Defense

For decades, the Pentagon has pursued Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), linking every service's sensors and shooters so data reaches warfighters in time to matter.

Leonardo DRS helps pilots and aircrews train with realism—anywhere, anytime.

Editors gather on the eve of the AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference to discuss what the key themes will be at this year's event.

For more information about Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s (AWIN) 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast and other Aviation Week data products, please see: https://pgs.aviationweek.com/forecast

The U.S. Air Force has activated a new unit specifically dedicated to standing up operations with the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider at its first operating base.

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. plans to draw on its Collaborative Combat Aircraft experience to develop the autonomous capabilities for its new Wildfire proposal.

The EC has given the green light for Ukraine to receive another €6.1 billion ($7 billion) for more military equipment.

Germany's 2027 defense budget jumps 32.7% to $175.5 billion, making it NATO's second largest spender after the U.S.

Indra says it has received a Spanish government order to procure a new family of tactical drones for the country's armed forces, with first deliveries in 2028.

Australia has declared initial operational capability for the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM and AGM-158B JASSM-ER as part of an accelerated long-range strike capability package.

New factories mean nothing without workers, and industry is finally stepping up to fill the floor space.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Collaborative combat aircraft are set to become major military aircraft production items.

Isar Aerospace kicked off a busy week in Europe, which is showing it is looking to reclaim a leadership position in space launch.

The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s Sept. 6, 1971, issue featured one of the two NASA YF-12 aircraft then in existence being refueled from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker 21,000 ft. over Trona, California.

Canada is prepared to join a coalition of pan-European anti-ballistic missile defense system operators led by Ukrainian missile company Fire Point, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on a visit to Ottawa on Sept. 10.

The French government is embarking on the renewal of its space-based electronic intelligence capability, with a contract to a consortium of Airbus and Unseenlabs.

The Pentagon sees exciting progress in several hypersonic programs with the expectation that they will be fielded at scale in the near future.

Toronto-based MDA Space is expanding its Aurora software-defined satellite line with an eye on the military satellite communications market, the company announced Sept. 10.

Shield AI has committed to support future production and sustainment in Poland of autonomous X-Bat combat aircraft.

Airbus says it has received a follow-on deal from the French government for U050 Capa0X uncrewed aircraft systems.

The company’s point-to-point delivery vehicle hits a key milestone.

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to loosen restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the company’s Starlink service in its battle against Russia.

The consortium developing the sensing and communications suite for the Global Combat Air Program has secured its first major contract from prime contractor Edgewing.

Germany seeks a record €139.6 billion defense budget for 2027, citing air defense, military space and munitions supply as core priorities.