All Department of Defense articles
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NewsUS military helicopter ADS-B exemption sparks safety backlash
Safety investigators and lawmakers are opposing provisions in the US defence spending bill that would exempt some military helicopters from aircraft-tracking requirements, citing risks highlighted by January’s fatal Potomac River collision.
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NewsUS lawmakers approve 84% funding cut to US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter
Lawmakers in Washington are supporting a Trump Administration plan to provide only minimal funding to the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter programme, instead favouring the US Air Force’s F-47.
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NewsCongress moves to protect E-7A Wedgetail programme from cancellation
Lawmakers in the US Congress are taking legislative action to prevent the Trump Administration from cancelling the US Air Force’s Boeing E-7A Wedgetail acquisition programme, overriding opposition from the White House, which favours space-based alternatives.
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NewsPentagon deploys first one-way attack squadron using Shahed-136 derivative
US Central Command has activated its first one-way attack squadron, operating strike drones reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze aircraft – marking a major shift toward low-cost offensive drone capabilities.
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NewsDARPA launches X-plane competition for new uncrewed cargo drone
The Pentagon’s technology incubator has launched a competition seeking novel designs for uncrewed cargo aircraft capable of carrying payloads more than four times their own weight, with applications spanning military logistics to civil package delivery.
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NewsAurora progressing on assembly of X-65 active flow control demonstrator
Aurora Flight Sciences has shared images of its X-65 active flow control demonstrator under assembly, with the prototype designed to eliminate traditional control surfaces through embedded aerodynamic effectors.
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In depthShield AI reveals X-BAT vertical take-off and landing autonomous fighter
Autonomy start-up Shield AI has expanded into jet-powered aircraft with the X-BAT, a vertical take-off and landing fighter platform offering 2,000nm range and 50,000ft operating altitude without pilot input.
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NewsWhite House taps Pacific veteran to lead US Air Force amid China tensions
General Kenneth Wilsbach, former Pacific Air Forces commander with extensive Indo-Pacific experience, has been nominated to lead the US Air Force as tensions with China escalate in the Western Pacific region.
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NewsLockheed Martin secures contract for 296 F-35 fighters
Lockheed Martin has secured a $12.5 billion contract modification covering 296 F-35 Lightning II fighters across lots 18 and 19, with deliveries to US and international customers beginning in 2026.
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NewsCongress moves to protect US E-7A production from Pentagon cancellation
A clause included in a draft of the annual US defence authorisation bill would prohibit the Pentagon from terminating its E-7A rapid prototyping programme with Boeing or attempting to shut down production of the airborne early warning and control jet.
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NewsCongress moves to restrict USAF KC-46 acquisitions pending engineering fix
House defence bill would cap KC-46A acquisitions at 183 aircraft until Boeing resolves Category 1 engineering deficiencies, while mandating expanded tanker fleet and extended KC-135 service life.
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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.