USAF F-15Es Get Drone-Busting Rockets in a Week to Counter Iranian Threat

Today’s news features military adaptations, defense contracts, international incidents, and new cooperation formats.

USAF F-15Es Get Drone-Busting Rockets

The U.S. Air Force rapidly equipped F-15E Strike Eagles in the Middle East with laser-guided rockets to counter Iranian-made drones, fielding this new capability in approximately one week. Air & Space Forces Magazine reports this initiative, known as Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), adapts existing air-to-ground rockets for air-to-air use. This move came after U.S. fighters used expensive missiles against less expensive Iranian drones during an April 2024 attack on Israel. This rapid deployment highlights the Air Force’s ability to quickly adapt existing technology to address urgent operational needs. Sources: Air & Space Forces Magazine

Anduril Secures $85 Million Air Force Contract

Anduril Industries has secured a contract worth up to $85 million from the U.S. Air Force to develop computer-based design tools for future aircraft. Defence Blog reports this award was made by the Air Force Research Laboratory under a program called VOLARE, running through September 17, 2036. Anduril will develop software to model overall aircraft systems and design thermal management systems. The Air Force has funded the first task order for $50,000 in fiscal 2026 research money. Sources: Defence Blog

Italian Eurofighter Damaged in Houthi Attack

An Italian Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet was damaged during an overnight Houthi attack on King Fahd Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Defence Blog reports that Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed the aircraft, designated F-2000 by the Italian Air Force, was struck while parked. No Italian personnel were injured, and no other Italian-used vehicles or infrastructure sustained damage. The base has experienced repeated attacks and alerts in recent days, including ballistic missiles and drones launched by Houthi forces on September 14. Sources: Defence Blog

Ukraine Launches Carpathian Eight Cooperation Format

Ukraine has launched the Carpathian Eight (C8), a new regional cooperation format bringing together eight European countries and EU institutions. Kyiv Post Defense reports the initiative was announced at a founding summit in Bukovel, including Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary. While not a military alliance, organizers present it as a platform for security cooperation, economic development, investment, and cross-border projects. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the C8 aims to create another strong element of interaction at the EU level, focusing on security, energy, expanded logistics, and support for local communities. Sources: Kyiv Post Defense

Russian Disinformation Targets French Elections

Russian disinformation networks are actively targeting potential French presidential candidates with deepfakes, fabricated reports, and false health claims ahead of the 2027 election. According to an analysis by Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications, France is the second-most targeted country for Russian information manipulation after Ukraine. Operations like Storm-1516 have targeted former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe with false health claims and Raphaël Glucksmann with fabricated news. Another operation, Matryoshka, used fake videos to link former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to alleged political scandals and spread false health information. Sources: Kyiv Post Defense

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