Aircraft Carrier   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Bayraktar  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous short‑deck takeoffs and live naval strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026

Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 UCAV performed autonomous short‑deck takeoffs from the amphibious carrier TCG Anadolu and executed live naval strikes against sea‑surface targets during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 in the Baltic Sea. The sortie—TB3’s first overseas operational demonstration—used dual MAM‑L salvos to achieve direct hits.

Also: Daily Sabah, defence-industry.eu and defence.m5dergi.com
2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US Army tests 30mm proximity-fused rounds from AH‑64 Apache to counter drones

By FlightGlobal: The US Army has successfully tested new 30mm proximity-fused cannon ammunition aboard the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, enhancing the rotorcraft's ability to engage unmanned aircraft systems at various ranges during trials at Arizona's Yuma Proving Ground.

2026-02-16T20:44:36.344199-08:00
AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Bloomberg • Katrina Manson

SpaceX and xAI Join Secret Pentagon Contest to Develop Voice-Controlled Autonomous Drone Swarms

By Bloomberg: Elon Musk’s SpaceX and wholly owned subsidiary xAI are competing in a secretive new Pentagon contest to produce voice-controlled, autonomous drone swarming technology, according to people familiar with the matter.

Also: Bloomberg Law and Stars and Stripes
2026-02-16T11:04:25.060566-08:00
F-16   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Jaroslaw Adamowski

Slovakia in talks with US to buy four more F-16s

By DefenseNews.com: The additional jets would enable the country to shoulder its own air-policing missions, according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

2026-02-16T05:25:36.084345-08:00
Saudi Arabia   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Saudi Arabia orders four C-27J Spartan transports for maritime patrol missions

By FlightGlobal: Saudi Arabia has ordered four Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical transports in a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) configuration. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029, the Italian airframer says.

Also: Air Data News, AeroTime, Aviacionline, Janes and Aviation Week
2026-02-16T02:24:27.096294-08:00