All Department of Defense articles
-
NewsGeneral Atomics LongShot ‘missile truck’ designated X-68A
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has designated General Atomics’ LongShot air-launched weapons platform as the X-68A, after what the agency calls “significant progress” on the uncrewed missile carrier designed to extend combat reach while keeping crewed aircraft at safer standoff distances.
-
NewsVH-92A to assume full presidential transport duties by 2030
The US Marine Corps will retire its VH-3D and VH-60N presidential helicopters by 2030, with HMX-1’s VH-92A fleet expanding to 16 aircraft as the Sikorsky type assumes full Marine One duties.
-
NewsPentagon takes $1bn stake in L3Harris missile unit to boost rocket motor production
The Pentagon is making an unprecedented $1 billion equity investment in L3Harris’s Missile Solutions division, which will be spun off as a standalone company to expand production of solid rocket motors critical to guided weapons and space systems.
-
AnalysisUS defence sector outlook optimistic despite Trump stock-buyback threat
Major US defence manufacturers maintain a strong financial outlook despite a White House executive order prohibiting stock buybacks and dividends for firms deemed to be underperforming on contracts.
-
NewsUS military seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker in North Atlantic following pursuit from Venezuela
Open source flight tracking shows P-8A and U-28A reconnaissance aircraft monitoring the section of ocean between Iceland the UK where the sanctioned vessel is located, while Russian media claim special operations helicopters flew past the ship.
-
NewsPentagon report highlights China’s sixth-generation fighter progress
The US Department of War’s latest annual assessment of Chinese military capabilities reveals significant progress in airpower development, including testing of two sixth-generation fighter aircraft and advances in airborne early warning systems.
-
NewsUSA approves $11.1bn Taiwan arms package including loitering munitions
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has outlined eight potential defence equipment sales to Taiwan totalling $11.1 billion, including $1.1 billion worth of Anduril loitering munitions and $96 million in spare parts for Bell AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters.
-
NewsUS government admits fault in deadly mid-air collision between airliner and army helicopter
The US government has formally admitted liability for the January 2025 collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines CRJ700 near Ronald Reagan Washington National airport that killed 67 people, citing multiple failures by military and civilian authorities.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.