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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, February 18, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 32 February 18, 2026
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Programs

longshot rendering
article

DARPA’s Missile-Carrying LongShot Becomes Newest X-Plane

Feb 17, 2026
An air-launched missile-carrying UAS developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for DARPA’s LongShot project has been designed the X-68A.
sentinel
article

Sentinel Test Launch Next Year, IOC In Early 2030s, USAF Says

Feb 17, 2026
The U.S. Air Force is now planning for its first missile pad test launch of its next intercontinental ballistic missile next year.
northradar
article

Northrop Grumman Unveils Low-Cost, Scalable AESA

Feb 16, 2026
Northrop Grumman has unveiled a new active electronically scanned array to be produced using additive manufacturing and a more simplistic design.
F-15E Strike Eagle
article

Drone-Killing APKWS Rocket Gets Fire-And-Forget Upgrade

Feb 17, 2026
BAE Systems will transform the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II with dual-mode seekers to make the 2.75-in.-dia. guided rocket more effective at shooting down volleys of large numbers of one-way attack munitions.
757
article

Excalibur 757 Further Modified for GCAP System Testing

Feb 17, 2026
A Boeing 757 adapted to test sensors for the trinational Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) has completed its first flights equipped with a new fighter nose fairing.
satellite rendering
article

Sateliot Picks PLD’s Miura 5 For Upcoming Launch

Feb 17, 2026
Spanish startup Sateliot has booked a launch with compatriot PLD Space to deploy its first two high-capacity 5G direct-to-device satellites.
HADIS drop
article

Hensoldt Tests Disposable Autonomous Supply Glider

Feb 13, 2026
German defense electronics firm Hensoldt has tested a scaled demonstrator of its proposed High Altitude Drop Infiltrating System (HADIS) disposable autonomous supply glider.
rafale
article

India Targets 50% Local Supply Chain For Next Rafales

Feb 13, 2026
India is targeting greater than 50% localization of components for future Dassault Rafale fighters made in-country, Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Funding & Policy

Globemaster III
article

Industrial Plan Seeks 240% Growth For Canadian Defense Companies

Feb 17, 2026
Canada will prioritize domestic businesses for the award of an estimated C$180 billion in military procurement contracts over the next 10 years.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher
article

ESA Boss Couches Lunar Plans In Security Terms

Feb 16, 2026
The head of the European Space Agency has framed Europe’s need to pursue lunar missions in unusually security-focused terms for the civilian organization.
Orbit Fab
article

U.S. Seeks Spacecraft Refueling Services Info

Feb 16, 2026
The U.S. Space Systems Command is looking for companies that could provide refueling services in geostationary orbit to spacecraft configured for such operations.
Image caption: Howmet Aerospace posted 21% defense sales growth in the fourth quarter thanks to brisk demand from fixed-wing aircraft Image credit: Ted Small/Alamy Stock Image
article

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Propel Howmet Aerospace’s Defense Sales

Feb 13, 2026
Howmet Aerospace posted 21% defense sales growth in the fourth quarter, driven by engine demand from both advanced and legacy fighter jets.

The Debrief

alloy
article

Debrief: Digitally Designed Alloys Advance Aerospace Use Of Additive Manufacturing

Feb 17, 2026
3D printing has yet to turn aircraft production on its head.

Operations

zephyr
article

Aalto Seeks New Aussie Stratocraft Base As Commercial Operations Near

Feb 16, 2026
Aalto, the business spun out of Airbus to provide services from the stratosphere with the Zephyr high-altitude pseudo satellite, will establish a second operational base in Australia.

Contracts