YFQ-48A TALON, Northrop Grumman’s CCA proposal, mated with Pratt & Whitney's PW500 engine 30/04/2026 | Gabriele Molinelli TALON is not part of the USAF CCA program of record at present but is aggressively pursuing future opportunities, beginning with Increment 2

Castelion BLACKBEARD confirmed as the first US Navy air launched hypersonic weapon with new contract modification for F/A-18 integration and life firings 30/04/2026 | Gabriele Molinelli Castelion BLACKBEARD has to complement the more capable, larger and much more expensive AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile), but it may also represent the first hypersonic weapon in service with the US Navy

Ukraine, An-28TD aircraft deployed in anti-drone role 30/04/2026 | Francesco Bossi Ukrainian forces have employed for the first time the PZL-Mielec An-28TD light twin-turboprop transport aircraft as a "drone carrier" platform for launching interceptor drones. The aircraft is equipped with three pylons per wing designed for P1-SUN interceptor drones, developed by SkyFall and operated by crew members on board. These systems… [read more]

Is China threatening submarine cables? 29/04/2026 | Massimo Annati China has announced the successful testing of a new actuator capable of cutting underwater cables at a depth of 3,500 m onboard the underwater research vessel HAIYANG DIZHI-2 - a depth never reached before.

Israel's Elbit opens WATCHKEEPER XR drone production facility in Romania 29/04/2026 | EDITORIAL TEAM Israeli company Elbit Systems inaugurated on 27 April a new production facility for the WATCHKEEPER XR UAV in Chitila, Romania, consolidating a presence and cooperation with the Romanian defence industry and Armed Forces that now spans three decades.

Mali - Jihadists and Tuareg on the offensive. Russian forces leave the North of the country 29/04/2026 | Francesco Bossi In the early hours of 25 April 2026, the Tuareg forces of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), in coordination with al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadists (Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wa'l Muslimin, JNIM), launched a series of joint attacks against the Malian Government — backed by the Russian Africa Corps — seizing numerous checkpoints, bases,… [read more]

MDM 2026: Teledyne FLIR Defense and Emesent team up 29/04/2026 | Wilder Alejandro Sanchez (Reporting from Washington, DC) Modern Day Marine 2026: Teledyne FLIR Defense and Emesent are unveiling a new integrated uncrewed solution for troops to safely inspect contested and sensitive locations, even in GPS-denied environments, and aim to develop more autonomous solutions.

German F-127 frigates obtain US approval for a huge FMS package for AEGIS and related systems 29/04/2026 | Gabriele Molinelli Combat system, radar, VLS, guns, and fire control for 8 ships, with estimated value of up to $11.9 billion.

TAI eyes Southeast Asia with HURJET after Malaysia ANKA deliveries 29/04/2026 | Atul Chandra (Reporting from Kuala Lumpur) DSA 2026: Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is targeting Southeast Asian air force requirements with its HURJET advanced jet trainer and ANKA MALE UAVs.

SAS 2026: New technologies to support the fleet 28/04/2026 | Wilder Alejandro Sanchez (reporting from Maryland, US) In addition to reporting about major contractors, FW MAG spoke with several niche technology companies prior to and during the recent Sea Air Space (SAS) summit about new systems and contracts for high-tech technology to support the US Navy.