Defense News

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Canada’s F-35 decision faces a narrowing timeline as reports detail fighter issues

Canada’s planned F-35 purchase remains in limbo as the Royal Canadian Air Force faces pressure to replace its aging CF-18 fleet. Reports have outlined a range of issues with the fighter, but coverage says Canada has disclosed less than the U.S. and U.K. about those problems.

Also: defenceobserver.ca

2 Sources

2026-11-06T08:00:39.135579-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Robbin Laird

The Navy’s trainer is now the biggest test of the Pentagon’s acquisition reform efforts

By Breaking Defense: With the competition effectively reduced to one bidder, the Navy faces a choice between falling back on old acquisition habits and showing that its reforms can work under pressure, writes Robbin Laird.

1 Source

2026-11-06T08:04:37.733452-08:00

Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Qurat-Ul-Ain Shabbir

Protection or preparation for attack? Counterspace capabilities, international law and nuclear command and control

By SpaceNews.com: Space militarization is not new, but its pace and breadth have increased sharply. The Secure World Foundation’s 2026 assessment documents counterspace capabilities being developed by 13 countries across five categories as of Feb.

1 Source

2026-11-06T08:49:03.740350-08:00

Satellite Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

By Breaking Defense: To translate between the SpaceX-built SDN Backbone and other Pentagon communications and missile tracking satellites, sources said the Space Force is eyeing 12 or 13 Space Exchange Point birds.

Also: SpaceNews.com and insidedefense.com

3 Sources

2026-11-06T06:28:44.525483-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

By FlightGlobal: Victory in the navy’s F/A-XX contest, along with its earlier F-47 win, means the airframer has a stranglehold on US sixth-generation fighter programmes.

1 Source

2026-11-06T06:05:13.503488-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Bloomberg • Jen Judson

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon has tasked US robotics startup Machina Labs with trying to mass-produce cheap attack drones in quickly assembled modular factories as autonomous systems continue to change modern warfare.

2 Sources

2026-11-06T06:05:23.219890-08:00

Satellite Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

AST SpaceMobile Joins U.S. Space Force Program to Advance Space-Based Sensing

By SpaceWatch Global: AST SpaceMobile will support STR under a USSF program to advance space-based sensing using commercially developed satellite technology.

Bloomberg

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

Reuters

Firefly inks $1.3 billion deal to supply engines for new AST SpaceMobile 'Blacklift' rocket

Also: SpaceNews.com, Payload, fireflyspace.com, Seeking Alpha, CNA and exterrajsc.com

9 Sources

2026-11-06T01:34:55.539636-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Reuters • Andrew Osborn

2026-11-06T04:04:26.240294-08:00

Canada’s F-35 decision faces a narrowing timeline as reports detail fighter issues

The Navy’s trainer is now the biggest test of the Pentagon’s acquisition reform efforts

Protection or preparation for attack? Counterspace capabilities, international law and nuclear command and control

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

AST SpaceMobile Joins U.S. Space Force Program to Advance Space-Based Sensing

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

Firefly inks $1.3 billion deal to supply engines for new AST SpaceMobile 'Blacklift' rocket

Russia must swiftly expand its answer to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, security council says

Russia using own version of Starlink for military comms over Ukraine, Kyiv says

Russia's Answer to Starlink Is Already Operating Over Ukraine

Protection or preparation for attack? Counterspace capabilities, international law and nuclear command and control

Canada facing ‘knife-edge timeline’ to replace Hornets as F-35 purchase remains in limbo

The Navy’s trainer is now the biggest test of the Pentagon’s acquisition reform efforts

Pentagon Taps Robotics Startup in Push for Cheap Attack Drones

Boeing’s Sixth-Generation Fighter Wins Mark a Seismic Shift for U.S. Defense

Key Space Force satellites can't talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

Airbus A320 with Eurofighter nose now flying with new fighter radar

Op-ed: Why Did Russia Bother with X36?

Europe nears decision on competing hypersonic interceptor programs

SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

ArianeGroup and France’s DGA complete second SyLEx sounding-rocket flight, testing technology for M51.4

RIAT to leave RAF Fairford for MOD Boscombe Down from 2027

Korean Air’s aerospace unit pursues defense growth in South Korea’s uncrewed aircraft market

Eurofighter consortium sees market for 200-plus additional Typhoons, with operations extending beyond 2060

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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