🎯Today's Defense Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: U.S. Navy seeks advanced anti‑radiation missile to hit airborne radars
NAVAIR issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would surpass the range of the AGM‑88G and add capability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, EA‑18G Growler and F‑35C, featuring a broadband seeker, GPS/INS guidance and robust ECCM.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Anthropic closes $30B funding round at $380B valuation
News•Feb 18, 2026
AFGSC at Barksdale Air Force Base Secures $86.1m in Federal Funding
The U.S. government has allocated $86.1 million in new funding to the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base. The money will support innovation, technology, and modernization for the bomber fleet and nuclear command systems. Since 2020, total federal support facilitated by BRF and Louisiana lawmakers totals about $180 million. Barksdale, the region’s largest employer, generates over $1 billion in economic impact for FY 2024.
By Airforce Technology
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
The F-117 Test Pilot Who Successfully Landed His Nighthawk After Its Nose Wheel Fell Off upon Take Off
In January 1982, Lockheed test pilot Tom Morgenfeld experienced a nose‑wheel loss moments after taking off the third YF‑117A prototype from Area 51. Rather than eject, he continued the flight, burned off fuel, and used the aircraft’s drag chute to execute...
By The Aviation Geek Club
News•Feb 18, 2026
Tata Advanced Systems Inaugurates Airbus H125 Helicopter Production Line to Boost India’s Vertical-Lift Capabilities
Tata Advanced Systems has opened India’s first private‑sector final assembly line for the Airbus H125 helicopter at Vemagal, Karnataka, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The facility will produce both civil H125 and its military...
By Airbus – Newsroom
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
UK Firm to Begin Work on US Air Force Wedgetail Aircraft
A UK‑based aviation firm, STS Aviation, has been awarded a contract by Boeing to perform the initial conversion of the first two US Air Force E‑7 Wedgetail aircraft, marking the first UK‑built military aircraft for the United States in more...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 18, 2026
3 Ways to Start Your Intelligent Workflow Program
Security, IT and engineering teams face pressure to accelerate outcomes while extracting AI value, yet 88% of AI proofs‑of‑concept never reach production despite 70% of workers seeking time‑saving automation. The Hacker News article outlines three pre‑built intelligent‑workflow use cases—automated phishing response,...
By The Hacker News
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
Polling Shows Britons Feel Less Safe than Five Years Ago
A new Adam Smith Insights poll of 2,052 British adults shows 52% feel less safe than in 2021, with over 60% reporting heightened anxiety about global security. The war in Ukraine and Middle‑East tensions appear to drive this shift, especially among...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 18, 2026
Thermal Intelligence Company Raises £30m in NATO-Backed Round
SatVu, a London‑based defence‑tech firm, raised £30 million in a round backed by the NATO Innovation Fund, the British Business Bank and other investors. The funding brings total capital to £60 million and will enable the company to expand from a single‑satellite...
By UKTN (UK Tech News)
News•Feb 18, 2026
Defunding the Taliban without Starving the Afghan People
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the bipartisan No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, aiming to prevent American taxpayer money from funding the Taliban or affiliated terrorist groups. The legislation follows a SIGAR report indicating that roughly $3.83 billion of...
By Asia Times – Defense
News•Feb 18, 2026
L3Harris Begins Work on South Korean AEW&C Aircraft, Eyes Further International Opportunities
L3Harris has begun modifying Bombardier Global 6500 jets for South Korea’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program, deploying its AERIS X system. The contract, valued at roughly US $2.26 billion, was awarded in October 2025 and involves partners Bombardier, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta...
By Shephard Media
News•Feb 18, 2026
Managing Systemic Supply Chain Risk to the U.S. Economy From Trade Concentration and Geopolitical Conflict
The RAND report examines systemic supply‑chain risks facing the U.S. economy stemming from trade concentration and geopolitical conflict. It highlights how reliance on a narrow set of foreign suppliers can magnify disruption impacts. The analysis calls for coordinated public‑private strategies...
By RAND Blog/Analysis
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
BAE Systems Reports Record Sales and GBP 83.6bn Order Backlog
BAE Systems posted record full‑year 2025 sales of £30.7 billion, a 10% rise on a constant‑currency basis, and lifted its order backlog to a historic £83.6 billion. Underlying EBIT grew 12% to £3.32 billion, while free cash flow dipped to £2.16 billion as the...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
Social•Feb 18, 2026
New Power Rules for States Facing Reshaping Adversaries
Statecraft: The New Rules of Power in a Divided World To be published 19 March 2026 My new book on how states can pursue strategies when adversaries are powerful enough to reshape the assumptions on which they are premised. https://t.co/vmWAPrLGun
By Jack Watling
News•Feb 18, 2026
UAV Navigation & Ekolot Aerospace and Defense Partner on ZEUS VTOL Platform
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía and Ekolot Aerospace & Defense have forged a strategic partnership to embed high‑precision flight‑control and navigation systems into the ZEUS VTOL platform. The ZEUS family, with a maximum take‑off weight of 100‑250 kg and payload capacity of 30‑150 kg,...
By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
News•Feb 18, 2026
AFP Backs Increased US Missile Deployments to Manila for Enhanced Regional Defense Posture
The Armed Forces of the Philippines publicly endorsed the United States’ plan to expand missile and unmanned system deployments following the 12th Philippines‑U.S. Bilateral Strategic Dialogue. The agreement includes the Typhon mid‑range missile launcher and the Navy‑Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction...
By Manila Bulletin – Business
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
MOD Confirms Palantir Contract Was Direct Award
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that its Palantir Technologies contract for defence data analytics was awarded through a direct award under the Procurement Act 2023. The decision relied on Paragraph 6, citing a lack of viable alternatives, and Paragraph 7, highlighting...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 18, 2026
The Defense Industrial Base Is a Prime Target for Cyber Disruption
Cyber adversaries are moving beyond classic espionage to disrupt the defense industrial base (DIB), aiming to cripple production capacity and supply chains. Attackers now target everything from large primes to niche startups, especially firms with dual‑use technologies, using ransomware and...
By Help Net Security
Blog•Feb 18, 2026
UK Awards Contract for Nyan One-Way Effector
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £4.996 million contract (≈£5 million including VAT) to Callen‑Lenz Associates for the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector (OWE). The direct award under the Defence and Security regime aims to strengthen deep‑fires capability for forces deployed...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
News•Feb 18, 2026
Demonstrators Are No Longer Optional — They’re How Programs Stay on Track
Aerospace and defense programs are abandoning the old end‑stage validation model in favor of early demonstrators—physical or digital mockups that test designs throughout development. The Department of Defense now mandates rapid prototyping and competitive demonstration to curb cost overruns, schedule...
By Payload
News•Feb 18, 2026
DOD Eyes Commercial Satellites that Can Spy on Other Satellites
The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has issued a solicitation for low‑cost commercial satellites capable of high‑resolution space‑to‑space imaging to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). The program, dubbed Ghost Recon, requires launch within two years, government ownership after three,...
By Defense News - Space
News•Feb 17, 2026
Ukrainian Defense Tech Companies Must Prepare for Export Opportunities
Ukraine granted its first defense export permits in February 2026, allowing domestic defense‑tech firms to sell abroad as the government prepares ten export centers across Europe. The sector, proven in combat with rapid development cycles, now faces the need to...
By Atlantic Council – All Content
News•Feb 17, 2026
Analysis-US Envoys Juggle Two Crisis Talks, Raising Questions About Prospects for Success
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held back‑to‑back talks in Geneva on Iran’s nuclear program and the Russia‑Ukraine war, a move that has puzzled diplomatic circles. The two‑hour Iran session, mediated by Oman, yielded modest progress but no...
By Al-Monitor – All
News•Feb 17, 2026
A Bad Ukraine Peace Could Ignite New Wars in Russia’s Former Empire
U.S.‑brokered peace talks aim to end the Ukraine war by early summer, but analysts warn that a deal lacking robust security guarantees could free Russian forces to pursue expansion in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Recent recordings and leaked...
By Atlantic Council – All Content
News•Feb 17, 2026
HII Teams with Path Robotics to Integrate Physical AI Into Manned and Unmanned Shipbuilding
HII and Path Robotics signed an MOU to integrate Path’s physical AI welding system into HII’s shipbuilding operations. The partnership aims to boost HII’s shipyard throughput by an additional 15% in 2026, building on a 14% increase achieved in 2025....
By The Manila Times Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
MAG Aerospace Loses OCI Protest in $96M Army Contract
The Government Accountability Office dismissed MAG Aerospace's protest alleging organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) in the Army's $96.5 million NetMod contract, which was awarded to ManTech International. The Army had previously waived OCI rules, rendering the allegations moot, and the GAO...
By Washington Technology
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Requiem for Nuclear Arms Control
With the New START treaty lapsing on Feb. 5, 2026, the United States and Russia lost the last binding caps on their strategic nuclear forces. The article warns that the primary instability stems not from overt arsenal growth but from three...
By Naked Capitalism
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Iran Shuts Hormuz for Drills Amid US Nuclear Talks
"Iran says it temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz as it held more indirect talks with the US." https://t.co/Ek0ckZEw6N Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuzon Tuesday for live fire drills in a rare show of force as its...
By John Spencer
News•Feb 17, 2026
Energy Department ‘Center of Excellence’ Delves Into OT Cybersecurity
The U.S. Department of Energy has established a Center of Excellence to tackle operational technology (OT) cybersecurity across its labs and agencies. Sponsored by the Office of Science and the National Nuclear Security Administration, the effort unites cyber experts to...
By Federal News Network
News•Feb 17, 2026
Warning Shots Off Yemen Underscore Ongoing Gulf of Aden Security Risks
A merchant vessel near Aden, Yemen, encountered armed skiffs that fired warning shots, later identified as a local militia rather than Houthi forces or pirates. The UK Maritime Trade Operations downgraded the event to suspicious activity after confirming no direct...
By gCaptain
Social•Feb 17, 2026
India’s Kirana Hills Strike Signals Decisive Deterrence
Evidence of India's precision strikes on/near Kirana Hills, reported to be one of the core Pakistan nuclear program sites, was a direct strategic message to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor that India could hit what it wanted, when it wanted. Escalation...
By John Spencer
Social•Feb 17, 2026
China Still Clings to Outdated Carrier Strategy
“Tom Shugart, senior fellow at [@cnasdc], said: “Obviously [China] didn’t get the memo about carriers being obsolete.”” https://t.co/UhHbFPdoEt
By Tom Shugart
News•Feb 17, 2026
World Briefs | Putin Ally Warns European Powers over Seizure of Russian Vessels
Russia’s navy chief warned European powers of retaliation if Russian vessels are seized, underscoring heightened maritime tensions amid over 30,000 sanctions. Rosatom announced it has freed Siemens from the Hungarian Paks II nuclear contract and is scouting replacement equipment. Despite U.S....
By BusinessLIVE (South Africa) – RSS hub
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Air Force to Finalize Sentinel ICBM Restructuring by Year-End
Just in: The Air Force saty it intends to complete by year's end a restructuring plan for the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system from Northrop Grumman Corp., after the projected $141 billion program was plagued by skyrocketing costs...
By Tony Capaccio
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Europe’s Defense Reset: Funding Gaps and Combat Reality
Join us on Feb 19 for @Bloomberg webinar on the future of Europe. I’ll dig into what Europe’s defense spending reset really means, where investments are most needed, and whether new commitments will translate into credible combat power. Register here: https://t.co/3WMAfVVGVC...
By Becca Wasser
News•Feb 17, 2026
Two Battalions “Destroyed”? The Truth About NATO’s Exercise
The NATO‑led Hedgehog‑2025 exercise in Estonia involved over 16,000 troops from 12 nations and integrated Ukrainian drone operators using the Delta battlefield‑management system. In a simulated scenario, a ten‑person Ukrainian team “destroyed” 17 armored vehicles and rendered two battalions combat‑ineffective...
By Defence24 (Poland)
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Single Station Detection Yields Uncertain Location
Ah, then 20 tons fully coupled, no more than 400-800 tons fully decoupled. A one-station means its very hard to know the location with confidence.
By Jeffrey Lewis
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Deep Dive Into Weaponized Malicious SVG Files
Good read and research on malicious SVG file analysis and how it's weaponized by Adam Paulina @Binary_Defense https://t.co/65gf6f2XNn #BinaryDefense
By Dave Kennedy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Ukraine Denies Reports of Secret Multinational F-16 Squadron
Ukraine’s Air Force publicly refuted a report that a secret multinational F‑16 squadron, comprising Ukrainian, American and Dutch pilots, is operating over its territory. The claim, published by French outlet Intelligence Online, was labeled unsupported and inaccurate. Ukrainian officials highlighted...
By Defence Blog
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Lop Nor 2.7‑magnitude Test Yields Mere
A magnitude of Mb=2.7 corresponds to about 18 tons of yield at China's Lop Nor test site. If the explosion was fully decoupled that would correspond to about 400-700 tons of TNT. Again, these are very small events, relatively...
By Jeffrey Lewis
News•Feb 17, 2026
Denmark Establishes MQ-9B Drone Squadron for Arctic Surveillance
Denmark’s Air Force formally created Squadron 729 to operate four MQ‑9B long‑range drones, with deliveries slated to start in 2028. The unit, based at Aalborg Air Base, will focus on surveillance across the Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic regions. Training and...
By Defence Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
SNC Buys Global 6500 Jet to Support HADES Surveillance Fleet
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has purchased a Bombardier Global 6500 jet using private capital to support the U.S. Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) ISR program. The aircraft is the first non‑prototype platform earmarked for the Army’s future...
By Defence Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Pentagon Expands THAAD Interceptor Production with L3Harris Deal
The Pentagon awarded L3Harris Technologies a nearly $400 million contract to produce solid‑rocket boost motors and Liquid Divert and Attitude Control Systems for the THAAD missile‑defense system. The deal expands interceptor production after heavy operational use, including the 150 launches recorded...
By Defence Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Guidance: Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and Space Operations (AJP-3.3)
Allied Joint Publication AJP‑3.3, the NATO doctrine for air and space operations, was refreshed on 17 February 2026 as Edition C Version 1. The document outlines fundamental principles, the air‑operations planning cycle, and how space capabilities support joint forces. It targets NATO commanders, staff,...
By UK Ministry of Defence (GOV.UK)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Ceasefire Would Be only the Beginning. Ukraine’s Energy Problem
A ceasefire would only mark the start of Ukraine’s energy crisis, as the war has left the power grid in ruins. Experts estimate at least three years of scheduled blackouts, with a 6‑hour on/4‑hour off cycle becoming the norm. Damage...
By Defence24 (Poland)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Bangladesh Receives New Batch of Chinese VT-5 Light Tanks
Bangladesh has taken delivery of a new batch of Chinese VT‑5 light tanks, adding to the 44‑vehicle regiment already in service. The VT‑5’s 105 mm gun and modern fire‑control suite give the army a mobile, fire‑support platform suited to the country’s...
By Defence Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Guidance: Defence Maritime Regulations: Regulatory Notices
The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) has refreshed its regulatory notice suite, adding a 2026 Regulation Source Record, ATAMS and ISM Code guidance, and updated IMO registration requirements. Recent 2025 amendments address diving safety verification and wreck management, while a 2025...
By UK Ministry of Defence (GOV.UK)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Elbit Reports Record Demand for Laser Targeting Systems
Elbit Systems announced record global demand in 2025 for its NATO‑standard laser target designator (LTD) systems across land and airborne platforms. The surge reflects heightened reliance on precision strikes, rapid sensor‑to‑shooter cycles, and the expanding role of drones on modern...
By Defence Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Israeli Defense Giant Lands Undisclosed $435M Defense Agreement
Elbit Systems announced a roughly $435 million agreement with an undisclosed international customer to supply advanced land systems and co‑develop a new defense solution over a six‑year horizon. The contracts blend delivery of proven battlefield hardware with a research‑and‑development program aimed...
By Defence Blog
![USAFE-AFAFRICA Welcomes Bundeswehr Joint Forces Command [Image 2 of 2]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2602/9523592/250w_q95.jpg)
News•Feb 17, 2026
USAFE-AFAFRICA Welcomes Bundeswehr Joint Forces Command [Image 2 of 2]
On 3 February 2026, USAFE‑AFAFRICA hosted the Bundeswehr Joint Forces Command at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The delegation met with Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds and senior USAFE‑AFAFRICA officials to review U.S. counter‑small unmanned aircraft systems (C‑sUAS) and integrated air‑and‑missile‑defense (IAMD)...
By U.S. Marine Corps – News
News•Feb 17, 2026
Royal Navy Sees Hybrid Shift as Central to Future Force Mix
Britain’s Royal Navy is accelerating a transition to a ‘hybrid fleet’ that blends crewed warships with uncrewed and autonomous systems, a core element of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. First Sea Lord Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the priority is...
By Naval News
News•Feb 17, 2026
What’s Behind UK-China Border Security Deal?
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a UK‑China border‑security agreement aimed at disrupting the supply of engines and equipment used for small‑boat crossings of the English Channel. The pact builds on a network of similar deals with Turkey, the Balkans,...
By Asia Times – Defense