Defense News

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters • Phil Stewart

Hegseth rejects reports of deteriorating conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reports describing poor living conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Middle East in support of the Iran war, were “completely misrepresented.” The comments came as Hegseth attended a military flyover and demonstration near Panama City.

Also: DVIDS / U.S. DoD, The Guardian and The Independent

4 Sources

2026-08-13T09:20:50.476674-07:00

Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

GE’s new Black Hawk engine achieves preliminary flight rating

By FlightGlobal: GE Aerospace designed the T901 Improved Turbine Engine to replace the T700 turboshaft powering both the UH-60M and AH-64E helicopters.

Also: DVIDS / U.S. DoD

2 Sources

2026-08-13T09:50:05.786554-07:00

eVTOL AI M&A Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Joby Splits Commercial and Defense VTOL Projects With $500M Acquisition

By Flying Magazine: Resonant Sciences will become Joby’s ‘dedicated defense business’ and house hybrid-electric and autonomous projects.

1 Source

2026-08-13T06:05:56.760537-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Airbus Embraer

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

India launches competition for 60 military transport aircraft

By Air Data News: India has formally launched the competition for 60 new military transport aircraft, bringing the long-discussed Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program into its selection phase after years of studies and preparations.

FlightGlobal

India formally launches competition for new military transport

FL360aero

India’s ₹1 Lakh-Crore Medium Transport Aircraft Contest: Why the IAF’s Next Airlifter Could Reshape Indian Military Aviation

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com, India Defense News, aerospaceglobalnews.com and India Defense News

10 Sources

2026-08-13T02:53:27.525743-07:00

Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Exclusive: Space Kinetic Awarded $50M for Space Maneuverability

By Payload: Space Kinetic announced a $50M OTA award from the Space Force to develop Whirlwind—its space maneuverability and deployment system.

Also: Via Satellite, ssc.spaceforce.mil and insidedefense.com

4 Sources

2026-08-13T05:33:32.160524-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Rheinmetall launches FV-014 loitering munition from truck

By AeroTime: Rheinmetall launched its FV-014 loitering munition from a containerized launcher mounted on a moving HX truck during trials in Germany.

1 Source

2026-08-13T06:04:57.471578-07:00

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

Yonhap News Agency • Kim Eun-jung

KAI, Hyundai Rotem to team up on long-range air-to-air missiles for KF-21

By Yonhap News Agency: SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) and Hyundai Rotem Co. said Thursday they have agreed to jointly develop and integrate long-range air-to-air missiles for the KF-21 fighter jet and explore opportunities to export aircraft and weapons packages to global markets.

AeroTime

KAI and Hyundai Rotem to co-develop long-range air-to-air missile for KF-21

FlightGlobal

Hyundai Rotem, KAI to develop long-range air-to-air missile

Also: Aviation Week

4 Sources

2026-08-12T17:53:32.408291-07:00

China Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Lucy Craymer

Chinese state-linked observatory sought NZ site, spy agency says

By Reuters: New Zealand's security agency said it disrupted an attempt by a ‌Chinese state-linked observatory to install satellite-tracking infrastructure in the country, highlighting the case in its annual assessment of an increasingly dangerous espionage environment.

1 Source

2026-08-12T22:05:38.537367-07:00