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Unmanned systems
Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue has completed its first fully autonomous flight, executing taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing. The company-funded aircraft is designed to lower production costs and shorten manufacturing timelines without sacrificing mission capability.

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first fully autonomous flight in company-funded aircraft development program

Unmanned systems

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first fully autonomous flight in company-funded aircraft development program

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue has completed its first fully autonomous flight, executing taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing.

The United States lacks the industrial capacity to rapidly increase production of key weapons systems and munitions in a crisis, the Department of War warned in a new strategy. The document links that shortfall to decades of offshoring, industry consolidation and underinvestment, saying it weakens deterrence and the ability to sustain a high-intensity conflict.

U.S. Department of War warns of limited capacity to increase weapons production in a crisis

Fifteen European Union countries have agreed to establish a military space data mechanism initially expected to be worth around €50 million. Run by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it will provide access to shared information on objects and activity in orbit.

European Defence Agency says 15 EU countries agree military space data mechanism worth around €50 million with capability targeted for 2029

USS Paul Ignatius arrived in Stockholm on October 1 ahead of planned operations with the Swedish and Finnish navies. The scheduled port visit follows the destroyer’s participation in a U.S.-UK live-fire exercise that demonstrated an anti-surface variant of the Standard Missile 6.

USS Paul Ignatius reaches Stockholm before Baltic operations with Sweden and Finland, following anti-surface SM-6 demonstration

Aeon and Destinus are among 10 finalists in a U.S. Army competition category seeking a complete low-cost interceptor and fire-control solution. Their joint proposal will proceed to a live demonstration in October, with up to three category winners expected to be selected by December 31, 2026.

Destinus says joint Aeon proposal reaches U.S. Army low-cost interceptor finals to augment Patriot air and missile defense missions

Air and missile defence

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Norway has successfully fired an Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 2 from HNoMS Otto Sverdrup for the first time. The campaign tested the frigate’s updated Aegis combat-system software and its ability to communicate with the new missile.

Norway completes first ESSM Block 2 firing from frigate Otto Sverdrup, testing Aegis integration ahead of operational approval

Diehl Defence has secured a development contract to adapt IRIS-T SLM for the German Navy’s F125 frigates. The programme will build on a successful shipboard demonstration to make the ground-based air defence system mission-capable within the class’s existing architecture.

German Navy targets stronger F125 frigate air defence with Diehl Defence agreement to adapt IRIS-T SLM after successful sea trials

A U.S. B-1B Lancer joined NATO air defence training in Lithuania and Latvia on 29 September, marking the first American bomber participation under the Alliance’s new air defence framework. The mission tested the integration of Allied aircraft and ground assets under common command-and-control procedures.

NATO brings U.S. B-1B Lancer bomber into Baltic training to test new air defence framework alongside Allied fighters and ground assets

The U.S. Navy has awarded RTX’s Raytheon a five-year contract valued at up to $24.4 billion to accelerate SM-6 missile production. The agreement includes two additional option years and supports a weapon used for air defense, surface strikes and ballistic missile defense.

U.S. Navy awards Raytheon SM-6 contract worth up to $24.4 billion to expand missile production for strike and defense missions

Top Stories

L3Harris Technologies has outlined how its manufacturing processes support production of WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical and infrared systems for defense and security operators. The approach combines modular design, digital engineering and production controls to meet mission requirements and support long-term sustainment.

L3Harris details WESCAM sensor manufacturing processes supporting scalable production and mission-specific upgrades

The U.S. Air Force has broken ground on a new hangar at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma that will become a depot-level maintenance hub for the B-21 Raider. The facility will first support B-52 Stratofortress upgrades, then transition to maintaining the new stealth bomber as the modernization work matures.

U.S. Air Force breaks ground on new hangar for future B-21 Raider maintenance at Tinker

The U.S. Army has ordered the establishment of a Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, alongside changes to procurement, force structure and specialist staffing. The directive prioritizes the acquisition and fielding of autonomous capabilities no later than fiscal 2028.

U.S. Army directs creation of Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, sets fiscal 2028 deadline for priority autonomous systems

Danish tank crews and mortar personnel have completed live-fire training in Estonia to strengthen their ability to operate together under demanding tactical conditions. The activity also tested the combat battalion’s medical, vehicle recovery and supply arrangements.

Danish tank and CARDOM mortar units train together in Estonia, testing live-fire coordination, medical support and logistics

The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered six additional C-130J aircraft from Lockheed Martin, bringing its long-range surveillance program to 25 aircraft. The service is funding the acquisition with up to $735 million from a congressional allocation for fixed-wing aircraft.

U.S. Coast Guard orders six Lockheed Martin C-130Js, expanding aircraft program to 25

Anduril Industries has acquired Popoto Modem, a Massachusetts-based underwater acoustics company, to expand communications across its autonomous maritime systems. The first priority is broader integration of Popoto’s technology into Anduril’s Copperhead autonomous underwater vehicle family.

Anduril acquires Popoto Modem to expand communications for autonomous underwater fleets

Britain plans to expand its ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations in space, backed by £880 million for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and space control. The investment covers the financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30 and supports efforts to protect British and allied interests while denying adversaries freedom of action.

Britain sets out offensive and defensive space operations with £880 million committed to military intelligence and space control

The U.S. Navy has completed a planned homeport exchange between two Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines to support fleet modernization and continuous strategic deterrence. USS Wyoming arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on October 1, completing the hull swap with USS Pennsylvania, which relocated to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.

U.S. Navy swaps homeports of Ohio-class submarines Wyoming and Pennsylvania to prepare fleet for Columbia-class introduction

HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class attack submarine, has arrived at her homeport at HM Naval Base Clyde. The vessel has completed her first dive at sea but must finish trials and operational preparation before joining the operational fleet.

HMS Agamemnon reaches Clyde after first sea dive, preparing to join five Astute-class submarines in Royal Navy operational service

BAE Systems has completed two weeks of trials in Scotland demonstrating how its BATS counter-drone system connects detection, operator decisions and engagement. The tests coordinated multiple sensors and effectors through a single command-and-control architecture.

BAE Systems says BATS links drone detection to gun and electronic warfare engagement in successful two-week Scottish trials

Northrop Grumman expects expansion of its U.S. microelectronics operations to quadruple chip production by 2030. The company said greater domestic manufacturing capacity would strengthen supply-chain security for its defense programs and commercial partners.

Northrop Grumman says U.S. chip production will quadruple by 2030 under expansion to strengthen defense semiconductor supply chains

Lithuania has marked construction of a Leopard 2A8 tank assembly and repair plant in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone. The project involves planned investment of approximately €50 million and is expected to create around 80 jobs.

Lithuania starts work on Leopard 2A8 tank assembly and repair plant, with €50 million investment and around 80 jobs planned

Featured

Argentina receives second batch of Danish F-16 fighters to strengthen airspace protection under 24-aircraft deal

Argentina received a second batch of six former Danish F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighters on September 30, bringing deliveries to 12 aircraft

October 3, 2026

Australian warships reinforce Indo-Pacific presence with anti-submarine warfare training in the South China Sea

Australian warships HMAS Sydney and HMAS Stuart conducted joint training in international waters in the South China Sea, reinforcing Australia’s maritime presence during their Indo-Pacific deployments

October 3, 2026

Lockheed Martin secures $245 million contract for 48 IRST Block II pods for U.S. and Australian Super Hornet fighter aircraft

Lockheed Martin has received a $245 million contract for 48 IRST Block II infrared search-and-track pods for U.S. and Australian Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters

October 3, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps exceeds fiscal 2026 recruiting targets and secures contracts for more than half of its fiscal 2027 mission

The U.S. Marine Corps exceeded its fiscal 2026 recruiting mission across every component and category, according to the Department of War

October 3, 2026

Serco’s public services and UK supply chain support 39,000 jobs and £2 billion in economic value, independent analysis finds

Serco contributed £2.01 billion to the UK economy and supported 39,004 jobs in 2025, according to independent analysis by Bradshaw Advisory

October 2, 2026

Saronic breaks ground on $3 billion-plus Port Alpha shipyard in Texas to build Navy and commercial vessels at greater scale

Saronic has begun construction of Port Alpha, a Texas shipyard backed by more than $3 billion in private investment to build autonomous and manned vessels

October 2, 2026

U.S. Department of War orders faster counter-drone approvals, with 30-day escalation rule and limits on repeat safety reviews

The U.S. Department of War has directed officials to accelerate counter-drone approvals by reusing relevant assessments and removing unnecessary administrative barriers

October 2, 2026

Embraer resumes military deliveries in third quarter, targeting C-390 production of six aircraft this year and ten by 2030

Embraer resumed military aircraft deliveries in the third quarter after recording none in the second quarter

October 2, 2026

Industry spotlight

Land

EM&E Group drives indirect fire accuracy with ALKON 122, ALKON 122L, and EGM120

EM&E Group has developed a range of guided munition solutions aimed at increasing the capabilities of different types of munitions by incorporating advanced navigation and trajectory correction technologies.

September 16, 2026
Land

U.S. Army’s Bradley replacement race enters troop-testing phase with first XM30 prototypes from Rheinmetall and General Dynamics

September 17, 2026
Land

Lockheed Martin CEO says ATACMS production could move to Germany, opening Arkansas capacity for faster PrSM missile output

August 2, 2026
Corporate

L3Harris secures record $4.7 billion PAC-3 MSE propulsion deal from Lockheed Martin to expand U.S. interceptor production capacity

September 8, 2026
ASELSAN said its LGK 82, LGK 84 and GÖZDE guidance systems achieved four direct hits during an international live-fire demonstration in Türkiye. The launches involved an F-16 fighter and a Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned aircraft engaging armoured vehicles and a moving target.
Air

ASELSAN says LGK and GÖZDE guidance kits scored four direct hits from F-16 and Akıncı, including a strike on a moving target

Lockheed Martin is pursuing a two-track expansion of its PAC-3 missile business, raising production of the PAC-3 MSE while developing a lower-cost interceptor for allied forces. The approach is intended to increase missile availability without relying on a single interceptor for every air and missile threat.
Air and missile defence

Lockheed Martin says lower-cost PAC-3 ACE and expanded PAC-3 MSE production will increase allied missile defense capacity across NATO

Air

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Argentina received a second batch of six former Danish F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighters on September 30, bringing deliveries to 12 aircraft. Denmark is scheduled to supply another 12 under the purchase agreement signed in April 2024.

Argentina receives second batch of Danish F-16 fighters to strengthen airspace protection under 24-aircraft deal

October 3, 2026
Read more about Argentina receives second batch of Danish F-16 fighters to strengthen airspace protection under 24-aircraft deal

U.S. Air Force breaks ground on new hangar for future B-21 Raider maintenance at Tinker

The U.S. Air Force has broken ground on a new hangar at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma that will become a depot-level maintenance hub for the B-21 Raider.

October 3, 2026

Lockheed Martin secures $245 million contract for 48 IRST Block II pods for U.S. and Australian Super Hornet fighter aircraft

Lockheed Martin has received a $245 million contract for 48 IRST Block II infrared search-and-track pods for U.S. and Australian Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters.

October 3, 2026

U.S. Coast Guard orders six Lockheed Martin C-130Js, expanding aircraft program to 25

The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered six additional C-130J aircraft from Lockheed Martin, bringing its long-range surveillance program to 25 aircraft.

October 3, 2026

Embraer resumes military deliveries in third quarter, targeting C-390 production of six aircraft this year and ten by 2030

Embraer resumed military aircraft deliveries in the third quarter after recording none in the second quarter.

October 2, 2026

Taiwan receives first two Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighters, beginning deliveries under its 66-aircraft U.S. purchase

Taiwan’s first two Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 70 fighters landed at an air base near Taitung on October 2.

October 2, 2026

U.S. Air Force fields IRIS satellite communications on B-52 bombers to improve long-range connectivity, with testing ongoing

The U.S. Air Force has fielded IRIS, a satellite communications prototype that enables B-52 Stratofortress crews to stay connected beyond line of sight.

October 2, 2026

Land

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Danish tank crews and mortar personnel have completed live-fire training in Estonia to strengthen their ability to operate together under demanding tactical conditions. The activity also tested the combat battalion’s medical, vehicle recovery and supply arrangements.

Danish tank and CARDOM mortar units train together in Estonia, testing live-fire coordination, medical support and logistics

October 3, 2026
Read more about Danish tank and CARDOM mortar units train together in Estonia, testing live-fire coordination, medical support and logistics

Lithuania starts work on Leopard 2A8 tank assembly and repair plant, with €50 million investment and around 80 jobs planned

Lithuania has marked construction of a Leopard 2A8 tank assembly and repair plant in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone.

October 2, 2026

Tiberius Aerospace announces $500 million contract for U.S.-developed Sceptre munition to expand allied artillery production

Tiberius Aerospace announced a $500 million contract on October 1 to manufacture, license and distribute its Sceptre precision-guided munition.

October 1, 2026

Hanwha says Chunmoo offers 290 km strike capability and flexible rocket loads for NATO countries modernising their artillery

Hanwha Aerospace has outlined the K239 Chunmoo’s ability to combine guided rockets and tactical ballistic missiles on a single launcher.

October 1, 2026

KNDS and Patria prepare German assembly of 6x6 armored vehicles, building local production capacity for the CAVS program in Freisen

KNDS and Patria are preparing to start final assembly of Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers in Freisen, Germany, at the end of 2026.

October 1, 2026

Bulgaria’s $2 billion military modernization brings 183 new Stryker vehicles and local assembly to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank

Bulgaria’s $2 billion military procurement program will deliver 183 new-production Stryker armored fighting vehicles alongside Javelin weapon systems, ammunition and support equipment.

September 30, 2026

Finland and Sweden order first Patria TRACKX tracked armoured vehicles for field evaluations, with deliveries beginning in 2027

Finland and Sweden have ordered the first Patria TRACKX tracked armoured vehicles for field testing, advancing the platform from development to initial procurement.

September 30, 2026

Sea

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Australian warships HMAS Sydney and HMAS Stuart conducted joint training in international waters in the South China Sea, reinforcing Australia’s maritime presence during their Indo-Pacific deployments. The rendezvous included anti-submarine warfare exercises, aviation operations and boarding party training before the ships continued their regional programmes.

Australian warships reinforce Indo-Pacific presence with anti-submarine warfare training in the South China Sea

October 3, 2026
Read more about Australian warships reinforce Indo-Pacific presence with anti-submarine warfare training in the South China Sea

U.S. Navy swaps homeports of Ohio-class submarines Wyoming and Pennsylvania to prepare fleet for Columbia-class introduction

The U.S. Navy has completed a planned homeport exchange between two Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines to support fleet modernization and continuous strategic deterrence.

October 3, 2026

USS Paul Ignatius reaches Stockholm before Baltic operations with Sweden and Finland, following anti-surface SM-6 demonstration

The scheduled port visit follows the destroyer’s participation in a U.S.-UK live-fire exercise that demonstrated an anti-surface variant of the Standard Missile 6.

October 2, 2026

HMS Agamemnon reaches Clyde after first sea dive, preparing to join five Astute-class submarines in Royal Navy operational service

HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class attack submarine, has arrived at her homeport at HM Naval Base Clyde.

October 2, 2026

Naval Group starts construction of Sweden’s first FDI frigate, expanding production programme to 13 warships for NATO navies

Naval Group has begun production of Luleå, the Royal Swedish Navy’s first Defence and Intervention Frigate, at its Lorient shipyard.

October 2, 2026

Fincantieri lays keel for Italy’s second U212NFS submarine, advancing naval modernisation with delivery scheduled for 2030

Fincantieri has laid the keel for the Italian Navy’s second U212NFS submarine at its Muggiano shipyard.

October 1, 2026

BWX Technologies says $189 million contract will supply nuclear reactor fuel for U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers

BWX Technologies has secured a contract worth approximately $189 million to manufacture and deliver fuel for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

October 1, 2026

Space/C4ISR

Read more Read more about Space/C4ISR category
Britain plans to expand its ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations in space, backed by £880 million for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and space control. The investment covers the financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30 and supports efforts to protect British and allied interests while denying adversaries freedom of action.

Britain sets out offensive and defensive space operations with £880 million committed to military intelligence and space control

October 3, 2026
Read more about Britain sets out offensive and defensive space operations with £880 million committed to military intelligence and space control

Airbus Defence and Space delivers 32 next-generation OneWeb satellites for Eutelsat’s 669-spacecraft renewal after production returns to Europe

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered 32 next-generation OneWeb satellites to Eutelsat, the first batch in a 669-spacecraft renewal programme.

October 2, 2026

Rheinmetall and Argotec put first air defence surveillance satellite into orbit, laying groundwork for a wider constellation

Rheinmetall and Argotec have launched their first jointly developed satellite to gather intelligence for military air defence and early warning.

October 2, 2026

Northrop Grumman delivers first 21 of 150 planned satellites for U.S. military communications and missile defense network

Northrop Grumman has delivered 21 satellites to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California for launch, the first shipment in a planned pipeline of 150 spacecraft for the Space Development Agency.

September 28, 2026

ICEYE invests more than PLN 120 million in Warsaw satellite technology hub to expand R&D production and constellation operations

ICEYE has opened a new Satellite Technology Center in Warsaw as it expands research, development and production activities in Poland

September 26, 2026

Saab targets central role in Swedish defence space integration with SSC Space, OHB Sweden and Ericsson for multi-domain operations

Saab plans to take a broader role in Sweden’s defence space sector by integrating technologies from across the domestic industrial base.

September 24, 2026

Indra Space wins ESA backing for two IRIS2 Low LEO projects targeting future government and defence communications services

The European Space Agency has selected two projects led by Indra Space, ATLAS and SELENE, to enter the consolidation phase of the IRIS2 Low LEO Pre-Operational and De-Risk Activities programme

September 23, 2026

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