Hypersonic Propulsion Revolution: How Storable Liquid Engines Close the U.S. Technology Gap The United States faces a critical capability gap in hypersonic weapons development compared to Russia and C...
Archer Aviation Establishes Miami eVTOL Network, Secures Military-Grade Rotor Technology Archer Aviation has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to revolutionize regional air mobility in South Florida w...
WASHINGTON — As global militaries accelerate the search for affordable air defense capabilities, the U.S. Army is planning to equip at least some aircraft in its next-generation large drone fleet with high-energy laser systems, according to an Army official who spoke with Breaking Defense. The service is preparing to formally launch a competitive acquisition for new Group 4 or 5 unmanned aerial systems—large and very large platforms—designed to replace its current fleet of General Atomics-manufactured Gray Eagle drones. The Army Requirements Oversight Council approved the Capability Development Document outlining requirements and an acquisition strategy in late October, which details plans for short takeoff and landing (STOL) or vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems.
Poland has taken a significant step toward acquiring its first dedicated aerial refueling capability, with the government authorizing Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to request financing through the European Union’s Strategic Airlift & Air-to-Air Refueling (SAFE) program. A government filing from late November 2025 reveals that tanker and transport aircraft rank among Warsaw’s priority projects within its €43. The Polish defense ministry is reportedly considering a purchase of two to four Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft, with estimated costs reaching €1 billion. This capability has become increasingly critical as Poland expands its fighter inventory with F-35A and FA-50 aircraft while navigating sustained operational demands along NATO’s eastern flank.
Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave has signaled optimistic production prospects for 2026, projecting increased deliveries of 737 and 787 aircraft that should bolster the aerospace manufacturer’s cash flow recovery. Speaking December 2 at the UBS Global Industrials & Transportation Conference, Malave provided detailed insights into Boeing’s manufacturing roadmap and the timing between production rate adjustments and actual aircraft deliveries. Production Rate Momentum Malave emphasized that Boeing’s 737 production ramp remains on schedule, despite acknowledging a temporary softness in November 2025 deliveries. “It takes a few months to take the production cadence and move that into output,” Malave explained, highlighting the inherent lag between manufacturing rate increases and delivery fulfillment. The CFO noted that once production systems stabilize at current rates, Boeing’s team begins positioning for the next rate increase, typically requiring a minimum six-month planning window.
Argentine low-cost carrier Flybondi has announced a transformative $1.7 billion investment in new aircraft, signing orders for up to 35 narrowbody jets from both Airbus and Boeing. The dual manufacturer approach underscores the airline’s strategy to build operational flexibility while expanding its presence across Latin America. On November 2, 2025, Flybondi confirmed orders for 15 Airbus A220-300 aircraft with options for five additional units, alongside 10 Boeing 737 MAX 10s with comparable purchase rights. The announcement represents a significant milestone for the regional aviation market, as Flybondi will become the first Latin American operator of the A220-300, a next-generation narrowbody designed for efficiency and passenger comfort.
Airbus Cuts 2025 Delivery Target Amid Significant Fuselage Panel Quality Issue Airbus announced a substantial reduction to its 2025 commercial aircraft delivery target on December 3, 2025, downgrading...
Cirrus Aircraft Introduces Cirrus Next Trade-In Program to Simplify Aircraft Upgrades Cirrus Aircraft has unveiled Cirrus Next, a manufacturer-backed trade-in and upgrade program designed to remove th...
WASHINGTON—The Missile Defense Agency has announced the selection of 1,014 qualifying offerors from 2,463 proposals for the Golden Dome contracting vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the Pent...
WASHINGTON — Sierra Nevada Corporation and Applied Intuition announced a strategic partnership today to develop autonomous weapon systems with a primary focus on air defense applications. The collaboration merges the software expertise of the Silicon Valley-based autonomy firm with SNC’s extensive experience in complex defense systems. Under the partnership, SNC’s Expeditionary Air Defense Systems will be integrated with Applied Intuition’s autonomous vehicle software to create mobile, unmanned air defense platforms capable of autonomous deployment and operation. According to the announcement, the systems would feature remote operator control capabilities and collaborative vehicle emplacement functionality, with all development proceeding in compliance with Department of Defense autonomous weapons regulations.
The U.S. Space Force is accelerating development of its primary digital training platform, with ambitious plans to establish final requirements and expand capabilities across the service by 2026. SWORD is a distributed, cloud-based synthetic training environment designed to immerse Space Force personnel in realistic space warfare scenarios. The platform enables guardians to develop proficiency in critical operational domains including space domain awareness, satellite control networks, electronic warfare, and orbital warfare tactics. Initially piloted by the 392nd Combat Training Squadron, the program demonstrated its effectiveness during Space Flag exercises, where 380 guardians successfully trained on the platform in large-scale operations.
President Trump announced a sweeping plan to rebuild Washington Dulles International Airport, marking a significant commitment to infrastructure modernization in the nation’s capital region. During a December 2, 2025 cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump characterized the 62-year-old facility as “terrible” and outlined his administration’s vision for comprehensive redesign. The airport’s current challenges center on its original mid-20th century design philosophy. While Eero Saarinen’s 1962 main terminal remains one of America’s most iconic architectural achievements, the facility’s supporting infrastructure has struggled to evolve with regional growth. “We have a great building and a bad airport, but we’re going to turn that around,” Trump stated, acknowledging the terminal’s architectural merit while condemning its operational inefficiencies.
The U.S. Navy faces an increasingly urgent modernization challenge that threatens American naval aviation dominance in the Pacific. Admiral James Kilby, acting Chief of Naval Operations, made the Navy’s position unmistakably clear during June testimony: “We need F/A-XX in the United States Navy. We’re talking about a fight in the Pacific.” Yet despite this clarity, Pentagon leadership has imposed successive delays on the F/A-XX program, citing various justifications from concerns about carrier survivability to questions about manned versus unmanned aviation.
ORLANDO — The Pentagon is taking decisive action to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic oversight in its modeling, simulation, and training portfolios, prioritizing speed and flexibility in delivering capabilities to warfighters. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey announced the strategic shift during a panel discussion at the 2025 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) here today. “Our acquisition strategy has several initiatives focused on testing and modeling, recognizing the need for modernized testing infrastructure, reducing bloated oversight and increasing the number of actual testers and test capacity,” Duffey stated. The move directly supports Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent acquisition overhaul, which emphasizes reducing bureaucratic impediments to enable faster fielding of capabilities.
UK Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard announced today he will launch a formal review into the safety guidance he received from senior military officials regarding the Ajax armored ve...
Amazon’s autonomous delivery program faces intensified regulatory scrutiny following an incident in Waco, Texas, where one of its latest MK30 drones became snagged on an overhead internet cable,...
Qantas has announced the restoration of direct flights between Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport and Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport, marking a significant development in regional aviation connectivity. The twice-weekly service launches in March 2026, operating on Boeing 737 aircraft as flight QF203/204, scheduled for Mondays and Fridays year-round. The route reinstatement adds approximately 35,000 seats annually to Papua New Guinea’s capacity and complements Qantas’ existing daily Brisbane-Port Moresby service. According to Qantas CEO International Cam Wallace, the decision reflects anticipated demand growth driven by multiple factors, particularly Papua New Guinea’s entry into the National Rugby League in 2028.
After 14 years leading Leonardo DRS through significant transformation, outgoing CEO Bill Lynn recently sat down to reflect on the company’s evolution and the broader defense industry landscape. Lynn, who arrived in 2012 fresh from serving as deputy secretary of defense under President Obama, is handing the reins to Chief Operating Officer John Baylouny on January 1st. When Lynn took the helm, DRS faced a precarious situation. The company was heavily dependent on military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as those conflicts wound down, revenues dropped precipitously. The company had been acquired by Italian firm Finmeccanica (now Leonardo) years earlier, burdened by an overly complex security structure that magnified the revenue challenges.
Transavia Appoints Paul Terstegge as New CEO to Lead Growth and Sustainability Strategy Transavia, the low-cost airline subsidiary of Air France-KLM, has announced the appointment of Paul Terstegge as...
Middle East Defense Industry Reaches New Heights in Global Rankings The Middle East’s defense industrial sector has achieved a significant milestone, with nine regional firms now appearing on th...