Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Leonardo aerostructures joint venture advances, but Middle East conflict pushes final sign-off to year-end

Leonardo’s plan to establish a new aerostructures joint venture with a potential partner continues to progress, but negotiations have been slowed by conflict in the Middle East. The latest timing shift delays final sign-off to year-end, extending the JV’s approval runway.

1 Source

2026-07-22T00:08:14.674727-07:00

Breaking Defense

Lockheed and RTX (Raytheon) in early talks with US government on Ukraine Patriot production

1 Source

2026-07-21T23:44:27.327681-07:00

Reuters

Boeing showcases Ghost Bat at Farnborough as rivals vie for autonomous uncrewed fighter-jet program

1 Source

2026-07-21T22:25:41.075851-07:00

FlightGlobal

Lockheed targets India MTA next phase with C-130J offer as it cites “upwards of 500” addressable market

1 Source

2026-07-21T21:42:46.615769-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News Timeline

FlightGlobal

1 source

Leonardo aerostructures joint venture advances, but Middle East conflict pushes final sign-off to year-end Leonardo’s plan to establish a new aerostructures joint venture with a potential partner continues to progress, but negotiations have been slowed by conflict in the Middle East. The latest timing shift delays final sign-off to year-end, extending the JV’s approval runway.

2026-07-22T00:08:14.674727-07:00

Leonardo aerostructures joint venture advances, but Middle East conflict pushes final sign-off to year-end

Breaking Defense

1 source

Lockheed and RTX (Raytheon) in early talks with US government on Ukraine Patriot production Lockheed and RTX are in “early” discussions with the US government on feasible ways to support Ukraine’s Patriot needs, according to executives including Raytheon’s Tom Laliberty. The companies said the work is focused on determining what can be produced and delivered, and what is best for Ukraine.

2026-07-21T23:44:27.327681-07:00

Lockheed and RTX (Raytheon) in early talks with US government on Ukraine Patriot production

Reuters

1 source

Boeing showcases Ghost Bat at Farnborough as rivals vie for autonomous uncrewed fighter-jet program At the Farnborough Airshow, Boeing highlighted its Ghost Bat autonomous drone in a growing race to supply next-generation uncrewed fighter aircraft. The display underscores intensifying competition among defense primes as customers evaluate designs that could shape a multibillion-dollar autonomous air-combat market.

2026-07-21T22:25:41.075851-07:00

Boeing showcases Ghost Bat at Farnborough as rivals vie for autonomous uncrewed fighter-jet program

FlightGlobal

1 source

Lockheed targets India MTA next phase with C-130J offer as it cites “upwards of 500” addressable market Lockheed Martin says there is no clear end in sight for production of the C-130J-family airlifter, pointing to an addressable market of “upwards of 500” aircraft in the class. The company is positioning its bid to move into the next phase of India’s MTA contest with the C-130J offer.

2026-07-21T21:42:46.615769-07:00

Lockheed targets India MTA next phase with C-130J offer as it cites “upwards of 500” addressable market

Space.com

2 sources

SDA partners for up to $1.75B to build 36 Golden Dome missile-tracking satellites for Space Force The Space Development Agency announced partnerships with two companies valued at up to $1.75 billion total to develop 36 satellites supporting the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile-defense initiative. The satellites are intended to expand space-based tracking capability for the program.

2026-07-21T12:07:19.359993-07:00

SDA partners for up to $1.75B to build 36 Golden Dome missile-tracking satellites for Space Force

Vertical Mag

1 source

Portuguese Army selects Moog avionics for Black Hawk UH-60L modernization Moog has been selected to modernize the Portuguese Army’s UH-60L Black Hawk fleet with advanced avionics aimed at improving operational effectiveness. The program focuses on upgrading core aircraft systems to enhance mission capability and performance across the fleet.

2026-07-21T11:10:24.211278-07:00

Portuguese Army selects Moog avionics for Black Hawk UH-60L modernization

DefenseNews.com

8 sources

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing President Trump says the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 used as Air Force One will be temporarily removed from service while it undergoes “maxed out” upgrades focused on security and communications. The move follows reported concerns about security features, with Trump also flagging a spending envelope of roughly $400M. Separately, Boeing says two next-generation presidential jets remain targeted for delivery in 2028, but that additional spending will likely be required.

2026-07-21T09:21:56.674010-07:00

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing

AINonline

1 source

Saab urges Canada to prioritize “sovereign” Gripen role as future fighter decision remains open Saab is making the case that Canada should secure domestic defense opportunities through a sovereign Gripen role, even as the country’s future fighter requirement remains unsettled. The proposal positions national industrial participation as a key differentiator while Canada evaluates its next-generation combat aircraft options.

2026-07-21T06:43:25.834372-07:00

Saab urges Canada to prioritize “sovereign” Gripen role as future fighter decision remains open

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