning application supporting the Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) system. The ground software is intended to underpin command and control of U.S. nuclear forces.

Also: Defense Daily and insidedefense.com

3 Sources

2026-07-27T12:20:40.514862-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Boeing

Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

Second B-52 For Radar Upgrade Testing Still In Modifications

By Aviation Week: A B-52 crash has delayed a radar upgrade program as Air Force searches for replacement test aircraft, while second modified bomber awaits late 2027 availability.

Air Data News

Second B-52 receives new radar after first test aircraft crash

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag

3 Sources

2026-07-27T11:06:26.523666-07:00

eVTOL UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Archer Aviation

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Archer, Anduril Self-Flying Aircraft Could Serve as ‘Loyal Wingman’

By Flying Magazine: Aircraft’s combination of autonomy, hybrid power, and runway independence could serve both civil and defense users.

2 Sources

2026-07-27T11:35:49.189622-07:00

ATC Policy & Regulation Defense Policy

NEW

Politico • Audrey Decker, Oriana Pawlyk

How the Pentagon continues to outmaneuver the FAA

By Politico: Recent flyovers are the latest in an ongoing battle between the agencies.

1 Source

2026-07-27T12:21:35.087738-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Space Defense & Militarization

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Aerostar High-Altitude Balloons Being Turned Into Drone Motherships

By The War Zone: Balloons laden with drones flying high in the stratosphere could persistently surveil enemy forces over vast areas and even attack targets on demand.

1 Source

2026-07-27T11:07:26.440325-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals

Reuters

Polish TNT producer Nitro-Chem plans expansion to UK with BAE Systems

By Reuters: Poland's Nitro-Chem, a major supplier of trinitrotoluene (TNT) for NATO countries' armies, has signed a letter of intent ‌with defence company BAE Systems to build a production plant in Britain, the Polish Defence Ministry said on Monday.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-07-27T09:06:13.336308-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Laser air defenses will be operational before decade’s end, Lockheed exec says

By Breaking Defense: In a nod to a common refrain that laser systems are always just five years away, Lockheed Martin’s Stephanie Hill said, “Not anymore.”.

Also: defence-industry.eu

2 Sources

2026-07-27T09:06:39.587597-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Ukraine moves toward deal to build drone factory in the US

By AeroTime: Ukraine and the United States are advancing plans to build a drone factory in the US using Ukrainian technology, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

1 Source

2026-07-27T07:52:09.715249-07:00

Menu

US Space Force awards Sphinx Defense a $287M OTA for ESS mission planning app (phase 3)

Second B-52 For Radar Upgrade Testing Still In Modifications

Second B-52 receives new radar after first test aircraft crash

Archer, Anduril Self-Flying Aircraft Could Serve as ‘Loyal Wingman’

How the Pentagon continues to outmaneuver the FAA

Aerostar High-Altitude Balloons Being Turned Into Drone Motherships

Polish TNT producer Nitro-Chem plans expansion to UK with BAE Systems

Laser air defenses will be operational before decade’s end, Lockheed exec says

Ukraine moves toward deal to build drone factory in the US

Sphinx Defense wins $287 million contract for strategic satellite communications software

How the Pentagon continues to outmaneuver the FAA

Second B-52 For Radar Upgrade Testing Still In Modifications

Archer, Anduril Self-Flying Aircraft Could Serve as ‘Loyal Wingman’

Aerostar High-Altitude Balloons Being Turned Into Drone Motherships

Laser air defenses will be operational before decade’s end, Lockheed exec says

Inside Bombardier Global 8000 Flying Debut & Defense Strategy at FIA 2026

Quantum Systems upgrades long-range Reliant unmanned aircraft system

KAI eyes follow-on KF-21 order from Seoul, as Indonesia talks continue

Airbus deploys firefighting kit on French Air Force A400M amid wildfires

France deploys Airbus A400M for first forest-firefighting mission, debuting cargo-bay retardant drops

Trump reportedly switched from a Qatari-donated jet to a legacy Air Force One after Secret Service cited a credible Iranian thre

Defense deals take center stage at Farnborough industry gathering as spending focus shifts

NYT investigation: Trump’s accelerated Air Force One delivery effort drove higher costs and safety feature trade-offs

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

More in Defense

UK builds Mach 5 target to test future hypersonic missile defenses

Defense deals dominate Farnborough get-together

Trump Switched to Old Air Force One at NATO Summit After Credible Iranian Threat

Inside the Rushed Effort to Get Trump His New Air Force One

New footage appears to show updated prototype of China's J-36 stealth aircraft