2026 - latestdefencenews.com

September 17, 2026
Admin
R&D
Naval Platforms

Boeing Begins Production of US Navy MQ-25 Stingray Drone Tankers

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $562 million contract to initiate low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the MQ-25A Stingray, advancing the carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft from development...

September 17, 2026
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R&D
Air Platforms

Hermeus Secures License to Produce Pratt & Whitney F100 Jet Engines

RTX business Pratt & Whitney has granted Georgia-based aerospace company Hermeus a production license to manufacture F100-PW-229 fighter jet engines, marking the first time an independent US company has...

September 16, 2026
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Mergers & JV
Air Platforms

Northrop Grumman Exits SNC-Led Team in US Navy Jet Trainer Contest

Northrop Grumman has withdrawn from the team led by Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which is competing with its clean-sheet Freedom aircraft for the US Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System...

September 16, 2026
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R&D
Unmanned Systems

IDV USA Chosen to Develop Autonomous Breaching Vehicle for US Army

IDV USA has been selected as one of four industry participants to develop an autonomous ground vehicle capable of breaching minefields and other battlefield obstacles for the US Army....

September 16, 2026
Admin
R&D
Unmanned Systems

Indra Advances Spain’s Tarsis Program for Indigenous Tactical Drone Fleet

Indra is progressing with the development of up to 147 Tarsis tactical drones for Spain, bringing the country closer to deploying its first domestically produced tactical unmanned aerial systems...

September 16, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts
Naval Platforms

Germany Begins Construction of Third Type 424 SIGINT Ship, Plans Fourth

Germany has announced plans to procure a fourth Type 424 signals intelligence and reconnaissance (SIGINT) vessel, while Rheinmetall has laid the keel for the program’s third ship ahead of...

September 16, 2026
Admin
Procurement & Contracts
Naval Platforms

US Navy Awards $280M LCU 1700 Contracts to Three Gulf Coast Shipyards

The US Navy has awarded $280.5 million in prototyping contracts to Conrad Shipyard, Master Boat Builders, and Saronic Technologies as part of its LCU 1700-class landing craft program. Under...

September 15, 2026
Admin
R&D
Weapons and Munition

KNDS Targets Polish 105mm Gun Production and TOPAZ Integration

KNDS is preparing to introduce its lightweight 105mm artillery gun into Poland’s defense industrial ecosystem and explore integration with the country’s TOPAZ digital fire-control network. The German-French defense group...

September 15, 2026
Admin
Procurement & Contracts
Air Platforms

France Awards Rafale F5 Upgrade Contracts Ahead of Production

France’s defense procurement agency has awarded several contracts for preparatory activities ahead of the planned production launch of the Rafale F5 standard in late 2026. The F5 represents a...

September 15, 2026
Admin
R&D
Land Platforms

Greece Modernizes 30-Year-Old G-Class Vehicles for Modern Warfare

Greece is undertaking a major modernization program for its fleet of 30-year-old Mercedes G-Class military vehicles to prepare them for contemporary battlefield requirements. Under the upgrade initiative, Hellenic Vehicle...