All Department of Defense articles
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In depthChinese military engines ‘catching up’ to Western rivals
Indigenous Chinese turbofan engines are narrowing the performance gap with Western powerplants but still lag behind in reliability and capability, according to a senior GE Aerospace executive.
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NewsUS Navy awards contracts for carrier-based uncrewed fighter jets
The US Navy has initiated development of carrier-capable uncrewed combat aircraft, awarding preliminary contracts to four manufacturers including Boeing and Anduril Industries.
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NewsPacific Air Forces commander says USA ‘not deterred’ by China’s largest ever military hardware display
The US military remains undeterred by China’s upcoming display of military might, which may include the reveal of next-generation fighters or uncrewed aircraft during Beijing’s largest ever military parade.
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AnalysisUS military commits $1.7bn for BAE’s APKWS II rockets to counter drone threats
The US Department of Defense has awarded BAE Systems a $1.7 billion contract for up to 55,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rockets, significantly expanding its arsenal against the proliferating threat of low-cost battlefield drones.
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AnalysisUS Navy air boss outlines vision for carrier-based sixth-generation fighter
Although its future remains a subject of budgetary debate in Washington, the US Navy’s top aviator says the service still plans to field a purpose-built carrier-based sixth-generation jet to replace its fourth-generation strike fighters.
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NewsTrump Administration suggests partial government ownership of key defence companies
One day after the Trump Administration announced it was taking a 10% stake in struggling chip manufacturer Intel, the US commerce secretary opened the door to similar action in the defence industry, describing Lockheed Martin as already being ”basically an arm of the US government”.
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NewsPentagon seeks small UAS to replicate Iran’s Shahed kamikaze drone
The US military is seeking options from industry for a small, radio-controlled uncrewed aircraft that replicates characteristics of the Iranian-made Shahed-136 one-way UAS.
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NewsNATO re-evaluating E-7 acquisition amid uncertain US plans
With the Pentagon publicly seeking to end the US Air Force’s nascent E-7 procurement programme, NATO headquarters is now reconsidering its plans the field the Boeing airborne early warning and control platform.
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NewsKratos closing in on firm order for XQ-58 autonomous fighter with US Marine Corps
Defence manufacturer Kratos has revealed the US Marine Corps is closing in on a full acquisition programme for the company’s uncrewed XQ-58 jet aircraft.
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AnalysisPrecision weapons boom gets underway with global demand set to grow ‘exponentially’
Billions of dollars in contracts are pouring into weapons producers from governments around the world, with defence industry heavyweights and newcomers all seeing the benefits.
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NewsRaytheon secures largest-ever order for AMRAAM missiles
A $3.5 billion order for Raytheon’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) will cover deliveries of the combat proven munition to the US Air Force and US Navy, plus 19 overseas customers.
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NewsLockheed secures additional $4bn to increase production of key long-range missiles
The Pentagon added $4.2 billion to an existing Lockheed Martin contract to cover production increases for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles.
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NewsF-35 pairs with quadcopter drone for precision strike targeting
The test event used a Precision Drone Works C100, equipped with a laser designator, to identify a ground target for a Lockheed Martin F-35 strike fighter.
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In depthLockheed confident in F-35 prospects despite effort to reduce US purchases
The airframer’s chief executive says international demand remains strong following recent battlefield successes, and there is a strong likelihood US lawmakers will plus up the Pentagon’s stealth fighter acquisition in the upcoming defence budget.
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NewsLockheed takes ‘significant losses’ on classified aeronautics programme
Although Lockheed executives remain bullish on the secretive programme’s long-term prospects, the effort generated $950 million in losses during the recent second quarter, tied to setbacks with design, integration, testing and performance of the classified air vehicle.
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NewsL3Harris aims to sow ‘pure chaos’ with swarmable long-range munitions
Starting with the kinetic strike Red Wolf and electronic warfare Green Wolf, L3Harris aims to offer the USA and allies a long-range munition that can deliver a variety of battlefield effects at low cost and high volume.
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AnalysisPentagon moves to dramatically expand access to small drones for combat units
The US military is moving to dramatically expand access to small drones for its frontline combat units in a new initiative unveiled by the US Defense Secretary Pete Hesgeth.
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NewsDARPA ends Liberty Lifter programme as agency scuttles plans to build heavy-lift flying boat
The secretive Pentagon research agency says the Liberty Lifter programme has proven the viability of building an amphibian transport aircraft capable of operating in heavy sea states, but that it will not pursue assembly of a demonstrator.
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NewsBell advances to build phase of secretive DARPA high-speed VTOL contest
Bell’s concept for an advanced tiltrotor-jet hybrid aircraft will move into the build stage of the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s Speed and Runway Independent Technologies X-plane contest, after defeating rival finalist Aurora Flight Sciences.
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NewsUS lawmakers mull limit to Coast Guard helicopter retirement plans
The move comes after legislators approved more than $24 billion to fund modernisation of the Coast Guard, including more than $3 billion for the procurement of fixed-wing, rotary, and uncrewed aircraft.