News

DefenseNews.com • Tom Kington

Italy to open first F‑35 pilot school outside the U.S. at Trapani‑Birgi by 2029

Italy will open the first F‑35 pilot training school outside the United States at Trapani‑Birgi Air Base in Sicily, with the F‑35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin overseeing readiness and a 2029 target. The centre will be Italy’s third operational F‑35 hub and a multinational NATO training facility.

2026-01-08T08:35:06.980476-08:00

Breaking Defense

Northrop Grumman wins USMC MUX TACAIR CCA award to integrate autonomy on Kratos XQ‑58 Valkyrie

2026-01-08T06:09:17.995465-08:00

Reuters

French aerospace groups warn of supply‑chain 'weaponisation' as rare earths emerge as pressure point

2026-01-08T01:34:03.670594-08:00

Vertical Mag

Leonardo DRS names Sally Wallace chief operating officer

2026-01-08T05:47:33.499400-08:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Italy to open first F‑35 pilot school outside the U.S. at Trapani‑Birgi by 2029 Italy will open the first F‑35 pilot training school outside the United States at Trapani‑Birgi Air Base in Sicily, with the F‑35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin overseeing readiness and a 2029 target. The centre will be Italy’s third operational F‑35 hub and a multinational NATO training facility.

2026-01-08T08:35:06.980476-08:00

Italy to open first F‑35 pilot school outside the U.S. at Trapani‑Birgi by 2029

Breaking Defense

❗️

Northrop Grumman wins USMC MUX TACAIR CCA award to integrate autonomy on Kratos XQ‑58 Valkyrie Northrop Grumman was competitively awarded the U.S. Marine Corps' MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) task on Jan. 8, 2026, to rapidly develop software, mission systems and autonomy integration for the service’s CCA capability using Kratos' XQ‑58 Valkyrie uncrewed jet.

2026-01-08T06:09:17.995465-08:00

Northrop Grumman wins USMC MUX TACAIR CCA award to integrate autonomy on Kratos XQ‑58 Valkyrie

Vertical Mag

Leonardo DRS names Sally Wallace chief operating officer Leonardo DRS has named Sally Wallace chief operating officer, effective immediately. Wallace, who has been with the company since 2002, will assume her new responsibilities at once and joins the firm’s senior executive ranks.

2026-01-08T05:47:33.499400-08:00

Leonardo DRS names Sally Wallace chief operating officer

Payload

Why Golden Dome’s Fate Will Hinge on Sensor Endurance — How to Make Its Eyes Last The Golden Dome missile‑defense concept will depend on the endurance and survivability of its space‑ and air‑based sensors; whether those sensors can operate continuously in contested, hostile environments will determine the system's operational effectiveness. This analysis examines technical approaches to extend sensor life and mission persistence.

2026-01-08T05:04:18.202323-08:00

Why Golden Dome’s Fate Will Hinge on Sensor Endurance — How to Make Its Eyes Last

FlightGlobal

Southeast Asia accelerates fighter procurement amid heightened geopolitics Southeast Asian air forces are rapidly recapitalising combat fleets as rising regional tensions push governments to prioritise defence spending. Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are leading procurement drives — ordering multirole fighters and light‑attack aircraft — despite tight budgets and fragmented acquisition strategies that complicate sustainment and industrial planning.

2026-01-08T04:08:10.223761-08:00

Southeast Asia accelerates fighter procurement amid heightened geopolitics

Air Data News

AVIC releases video of J-35 prototype in green primer after Shenyang test flight, suggesting start of production AVIC released images and video of a J-35 stealth fighter prototype in green primer completing a test flight at its Shenyang facility. The footage — showing production-style finishing rather than early gray prototypes — signals the type may be transitioning from flight-test to initial production.

2026-01-08T02:31:52.616967-08:00

AVIC releases video of J-35 prototype in green primer after Shenyang test flight, suggesting start of production

ch-aviation

Sweden takes delivery of two Global 6500s Sweden has taken delivery of two Global 6500 business jets for the Swedish Air Force, adding long-range transport and liaison capability to its fleet. The handover provides immediate availability for governmental and operational travel as Stockholm advances wider defence modernisation programmes.

2026-01-08T02:31:31.903125-08:00

Sweden takes delivery of two Global 6500s

Reuters

❗️

French aerospace groups warn of supply‑chain 'weaponisation' as rare earths emerge as pressure point French aerospace groups warned Thursday that global supply chains risk being 'weaponised' as major powers pursue geopolitical agendas, and singled out rare‑earth elements as a strategic pressure point that could be exploited despite a recent U.S.‑China trade truce, raising concern for manufacturers, defense contractors and policymakers.

2026-01-08T01:34:03.670594-08:00

French aerospace groups warn of supply‑chain 'weaponisation' as rare earths emerge as pressure point

Menu

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Italy to open first F‑35 pilot school outside the U.S. at Trapani‑Birgi by 2029

Northrop Grumman wins USMC MUX TACAIR CCA award to integrate autonomy on Kratos XQ‑58 Valkyrie

French aerospace groups warn of supply‑chain 'weaponisation' as rare earths emerge as pressure point

Leonardo DRS names Sally Wallace chief operating officer

News Timeline