All Department of Defense articles
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.