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Sea
USS John Basilone arrived at its new homeport in Rota, Spain, on October 14 after transferring from Mayport, Florida. The guided-missile destroyer joins U.S. naval forces stationed in Europe for maritime security operations and training with NATO allies.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Basilone joins U.S. naval forces in Europe

Sea

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Basilone joins U.S. naval forces in Europe

The guided-missile destroyer joins U.S. naval forces stationed in Europe for maritime security operations and training with NATO allies.

Russia is intensifying sabotage and other hybrid operations against Britain and its allies while trying to stay below NATO’s collective defence threshold, MI5 Director General Sir Ken McCallum said. He also warned that Iran is expanding its campaign of violence and China is targeting British research, institutions and individuals for intelligence purposes.

MI5 chief warns of escalating Russian hybrid attacks and growing threats from Iran and China

Lockheed Martin and Avio have reached a cooperation agreement to expand U.S. solid rocket motor production for Extended Range GMLRS and the Precision Strike Missile. Production will begin after qualification at Avio USA’s facility under construction in Hurt, Virginia.

Lockheed Martin and Avio partner on U.S. rocket motor production for ER GMLRS and PrSM

The Netherlands is participating with F-35 fighter jets in NATO’s annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise, which began in Italy on October 13. Aircraft from 17 countries are taking part in the training, which uses no live nuclear weapons.

Netherlands deploys nuclear-capable F-35 fighters for NATO’s Steadfast Noon exercise

Raytheon has won $729 million in contracts to supply counter-drone equipment to the U.S. Army, Qatar and Jordan. The awards include the first international sales of its Coyote effectors and Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor, known as KuRFS.

Raytheon says Coyote and KuRFS enter export market with Qatar and Jordan contracts

Air and missile defence

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Airbus Defence and Space connected Germany’s IRIS-T SLM and Sweden’s Patriot air defence systems to a shared command post during NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 26 in Crete. The exercise marked the first time both systems operated through Germany’s Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre, or SAMOC.

Airbus connects German IRIS-T and Swedish Patriot in NATO air defence network test

Leonardo DRS has begun initial production of its cxMHR air defense radar, unveiling the system at AUSA 2026 in Washington. It is designed to detect and track missiles, rockets and drones while protecting deployed forces and fixed sites.

Leonardo DRS launches cxMHR radar for air and missile defense, begins production

Raytheon is expanding its Coyote interceptor family along two tracks: faster kinetic engagements and recoverable, non-kinetic defense against drone swarms. The company has completed three tests of its Block 2C+RM upgrades, following a separate Army demonstration of the Block 3NK swarm-defense variant reported in February.

Raytheon tests Coyote rocket-motor upgrades, expanding its counter-drone portfolio

BAE Systems unveiled a truck-mounted prototype of its Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C. The 155mm weapon is designed to engage drones and missiles while also providing precision artillery fire against ground targets.

BAE Systems unveils MDACS 155mm cannon for air defence and ground strikes

Top Stories

The U.S. Air Force is upgrading its X-62 VISTA research aircraft to accommodate more demanding combat-autonomy tests. Recent flights have evaluated third-party autonomous software, target-recognition tools, safety controls and a processor capable of running trajectory simulations onboard.

U.S. Air Force expands X-62 VISTA’s role in testing AI for combat aviation

Israel Aerospace Industries has received two Lockheed Martin Aeronautics supplier awards for its 2025 work on F-35 and F-16 aircraft structures. The awards recognise its quality and delivery performance across both fighter programs.

IAI says Lockheed Martin supplier awards recognize its F-35 and F-16 production performance

RENK Group and KNDS Deutschland have expanded a Leopard 2 transmission order by around €130 million, with deliveries scheduled from 2029 to 2032. The agreement covers equipment for the main battle tank and other vehicles in the Leopard 2 family.

RENK and KNDS extend contract for Leopard 2 transmissions, with deliveries from 2029

Two Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II fighters have conducted landing and takeoff trials aboard John F. Kennedy in the Atlantic. The U.S. Department of War announced the tests on October 13, calling them the first F-35C landings on a Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier.

F-35C fighters complete landing and takeoff trials aboard aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy

The U.S. Army has received its first VAMPIRE counter-drone systems from L3Harris Technologies, with initial deliveries arriving within two months of the order. The purchase, announced in June 2026 and worth up to $106 million, supports the Army’s layered defense against hostile drones.

U.S. Army receives first VAMPIRE counter-drone systems from L3Harris

Honeywell Aerospace has doubled the supply of a critical Abrams tank engine component by adding an internal manufacturing source. The company said the increase removed a supply constraint that had affected fleet availability.

Honeywell Aerospace doubles supply of key Abrams engine part, removing fleet availability bottleneck

Oshkosh Defense has begun building the first Kaaiman patrol vehicle prototype for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Based on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, it incorporates changes for expeditionary and coastal operations.

Oshkosh starts production of JLTV-based Kaaiman patrol vehicle prototype for Netherlands

Northrop Grumman will build two prototypes of a more protected, mobile command workspace for the U.S. Army’s Integrated Battle Command System under a $21 million contract. The expandable shelters are due by June 2027 and will replace the system’s original tent-based configuration.

Northrop Grumman to upgrade U.S. Army’s IBCS for greater mobility and battlefield survivability

The U.S. Army has ordered nine prototypes of Hanwha’s wheeled 155 mm howitzer, with an option for nine additional systems. Hanwha Defense USA and the Army unveiled the XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon designation at AUSA in Washington on October 12.

U.S. Army orders nine Hanwha wheeled howitzer prototypes, unveils XM1776 designation

General Dynamics Land Systems is showing a scale model of its XM30 Wolf infantry fighting vehicle at AUSA 2026 while the U.S. Army tests the first prototype. Wolf is the company’s contender to replace the M2/M3 Bradley, competing against Team Lynx’s XM30 Lynx.

General Dynamics Land Systems shares new details on Wolf XM30 infantry fighting vehicle

HMS Queen Elizabeth has left Belfast after the city’s first Royal Navy aircraft carrier visit since HMS Centaur in 1965. The Portsmouth-based ship paused operational training for the visit while on standby to serve as flagship of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force.

HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier prepares for NATO role and resumes air operations

Heaviside Industries introduced its TYR loitering munition at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C., saying the portable weapon can defeat targets including main battle tanks. The full speech is available in the video embedded in this article.

Heaviside unveils five-pound TYR loitering munition designed to defeat main battle tanks

Featured

HII says U.S. Navy contract expands its role in AUKUS submarine design and industrial support

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division has won a $56 million U.S. Navy contract for engineering and design work under the AUKUS partnership

October 14, 2026

Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS present Spike LR2 integration for Bradley’s TOW launchers

Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS have shown an adapter at AUSA 2026 that lets existing TOW launchers fire Spike LR2 guided missiles

October 14, 2026

F-47 stealth fighter aims to give U.S. air superiority over China in the Pacific

The United States is developing the sixth-generation F-47 fighter to maintain air superiority over China and operate across the long distances of the Indo-Pacific

October 12, 2026

L3Harris wins record order for GMLRS propulsion units

L3Harris has won a $250 million follow-on contract from Lockheed Martin to produce standard-range GMLRS propulsion units in the largest quantity ordered in the program’s history

October 12, 2026

France accelerates next-generation fighter programme towards full-scale development

France plans to begin full-scale development of its next-generation fighter in 2029, following a second demonstration phase starting in 2027

October 12, 2026

Castelion tests ground-launched Blackbeard as potential rival to Lockheed Martin systems

Castelion is testing a ground-launched version of its Blackbeard hypersonic missile, with a company photograph showing a four-canister launcher on an Oshkosh 10×10 truck

October 11, 2026

X-Bow to develop booster for next-generation U.S. Navy weapon under prototype agreement

X-Bow Systems has received a prototype agreement to develop and qualify a solid rocket motor booster for a next-generation U.S. Navy weapon

October 10, 2026

Northrop Grumman deploys 21 satellites to extend the Link 16 communications network into space

Twenty-one satellites built by Northrop Grumman have been launched and deployed for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer

October 10, 2026

Industry spotlight

Air and missile defence

Combat-proven air defense: recent Patriot® contract awards signal surge in demand across Europe

European demand for proven air and missile defense systems is rising and Raytheon, an RTX business, is investing heavily to meet that need with higher production capacity.

September 23, 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
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. These include ALKON 122, ALKON 122L and EGM120, three solutions aimed at providing greater precision and new possibilities of use.
Land

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

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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The U.S. Air Force is upgrading its X-62 VISTA research aircraft to accommodate more demanding combat-autonomy tests. Recent flights have evaluated third-party autonomous software, target-recognition tools, safety controls and a processor capable of running trajectory simulations onboard.

U.S. Air Force expands X-62 VISTA’s role in testing AI for combat aviation

October 14, 2026
Read more about U.S. Air Force expands X-62 VISTA’s role in testing AI for combat aviation

U.S. Marine Corps activates its 10th operational F-35B Lightning II squadron

The U.S. Marine Corps activated VMFA-231 as an F-35B Lightning II squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on October 9.

October 14, 2026

Netherlands deploys nuclear-capable F-35 fighters for NATO’s Steadfast Noon exercise

Aircraft from 17 countries are taking part in the training, which uses no live nuclear weapons.

October 13, 2026

F-47 stealth fighter aims to give U.S. air superiority over China in the Pacific

The United States is developing the sixth-generation F-47 fighter to maintain air superiority over China and operate across the long distances of the Indo-Pacific.

October 12, 2026

France accelerates next-generation fighter programme towards full-scale development

France plans to begin full-scale development of its next-generation fighter in 2029, following a second demonstration phase starting in 2027.

October 12, 2026

Northrop Grumman completes B-2 Spirit of Kitty Hawk overhaul, restoring stealth surfaces

The bomber underwent structural repairs and restoration of its stealth surfaces at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.

October 11, 2026

IAI to unveil POINT@AIR aerostat radar at AUSA 2026 for long-range threat detection

Israel Aerospace Industries will unveil its POINT@AIR mobile aerostat-based radar at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C., this week.

October 11, 2026

Land

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Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS have shown an adapter at AUSA 2026 that lets existing TOW launchers fire Spike LR2 guided missiles. Intended primarily for Bradley fighting vehicles, it adds engagement options while retaining the launcher and existing gunner interface.

Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS present Spike LR2 integration for Bradley’s TOW launchers

October 14, 2026
Read more about Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS present Spike LR2 integration for Bradley’s TOW launchers

RENK and KNDS extend contract for Leopard 2 transmissions, with deliveries from 2029

RENK Group and KNDS Deutschland have expanded a Leopard 2 transmission order by around €130 million, with deliveries scheduled from 2029 to 2032.

October 14, 2026

Lockheed Martin and Avio partner on U.S. rocket motor production for ER GMLRS and PrSM

Production will begin after qualification at Avio USA’s facility under construction in Hurt, Virginia.

October 14, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace doubles supply of key Abrams engine part, removing fleet availability bottleneck

Honeywell Aerospace has doubled the supply of a critical Abrams tank engine component by adding an internal manufacturing source.

October 14, 2026

Oshkosh starts production of JLTV-based Kaaiman patrol vehicle prototype for Netherlands

Oshkosh Defense has begun building the first Kaaiman patrol vehicle prototype for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

October 13, 2026

U.S. Army orders nine Hanwha wheeled howitzer prototypes, unveils XM1776 designation

The U.S. Army has ordered nine prototypes of Hanwha’s wheeled 155 mm howitzer, with an option for nine additional systems.

October 13, 2026

General Dynamics Land Systems shares new details on Wolf XM30 infantry fighting vehicle

General Dynamics Land Systems is showing a scale model of its XM30 Wolf infantry fighting vehicle at AUSA 2026 while the U.S. Army tests the first prototype.

October 13, 2026

Sea

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HII has redelivered the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS New Jersey (SSN 796) to the U.S. Navy following completion of post-shakedown availability work. The work was carried out at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division.

HII says U.S. Navy contract expands its role in AUKUS submarine design and industrial support

October 14, 2026
Read more about HII says U.S. Navy contract expands its role in AUKUS submarine design and industrial support

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Basilone joins U.S. naval forces in Europe

The guided-missile destroyer joins U.S. naval forces stationed in Europe for maritime security operations and training with NATO allies.

October 14, 2026

F-35C fighters complete landing and takeoff trials aboard aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy

Two Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II fighters have conducted landing and takeoff trials aboard John F. Kennedy in the Atlantic.

October 14, 2026

HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier prepares for NATO role and resumes air operations

HMS Queen Elizabeth has resumed helicopter operations as it prepares to serve as flagship of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force if activated.

October 13, 2026

U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarine USS Oregon visits Norway during Arctic operations

The visit is part of routine U.S. and allied submarine operations across northern Europe and the Arctic.

October 11, 2026

USS Abraham Lincoln leaders address crew conditions and logistics after 322-day deployment

USS Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer and strike group commander addressed concerns about crew conditions and combat logistics after the carrier’s record-setting, 322-day deployment.

October 10, 2026

HMS Dragon back in Portsmouth after 214 days, sent from dry dock to shield Cyprus bases under attack

The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon is back in Portsmouth after 214 days away, a deployment that began with the defence of British bases in Cyprus and later took it east of Suez.

October 9, 2026

Space/C4ISR

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CSG has bought a 9.5% stake in MDA Space, becoming the space technology company’s largest shareholder at the time of the announcement. The investment is part of the industrial and defence group’s plan to build space capabilities alongside its defence and aerospace businesses.

CSG takes 9.5% stake in MDA Space, becoming its largest shareholder in space sector push

October 13, 2026
Read more about CSG takes 9.5% stake in MDA Space, becoming its largest shareholder in space sector push

Northrop Grumman deploys 21 satellites to extend the Link 16 communications network into space

Twenty-one satellites built by Northrop Grumman have been launched and deployed for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer.

October 10, 2026

BlackSky wins six-figure pilot to give foreign intelligence agency on-demand 35-centimeter imagery

BlackSky Technology Inc. has picked up a new international intelligence customer, winning a six-figure pilot contract to supply an unnamed agency with very high-resolution satellite imagery.

October 9, 2026

Rheinmetall gives German military direct access to dedicated radar satellites for Lithuania brigade and NATO eastern flank monitoring

Germany’s armed forces have gained direct access to dedicated radar reconnaissance satellites, allowing them to task the spacecraft independently, Rheinmetall said.

October 7, 2026

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

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.

October 3, 2026

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

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