Colton Jones

Colton Jones serves as Deputy Editor of Defence Blog, with a specialization in the U.S. defense industrial base. A former member of the United States Air Force, Colton brings firsthand military experience to his analysis of procurement, defense manufacturing, and Pentagon policy. He is one of the blog’s lead writers and most respected defense experts.

Raytheon launches AMRAAM-ER missile full-rate production

Raytheon is moving its AMRAAM Extended Range missile into full-rate production under a new $234.8 million contract from the Department of War. The award gives Raytheon Co. of Tucson, Arizona, a not-to-exceed $234,757,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action to...

B-21 stealth bomber completes aerial refueling test with KC-135

The U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber has successfully conducted aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker as part of its ongoing flight test campaign, the Department of the Air Force announced on April 14, 2026. The milestone,...

Northrop gets $475M to speed up development of new U.S. hypersonic missile killer

The Missile Defense Agency awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation a $475 million modification to an existing prototype agreement on April 3, 2026, accelerating development of the Glide Phase Interceptor — the United States' primary program to defeat...

U.S. Army awards Dynetics $617M for next-gen mid-range air defense system

Dynetics, a subsidiary of the American defense giant Leidos, has been awarded a $617 million contract to produce Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment Two systems for the U.S. Army, the Department of War announced on April 14,...

Royal Navy seeks drones to clear maritime test ranges

The Royal Navy has launched a formal Request for Information (RFI) seeking unmanned aerial systems capable of clearing and monitoring maritime weapons test ranges, Navy Command Headquarters announced on April 14, 2026. The technical scope disclosed in the...

Lockheed gets $68.5M deal for next-gen missile warning satellites

Lockheed Martin Space has been awarded a $68.5 million contract modification for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Geosynchronous program, pushing the total cumulative value of the contract to $8.2 billion. Work will be performed in Boulder,...

U.S. Navy awards General Dynamics $183M USS Truxtun modernization contract

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk a $183million contract to conduct maintenance, modernization, and repair work on the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) as part of the ship's Fiscal Year 2026 Depot Modernization Period....

U.S. Army delivers ISVs to Indiana’s Nighthawk Brigade

Six Infantry Squad Vehicles arrived at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on April 9, 2026, as part of a formal fielding event for soldiers assigned to the Indiana National Guard's 76th Mobile Brigade Combat Team — adding the Army's...