Europe’s defense industry is accelerating the development of a new long-range cruise missile capable of striking targets more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) away. At Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, the joint venture Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems announced plans to fast-track the introduction of the Ruta Block 3 missile while beginning production of two shorter-range systems, Kryla and Ruta Block 2.

The companies say the Ruta Block 3 is designed for strategic deep-strike missions against high-value and hardened targets. The missile will carry a warhead of up to 250 kilograms (551 pounds) and be launched from standard shipping containers, allowing deployment from land vehicles and maritime platforms. According to the joint venture, the system can be made ready to fire in about two minutes.

The program is being developed with NATO qualification in mind, a step that would make the missile available to NATO and European Union member states. The announcement comes as European countries continue to expand domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on non-European suppliers.

The missile family is being developed through a partnership that combines Destinus’ missile technologies with Rheinmetall’s manufacturing and defense production expertise. The companies have already signed a term sheet and say a final shareholders’ agreement is close to completion.

Container launch, rapid strike

Ruta Block 3 is the most advanced missile in the joint venture’s roadmap, but production will begin with two existing systems. The first is Kryla, a compact cruise missile carrying a 50-kilogram warhead designed for saturation attacks. The missile can be launched from containers, giving existing artillery units access to cruise missile capabilities.

The second system, Ruta Block 2, carries a 551-pound warhead and is intended for attacks on hardened and high-value targets. Like Ruta Block 3, it launches from standard containers rather than dedicated missile launchers.

“Together we are advancing NATO qualification on an accelerated path, embedded in existing programmes for European defense ministries. This allows us to rapidly provide European armed forces with a ready-to-deploy, certified and fully European effector,” says Roman Köhne, Head of Division Weapon and Ammunition, Rheinmetall.

European supply chain focus

The joint venture says all three missiles will be produced through a fully European supply chain. To support that goal, Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems plans to establish a facility in Germany for final assembly, integration, and testing. Initial delivery readiness is targeted for 2026.

The companies also emphasize the flexibility offered by containerized launch systems, which can be transported through existing logistics networks and deployed across a wide range of platforms.

“We are firmly committed to launch from standard sea containers. This gives our customers maximum flexibility: our systems can be deployed across virtually any land and sea platform and through existing logistics chains – concealed and brought to firing readiness in the shortest time,” says Mikhail Kokorich, Founder and CEO of Destinus.

Under the partnership, Destinus will provide the missiles’ core technology while Rheinmetall will supply warheads and booster rocket motors, creating what the companies describe as a fully European deep-strike missile portfolio.

Phoenix Semiconductor has won a Phase II SBIR contract from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to develop drop-in replacements for obsolete microelectronic components used in defense systems.

Based in Austin, Texas, the company will design and validate four legacy chips facing supply shortages across military platforms. The program aims to maintain critical systems without requiring redesigns of existing hardware or software, addressing long-standing issues tied to discontinued semiconductors.

One of the key projects under the contract is the recreation of the Signetics 82S100 Bipolar Field-Programmable Logic Array, originally introduced in 1975 and discontinued in the late 1980s. The chip supports the Catapult Assisted Take-Off but Arrested Recovery system used to launch aircraft from Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.

Phoenix is working with Naval Air Systems Command on the project. The goal is to deliver a form-fit-function replacement that avoids expensive system-level changes, which can require extensive certification and shipyard time across fleets.

Keeping legacy systems alive

Defense platforms often remain in service for decades, while semiconductor lifecycles last only a fraction of that time. This mismatch has created a persistent obsolescence problem across the defense supply chain. The Department of Defense estimates redesign and replacement efforts can cost around $5 million over five years per instance, while broader diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages mitigation costs exceed $2.4 billion annually.

Phoenix says its Phase I program demonstrated cycle-accurate replacement chips that were successfully tested in a live commercial system without requiring hardware or software changes. The company’s method focuses on producing form, fit, and function compatible components that can be directly inserted into existing systems, reducing downtime and eliminating the need for full requalification in critical defense applications.

Reviving retired defense chips

Ryan Hatcher, CEO and founder of Phoenix Semiconductor, said the award validates its approach. “This DLA SBIR Phase II award and our work with NAVAIR is a direct validation of what Phoenix has built — a faster, more cost-effective path to restoring access to mission-critical microelectronics that power the platforms our warfighters depend on. Working alongside our partners, we are proving that American ingenuity can solve one of the most pressing vulnerabilities in our defense industrial base — without multi-million-dollar redesigns and years of delay.”

Tackling defense obsolescence crisis

The program also aligns with the Defense Logistics Agency’s modernization and supply chain strategy and provisions in the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act covering microelectronics obsolescence mitigation, supply chain risk management, and domestic manufacturing expansion.

Phoenix’s patent-pending approach does not require new silicon fabrication or original wafers. The company says its drop-in components are designed to match original form, fit, and function, allowing military systems to continue operating without redesigns while reducing cost and lead times for legacy part replacement.

By focusing on legacy component replication, the company aims to reduce dependency on fragile global supply chains and shorten repair timelines for aging defense systems. The approach could also support other industries that rely on long-life industrial hardware systems worldwide.

MDA Space is buying smallsat manufacturer Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) for $620 million, giving the Canadian company greater access to the lucrative U.S. government market.

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A Florida-based company has announced a series of major advancements in maritime and long-range detection capabilities utilizing its proprietary using its Base Molecular Resonance (BMR) technology platform.

BMRT’s Generation 2 platform offers unprecedented offshore and underwater detection results following the successful completion of a separate U.S. government-sponsored field study.

The company stated that the results mark the first operational deployment of BMRT’s Generation 2 platform in a true maritime environment and further reinforce the company’s position at the intersection of advanced physics, national security, and resonance-based detection technologies.

Long-range performance

“These results fundamentally alter how the world should think about shielding, distance, underwater concealment, and the movement of strategic materials,” said Robert “Bo” Short, co-founder and CEO of BMRT.

“The oceans have historically served as a sanctuary for concealment, transport, and strategic ambiguity. With this technology those assumptions collapse.”

Unlike previous demonstrations, which emphasized long-range performance in land-based settings as well as controlled tethered aerial scenarios, the Generation 2 maritime testing initiative was specifically designed to assess precision detection capabilities within a maritime operating environment. Rather than pursuing maximum standoff distances, the effort focused on validating target discrimination, environmental stability, and detection precision from mobile maritime platform, according to a press release.

Long-range detection event involving U-235

BMRT also publicly disclosed for the first time details surrounding a long-range detection event involving U-235.

During a demonstration attended by representatives from an elite U.S. Combatant Command, BMRT’s Generation 2 system reportedly detected U-235 from Stuart, Florida, across the Gulf of America to the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station near Bay City, Texas, a distance of approximately 970 miles, as per the release.

BMRT stated that it is now releasing portions of this information due to the continued maturation of the technology, the successful evolution into its Generation 2 architecture, and the increasing strategic importance of transparent discussions surrounding nuclear detection, maritime security, counter-proliferation, and strategic deterrence.

“We are entering an era where the movement of strategic materials can no longer remain hidden by distance, shielding, terrain, or water,” said Lee Duke, BMRT’s co-founder and president.

“The implications for global security, maritime monitoring, counter-proliferation operations, and nuclear transparency are profound.”

Operating from maritime vessels offshore, BMRT conducted a series of advanced detection exercises with the positive results.

From a maritime platform positioned approximately 1,500 feet offshore, the Gen 2 system successfully detected ten individual nitrocellulose-based propellant targets located inside a vehicle on land. While operating from a maritime vessel, the system successfully detected a single trace quantity of nitrocellulose-based propellant positioned on a floating object at an approximate distance of 270 feet.

From a maritime platform, the system detected two discrete nitrocellulose-based propellant targets positioned on a floating object at approximately 450 feet, demonstrating enhanced range performance with increased target mass.

In underwater trials, trace quantities of nitrocellulose-based propellant were submerged at depth to evaluate system performance through water. Despite the extremely low target mass, detection remained precise and stable, performing as though the water itself were effectively absent from the detection environment, according to BMRT.

Billions in private investment have created room for growth, but suppliers need predictable demand, says the head of Northrop Grumman’s solid rocket motor business

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An aerospace and defense company has unveiled its new deep-reach intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drone. Called RQ-70, the drone delivers ISR capabilities beyond the immediate tactical frontline.

Developed by AIRO Group Holdings, the RQ-70 drone is expected to enter full-scale production in January 2027.

“The RQ-70 is a direct response to what our customers have been asking for, with longer range, greater endurance, and the same operational reliability they have come to expect from the RQ-35,” said Joe Burns, AIRO CEO.

“Together, these platforms give allied defense forces a complete ISR toolkit, and give AIRO a stronger foundation to compete across a broader set of mission requirements.”

Longer-range ISR capability

The RQ-70 builds on the operational success of the RQ-35 Heidrun, which has been deployed by NATO member and allied forces, and directly addresses growing customer demand for longer-range ISR capability and extended mission endurance. Together, the two platforms establish AIRO as a multi-platform ISR provider equipped to serve a broad spectrum of mission requirements across allied defense forces. The introduction of the RQ-70 deepens AIRO’s presence in the defense drone market while expanding its customer base, according to a press release.

The company revealed that building on the RQ-35’s proven operational model, the RQ-70 supports standard hand launch and deep-stall landing, operates in GNSS-denied environments, and incorporates onboard AI to further advance AIRO’s AI roadmap. The platform also offers configuration flexibility, including standard, long-range, and VTOL-enabled options. In addition, the RQ-70 features a modular payload and software architecture that can be tailored to specific mission requirements, enabling it to serve as a standalone, full-service ISR drone for many NATO and allied defense customers.

Other key system capabilities include up to 8 hours of endurance for persistent surveillance and longer time on station; ISR operations beyond the front lines with an operational range of 62+ miles (100 km); resilience in GPS/GNSS-denied environments; deployment by a single operator with fully autonomous mission operation and recovery; and connectivity designed for digital battlefield integration, as per the release.

Drone can deliver long-range, persistent surveillance

“Modern conflicts have shown that success depends on a multitude of factors, such as how quickly intelligence can be collected, processed, and delivered to decision-makers,” said Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, AIRO Executive Chairman.

“The RQ-70 is designed to meet that challenge, delivering long-range, persistent surveillance that integrates seamlessly into connected battlefield environments to provide reliable intelligence when it matters most.”

The unveiling at Eurosatory gives customers, partners, and industry stakeholders their first chance to see the aircraft configuration firsthand, providing a clear sense of its scale, capabilities, and intended operational concept.

The launch further supports AIRO’s broader growth strategy, which includes expanding its defense manufacturing footprint in Europe and developing next-generation unmanned systems. With the addition of the RQ-70, AIRO aims to strengthen its position as a provider of scalable, AI-enabled ISR solutions capable of meeting evolving battlefield requirements.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded production contract for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The engineering and manufacturing development and production contracts have been awarded to General Atomics, FQ-42, and Anduril, FQ-44 for CCA Increment 1.

Building upon decades of responsible, semi-autonomous flight development, CCA represent the next critical evolution of airpower. CCA are designed to seamlessly integrate with crewed fighters to extend reach, awareness and survivability in contested environments. This human-machine teaming will serve as a powerful deterrent, signaling to adversaries the futility of challenging U.S. airpower.

Tactical edge can defeat any adversary

“Collaborative Combat Aircraft change how we project power and generate mass in highly contested environments,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach.

“Delivering this capability to our warfighters faster ensures our forces maintain the tactical edge required to deter and, if necessary, defeat any adversary.”

These contracts have been awarded four months ahead of schedule, these contracts signify that the FQ-42 and FQ-44 meet rigorous mission requirements and are ready for full-scale manufacturing. The decision follows a competitive source selection process, identifying the systems as the most capable and cost-effective solutions to maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex and contested global threat environment.

150 combat capable CCA

“By moving fast from competitive selection into full-scale manufacturing, we position ourselves to field highly credible and combat-ready semi-autonomous systems to stay ahead of the pacing challenge,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.

“These contracts reaffirm our confidence in the strategic path forward for the program to procure over 150 combat capable CCA by the end of the decade.”

It’s also revealed that the equally critical to the CCA ecosystem is the mission autonomy software. The Air Force awarded mission autonomy production contracts to a pool of six vendors, establishing a competitive marketplace for the program.

“Mission autonomy is the cornerstone of the CCA concept, and leveraging a competitive, multi-vendor environment ensures we capture the latest technology,” Meink said.

“This approach guarantees our Airmen are equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities today but keeps the door open for the breakthroughs necessary to maintain air superiority.”

The software contract leverages a first-of-its-kind award fee exposure strategy, which enables operator feedback and combat performance to determine what the Air Force pays for mission autonomy. The Air Force will only pay the entire licensing fee if a vendor provides a combat capability aligned with warfighter needs and feedback. The licensing approach also allows the Air Force to award software licenses to any of the six vendors within the pool at any point over the next six years. This approach ensures the Air Force can procure the best-performing and most affordable solutions as technology evolves, according to a press release.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has demonstrated a laser system that can both transmit power wirelessly and defend against aerial threats, marking a significant step toward more flexible battlefield energy solutions.

The test showed that a single directed-energy platform can perform two critical military functions without requiring separate equipment. Researchers beamed power across an airfield to a remote location and then quickly switched the same system to engage a simulated drone threat.

The demonstration received support from the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund. NRL worked alongside Boeing, the Army’s DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center, and stakeholders from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.

The project aims to reduce dependence on fuel-based power systems while expanding the operational capabilities of deployed forces.

Power without fuel

During the demonstration, a trailer-mounted laser transmitted energy from a standard military vehicle to specialized receivers positioned at a distant site. The setup delivered power without physical cables or traditional fuel logistics.

Researchers focused on practical battlefield conditions rather than controlled laboratory environments. The team conducted testing in harsh weather, including strong winds and heavy snowfall.

According to NRL Electrical Engineer Alex Grede, the goal was to evaluate how the technology could function during real military operations. “We demonstrated that the same laser used to beam power remotely can immediately transition to counter a drone threat,” Grede said.

The ability to deliver power over distance could eventually help military units operate in remote locations with fewer fuel convoys and generators.

Built for the field

Unlike previous power-beaming demonstrations that took place under ideal conditions, the NRL team deliberately exposed the system to environmental challenges.

Researchers continued collecting data even as visibility deteriorated during severe winter weather. The results will help engineers refine the technology for future deployments. NRL Research Physicist Justin Lorentzen said realistic testing provides valuable information that laboratory experiments cannot replicate.

The team wants to understand how atmospheric interference affects performance. That data will guide future improvements and increase reliability in operational settings.

Engineers also demonstrated field maintainability during the event. The team repaired a critical component on-site and quickly returned the system to operation.

Lt. Cmdr. Brian Di Salvo, NRL Radar Division military deputy, said military systems must remain simple to operate and easy to repair. He noted that both qualities are essential for deployment in demanding environments.

Expanding military applications

The laser platform used during the test already serves the U.S. Marine Corps in directed-energy roles. Researchers integrated it with high-efficiency solar receivers and mobile vehicle power sources to create a distributed energy network.

Army requirements helped shape many aspects of the field demonstration. Officials see strong potential for expeditionary missions where reducing fuel consumption can improve both logistics and survivability.

Grede said collaboration across military branches could accelerate adoption of the technology. While NRL continues development for naval applications, the Army could become one of the first services to field the capability.

The next phase will place the system directly in front of Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors. Researchers plan to gather operational feedback and refine the technology based on how troops would use it in the field.

The effort forms part of NRL’s broader push to develop scalable directed-energy systems that strengthen battlefield resilience and extend the reach of U.S. forces.

Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and drone specialist SpearUAV have jointly announced Iron Wasp, a tube-launched counter UAS interceptor drone, intended for providing an aerial protection layer for ground maneuvering combat platforms and fixed installations.

The system combines SpearUAV’s canister-launch architecture with Rafael’s warhead and guidance integration, producing a weapon that can be deployed by infantry as well as armor units.

Yiftach Kleinman, CEO of SpearUAV said, “Rafael is the innovation leader of the Israeli and global defense industry. Its Active Protection Systems (Trophy and Irone Dome) are remarkable examples of this. We are proud that, after an extensive process, SpearUAV is selected to be part of the family of systems that has saved and will save many lives all over the globe.

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art encapsulated solutions that address the evolving threats faced by maneuvering forces.”

System architecture and launch mechanism

Iron Wasp is derived from SpearUAV’s Viper I (Interceptor) System. Viper I provides interception capability against drones, top attack as well as loitering munitions.

Its low SWaP (size weight and power) design enables mechanical, electronic as well as software integration on armor platforms like IFV (infantry fighting vehicles), main battle tanks (MBTs), armored cars and UGV (unmanned ground vehicles). Its open systems architecture facilitates integration with third party sensors and warheads.

Iron Wasp is fired from a canister tube, a form factor that eliminates the need for a dedicated runway or catapult and reduces the logistical footprint at the point of launch. The interceptor is initially cued by a radar to launch towards the direction of the approaching threat, it might also depend upon mid course data link corrections. The interceptor transitions to autonomous flight in the terminal phase, using onboard electro-optical seeker and machine vision capabilities to acquire, track and neutralize the target.

Other technical specifications of Iron Wasp, including endurance, warhead mass, and operational range, have not been publicly released by the companies at the time of this article’s publication.

Operational role and target set

The proliferation of unmanned aerial threats has fundamentally reshaped the risk environment for ground maneuver units. Commercially derived drones, loitering munitions, and top-attack systems pose persistent, low-cost challenges.

Rafael’s layered defense approach, to these challenges is combat tested in some of the most demanding battlefield environments. Iron Wasp is an extension of this layered defense approach intended to provide organic aerial interception capability for enhancing platform survivability.

Possible future trends

Interceptor drones like the Iron Wasp are part of a counter UAS tool box comprising of guns, rockets and directed energy weapons. The hard kill measures provided by the interceptor is highly effective in neutralizing wire (optical fiber) guided drones, as these drones are highly immune to radio frequency based electronic warfare techniques.

Future interceptor drone developments might be directed towards increasing magazine size and miniaturization to cater for the emerging threats of increasing drone swarm sizes and behavioural sophistication.

Mach Industries has won a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract to develop a long-range unmanned aircraft designed to launch from austere locations and ships without large flight decks.

The aircraft, called Atlas, is being developed for the DIU’s Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program. Mach Industries will serve as the aircraft integrator, working with propulsion company Whisper Aero.

According to the solicitation, the Department of the Navy is seeking an unmanned aerial system capable of conducting long-range strikes while operating from expeditionary sites with minimal infrastructure or from ships that lack conventional runways.

Mach said Atlas is designed to meet those requirements with a hybrid-electric propulsion system, runway-independent operations, a 1,000-pound payload capacity, and a range of 1,400 nautical miles.

Built for austere operations

The aircraft combines Mach Industries’ platform development capabilities with Whisper Aero’s JetFoil propulsion technology.

Unlike conventional fixed-wing aircraft that require runways, Atlas is being designed to operate from unimproved landing zones while retaining the control characteristics of a fixed-wing platform. The companies say the approach could give military units greater flexibility in contested environments where traditional airfields may be unavailable or vulnerable.

Excited to announce Atlas, our VTOL strike and logistics aircraft for the Navy. pic.twitter.com/fvbLWujnVN

— Mach Industries (@Mach_Industries) June 16, 2026

The aircraft is also intended to support distributed operations, a growing focus for the U.S. military as it prepares for conflicts in which logistics networks could come under attack.

In recent testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael identified contested logistics as one of the Pentagon’s critical technology priorities. The challenge centers on sustaining military operations when transportation routes, supply chains, and support infrastructure are disrupted.

Mach says Atlas addresses that challenge by reducing infrastructure requirements for launch and recovery while simplifying maintenance through a highly redundant propulsion architecture and a lower part count.

“Mach’s speed to prototype and production, coupled with Whisper Aero’s novel aerodynamics and propulsion makes Atlas a revolutionary air mobility platform,” said Nathan Diller, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Mach Industries.

Quiet propulsion advantage

A key feature of the aircraft is Whisper Aero’s JetFoil technology, which the company says improves efficiency while reducing acoustic signatures.

The system is designed to generate lift and thrust more efficiently than traditional approaches, helping extend range while allowing operations from confined locations. Lower noise levels could also make the aircraft more difficult to detect during missions.

“We developed JetFoil to propel the next generation of conventional, short, and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft silently and efficiently,” said Mark Moore, CEO of Whisper Aero.

According to Moore, the technology allows Atlas to meet RIMES requirements while operating from smaller naval vessels. “With JetFoil, Atlas can effectively meet the needs of the RIMES mission to operate even from destroyer class vessels.”

The award adds to Mach Industries’ expanding defense portfolio. Founded in 2023, the company says it is currently flying five different platforms and has manufactured more than 250 aircraft. Over the past two months, it has also conducted flight operations in four countries under complex electromagnetic conditions.

If successful, Atlas could provide the Navy and joint force with a long-range strike platform capable of operating from locations where traditional aircraft cannot, while reducing dependence on large runways and established air bases.

Taiwan’s existence as a self-governing democracy may depend heavily on having enough military drones to discourage any attempted invasion by China’s military. As the Taiwanese government aims to boost domestic production of military drones and Taiwanese citizens sign up for drone flight training, Taiwanese companies are forming international partnerships to sell more drones to the US military and other overseas buyers.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense proposed a special budget that would spend $6.6 billion over six years on buying drones made in Taiwan, according to the Central News Agency that represents the national news service of Taiwan. Presented on June 18, the budget proposal would allow the government to buy more than 208,000 coastal attack drones, along with more than 1,400 coastal reconnaissance drones and 1,320 uncrewed surface vessels, between 2026 and 2031.

That would be a significant boost to the Taiwanese military arsenal that currently includes just 5,000 US-made attack drones and domestically produced drones, according to Resilience Media. During military exercises in early June, Taiwanese soldiers fired Altius-600 loitering munition drones—made by a subsidiary of the US military technology company Anduril Industries—from towed flatbed launchers to strike offshore targets, according to USNI News. In another exercise earlier this year, Taiwanese Marines used Taiwan-made drones to similarly strike targets at sea.

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