Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Operational USAF F-15EXs begin flying with conformal fuel tanks as mission demands evolve

The U.S. Air Force did not originally plan for the air-to-air combat-focused F-15EX to carry conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), but operational aircraft have now begun flying with them. The change reflects evolving mission demands, though the reports provide no further detail on the tanks’ operational role or fleetwide plans.

1 Source

2026-11-06T13:50:39.334026-08:00

Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Defense & Militarization

Spaceflight Now • Steven Young

Falcon 9 to launch from California on classified mission for U.S. Space Force

By Spaceflight Now: Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for 4:48 p.m. PST (7:48 p.m. EST / 0048 UTC). The mission is thought to be carrying satellites based on SpaceX’s Starshield platform.

1 Source

2026-11-06T14:04:42.534290-08:00

MRO Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Sierra Nevada, BAE, Collins and GE Aerospace partner on KC-135 avionics and fuel system modernisation

By FlightGlobal: US Air Force KC‑135 Center Console Refresh (CCR) effort seeks to address obsolescence issues in the aged but strategically important tanker aircraft.

1 Source

2026-11-06T13:04:59.353504-08:00

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs BAE Systems

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Uncrewed Nyan, AR5 trials advance UK Royal Navy’s hybrid carrier air wing development

By FlightGlobal: Service details recent work conducted using one-way effector and uncrewed logistics platform. The UK Royal Navy (RN) has demonstrated an expansion to its operational Carrier Strike capability, with first trials conducted aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth using Nyan one-way effectors.

Naval News

Strike drones launched from British aircraft carrier for the first time

The Independent

Royal Navy launches strike drones from aircraft carrier for first time

Also: Business Insider, defenceconnect.com.au and suasnews.com

7 Sources

2026-11-06T10:55:58.836886-08:00

Middle East Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

By FlightGlobal: The US Department of State has approved a potential $100 million sale to Jordan for up to 1,500 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) guided rockets.

Also: Air Data News

3 Sources

2026-11-06T12:05:23.147864-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Barry Rosenberg

Europe's airpower future is taking shape, but not as originally planned

By Breaking Defense: Europe's airpower strategy is shifting as the FCAS program falters, GCAP advances and collaborative combat aircraft reshape the future of European fighter fleets.

1 Source

2026-11-06T10:04:45.502305-08:00

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

Space.com

AST SpaceMobile announces new 'Blacklift' rocket, targets 2028 launch debut

Also: Via Satellite, Reuters, Ars Technica, SpaceNews.com, Payload, fireflyspace.com, Seeking Alpha, quiltyspace.com and 7 more

18 Sources

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

Viasat Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

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

Operational USAF F-15EXs begin flying with conformal fuel tanks as mission demands evolve

Falcon 9 to launch from California on classified mission for U.S. Space Force

Sierra Nevada, BAE, Collins and GE Aerospace partner on KC-135 avionics and fuel system modernisation

Uncrewed Nyan, AR5 trials advance UK Royal Navy’s hybrid carrier air wing development

Strike drones launched from British aircraft carrier for the first time

Royal Navy launches strike drones from aircraft carrier for first time

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

Europe's airpower future is taking shape, but not as originally planned

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

AST SpaceMobile to Build Own Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

AST SpaceMobile announces new 'Blacklift' rocket, targets 2028 launch debut

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

Viasat wins Space Force network operations contract worth up to $450 million

Viasat Q2: Defense Growth, Aviation Headwinds, and New Compensation Incentives

Falcon 9 to launch from California on classified mission for U.S. Space Force

Operational F-15EXs Have Started Flying With Conformal Fuel Tanks

Sierra Nevada, BAE, Collins and GE Aerospace partner on KC-135 avionics and fuel system modernisation

US clears potential $100m APKWS guided rocket sale to Jordan

Uncrewed Nyan, AR5 trials advance UK Royal Navy’s hybrid carrier air wing development

Europe's airpower future is taking shape, but not as originally planned

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

Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopters Are Now Firing Cruise Missiles

Cut to US aid would impact Israeli acquisition timelines, spending: Analysts

BCE Consulting outlines the critical elements of layered air defense architecture

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

SES Networks grows 6% in Q3 as aviation and defense demand lifts segment revenue

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

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