UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The Aviationist • Kai Greet

New videos give clearest public view yet of classified RQ-180 flying‑wing; Cold War stealth program foreshadows Iran ISR role

New, higher-resolution videos provide the clearest public imagery to date of the classified RQ‑180 flying‑wing stealth reconnaissance drone, revealing structural details and operational markings. Reporting links the platform's likely mission profile—over Iran—to a clandestine Cold War‑era stealth drone program that pursued a similar ISR requirement.

2026-04-06T08:15:52.812854-07:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
The Air Current • Carter Johnston

U.S. Navy F/A-XX Development Hits Delays as Congress and White House Clash Over Strategy and Industrial-Base Readiness

By The Air Current: Congress, White House and Navy at odds over fighter’s strategic value and industrial base readiness.

2026-04-06T12:57:56.098923-07:00
Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

FOSSA Systems targets Japan’s defense market with larger, more capable smallsats

By SpaceNews.com: Spanish startup FOSSA Systems is pushing into Japan’s defense market after securing a local partner to expand its reach, building on a shift beyond tiny picosatellites used to connect low-power monitoring devices toward more capable spacecraft for broader government applications.

2026-04-06T12:16:45.482113-07:00
Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com

US leaders tell Congress Russia could deploy nuclear weapons in space capable of disabling satellites

By DefenseNews.com: Leaders from U.S. Strategic Command and the Space Force updated Congress on adversaries’ capabilities in a range of theaters, highlighting emerging threats.

Also: AirForceTimes
2026-04-06T06:41:17.762466-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Malaysia conducts first test flight with Anka UAV

By FlightGlobal: The Royal Malaysian Air Force has conducted a test flight with its new Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Anka uncrewed air vehicle. The 3h test flight took place from Labuan air base on 3 April, according to the RMAF.

Also: Janes, Aviation Week and adj.com.my
2026-04-05T22:01:11.491000-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Miquel Ros

France to ramp drone production 400% and boost guided‑weapons output, POLITICO reports

By AeroTime: France plans to boost drone production 400%, of guided bombs by 240%, and of Aster and MICA missiles by 30%, according to POLITICO.

2026-04-05T23:06:37.437930-07:00