U.S 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy have completed a government-led Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Block II upgrade of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The review was completed in May 2026 and officially announced this week. The successful CDR clears the program to move from detailed design into hardware and software integration, physical aircraft modifications and testing. Flight testing of the upgraded configuration is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2029, with the first Block II aircraft expected to be delivered by the end of the decade.   Major modernization of the E-2D The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a carrier-based airborne early warning and command and control aircraft used for missions including target detection, interceptor control, communications relay, and air and missile defense. The U.S. Navy describes the aircraft as a platform for airborne command and control and battlespace awareness. The Block II upgrade focuses largely on modernizing the aircraft's mission-system architecture, computing infrastructure and supporting systems. The aircraft's AN/APY-9 UHF-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar will remain unchanged under the upgrade. Instead, the systems responsible for processing and managing the radar and other mission data will receive major improvements. Key elements of Block II include: Open Mission Systems architecture: A modular architecture will allow future capabilities, including artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools, to be incorporated through software and containerized applications rather than requiring major hardware changes. Modernized cockpit: A redesigned cockpit architecture is intended to reduce pilot workload and improve crew effectiveness during complex battlespace management. Increased computing power: Newer processors will provide greater capacity to handle the growing volume and complexity of information exchanged between ships, aircraft, satellites and uncrewed systems. Enhanced cybersecurity: Additional cybersecurity improvements are incorporated into the Delta System Software Configuration 6 (DSSC-6) baseline. Commercial off-the-shelf components: The modernization makes use of commercial off-the-shelf products to address component obsolescence and support long-term fleet sustainment. The Navy has previously described the DSSC-6 effort as providing improved computing and electronic storage, better command-and-control connectivity, parts-obsolescence mitigation and a modular open-systems environment for future technology insertion.   Production and retrofit work Northrop Grumman plans to integrate the Block II configuration into newly built E-2D aircraft on the active production line while also applying the upgrade to aircraft already in the Navy's fleet. This approach will allow new-production aircraft and existing E-2Ds to receive the modernization as the program progresses. With the CDR complete, engineering teams can now move into the physical integration and modification phase ahead of testing. Janice Zilch, vice president and program manager for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye at Northrop Grumman, said the completion of the review reflects the work of the company's team and its partners. She said the upgrade is intended to strengthen the E-2D's capabilities, improve situational awareness, reduce crew workload and support future technology insertion. Northrop Grumman has also described the broader modernization effort as being aimed at improving operational availability, software resiliency, security and interoperability through new mission computers, displays and an open mission-systems approach.   Continued E-2D production The Block II modernization comes as the U.S. Navy continues procurement and modernization of the E-2D fleet. The aircraft provides airborne early warning and command-and-control capabilities for carrier operations and broader naval missions. The Navy's FY2026 budget documents identify Northrop Grumman as the airframe prime contractor, with Rolls-Royce providing the engines and Lockheed Martin responsible for the radar. The E-2D program also supports more than 4,000 jobs across 411 supplier companies in 40 U.S. states, according to the information provided by Northrop Grumman. The company has delivered E-2D aircraft to the U.S. Navy and international customers, including Japan, while France has E-2D aircraft in production. The completion of the Block II Critical Design Review marks the transition of the upgrade from design definition toward aircraft integration and flight testing. The next major test milestone is scheduled for fiscal year 2029, followed by expected delivery of the first Block II aircraft by the end of the decade.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-20 14:47:29

 U.S 

HONOLULU, Hawaii — Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy demonstrated a rapidly retrainable artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) sonar system during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise off Hawaii. Known as SensorMAX, the system is designed to analyze subsurface acoustic data and assist crews in identifying underwater threats. The demonstration took place during RIMPAC 2026, which ran from June 24 to July 31. The U.S. Navy said the exercise involved 30 nations, more than 30,000 personnel, 30 surface ships, five submarines and more than 197 aircraft.   AI-Based Acoustic Analysis SensorMAX is built on Lockheed Martin’s Spectral Foundation Model, which is designed to interpret spectral energy in a way similar to how large language models process language. The system can process data from different types of sensors, including acoustic sensors. During the RIMPAC demonstration, two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters equipped with the system conducted antisubmarine warfare missions against an undersea threat. The helicopters deployed sonobuoys, which collected acoustic information from the underwater environment and transmitted the data to SensorMAX. The system continuously monitored the sonobuoy data and provided information to the helicopter aircrews while also sending information to a ground station. Each aircrew could manage up to eight simultaneous sonobuoy surveillance feeds, which Lockheed Martin said was twice the capacity of legacy capabilities.   Retraining the AI During Missions One of SensorMAX's main features is its ability to retrain its AI model when new acoustic signatures are identified. The process consists of four steps: capture, label, retrain and deploy. When a new sound is identified, operators label the acoustic signature and retrain the model using the new data. The updated model is then transmitted back to the aircraft as a small update package. Lockheed Martin said the retraining process takes less than five minutes per iteration. The company also said the classifier models are smaller than one megabyte, allowing them to be transferred rapidly. The system supports over-the-air (OTA) model updates through an encrypted data link. Lockheed Martin worked with FUSE Inc. on secure software delivery so trained models and mission software can be updated on deployed aircraft without interrupting operations.   Portable and Platform-Agnostic System Lockheed Martin describes SensorMAX as lightweight, portable and capable of operating across different platforms. The company says the same processing capability can be used on aircraft, ships or land-based systems. The system is also designed for edge retraining. Lockheed Martin says new energy signatures can be used to train models on edge devices using consumer-grade GPUs, without requiring a large data center. The company said the RIMPAC demonstration showed how AI-based acoustic classification could support the Navy's efforts to use different sensors for underwater detection and provide crews with updated information during missions.   Lockheed Martin Statement Devon Rodgers, vice president and general manager of Undersea Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin, said the RIMPAC demonstration showed the company's approach to combining commercial technology with defense engineering to accelerate capability development. “Today’s battlespace requires the defense industry to accelerate capability delivery and seamlessly integrate commercial technology; at RIMPAC 2026 our mission-focused engineers demonstrated exactly how we are meeting that challenge,” Rodgers said. The demonstration adds an AI-based acoustic analysis capability to the MH-60R's antisubmarine warfare mission and shows how models can be updated while deployed rather than relying only on pre-existing acoustic signatures. Lockheed Martin said the capability is intended to support faster detection and tracking of underwater threats and the Navy's broader work on crewed and uncrewed teaming.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-20 12:16:21

 U.S 

HAWAII — The U.S. Navy and forces from six partner nations conducted Pacific Dragon 2026, a multinational exercise focused on ballistic missile defense, integrated air and missile defense, and tactical data-link information sharing in waters around the Hawaiian Islands. Hosted and executed by the U.S. 3rd Fleet, the biennial exercise was held from August 6 to August 13, 2026, according to the U.S. 3rd Fleet. The exercise involved the United States, Australia, Chile, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Spain, with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) also participating.   Multinational Missile Defense Exercise Pacific Dragon 2026 was designed to improve the ability of participating forces to detect, track and report air and missile defense targets while coordinating ballistic missile defense operations through shared tactical data links. Chile and Spain took part in Pacific Dragon for the first time. The exercise included both in-port and underway phases. In-port activities included interoperability training, instruction at the Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center, and preparations for operations at sea. The 2026 exercise also introduced a multi-mission event that combined ballistic missile defense with broader integrated air and missile defense scenarios. Vice Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, said the exercise strengthened interoperability, improved information sharing and refined the tactics and procedures required for allied and partner forces to operate together.   ARAV-6 Target Launch A major part of the exercise was the launch of an Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle Six (ARAV-6) from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai on August 6. ARAV vehicles are ballistic missile targets used to represent threat missile trajectories during missile-defense testing and training. The ARAV family is designed to provide configurable short- and medium-range ballistic missile targets for defense testing. Kratos says the family has completed more than 50 successful defense missions. The ARAV program has its origins in work by engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center's White Sands Detachment, where sounding-rocket technology was adapted for use as ballistic missile targets. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is part of the ARAV industrial team and provides components for several configurations. Kratos identifies three principal ARAV configurations: Type B, Type C and Type TTO. The company says the different configurations use different rocket stages and can be tailored to produce different ballistic trajectories. Kratos does not provide a separate public technical breakdown of the ARAV-6 configuration. ARAV targets have also been used in previous missile-defense exercises. In Pacific Dragon 2022, for example, an ARAV-B target was successfully intercepted by the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald using a Standard Missile-3 Block IA.   Ships and Aircraft Participating Pacific Dragon 2026 included naval forces from seven countries. Participating warships were: USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) — United States HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) — Australia Almirante Cochrane (FF-05) — Chile ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P434) — Italy JS Kongo (DDG 173) — Japan ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG 995) — Republic of Korea SPS Álvaro de Bazán (F101) — Spain Aircraft involved included the Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and U.S. aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon, F/A-18 Hornet, MQ-9 Reaper and BQM-177A subsonic aerial target. The exercise therefore combined naval missile-defense ships, airborne surveillance and control capabilities, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter aircraft, unmanned aircraft and aerial target systems in a common training environment.   USS Jack H. Lucas Brings Flight III Capabilities The USS Jack H. Lucas was the U.S. Navy's representative during the exercise and is the Navy's first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. The ship is equipped with the Baseline 10 combat system and AN/SPY-6 radar, which the Navy identifies as part of its continued development of integrated air and missile defense capabilities. The participation of the Flight III destroyer provided the exercise with a ship equipped with the Navy's newer radar and combat-system configuration while multinational forces practiced sharing tactical information and coordinating missile-defense operations.   Focus on Interoperability Pacific Dragon 2026 was not limited to a single missile-defense engagement. The exercise brought together ballistic missile defense and wider integrated air and missile defense activities, requiring participating forces to share information and coordinate operations across multiple platforms. The U.S. 3rd Fleet said the exercise improved interoperability among allied and partner maritime forces through shared tactical data links and coordinated ballistic missile defense operations. The event also provided an opportunity to refine the procedures used for regional integrated air and missile defense. The Missile Defense Agency's participation is part of the exercise's continuing focus on missile-defense testing and evaluation. Pacific Dragon provides a multinational environment in which participating forces can practice detecting and tracking targets, sharing tactical information and coordinating defensive operations. Pacific Dragon 2026 was the eighth iteration of the exercise and continued the U.S. Navy's effort to develop coordinated air and missile defense capabilities with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-20 12:00:36

 U.S 

TORRANCE, Calif. —  U.S. defense technology company Castelion has raised $1 billion in Series C financing, valuing the company at $13 billion. The funding will expand production of its Blackbeard hypersonic strike missile and accelerate development of longer-range precision-strike and defensive systems. The financing includes $800 million in equity and $250 million in committed financing for a revolving credit facility. JPMorganChase’s Strategic Investment Group, Andreessen Horowitz and funds managed by Carlyle co-led the equity round. New investor T. Rowe Price Associates joined existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners, Lavrock Ventures, Altimeter, General Catalyst and Interlagos. Castelion has secured more than $500 million in U.S. military contracts over the past 18 months. Founded in 2022 by former SpaceX executives including Co-Founder and CEO Bryon Hargis, the company moved Blackbeard from a clean-sheet design to a formal program of record in less than four years, with military fielding targeted for 2027. The U.S. Navy is currently the primary customer. It awarded Castelion about $50 million in February 2026 for Blackbeard's early operational capability, approximately $105 million in April for integration, testing and certification on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and a $23.4 million June order for 50 pre-production prototypes and associated shipping and storage containers. In May 2026, the U.S. Department of War signed a production framework agreement with Castelion. It covers a planned two-year procurement contract for a minimum of 500 Blackbeard missiles annually after testing and validation, with options to extend up to five years. The department has also indicated interest in seeking authorization and funding for more than 12,000 missiles over five years. Blackbeard is designed as a lower-cost hypersonic strike missile capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5. Reports have put its expected unit cost at around $384,000, with Castelion targeting production rates higher than traditional hypersonic missile programs.   Project Ranger Expansion Much of the new funding will support Project Ranger, Castelion's 1,000-acre manufacturing campus in Sandoval County, New Mexico, near Rio Rancho. The company is investing $220 million in the physical site. The project includes 21 buildings for activities including solid rocket motor production, testing and final assembly. The facilities are scheduled to reach full production readiness by the end of 2026. The campus is expected to create approximately 300 high-wage manufacturing jobs and generate an estimated $650 million in local economic impact over the next decade. Castelion said the funding will also accelerate testing of a longer-range precision-strike weapon that has been under development for several years. It uses core technologies, components and manufacturing methods from Blackbeard and is intended to provide a lower-cost weapon that can be produced at higher rates. The company is also developing defensive systems using the same technologies and manufacturing methods, with the goal of reducing costs, increasing production rates and providing greater magazine depth for air and missile defense missions. “There’s a manufacturing renaissance underway and this round turbocharges American production of Blackbeard,” Hargis said, describing the missile as designed in California, built in New Mexico and supplied by businesses across the United States. Todd Combs, Head of JPMorganChase's Strategic Investment Group, said the firm is supporting companies working to strengthen the defense industrial base through more affordable and scalable defense technologies. Castelion said the Series C financing will be used to scale Blackbeard production, expand its precision-strike portfolio and advance its defensive systems.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-20 11:46:28

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rocket One Inc. has introduced Swarm Stage AI, a large-scale drone-swarm threat-emulation platform designed to help U.S. military and defense organizations train, test and evaluate counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) against coordinated drone attacks. The platform is not a new counter-drone weapon. Instead, Rocket One describes Swarm Stage AI as a training and evaluation system that can create realistic and scalable drone-swarm scenarios for organizations developing and operating counter-UAS capabilities.   Commercial Swarm Technology Adapted for Defense Swarm Stage AI is based on swarm-coordination technology and intellectual property acquired by Rocket One from SkyStage, a commercial drone-swarm company. According to Rocket One, the underlying technology has been used to coordinate thousands of aircraft in synchronized operations. The platform includes more than 2,500 field-tested formations and flight assets, which can be used as a starting point for creating customized swarm scenarios. Rocket One says the technology has been adapted for defense applications and is designed, built and operated in the United States.   AI-Based Threat Generation and Mission Preview One of the main features of Swarm Stage AI is its AI Threat Builder. It allows operators to define a threat scenario and generate coordinated behaviors for multiple drones. The platform also includes a 3D Mission Preview that allows users to visualize and review a planned swarm mission before conducting a flight. Rocket One says operators can examine approach paths, timing and deconfliction during the planning stage. The system also supports customized threat scenarios rather than limiting users to the formations already included in its library.   Training Against Coordinated Drone Threats Rocket One is positioning the platform around the growing requirement for counter-UAS systems to deal with groups of drones rather than individual aircraft. Potential applications include testing radar and other sensors, evaluating drone detection and tracking systems, assessing command-and-control capabilities, and training personnel to respond to coordinated drone incursions. The company's platform is intended to provide a repeatable environment in which C-UAS technologies can be evaluated against large-scale simulated drone threats. Robb Knie, Chief Executive Officer of Rocket One, said that mass drone attacks are creating a new challenge for military defense systems and that systems designed to detect or defeat individual drones increasingly need to be prepared for coordinated groups arriving simultaneously. Knie said Swarm Stage AI is intended to provide the realistic training and testing environment needed to develop and evaluate counter-drone technologies.   Availability for U.S. Defense Organizations Rocket One is offering capabilities briefings, demonstrations, testing and evaluation opportunities for U.S. military organizations, government agencies, defense contractors, C-UAS developers and authorized test and training facilities. The company says interested organizations can request a capabilities briefing through SwarmStage.ai. Rocket One has also made clear that the availability of Swarm Stage AI does not represent a contract, procurement commitment, endorsement, certification or selection by the U.S. Department of Defense, any U.S. military service or another government agency. Swarm Stage AI is operated as a Rocket One company focused on drone-swarm threat emulation and counter-UAS training. The platform's stated purpose is to provide defense organizations with a scalable environment for preparing against coordinated drone-swarm threats and evaluating the technologies intended to detect, track and respond to them.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 16:07:39

 U.S 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The U.S. Space Force has activated the 1st Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (1 EWS) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, on August 3 under Mission Delta 3. Combat Forces Command announced the activation in an August 14 release. The 1 EWS is the Space Force's first electromagnetic warfare unit equipped with two different systems. Its personnel will operate the Meadowlands and Bounty Hunter systems and will be distributed across five operating locations.   Meadowlands and Bounty Hunter Meadowlands, manufactured by L3Harris Technologies, is a mobile, ground-based space electronic warfare system designed to temporarily detect, identify, deny, disrupt and degrade adversary satellite communications and radars. Combat Forces Command accepted Meadowlands for operational combat missions in June 2026. Space Force officials described Meadowlands as a critical upgrade to the legacy Counter Communications System, with a smaller physical footprint and greater mobility. The Bounty Hunter system provides a deployable tactical defensive electronic warfare capability and acts as a listening post. It monitors, detects, characterizes, geolocates and reports electromagnetic interference and signal jamming directed at U.S. and allied satellite networks. Bounty Hunter has existed in various forms since the early 2010s. It was deployed to U.S. Pacific Command in 2018 and U.S. Central Command in 2019, reaching initial operational capability in 2020. Officials also said the system received additional upgrades last year. Retired Space Force Col. Charles Galbreath, director of space studies at the Mitchell Institute's Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, said combining the two functions and systems within a single squadron creates cohesive combat power and can support better execution of both missions.   Former Air National Guard Personnel The 1 EWS is also primarily staffed by former Air National Guardsmen who transitioned to full-time active-duty roles. Last October, the missions of nine space-focused Air National Guard units, located from Hawaii to Alaska, were transferred to the Space Force. Five of those units were electromagnetic warfare squadrons. The Space Force selected 99 Guardsmen from the nine units to transfer into full-time roles, while additional personnel could follow in part-time positions. Lt. Col. Danielle Ryan, commander of the 1 EWS, said the squadron combines decades of electromagnetic warfare experience with newer tactics and personnel. The transition was enabled by the Space Force Personnel Management Act, included in the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation created a unified personnel management system allowing Guardians to move between full-time and part-time status without the older procedures that could delay such transfers in other military services. Galbreath said the use of former Guardsmen reflects the expertise that existed in the Guard and Reserve and allows trained personnel to continue working in their specialties under a new status.   Expanding Space Electromagnetic Warfare The 1 EWS is part of the Space Force's broader effort to maintain control of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is used for satellite command and control and the transmission of information from satellites. The Space Force is planning five Space Electromagnetic Warfare Tactical Operations Centers (SEWTOCs). Mission Delta 3 opened the first SEWTOC in Colorado Springs last September. The Space Force also released information showing that Guardians from the 16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron conducted training on the Bounty Hunter system at Peterson Space Force Base in April 2026. The activation of the 1 EWS brings Meadowlands and Bounty Hunter together within a single electromagnetic warfare squadron while adding experienced personnel transferred from the Air National Guard.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 15:33:14

 U.S 

HAWTHORNE, Calif. — The U.S. Army has awarded ThinKom Solutions Inc. an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreement with a ceiling of $49 million to deliver and evaluate a mobile high-power microwave (HPM) system designed to counter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The agreement was issued through the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Fires’ Program Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Effects (PM ACE). Initial funding covers the first of four requested prototypes of ThinKom’s Alecto™ HPM effector, with field testing planned for 2027. Under the agreement, ThinKom will integrate Alecto with government-supplied sensors, fire-control systems and a mobile tactical platform. The Army will evaluate the system as a non-kinetic directed-energy option for maneuvering forces, particularly against coordinated drone swarms.   Alecto Counter-UAS System ThinKom first announced Alecto on April 30, 2026, as a self-funded mobile HPM system. The company entered the HPM directed-energy market in August 2025. Alecto uses short, high-power radio-frequency (RF) pulses to disrupt or disable the electronics of targeted drones. It is designed for fire-on-the-move operations against Group 1 and Group 2 UAS. The system combines ThinKom’s patented Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) phased-array antenna with vacuum electronics. ThinKom says the combination produces peak power densities orders of magnitude higher than gallium-nitride-based active electronically scanned arrays. The company says Alecto's compact, low-profile design reduces size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements compared with traditional HPM systems. It is intended for smaller platforms including the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). ThinKom also lists horizon-to-horizon coverage, high precision with low sidelobes, a tablet interface, compatibility with key command-and-control networks, and compliance with U.S. military HERO, HERP and HERF electromagnetic radiation safety standards among the system's features.   Previous Army Demonstration In March 2026, a ThinKom HPM system was demonstrated during the U.S. Army's Cross Domain Fires Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment. Mounted on a pickup truck and cued by Echodyne's EchoShield radar, it participated in sensor-to-shooter and counter-drone evaluations at Fort Sill, Yuma Proving Ground and White Sands Missile Range. ThinKom originally developed the VICTS antenna technology for satellite communications and says it has demonstrated the technology's ability to handle gigawatt-level power.   Prototype Testing The first prototype will undergo government-led integration, testing and evaluation, with results from the 2027 field tests expected to inform future Army procurement decisions for directed-energy capabilities. The OTA agreement is strictly for prototyping and evaluation. It does not represent a final production decision or commit the Army to procure a specific number of systems. PAE Fires, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, manages the Army's integrated portfolio of offensive, defensive and integrated fires capabilities. Dan Roman, ThinKom's vice president for electronic warfare and high-power microwave programs, said Alecto is intended to provide soldiers with a high-capacity, low-cost-per-engagement counter-UAS option capable of operating while moving against Group 1 and Group 2 drone threats.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 14:25:24

 U.S 

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The U.S. Air Force has completed its first round of prototype evaluations for the Portable Command and Control Enclave (C2E), a portable system designed to allow ground operators to control Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) from remote and austere locations. The evaluations were conducted at Springfield Air National Guard Base and hosted by the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Wing. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Agile Development Office said the tests are an early step toward selecting a vendor to integrate the final C2E system. The results were announced on Aug. 13.   Prototype Testing Multiple industry vendors brought prototypes for evaluation. The Air Force assessed the systems in two main areas: mobility and footprint, followed by software and connectivity. Evaluators first examined how easily the equipment could be transported and deployed in simulated austere conditions. Vendors then demonstrated software flexibility, agility and network connectivity under operational conditions. The 178th Wing provided facilities, personnel and logistical support for the tests. “The 178th Wing’s foundational support was key to the success of this phase, allowing our evaluators and industry partners to focus entirely on technical performance,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Bieler, Materiel Leader for CCA Software, Autonomy and Teaming.   Ground Control for CCA CCA aircraft are semi-autonomous drones being developed to operate alongside crewed fighters and increase combat capacity at a lower cost than manned aircraft. They are expected to receive direction from human pilots, while control can also be provided from platforms such as the E-7 Wedgetail. The C2E program is focused specifically on ground-based control from rapidly deployable locations. Col. Timothy Helfrich, the Air Force’s portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft, first publicly discussed the system in June. A service spokesperson described C2E as an application suite operating across different networks that allows the appropriate operator, with the required permissions, to operate a CCA. It is separate from the software used by pilots in the cockpit. For the first CCA increment, the Air Force selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which are developing the FQ-44 and FQ-42, respectively. The first increment is planned to enter service by 2029 and will focus on air-to-air missions. Later versions may support air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance and electronic warfare. The Air Force did not identify the companies that participated in the Springfield C2E evaluations. Separately, Anduril has demonstrated its Menace-T portable ground system using two portable cases and a rugged laptop. The company has shown it being used to upload mission plans, initiate autonomous taxiing and takeoff, task the aircraft during flight and handle post-flight data.   Next Phase Data from the Ohio evaluations will help shape the Air Force’s acquisition strategy. A second C2E prototype phase is planned soon, with vendors expected to refine their systems and demonstrate cloud capabilities. After a final system integrator is selected, the equipment is expected to be provided to the Experimental Operations Unit, which is already testing CCAs. The system will support Agile Combat Employment operations before being integrated with production CCA aircraft. “Getting prototypes into the hands of our operational and acquisitions warfighters for a swift, combined evaluation is a direct embodiment of acquisition transformation,” said Col. Eric Reagan, director of the Agile Development Office. “This partnership allows us to accelerate the fielding of the best-value capabilities to the Department of War.” The first evaluation phase gives the Air Force test data for the next stage of the C2E program as it works toward a portable ground-control system for its future CCA fleet.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 14:08:43

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s Rapid Capability Office, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and PAE Aviation are investing $50 million to expand unmanned, runway-independent maritime strike capabilities centered on Shield AI’s X-BAT aircraft. The funding was announced in mid-August 2026. The investment comes under the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program, launched by the Navy and DIU in February 2026. RIMES aims to develop a long-range strike drone that can operate from surface combatants without the flight decks, catapults or arrested-landing systems required by conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The Navy’s roughly 74 to 75 active Arleigh Burke-class destroyers can operate helicopters but cannot launch or recover conventional fixed-wing strike aircraft. RIMES is intended to close this gap by enabling vertical takeoff and landing operations from ships with limited deck space. The $50 million award builds on earlier risk-reduction work by the PAE Aviation Rapid Capability Cell and Shield AI. The award uses the Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototype approach and an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract.   X-BAT Capabilities Shield AI first unveiled X-BAT in October 2025. It is a jet-powered, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft designed for air-to-air and air-to-surface strikes, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The aircraft has a 39-foot (11.9-meter) wingspan, a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles (about 3,700 kilometers) with a full mission payload, and a service ceiling above 50,000 feet (15,240 meters). X-BAT will initially use GE Aerospace’s F110-GE-129 engine fitted with an Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN). In July 2026, Shield AI and GE Aerospace completed integration and engine light-off testing of the system, supporting development of the aircraft’s vertical-flight capability. Shield AI says X-BAT can carry weapons in the 2,000-pound class in internal bays comparable in size to those on the F-35, along with external hardpoints. The aircraft is also designed to generate about 80 kilowatts of electrical power for sensors and electronic warfare systems. X-BAT uses Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, which is designed to allow autonomous operations in environments where GPS and communications are denied, degraded or jammed, without requiring direct human input to execute complex missions.   Building on V-BAT Experience X-BAT builds on technology developed for Shield AI’s smaller V-BAT unmanned aircraft, which is already supplied to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and allied services. The V-BAT has flown more than 170 sorties in Ukraine and currently supports a nearly $200 million U.S. Coast Guard contract for contractor-owned ISR services. X-BAT is also at least the second long-range VTOL concept to receive Navy support under RIMES. In June 2026, the program awarded a contract of undisclosed value to a Mach Industries and Whisper Aero team for the smaller Atlas aircraft, described as a roughly 6,000-pound platform with a 1,000-pound payload and hybrid-electric propulsion.   Development Timeline Shield AI is targeting the first flight of X-BAT for later in 2026 and has projected full manufacturing and production capabilities by 2029. The Navy has not disclosed how many X-BAT aircraft it may ultimately procure or provided a specific timeline for deployment aboard destroyers. The $50 million investment is intended to accelerate development of an unmanned maritime strike capability that can operate without conventional runways.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 13:58:56

 U.S 

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier carrying about 5,000 sailors and Marines, has been deployed for more than 260 days after leaving Naval Base San Diego on November 21, 2025. The carrier was later redirected to the Middle East to support U.S. military operations against Iran. It has spent more than 200 consecutive days at sea without a port visit, setting a modern record for the Navy. Reports from Navy Times, Stars and Stripes, MS NOW and crew families have raised concerns about shortages of food and basic hygiene supplies, including soap and toothpaste, along with water and plumbing problems, limited mail delivery and mental-health concerns. Some reports described sailors attempting or threatening to go overboard. The Navy has said it has not seen an increase in suicidal ideation or attempts and confirmed that one sailor went overboard in early August, was recovered, treated and transferred off the ship. The Navy has also said the carrier has clean water, functioning air conditioning and healthy meals. Officials said meal plans were adjusted when fresh resupply was limited, but no meals were missed.   Bahrain Attack Disrupted Supply Routes The supply difficulties have been linked to Iranian missile and drone attacks on Naval Support Activity Bahrain, a key logistics hub for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The base suffered significant damage to command facilities, warehouses and other structures, disrupting established regional supply operations. The Navy subsequently shifted logistics to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The longer supply route has made resupply more difficult for carrier forces operating around the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The Navy has described the situation as a "highly contested environment" in which traditional Middle Eastern supply hubs were disrupted by combat actions, with food prioritized ahead of hygiene supplies and mail.   Dispute Over Hegseth's Handling of the Damage MS NOW journalist David Rohde has argued that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not fully disclose the extent of the Bahrain damage in public briefings, contributing to inadequate alternative supply arrangements. However, claims that Hegseth deliberately concealed the damage have not been established by documented evidence of a cover-up. Hegseth has rejected reports about deteriorating conditions aboard the Lincoln, calling them "completely misrepresented." He has defended the Navy's support for the crew and said he wants sailors rotated and the carrier brought home as soon as possible. President Donald Trump has also dismissed some concerns, saying the deployment was "not nearly long enough" and indicating that the ship would soon be relieved.   Lawmakers Demand Answers Senator Richard Blumenthal and other Democratic lawmakers have called for answers about the deployment extension, supply shortages, water and plumbing problems, mental-health support, deck safety and mail disruptions. Families of Lincoln crew members have also raised concerns directly with Navy leaders. The situation has also prompted criticism from former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who described the reported conditions as inexcusable.   USS George Washington to Relieve Lincoln The U.S. Navy is moving the USS George Washington from the western Pacific toward the Middle East to relieve the Lincoln as part of a planned carrier rotation. The George Washington recently operated in the western Pacific and visited Vietnam before beginning its movement toward the region. Officials have limited details about the exact timeline for operational-security reasons. The Lincoln has continued combat operations during its extended deployment, including operations involving a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Its carrier strike group has conducted thousands of aircraft flights and expended significant quantities of ordnance. The extended deployment has highlighted the logistical and personnel demands of sustaining carrier operations when a major regional supply hub is disrupted. The Navy is now preparing for the Lincoln's relief while congressional inquiries into the crew's conditions and deployment continue.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 13:37:33

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — Raytheon’s SPY-6(V)3 radar has completed acceptance trials aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the U.S. Navy’s second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The milestone follows a four-day underway evaluation off the Atlantic Coast from August 12 to 15. The successful trials move the 100,000-ton carrier closer to preliminary acceptance and allow the Navy to begin further underway testing of its combat and aviation systems.   SPY-6(V)3 Radar Capabilities The SPY-6(V)3, also known as the fixed variant of the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR), provides continuous 360-degree situational awareness. It supports aircraft carrier flight-deck operations and air traffic control while also providing ship self-defense against cruise missiles, hostile aircraft, anti-surface and anti-ship threats, and challenging electronic warfare environments. The radar uses three fixed array faces, each containing nine standardized Radar Modular Assemblies (RMAs). According to Raytheon, this architecture provides greater detection range, higher sensitivity and more accurate target discrimination than legacy radar systems. It also provides targeting data for Navy weapons, including Standard Missile variants. The wider SPY-6 family is designed to simultaneously track and support defense against ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, hostile aircraft and surface threats.   First Ford-Class Carrier With SPY-6(V)3 John F. Kennedy is the first Ford-class carrier to receive the SPY-6(V)3. Unlike lead ship USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), which uses the SPY-3 and SPY-4 Dual Band Radar arrangement, CVN 79 combines the S-band SPY-6(V)3 with the X-band AN/SPQ-9B surface-search radar. The SPY-6 family uses common hardware and software based on standardized RMAs. Raytheon says this modular design allows different variants to be used across seven classes of Navy ships while simplifying maintenance and future upgrades. The Navy is integrating SPY-6 variants on Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, Constellation-class frigates, aircraft carriers and amphibious warships. Variants are also being backfitted onto existing Flight IIA destroyers and some legacy aircraft carriers. The SPY-6(V)1 is used on Flight III destroyers, the rotating SPY-6(V)2 on amphibious ships and Nimitz-class carriers, the fixed SPY-6(V)3 on Ford-class carriers and frigates, and the SPY-6(V)4 is intended for Flight IIA destroyer upgrades. The SPY-6 family is expected to equip more than 50 U.S. Navy ships over the next decade.   CVN 79 Moves Toward Delivery Acceptance trials are crew-led evaluations intended to demonstrate to the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey that a ship meets contract specifications and can safely operate at sea. Capt. Mark Johnson, Program Manager for Aircraft Carrier New Construction, praised the CVN 79 crew following the recent testing. With acceptance trials complete, the carrier will move toward preliminary acceptance. This phase will allow the crew to build operational proficiency and conduct further evaluations while prime contractor Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) completes the remaining advanced weapons elevators. CVN 79 completed its builder’s sea trials in February 2026 and is currently about 98 percent complete. The carrier is also being built to support full F-35C Lightning II operations upon commissioning. Final delivery of USS John F. Kennedy to the U.S. Navy is scheduled for spring 2027.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-19 13:19:08

 U.S 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Lockheed Martin has completed the final assembly of Germany’s first F-35A Lightning II, marking another step in Germany’s plan to introduce the fifth-generation fighter into Luftwaffe service. The aircraft, designated MG-01, has moved from final assembly into the Aircraft Final Finishes stage at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility. During this phase, the aircraft will receive its final exterior finish, including its specialized low-observable coating. The official rollout is scheduled for September 18, 2026. The Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine was installed on MG-01 in June, completing another major stage of the aircraft’s production. Lockheed Martin previously said the aircraft would receive its paint and final finishes, including its stealth coating, before first flight and the official rollout. Lockheed Martin also highlighted the milestone in a social media statement, saying: “Another milestone for Germany’s first F-35. Following final assembly, the aircraft moved to Aircraft Final Finishes, bringing it one step closer to supporting the Luftwaffe and Germany’s next generation of air power.”   Eight Aircraft Form the Initial Batch Germany has ordered 35 F-35A Lightning II fighters. Seven additional German aircraft are currently moving through production at the Fort Worth facility, making MG-01 part of the first eight aircraft being produced for Germany. The first eight German F-35As are scheduled to remain in the United States initially for training. They will be delivered to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where German pilots and maintenance personnel will receive F-35 training. Germany has already established a dedicated F-35 training presence in the United States. The Bundeswehr says German personnel at Ebbing are involved in F-35A pilot training, while technical and logistical personnel also receive training in the United States. German personnel will train alongside personnel from other F-35 partner countries using the Arkansas training facility.   Production of Germany’s F-35A Fleet Germany formally approved the purchase of 35 F-35As through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process in December 2022. The German government signed the Letter of Acceptance for the aircraft on December 14, 2022. Production of the first German F-35 began with major assembly work at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia, facility in December 2024 before the aircraft moved through the production process at Fort Worth. MG-01 entered final assembly in March 2026. The German Defense Ministry currently plans to receive the first F-35As at Büchel Air Base beginning in 2027, while the Tornado fleet is scheduled to be retired by 2030. The current program schedule calls for deliveries to continue through 2029, with initial operating capability planned for 2029 and full operating capability planned for 2030.   Büchel Base Being Upgraded Büchel Air Base is undergoing extensive infrastructure work to prepare for the F-35A. The Bundeswehr is constructing an F-35 campus that includes facilities for aircraft maintenance, washing, hangaring, spare-parts storage and flight operations. The first groundbreaking for the F-35 infrastructure project took place on October 23, 2024, and the Bundeswehr says the campus is planned to be ready by November 2026. The infrastructure upgrades are required because Büchel was previously configured for the Panavia Tornado. The new facilities are being developed to support the F-35A and its operational and maintenance requirements.   Replacing the Tornado in Germany’s NATO Role The F-35A is being introduced as the replacement for Germany’s Panavia Tornado IDS fleet. One of the major reasons for the acquisition is Germany’s continued participation in NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement. Germany’s F-35A fleet is intended to take over the Tornado’s role in this mission. The aircraft will be configured to carry and employ U.S.-supplied B61 nuclear bombs for Germany’s NATO nuclear-sharing mission. The F-35A will also introduce fifth-generation capabilities to the Luftwaffe, including reduced radar detectability, sensor information fusion and networking with other aircraft. The Bundeswehr says these capabilities will improve the aircraft’s ability to operate within multinational NATO formations. With MG-01 now moving beyond final assembly, Germany’s first F-35A is approaching its planned rollout in September. The aircraft will then remain in the United States for the initial training phase before the first German F-35As are transferred to Büchel from 2027.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-18 16:12:56

 U.S 

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Army is seeking industry proposals for a major increase in Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) production, with a requirement for 133,014 rockets from FY2028 through FY2034. The Army Contracting Command–Redstone Arsenal published the Sources Sought notice on August 17, 2026, under Notice ID PANRSA-25-P-7693. Companies have until September 1, 2026, at 4 p.m. CDT to submit capability statements. The Army is seeking an annual production rate of 19,002 GMLRS rockets in each fiscal year from FY2028 through FY2034. The first deliveries are scheduled to begin in February 2030. The requirement covers GMLRS unitary, alternative warhead (AW) and extended-range (ER) variants, as well as production tooling, engineering change proposals and other supporting activities.   GMLRS Production Requirement GMLRS provides U.S. Army field artillery units with precision surface-to-surface fires against point and area targets. The rockets are launched from the M270-series Multiple Launch Rocket System and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The GMLRS Unitary uses a 200-pound-class payload and is available in two primary configurations. The unitary warhead is intended for precision strikes with minimal collateral damage, while the alternative warhead uses pre-formed penetrators to provide area effects in accordance with current cluster-munition policies. The Extended-Range GMLRS (ER-GMLRS) increases the system's maximum range while carrying either the unitary or alternative warhead payload.   Army Requests Detailed Industrial Plans The Army is asking companies to submit white papers explaining their capability, previous experience and technical approach for producing 19,002 rockets per year. Companies must explain how they would achieve the required production rate in the most efficient and cost-effective way. They are also asked to identify the risks and benefits of different production approaches and recommend contracting strategies that provide value to the government while reducing contractor cost risk. The capability statements must also address previous experience with similar work, technical skills, subcontractor management, facility and safeguarding requirements, and proposed facilities and supply-chain partners capable of supporting production beginning in FY2028. Companies must provide a tier-one schedule in Microsoft Project format showing the activities from contract award through delivery of the first GMLRS munitions to the Army.   Seven-Year Production Target The Army's maximum production quantities are: Fiscal Year GMLRS Rockets FY2028 19,002 FY2029 19,002 FY2030 19,002 FY2031 19,002 FY2032 19,002 FY2033 19,002 FY2034 19,002 Total 133,014 Respondents must also provide a development and qualification plan for the system and its subcomponents to meet the Army's technical data package, specifications and drawing requirements. The government may provide integrator-level technical data packages and drawings, subject to the required security approval. Companies would be responsible for developing or obtaining technical data packages at the subsystem level and below.   Broader Manufacturing Support The planned effort extends beyond recurring rocket production. The Army lists obsolescence management, engineering changes, systems engineering, program management, integrated logistics support, training data, support equipment and production tooling among the additional activities that may be required. Companies must also demonstrate that they can meet applicable facility and safeguarding requirements and identify qualified supply-chain partners with available capacity. The Army is conducting the notice as market research, not as a contract solicitation. The Sources Sought notice is not a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid or Request for Quote, and the government is not obligated to award a contract based on the responses. All responses must be unclassified. The Army said corporate or proprietary information properly identified by respondents will be protected from release outside the U.S. government. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2026, at 4 p.m. CDT. Responses are to be sent to Army Contract Specialist Kyle Teegarden and Contracting Officer Mόnica Clemons.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-18 15:33:08

 U.S 

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $73.86 million contract modification to procure, test and deliver Indra Rigel electronic warfare systems for four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) ships being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. The award, announced on August 12, 2026, is valued at $73,864,423 and modifies existing contract N00024-18-C-2301. It covers the electronic warfare systems for Saudi Arabia's four MMSC vessels under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.   Contract and Production Details The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement. The entire amount is funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the FMS program and will be obligated at the time of the award. The funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be carried out primarily in Madrid, Spain, which will account for 96% of the effort. The remaining 4% will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey. The U.S. Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair in Bath, Maine, is responsible for managing the contract. The work is scheduled to be completed by February 2031.   Indra Rigel Electronic Warfare System The four MMSC ships will receive Indra's Rigel electronic support measures system. The system is designed to detect and analyze radar signals from other vessels, allowing the system to identify and classify platforms and assess the level of threat they represent. Indra says the system provides information that improves situational awareness and supports the survivability of the ships in hostile environments. The Rigel family is designed for detection, analysis, classification and identification of radar signals and can provide direction-finding information as part of its electronic support functions. Indra is working with SAMI-AEC, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian defense company SAMI, to deliver the systems. The cooperation builds on previous work between Indra and SAMI-AEC involving electronic defense systems for Saudi Arabia's Avante 2200-class corvettes. Indra announced the agreement to equip the four MMSC ships with Rigel systems in February 2024.   Saudi Arabia's MMSC Fleet The four MMSC ships are a derivative of the U.S. Navy's Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship. Saudi Arabia signed the Foreign Military Sales case for the ships in 2017, with Lockheed Martin serving as the prime contractor and Fincantieri Marinette Marine responsible for construction in Wisconsin. The program is known as Project Tuwaiq. Each MMSC is 118 meters (387 feet) long and has a stated range of 5,000 nautical miles. The ships are based on the Freedom-variant LCS hull and have been modified with additional combat systems for the Saudi requirement. Their weapons and combat systems include an eight-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system configured for MBDA Sea Ceptor missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, a BAE Systems Mk 110 57mm gun and a Raytheon SeaRAM system. The ships also use Lockheed Martin's COMBATSS-21 combat management system, which is built from the Aegis Common Source Library. A Saab Ceros 200 fire-control radar and Indra's Rigel electronic support measures system are among the additional systems integrated into the Saudi configuration.   Program Schedule The first ship, HMS Saud, entered the water at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin on December 20, 2025. It is the first of four MMSC vessels being built for Saudi Arabia. The MMSC program has experienced schedule delays. Naval News reported in December 2025 that the program had been affected by shipyard disruptions, workforce shortages, the time required to complete the ship design and design changes requested by Saudi Arabia. The new Lockheed Martin contract adds the Rigel electronic warfare systems to the equipment being delivered for the four Saudi MMSC ships, with work continuing through February 2031.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-18 14:21:42

 U.S 

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force is seeking a new family of expendable aerial target drones capable of replicating a wide range of airborne threats, from low-cost drone swarms to advanced stealth fighters, strategic bombers and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The Air Force's Aerial Targets Program Office at Eglin Air Force Base issued a Request for Information (RFI) on August 14. Industry responses are due by September 28. The proposed targets must be realistic enough to challenge modern sensors and weapons while being affordable and simple enough to be routinely expended during testing. The Air Force is specifically interested in commercial, modified-commercial, dual-use and non-developmental solutions that can offer advantages in cost, scalability and simplicity over legacy systems.   Multiple Target Categories For advanced fighter threats, the Air Force wants targets capable of flying at Mach 1.6 and above at 40,000 feet, performing high-agility maneuvers, sustaining 5G and reaching instantaneous loads of up to 9G. They must also provide precise low-observable radar cross-section profiles, multispectral infrared signatures, active radio-frequency emissions and integrated electronic-attack capabilities. A separate category covers C-130-sized multi-engine aircraft, as well as larger aircraft such as strategic bombers and AEW&C platforms. These targets are expected to reproduce the physical scale, slow subsonic flight characteristics and representative propulsion, radar and infrared signatures of larger aircraft. The requirement also covers unmanned aircraft. Group 5 targets should operate at altitudes up to 50,000 feet, while Group 3 and Group 4 targets should fly at approximately Mach 0.5 to 0.8 and maneuver between 3G and 6G. Group 1 and Group 2 targets should fly below 150 knots and operate in swarms.   Addressing Limits of Existing Targets The Air Force currently uses systems including the BQM-167A, a subscale aerial target, and converted QF-16 fighter aircraft. The BQM-167A provides a relatively affordable subscale target, but its size limits its ability to represent larger aircraft. The QF-16 provides full-scale fighter performance, but using converted fighter aircraft as expendable targets is different from operating purpose-built systems designed for production and expenditure in larger numbers. The new requirement is intended to cover the gap between these existing systems and provide targets representing modern stealth aircraft, large aircraft and massed small-drone threats. The Air Force has also pursued high-fidelity targets for advanced aircraft in the past, including the 5th Generation Aerial Target (5GAT) program.   Testing Modern Weapons and Sensors The requirement is aimed at supporting testing across the weapons and sensor kill chain, including detection, tracking, seeker acquisition, guidance and terminal engagement. The Air Force wants targets capable of reproducing not only aircraft flight performance and physical size but also radar cross-section, infrared characteristics, radio-frequency emissions and electronic-warfare effects. The effort reflects the increasing variety of airborne threats that U.S. weapons and air-defense systems must be tested against. The proposed family would provide different target types for fighter aircraft, large aircraft, unmanned systems and drone swarms while maintaining an emphasis on affordability and scalability. The RFI is currently seeking information from industry and does not itself represent a contract award. Responses must be submitted by September 28, 2026.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-18 14:02:28