Spain rules out F-35 order, prioritizes Eurofighter and FCAS
A Lockheed Martin executive previously told Breaking Defense that the F-35 was Madrid's only real option to replace aging Harrier jets for ship-based operations.
Air Force to forgo tanker competition, sole-source more KC-46s from Boeing
The Air Force’s statement brings to end to more than a year of speculation about its strategy for a “bridge tanker” meant to fill the gap between the KC-46 and its Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS), formerly called KC-Z.
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Eyeing international sales, General Atomics moves to build drone wingmen in Europe
The company plans to tap its German-based affiliate General Atomics Aerotec Systems GmbH to produce and customize drone wingmen for European customers.
Airbus, Kratos team to pitch German Air Force drone wingmen
An Airbus spokesperson told Breaking Defense that the partnership, featuring Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie paired with Airbus-provided mission systems, is “offer[ing] our German customer something we believe they have a requirement for in the coming years.”
Belgium plans largest ammunition order, announces early NH90 helicopter retirement
In comments heavily critical of the troubled NH90, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said that Belgium's four TTH standard aircraft will be "decommissioned from September."
Air Force again changes course on tankers, plans new ‘production extension’ program
The Air Force plans to use the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus’s Capability Production Document “as the most affordable requirements basis” for the new program, potentially giving the embattled aerospace manufacturer a leg up in a competition.
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Cybersecurity skills don’t come from a manual, but from practical hands-on training
Cybersecurity skills must evolve in near-real time as Zero Day threats continue and AI provides new challenges.
NATO orders additional A330 MRTT aircraft, onboards Denmark, Sweden
Denmark and Sweden's participation in the the Multinational MRTT Fleet comes a month after the two nations, alongside their Nordic counterparts of Finland and Norway, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to join.
In Paris, Airbus makes new MRTT+ progress, French Navy drone breakthrough
On the helicopter front, Airbus and Italian manufacturer Leonardo announced they are collaborating on a NH90 Block 2 multirole rotorcraft upgrade architecture study to determine the long term evolution of the type.
FCAS drama: ‘Difficulties’ between Airbus and Dassault again hit sixth-gen fighter effort
“Clearly, we have observed with this [1B] phase, difficulties in the execution," Jean Brice Dumont told reporters during an Airbus media briefing at Le Bourget today.
India joins Eurodrone effort as observer nation
India’s interest in Eurodrone builds off a joint statement signed with Germany in October 2024 to deepen defense cooperation and which includes a “specific focus on technology collaboration, manufacturing/co-production and co-development of defence platforms and equipment.”
Michigan: Arsenal of Democracy for dangerous times
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
With Airbus and Maxar deals, Dutch double up on space-based ISR business
“These contracts are established for the renewal and improvement of the current direct access satellite imagery platforms used by the MoD," said a Netherlands MoD spokesperson.
Air Force’s outgoing acquisition chief on NGAS, CCA and his biggest regrets
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Andrew Hunter said that the CCA loyal wingman program is proof the Air Force can move forward in new directions.
Ireland and Airbus agree to $95 million H145M helicopter deal
The latest aviation acquisition by the small, militarily neutral nation, comes on the heels of it signing a €53 million order with France's Dassault for a Falcon 6X multipurpose strategic reach aircraft.
UK looks to protect funding for rapid Watchkeeper UAV replacement
Lt. Gen. Robert Magowan did not elaborate further on the replacement effort but did note that the Watchkeeper retirement will allow the MoD to still save "quite a lot of money" that would otherwise go toward support costs for the aircraft.