A new 5,000-lb. penetrator has completed a series of release tests, paving the way for the U.S. Air Force development program to enter production later this year.

The service has taken the lead on defeating small drones, looking at near-term acquisition and long-term development.

Lockheed Martin says its proposal for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Next Generation Interceptor could be fielded as early as 2027.

Israel Aerospace Industries has provided more details about the features and capabilities of the Proteus Advanced Systems’ Blue Spear anti-surface missile, adapted from the company’s Gabriel V missile.

Russia’s Zircon missile; Japan tests F-35B on carrier; U.S. Air Force looks for next-gen protections; and F-35A drops B61 test bomb.

Lockheed Martin has delivered a 60-kW-class, high-energy laser prototype for an upcoming demonstration on board an AC-130J gunship, a company official said on Oct. 6.

Estonia has become the first customer of the Proteus Advanced Systems’ Blue Spear anti-ship missile, opting for the land-based variant.

The Air Force Research Laboratory will meet this month with industry on Project Kaiju, its recently announced effort to develop new, high-tech countermeasures to protect high-value aircraft in contested environments.