Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Eve Sampson

Pentagon selects KBR’s Firefly laser system for base-defense drone pilot

The Pentagon has selected KBR’s Firefly system for a pilot program testing defenses against adversarial drones at U.S. military installations. The effort puts directed-energy technology into a practical base-protection trial, though the available reports provide no details on the pilot’s schedule, scale or performance criteria.

Also: Army Times

2 Sources

2026-10-16T07:05:37.495856-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy Boeing

CNBC • Chloe Taylor

Norway's $2 trillion wealth fund was frozen out of major defense companies. That may be about to change

By CNBC: Existing ethical rules mean the fund is not permitted to invest in companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

1 Source

2026-10-16T04:04:41.680541-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Bulgaria seeks NATO anti-drone systems, says defence minister

By Reuters: Bulgaria has formally asked NATO to deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone systems to bolster its defences after a series of drone ‌attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Friday.

Also: Unmanned Airspace and DefenseNews.com

3 Sources

2026-10-16T02:04:22.587588-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters

(JA) Russia Nearly Completes Large Drone Launch Base in Just Six Weeks, Satellite Images Show; Ukraine Struggles to Counter Drones Traveling Up to 600 km/h

By Reuters: ロシアが、ジェットエンジン搭載ドローンを発射する大規模な新基地を、わずか6週間でほぼ完成させた。防衛専門家の見解とロイターによる衛星画像の分析で分かった。この施設はウクライナにほど近い場所にあり、ロシアが攻撃能力を拡大させていることを示している。プラネット・ラブズとエアバスが提供した商用衛星画像によると、ロシア南西部ロストフ州の建設地は、8月31日時点では何もない野原だった。しかし、10月14日までにサッカー場約126面分の広さを持つ複合施設に変わっていた。.

1 Source

2026-10-15T17:50:39.331345-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Bloomberg • Gerry Doyle

Why US Eyes in the Sky Are So Vital to Ukraine’s Defense

By Bloomberg: In the face of Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine needs more than weapons to protect itself. Satellites provide a crucial early warning that a projectile has been launched, as well as information on how to intercept it.

1 Source

2026-10-15T21:05:14.196653-07:00

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

DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Lockheed invests $300M in Texas plant to feed missile surge

By DefenseNews.com: Lockheed is investing $300 million to expand its Grand Prairie, Texas, plant, which supports all programs within its Missiles and Fire Control business.

Also: defence-blog.com and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-10-15T17:05:14.977056-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Hope Hodge Seck

Killer balloons an option as US Army seeks to ‘exploit the stratosphere’

By DefenseNews.com: While using balloons as shooters likely presents more challenges than using them for sensing, nothing is off the table, an Army official said.

Also: Army Times and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-10-15T16:05:05.149816-07:00

Space Force North America Defense Budgets & Spending

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Command’s new headquarters estimated to cost $4 billion

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Air Force is preparing to select a contractor to build and equip U.S. Space Command’s new headquarters in Alabama, a project now estimated to cost approximately $4 billion.

1 Source

2026-10-15T16:05:38.057708-07:00

Pentagon selects KBR’s Firefly laser system for base-defense drone pilot

Norway's $2 trillion wealth fund was frozen out of major defense companies. That may be about to change

Bulgaria seeks NATO anti-drone systems, says defence minister

(JA) Russia Nearly Completes Large Drone Launch Base in Just Six Weeks, Satellite Images Show; Ukraine Struggles to Counter Drones Traveling Up to 600 km/h

Why US Eyes in the Sky Are So Vital to Ukraine’s Defense

Lockheed invests $300M in Texas plant to feed missile surge

Killer balloons an option as US Army seeks to ‘exploit the stratosphere’

Space Command’s new headquarters estimated to cost $4 billion

‘Weaponized light’: KBR’s new base defense technology pits lasers against drones

Turkish Aerospace expands Anka 3 production with new line for upgraded drone

Norway's $2 trillion wealth fund was frozen out of major defense companies. That may be about to change

Bulgaria seeks NATO anti-drone systems, says defence minister

Why US Eyes in the Sky Are So Vital to Ukraine’s Defense

(JA) Russia Nearly Completes Large Drone Launch Base in Just Six Weeks, Satellite Images Show; Ukraine Struggles to Counter Drones Traveling Up to 600 km/h

Lockheed Martin unveils new PAC-3 Edge interceptor for Patriot systems

Saab prepares to launch flight testing on Sweden’s first GlobalEye airborne early warning jet

Kratos combat drone completes first Euro flight, advances turbojet engine production

‘Revolutionary’: Bell touts MV-75 Cheyenne II as combat game changer

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

Ukraine says new Starlink limits are disrupting military drones and exposing reliance on private satellite networks

U.S. expands drone research and counter-drone investment, from FAA testing to $729 million Raytheon awards

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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(JA) Ukraine says SpaceX restrictions on Starlink use hinder drone attacks and air defense

Russia builds major new drone attack base in six weeks, satellite images show

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