Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Reuters • Giulia Segreti; Tim Hepher

Airbus, Thales and Leonardo close to forming European satellite manufacturer; Leonardo board reviews tie‑up

Leonardo's board met Tuesday to review a tentative deal to combine its space business with Thales and Airbus to create a European satellite manufacturer, people familiar with the matter said. Financial Times reporting says the three groups are nearing agreement on the merger of their space businesses.

2025-10-21T06:03:55.193607-07:00

The War Zone

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: VTOL stealth 'loyal wingman' — AI‑piloted unmanned fighter targets flight test next year

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

Reuters

Embraer backlog hits record US$31.3 billion as commercial orders drive 38% growth

2025-10-21T04:43:59.199620-07:00

GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace raises 2025 outlook after record CFM LEAP deliveries and stronger services demand

2025-10-21T03:40:00.971448-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News Timeline

The War Zone

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: VTOL stealth 'loyal wingman' — AI‑piloted unmanned fighter targets flight test next year Shield AI unveiled X‑BAT, a stealthy VTOL uncrewed combat aircraft that uses the company's Hivemind autonomy to operate as a 'loyal wingman' or solo fighter. The company, moving from software into airframe development, says it aims for an initial flight test by next year.

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: VTOL stealth 'loyal wingman' — AI‑piloted unmanned fighter targets flight test next year

The War Zone

Lockheed to test a Golden Dome space‑based missile interceptor in orbit by 2028 Lockheed Martin will test a space‑based missile interceptor in orbit by 2028 as part of the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile‑defense concept. Space‑based interceptors are central to Golden Dome’s architecture but remain among its most technically and operationally challenging elements to develop and field.

2025-10-21T14:23:00.603761-07:00

Lockheed to test a Golden Dome space‑based missile interceptor in orbit by 2028

Boeing

U.S. Army awards Boeing $461M for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing $461 million across two contracts to procure nine CH-47F Block II Chinook heavy‑lift helicopters, following a September commitment to rapidly field the upgraded variant as part of the service’s heavy‑lift modernisation and brigade equipping plans.

2025-10-21T12:03:38.213614-07:00

U.S. Army awards Boeing $461M for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks

Aviation Week

Swedish Air Force to introduce Gripen E to frontline squadron in 2025 The Swedish Air Force will start introducing the JAS 39 Gripen E to a frontline squadron in 2025, beginning operational conversion and a phased move away from older Gripen C/Ds. The timing ushers in broader deliveries and strengthens Sweden's defence posture while supporting Saab's export push.

2025-10-21T10:48:58.074259-07:00

Swedish Air Force to introduce Gripen E to frontline squadron in 2025

Vertical Mag

Volatus to open Mirabel drone manufacturing and innovation centre to boost Canada’s NATO‑aligned sovereign capability Volatus Aerospace will open an innovation centre and drone manufacturing hub at Mirabel Airport, aiming to produce NATO‑aligned, made‑in‑Canada unmanned systems to expand sovereign capability and support the Canadian Armed Forces and allied requirements. The facility is intended to scale domestic defense and ISR drone production.

2025-10-21T10:46:45.113662-07:00

Volatus to open Mirabel drone manufacturing and innovation centre to boost Canada’s NATO‑aligned sovereign capability

The War Zone

Textron and Leonardo pitch Beechcraft M-346 to replace US Navy T-45 Goshawk Textron and Leonardo have teamed to offer the Beechcraft‑branded M‑346 as the U.S. Navy’s replacement for the T‑45 Goshawk. We conducted a close walk‑around of the candidate, detailing its cockpit, systems and configuration being pitched against the Navy trainer requirement.

2025-10-21T10:32:42.884050-07:00

Textron and Leonardo pitch Beechcraft M-346 to replace US Navy T-45 Goshawk

Aerospace America

Northrop Seeks Additional B-21 Awards as Shutdown Pauses Production-Acceleration Talks Northrop Grumman expects new U.S. Air Force B-21 contracts by year‑end even as multiple Raider test aircraft progress through ground testing ahead of flight. A federal government shutdown has paused talks to accelerate production, creating funding and ramp‑timing uncertainty despite executive confidence in key milestones.

2025-10-21T09:58:46.196065-07:00

Northrop Seeks Additional B-21 Awards as Shutdown Pauses Production-Acceleration Talks

FlightGlobal

Kizilelma flies with Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA radar, successfully releases Turkish weapons Baykar's Kizilelma UCAV completed its first flight equipped with Aselsan's MURAD 100‑A AESA radar and successfully trialled release of two Turkish air‑to‑surface weapons. Baykar says the integration elevates the jet‑powered uncrewed system's sensor and strike capability to parity with Turkey's 4.5‑generation fighters.

2025-10-21T09:50:07.491445-07:00

Kizilelma flies with Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA radar, successfully releases Turkish weapons

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