✈️ US Startup Developing ‘World’s Largest Cargo Plane’ Able to Carry Four F-35 Jets

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🛡️ New Ukrainian Poncho Shields Soldiers From Enemy Thermal Surveillance Read More

🤖 Shield AI Flies BQM-177A Target Drone With Hivemind Autonomy System for First Time Read More

✈️ US Startup Developing ‘World’s Largest Cargo Plane’ Able to Carry Four F-35 Jets Read More

🛡️ Honeywell Demos SAMURAI Drone-Swarm Defense From Tethered Balloon at 1,000 Feet Read More

🧠 Boeing Defense, Space & Security Partners with Palantir to Accelerate AI Adoption Across Defense, Classified Programs Read More

🎱 Plus 15 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🛡️ New Ukrainian Poncho Shields Soldiers From Enemy Thermal Surveillance Read More

• Ukrainian company STG unveiled a thermal-camouflage poncho that conceals soldiers from infrared surveillance up to 250 meters in open areas and 100 meters in forests, using silver-infused polyamide fabric.

• The system scatters thermal signals and gradually vents heat, maintaining concealment for two hours before a brief cooldown. Unlike aluminum-based alternatives, the poncho is durable, washable, and avoids skin irritation.

• Developed to MoD specifications, the poncho passed testing with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, National Guard, and Police, addressing limitations in existing camouflage and improving survivability against Russian surveillance.

🤖 Shield AI Flies BQM-177A Target Drone With Hivemind Autonomy System for First Time Read More

• Shield AI’s Hivemind software autonomously flew the U.S. Navy’s BQM-177A target drone at NAS Point Mugu, demonstrating beyond-visual-range autonomy and advancing manned-unmanned teaming concepts.

• The event validated control handoff, onboard communications, and integration with Kratos’ updated vehicle control laws, under the Navy’s Experimental Platform for Intelligent Combat project.

• Executives said the test proves scalable, interoperable autonomy is ready for fleet adoption, while Navy officials view the low-cost BQM-177A as a safe way to de-risk autonomy before applying it to Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

✈️ US Startup Developing ‘World’s Largest Cargo Plane’ Able to Carry Four F-35 Jets Read More

• Colorado-based Radia revealed its WindRunner for Defense, a 356-foot-long cargo plane capable of transporting four F-35s or 12 Apaches without disassembly, seven times the volume of a C-5 and twelve times that of a C-17.

• Designed for Agile Combat Employment, the aircraft can land on 6,000-foot rough airstrips, carry mission-ready loads, and travel at Mach 0.6 with a 2,000 km range, drastically reducing deployment timelines.

• Larger than the destroyed An-225 Mriya, WindRunner uses market-available parts for certification and is projected to fly by 2030, offering rapid reinforcement to U.S. and allied forces in contested theaters.

🛡️ Honeywell Demos SAMURAI Drone-Swarm Defense From Tethered Balloon at 1,000 Feet Read More

• Honeywell tested its SAMURAI counter-drone system in two demonstrations, operating from a ground vehicle and a tethered balloon 1,000 feet high, showing defenses against swarm threats.

• SAMURAI blends kinetic interceptors, RF detection, and optical sensors in a modular, Pentagon-standard design that can be deployed on stationary or mobile platforms. Components from Blue Halo and Leonardo DRS support detection and engagement.

• Officials highlighted reliability and scalability, with beyond-line-of-sight C2 integration. Honeywell said the system can adapt to evolving threats as rivals like China field advanced lasers and unmanned vehicles.

🧠 Boeing Defense, Space & Security Partners with Palantir to Accelerate AI Adoption Across Defense, Classified Programs Read More

• Boeing Defense, Space & Security announced a partnership with Palantir to apply AI across its more than a dozen production lines, spanning aircraft, satellites, spacecraft, missiles, and weapons.

• Palantir’s Foundry platform will unify complex systems under a single interface, standardizing data analytics and insights across globally dispersed factories, while also supporting classified projects for sensitive missions.

• Leaders said the collaboration will accelerate production and innovation, delivering advanced capabilities faster to warfighters. Boeing called Palantir a natural partner in “supporting uniformed personnel in protecting freedom around the world.”

🌏 Other Important News

✈️ Air

• RTX & Shield AI selected to provide autonomy for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Read More

• Raytheon fields new avionics “shield” to boost survivability of Navy F/A-18s Read More

• Pratt & Whitney accelerates XA103 NGAP engine development Read More

• USAF targeting 2040s for successor to C-17 and C-5M airlifters Read More

• F-47 sixth-gen fighter reportedly four years behind Chinese program Read More

• Next-gen KC-390 Millennium expands multimission roles Read More

• U.S. F-15E tried to shoot down Iranian drone with laser-guided bomb Read More

• Army cuts aviation positions to boost drone force Read More

• Air Force experiments show AI improves battle management speed and accuracy Read More

• GE Aerospace selects Merlin AI co-pilot for KC-135 upgrade Read More

⚓ Sea

• U.S. conducts submarine-launched nuclear missile test Read More

• Ukraine developing massive underwater drone Read More

• Germany unveils armed ISR USV to support NATO naval missions Read More

🛡️ Land

• Marine Corps advances CJADC2 with Project Dynamis Read More

• China tests Cold War–era Soviet combat drones for modern use Read More

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