Americas • Page 3 of 932 • The Defense Post

Oct- 2026 -

5 October

A F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Finland Accepts First F-35 Jets From US

The Finnish Air Force has formally welcomed its first two F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi, marking the start of in-country integration of a 64-platform order from US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

5 October

A Republic of China Air Force F-16V combat aircraft

Rojoef Manuel

US Transfers Taiwan’s First F-16V Block 70 Fighter Jets

Taiwan has received its first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the US, marking a step in bolstering its air defense capabilities amid mounting military pressure from Beijing.

5 October

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment practice target lock-on against an incoming drone during Project Flytrap at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany, June 9, 2025. The Soldiers attached a Smartshooter SMASH 2000L to M4A1 carbine rifles for improved sight picture and accuracy. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Magaña)

Rojoef Manuel

US Army Awards 10 Companies $4.15B to Build Domestic Drone Shield

The US Army has awarded 10 defense companies contracts worth $4.15 billion to expand counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities at domestic military bases and critical infrastructure.

5 October

Northrop Grumman uses advanced manufacturing technologies to streamline F-35 Lightning II production. Photo: Northrop Grumman

Samantha Alexa

AI Takes Hours Out of F-35 Production at Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is putting AI to work on the F-35 Lightning II production line, using AI-powered robotics and quality-control systems to speed up manufacturing.

5 October

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

US Air Force Bets on New Sensing Tech to Catch Long-Range Missiles Early

US Air Force high-value aircraft could soon get a new set of eyes for spotting long-range missile threats, thanks to a sensor upgrade being developed by US firm SRC.

5 October

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Northrop Shrinks 20x-Clearer RF Signals Into a Grain-of-Rice Chip

Northrop Grumman is tackling a major challenge in modern radio frequency systems: moving massive amounts of information quickly, cleanly, and reliably.

5 October

Christine Casimiro

US Navy Commissions Second Flight III Arleigh Burke Destroyer

The US Navy has officially commissioned the USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

5 October

Dr. Dan Tague (left) and James Pilkington conduct cold-hardening testing inside the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory’s Extreme Cold Chamber in Hanover, N.H.

Jodesz Gavilan

US Army, Navy Adapt Base Camps for Arctic Missions

Researchers have tested expeditionary base camp systems at temperatures as low as -54 degrees Celsius to keep facilities operational in Arctic conditions.

5 October