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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, February 19, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 33 February 19, 2026
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Daily Briefs

Daily Briefs
article

Daily Briefs

Feb 19, 2026
SwRI working on USAF product lifecycle management system... LOCKHEED gets JASSM award... GE AEROSPACE funded to repair F404 engine components...

In Brief

article

In Brief: Carpenter Technology Names Malloy New CEO In Succession

Feb 19, 2026
News in brief.

Programs

JetZero
article

Northrop Grumman Plans Three-Part Approach For USAF Tanker Program

Feb 18, 2026
Northrop Grumman is presenting a three-pronged approach to offer a “family of systems” for the USAF if it progresses with that plan for future refuelers.
b21
article

Northrop CEO Links Acceleration Of B-21 To Proposed Order Boost

Feb 18, 2026
A proposal to increase the size of the B-21 Raider program of record depends on getting U.S. Air Force approval to accelerate deliveries.
Friedrich Merz during an official visit to the Republic of Moldova. Contributor: Victor Mogildea
article

German Chancellor Seeks Clarity On Future Fighter Requirements

Feb 18, 2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants the military to do a proper requirements assessment for a potential next-generation fighter.
c-27j mpa
article

Saudi Arabia Orders Leonardo C-27Js In Maritime Patrol Configuration

Feb 16, 2026
Saudi Arabia will acquire four Leonardo C-27J airlifters for maritime patrol, giving the kingdom a fixed-wing maritime patrol capability for the first time.
Spanish Air Force
article

Spain Adds Sigint Capability To Reaper UAS Fleet

Feb 17, 2026
Spain has added a signals intelligence capability to its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) fleet.

Business

worker making mbda missiles
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MBDA Backlog Tops $50B On Surging Demand

Feb 18, 2026
European missile-maker MBDA has secured a backlog of orders now valued at around €44 billion ($52 billion), joint venture partner BAE Systems disclosed Feb. 18.
elt
article

Indra, ELT Group Partner On Space, UAS

Feb 18, 2026
Spain’s Indra and Italy’s ELT Group have signed a strategic framework for closer collaboration on space and uncrewed aircraft systems.
thaad seeker being worked on in a lab
article

BAE Systems Sees European Growth Accelerating

Feb 18, 2026
BAE Systems' sales growth generated in Europe is poised to accelerate after with the business there now surpassing the British defense company’s sizable Saudi Arabian activities.
Titanium sponge
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Safran Could Do Without Russian Titanium, CEO Says

Feb 17, 2026
Safran's diversification in suppliers of titanium billets and forgings is sufficiently well underway for the manufacturer to do without Russian titanium, its CEO says.

Operations

stratolanch 747
article

Stratolaunch Ramps Up With Back-to-Back Tests

Feb 18, 2026
Hypersonic test company Stratolaunch has completed back-to-back launches of two Mach 5-plus, rocket-powered Talon-A vehicles from two different carrier aircraft in the space of just fourteen days.

Funding & Policy

a400m aircraft
article

EU Plans Military Mobility Push

Feb 17, 2026
The EU plans to establish what it calls a Military Mobility Transport Group in a move that could be a boon to Airbus by paving the way for more A400M orders.
Credit: Astroscale US
article

Debrief: Will In-Space Servicing Get Real In 2026?

Feb 18, 2026
U.S. military space leaders spent the better part of last year debating whether the time was ripe to invest further in in-space servicing and refueling. But going into 2026, the messaging has begun to coalesce around a more positive note.
debris
article

Senate Panel Advances Orbital Debris Remediation Bill

Feb 17, 2026
A Senate panel has again passed the Orbital Sustainability Act, which authorizes $150 million in 2026-2030 to remediate Earth orbital debris.

Air Forces In Focus

AFIF_Hellenic
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Air Forces In Focus: Hellenic Armed Forces Enter New Era With €25 Billion Defense Overhaul

Feb 19, 2026
After years of underinvestment, the tide is finally turning for the Hellenic Armed Forces, with the government pledging last year to inject €25 billion ($29 billion) into defense.