Kevin Macmellon is an independent defense writer covering military technology, modern warfare, and global security. He specializes in analyzing weapons systems, defense developments, and open-source intelligence (OSINT).
L3Harris Technologies has received a $4.7 billion contract from Lockheed Martin to expand production of propulsion systems and other critical components for the Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor. The seven-year agreement is intended to strengthen the U.S. missile-defense industrial base and support rising
United Kingdom has agreed to help Ukraine develop its own long-range cruise missiles by sharing classified technical information related to British-made components used in the Storm Shadow missile. The announcement was made by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a visit to Kyiv in August 2026. The decision
Israel and Greece have signed a €3 billion defense agreement, worth approximately $3.5 billion, to develop a comprehensive, multi-layered air and missile defense network for Greece. The agreement, signed on August 31, 2026, is the largest defense deal in the history of Israel–Greece relations. The system, known
Iran’s capture of a U.S. autonomous underwater vehicle near the Strait of Hormuz could give Tehran an opportunity to study American unmanned-undersea technology, even though Washington says the vehicle was an older model that had malfunctioned and was not carrying classified systems. The incident involves an Anduril
Sweden has authorized the purchase of Lockheed Martin’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in a deal worth around SEK 7 billion, or roughly $729–733 million. The Swedish government announced the procurement on September 7, saying the system will provide a new long-range precision-fire capability
Falcon 9 Lifts Off From Vandenberg: SpaceX successfully launched another batch of 27 Starlink broadband satellites from California on September 6, 2026, continuing the rapid expansion of its low-Earth-orbit communications network. The Starlink Group 15-24 mission lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 from Space Launch
The U.S. Army has moved its Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node, or TITAN, program into the production phase with two contract delivery orders worth a combined $192 million. The awards, announced as of August 31, provide $127 million to Palantir Technologies and $65 million to Anduril Industries. The initial
Major Upgrade for Iraq’s Rotary-Wing Fleet The United States has approved a potential $800 million Foreign Military Sale to Iraq, covering a package of Bell helicopters, weapons, sensors, communications equipment, training, and logistical support. The U.S. State Department notified Congress of the proposed deal on August 31,
Amentum has secured a $974 million, 10-year contract from NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC) in Hampton, Virginia. The contract, known as the Center Maintenance, Operations, and Engineering II (CMOE II), will place Amentum in charge of a broad range of maintenance, engineering, and operational support activities across the
Leidos has been awarded a $56 million, 66-month contract by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) to conduct behavioral-health research, operational assessments and data-driven analysis aimed at strengthening the psychological health and operational readiness of U.S. service members. What the contract covers The work will examine
Ursa Major Technologies, a U.S. aerospace and defense company specializing in hypersonics, solid rocket motors and space propulsion, has agreed to go public through a merger with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. III. The transaction values the combined company at approximately $2.3 billion and is expected to close in the
Pegasus Aero Group has signed a long-term, multi-aircraft lease agreement with SkyConnect Leasing for UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, expanding its ability to support wildfire suppression, civil protection, and emergency-response missions. The agreement is designed to strengthen Pegasus’ fleet while giving the company greater flexibility than an