2026 - defencenews.online

February 25, 2026
G.Krish
R&D
Air Platforms

US Army Prepares Midlife Upgrade for Black Hawk Fleet to Keep It Flying Beyond 2050

The US Army has invited industry feedback to evaluate the feasibility of commercially upgrading its UH-60M Black Hawk fleet to extend the helicopter’s operational life beyond 2050. Under the...

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
New Product Launches
Soldier Systems

Rheinmetall Launches Next-Generation Combat Helmet and Scalable Body Armor System

Rheinmetall has unveiled a next-generation combat helmet and a modular body armor suite, broadening its range of personal protection systems for armed forces. The new equipment is designed to...

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
R&D
Missile & Missile Defence

Taiwan Plans Expansion With Nine More Sophisticated SAM Batteries

Taiwan is reportedly preparing to procure nine additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to further reinforce its integrated air defense network, according to local media reports. The new...

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
R&D
Unmanned Systems

General Atomics Arms MQ-9B Drone With Long-Range Naval Strike Power

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) is enhancing the strike reach of its MQ-9B unmanned aircraft, positioning them for longer-range air and maritime missions. The firm is reportedly considering...

Rolls-Royce North America Bags $73.5 Million Deal to Supply Merkava Power Packs

Rolls-Royce Solutions America has won a $73.5 million contract to provide power-pack kits for Israel’s Merkava main battle tanks. The agreement will be funded through fiscal year 2026 Foreign...

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
R&D
Naval Platforms

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Awarded Contract to Enhance Skjold-Class Fast-Attack Craft

Norway has awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace a contract worth roughly 400 million Norwegian krone ($42 million) to modernize the combat systems of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class fast...

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
Procurement & Contracts
Air Platforms

GE Aerospace, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Clinch US Air Force Contract for Expendable Drone Engine

The United States Air Force has awarded a combined $12.4 million contract to GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to develop a next-generation expendable engine for smaller...

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
Mergers & JV
Unmanned Systems

General Atomics Christens YFQ-42A Drone ‘Dark Merlin’ in Loyal Wingman Program

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has chosen the name “Dark Merlin” for its YFQ-42A unmanned aircraft proposed under the United States Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program....

February 24, 2026
G.Krish
R&D
Unmanned Systems

Russia Integrates Shahed Modems Into Molniya Loitering Munitions

Russia has reportedly started equipping its Molniya tactical unmanned aerial systems with Shahed mesh modems to improve coordination against Ukraine. The development was disclosed by Ukrainian Defence Ministry advisor...

Anduril Industries Lands $43M Funding to Scale US Rocket Motor Manufacturing

The United States Department of Defense has granted Anduril Industries an additional $43.7 million to scale up domestic solid rocket motor (SRM) production, addressing one of the most persistent...