North America   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF breaks ground on Sentinel prototype silo as IOC slips to early 2030s; warhead count remains unclear amid Chinese buildup

On Feb. 13 the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman broke ground on a prototype silo for the LGM-35A Sentinel, even as the program’s initial operational capability has slipped to the early 2030s and key details—including warhead count and acquisition tradeoffs—remain unresolved amid China’s rapid nuclear modernization.

Also: Shephard Media, Defense Daily and Defense Daily
2026-02-25T13:55:19.307442-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Boeing  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

USAF Reserve Chief Seeks Surplus F‑15E Retentions and Procurement of F‑15EX Eagle II Aircraft

By The War Zone: The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them. The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them.

2026-02-25T13:55:18.553177-08:00
Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

‘Golden Dome’ Will Require Unprecedented Coordination Across U.S. Combatant Commands

By SpaceNews.com: Golden Dome to require unprecedented coordination between U.S. combatant commands Golden Dome to require unprecedented coordination between U.S. combatant commands.

2026-02-25T13:37:22.358572-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
defence-industry.eu

Ursa Major unveils HAVOC medium-range hypersonic missile system designed for affordable, scalable production

By defence-industry.eu: Ursa Major has introduced the HAVOC Missile System, a medium-range hypersonic capability designed to deliver high-speed performance at scale to meet urgent warfighter requirements.

Also: AirForceTimes, marinecorpstimes.com, Military Times, interestingengineering.com and marketforecast.com
2026-02-25T07:16:23.048322-08:00
AI   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)   Boeing  
NEW
Reuters

Pentagon probes Boeing and Lockheed exposure to Anthropic’s Claude amid potential supply‑chain risk designation

By Reuters: The Pentagon has asked defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin to provide an assessment of their reliance on Anthropic's AI model, Claude, a first step toward a potential designation of the AI firm as a "supply chain risk," Axios reported on Wednesday.

2026-02-25T15:11:41.738356-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Brian Everstine

USAF to Complete Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Prototypes but Delay Budgeting for Full Fleet

By Aviation Week: The U.S. Air Force will continue the two Boeing E-7A Wedgetail rapid prototypes.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and Aviation Week
2026-02-24T12:11:11.124497-08:00
China   Satellite   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio, Roxana Tiron

Pentagon Spends $12.6 Billion to Upgrade Surveillance of China’s Subs, Satellites

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon plans to spend an additional $12.6 billion to improve surveillance of China’s military maneuvers, submarines and satellites as the US tries to counter the “unprecedented Chinese military buildup” in Asia, according to a budget document sent to Congress.

Also: South China Morning Post and Bloomberg Law
2026-02-25T09:13:32.750103-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Leonardo CEO signals AW149 likely to be selected for UK New Medium Helicopter programme

By FlightGlobal: Leonardo chief executive Roberto Cingolani has given the clearest indication yet that the company's AW149 platform has been selected by the UK for its New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-02-25T09:35:07.960094-08:00