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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, February 27, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 39 February 27, 2026
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Operations

Credit: MizarVision
article

U.S. Military Buildup For Iran Tracked By Chinese Space Company

Feb 26, 2026
A Chinese space company is releasing imagery revealing key details of the U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Programs

Castelion
article

U.S. Navy Contract Sets Fielding Date For Blackbeard Missile

Feb 26, 2026
A nearly $50 million contract award from the U.S. Navy will field an early version of the low-cost Blackbeard missile by November 2027.
PAC-3
article

U.S. Army Opens Bidding For Patriot Interceptor Follow-On

Feb 26, 2026
The U.S. Army has launched a bidding process for the Future Interceptor (FI) contract award.
frankenburg mini missile
article

BAE Systems, Frankenburg Team On Missile Warhead Development

Feb 25, 2026
BAE Systems has become the latest big defense prime to team up with Estonian anti-drone missile developer Frankenburg Technologies.
Lt. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon, commander of U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command, speaks Feb. 24, 2026, at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado. Credit: Jack Dempsey/Air & Space Forces Association
article

USSF Orbital Warfare Delta Testing Maneuverable Satellite

Feb 26, 2026
The U.S. Space Force has launched a prototype maneuverable satellite to train for on-orbit offensive and defensive activities.
knight satellite
article

Israel's ImageSat Plans 2027 Knight Earth Imaging Satellite Launch

Feb 25, 2026
Israel’s ImageSat International says it plans to launch the first of its new Knight Earth-imaging satellites next year.

Business

phantom
article

Small Rocket Startups Phantom Space, Vector Launch Merged

Feb 26, 2026
Phantom Space, a would-be small rocket launch provider, has bought key assets and intellectual property from Vector Launch, another would-be provider.
stand-off jammer concept art
article

Hensoldt Eyes Major Role In German Airborne Electronic Attack Push

Feb 26, 2026
Hensoldt sees a potential $1 billion opportunity in Germany’s ambition to field an airborne electronic attack capability, with a possible competition soon.
Roberto Cingolani
article

Leonardo CEO Sees Planned Aerostructures JV Having Global Ambitions

Feb 25, 2026
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani says the company is in the final stages of agreeing an aerostructures partnership that will lead to the creation of a player with worldwide aerospace ambitions.
Dan Jablonsky
article

Sierra Space Names Ex-Ursa Major Leader As New CEO

Feb 26, 2026
Sierra Space has named former Ursa Major leader Dan Jablonsky as its first permanent CEO in more than one year, the company announced Feb. 26.

Funding & Policy

A pair of deputy managers took the reins of NASA’s portfolio of low-Earth-orbit programs, including the bellwether International Space Station (ISS), its planned commercial successors and the trans-portation services needed to safely shuttle astronauts to and fro. The promotions of Joel Montalbano, previously the deputy associate administrator of the agency’s Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) to acting deputy, and of Dana Hutcherson, previously deputy manager of Commercial Crew Program (CCP), to a
article

NASA Names New Manager For Commercial Crew

Feb 26, 2026
A pair of deputy managers have taken the reins of NASA’s portfolio of low-Earth-orbit programs

The Debrief

Kh-101 debris
article

Debrief: Why Russia’s Ukraine War Is Becoming A Hand-To-Mouth Operation

Feb 26, 2026
There are signs Russia’s most costly conflict since World War II is taking a toll on the war machine, but opinions are split on Moscow’s ability to sustain it.

Technology

Lockheed Martin is planning several internally funded technology demonstrations focused on missile defense between 2026-28. Credit: Lockheed Martin
article

Lockheed Planning On-Orbit Missile Defense Tech Demos

Feb 24, 2026
Lockheed Martin plans to demonstrate a number of on-orbit capabilities related to missile defense over the next three year, a company executive said Feb. 23.
greta during test fire
article

ESA Eyes Full Hydrogen Peroxide Engine Demonstration

Feb 25, 2026
ESA and ArianeGroup are looking to advance work on a hydrogen peroxide and ethanol rocket engine that would be more sustainable than those using current propellants.

Aviation Week Forecasts