Defense News

Museums Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) NASA

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

NASA’s SR-71 Blackbird Display Aircraft Quietly Removed, Fueling Speculation About a Return to Flight

An SR-71 Blackbird that has been grounded for nearly 27 years has disappeared from its outdoor display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. Former program personnel have reportedly been contacted about the possibility of returning the iconic aircraft to flight, though NASA has not publicly confirmed such a plan.

Also: AINonline

3 Sources

2026-09-30T06:16:28.161004-07:00

Space Force Leadership Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller expected to be tapped for U.S. Space Command

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller Jr. is expected to be nominated to become the next commander of U.S. Space Command, according to sources.

1 Source

2026-09-30T06:16:39.593879-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

NEW

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan

By FlightGlobal: Pact with Baku to explore local manufacturing of precision-guided munitions. Turkish company Aselsan has signed new agreements with Azerbaijan spanning a range of its technologies.

1 Source

2026-09-30T08:05:17.978048-07:00

SAAB Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Sweden contributes fighter jets to NATO mission in Poland again

By Reuters: Sweden will from October deploy Gripen fighter jets to Poland as part of ‌a NATO airspace surveillance mission, the Nordic country's government said on Wednesday.

Also: defence-industry.eu and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-30T06:06:27.681313-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

Riyadh gets closer to F-35s, Damascus presses sovereignty and an expert take on Iran

By Breaking Defense: Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou reviews top news from the region before speaking with defense analyst Ryan Bohl.

1 Source

2026-09-30T06:37:15.298319-07:00

Space Force Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

NEW

Bloomberg • Sana Pashankar

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield Has Money Problems

By Bloomberg: Space Force general reveals some details as the program’s funding is stalled in Congress ahead of the midterms.

1 Source

2026-09-30T07:36:06.197142-07:00

China Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

NEW

Reuters • Greg Torode, Josh Smith, Poppy McPherson

China carves new military presence in Southeast Asian neighbour

By Reuters: China’s latest expansion of its overseas military footprint was carved from a patch of farmland in Laos over the past year, satellite imagery showed, as analysts said the new support centre could deepen Beijing's presence in Southeast Asia.

1 Source

2026-09-30T07:36:47.024114-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

Mission-K Day 2 “Give Us Tactical ISR from Space”: Lessons from Ukraine and Three Defence Challenges

By SpaceWatch Global: Day two of Mission-K in Kalkar: real threats in orbit, Stark Defence's call for tactical ISR from space, and three Space Defence Challenges.

1 Source

2026-09-30T04:16:28.142643-07:00

NASA’s SR-71 Blackbird Display Aircraft Quietly Removed, Fueling Speculation About a Return to Flight

Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller expected to be tapped for U.S. Space Command

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan

Sweden contributes fighter jets to NATO mission in Poland again

Riyadh gets closer to F-35s, Damascus presses sovereignty and an expert take on Iran

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield Has Money Problems

China carves new military presence in Southeast Asian neighbour

Mission-K Day 2 “Give Us Tactical ISR from Space”: Lessons from Ukraine and Three Defence Challenges

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan

China carves new military presence in Southeast Asian neighbour

Trump’s Golden Dome Missile Shield Has Money Problems

Riyadh gets closer to F-35s, Damascus presses sovereignty and an expert take on Iran

Could an SR-71 Blackbird fly again? NASA's secretive moves raise the possibility

Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller expected to be tapped for U.S. Space Command

U.K. counterterrorism police say no explosives found in vans near air base

How Ukraine’s Naval Drones Are Remaking War at Sea

Argentina receives six more F-16 fighter jets, may accelerate remaining deliveries

Updated IFF system certificated for F-16

Two aviators eject after EA-18G Growler landing mishap aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Raytheon wins up to $20.7 billion contract to produce AMRAAM missiles at record rates

RTX Races to Expand Tomahawk and Other Missile Production Amid U.S. Operations Against Iran

Dassault positions Rafale for Portugal’s F-16 replacement with industry cooperation pact

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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