Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Reuters • Susan Heavey

NASA reopens Artemis 3 lunar lander competition, putting SpaceX award back into play

Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy said he will reopen the Human Landing System contract for Artemis 3, allowing rivals—including Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin—to compete after determining SpaceX's Starship is behind schedule to support the crewed Moon return.

2025-10-20T06:28:25.249950-07:00

Reuters

Airbus, Thales and Leonardo reach framework deal to merge satellite businesses

2025-10-20T08:04:33.397187-07:00

milmag.pl

Sweden inducts first JAS 39 Gripen E into operational service as F 7 begins conversion to the type

2025-10-20T08:11:18.997180-07:00

Business Wire

South Korea signs $2.26B deal with L3Harris-led team to deliver four Global 6500-based 'Phoenix' AEW&C aircraft

2025-10-19T16:11:00.655478-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News Timeline

Air & Space Forces Mag

Northrop Completes Critical Design Review for Sentinel LGM-35A Launch Support System Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force have completed a critical design review for the LGM-35A Sentinel Launch Support System, clearing the contractor to proceed to production. The LSS will control testing and verification activities across the Sentinel ICBM’s lifecycle and is ready to be built.

2025-10-20T17:08:31.193282-07:00

Northrop Completes Critical Design Review for Sentinel LGM-35A Launch Support System

FlightGlobal

Bell and Ukraine open talks on potential U.S. FMS of AH-1Z Cobras and UH-1Y Hueys Bell Textron has signed Letters of Intent with Ukrainian authorities and opened discussions with U.S. agencies to assess a potential Foreign Military Sale of AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y utility helicopters, while exploring broader industrial cooperation, supply arrangements and sustainment options.

2025-10-20T13:52:35.527709-07:00

Bell and Ukraine open talks on potential U.S. FMS of AH-1Z Cobras and UH-1Y Hueys

Air Data News

Image shows Su‑57 'Felon' with rear weapons bay open, revealing internal layout A recently posted image on Russian social media shows, for the first time, the Su‑57's rear internal weapons bay open, exposing structural layout and weapons stowage details. The rare photograph gives analysts fresh visual data on the Felon's internal arrangement and stealth‑related design choices.

2025-10-20T12:49:40.034299-07:00

Image shows Su‑57 'Felon' with rear weapons bay open, revealing internal layout

DefenseNews.com

Army to test DARPA 12-ton unmanned ground vehicle in mine-clearing demonstration this month The US Army will run a demonstration later this month using a DARPA-developed, 12-ton unmanned ground vehicle to perform mine-clearing tasks. Soldiers will operate the vehicle in field trials to assess its ability to detect and clear explosive hazards and integrate into engineering operations.

2025-10-20T10:12:28.552528-07:00

Army to test DARPA 12-ton unmanned ground vehicle in mine-clearing demonstration this month

milmag.pl

Sweden inducts first JAS 39 Gripen E into operational service as F 7 begins conversion to the type Sweden has received and commissioned the first of 60 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters, formally inducted at the Skaraborg Wing (F 7) in Såtenäs. F7 — the operational conversion unit — will operate Gripen C/D and E in parallel during the transition to full squadron capability.

2025-10-20T08:11:18.997180-07:00

Sweden inducts first JAS 39 Gripen E into operational service as F 7 begins conversion to the type

Reuters

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Airbus, Thales and Leonardo reach framework deal to merge satellite businesses Airbus, Thales and Leonardo have reached a framework agreement to merge their satellite businesses, sources said on Monday. The proposed consolidation would combine major European aerospace satellite units into a single entity; final terms and industrial workshare remain subject to negotiation.

2025-10-20T08:04:33.397187-07:00

Airbus, Thales and Leonardo reach framework deal to merge satellite businesses

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed wins $233M full‑rate award for IRST21 Block II to equip Navy pods and ANG F‑16s despite reliability concerns Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $233 million firm‑fixed‑price contract to deliver IRST21 Block II infrared search‑and‑track systems and initial spares to the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard. The award authorizes full‑rate production for Navy pods and F‑16 integration despite earlier reliability and integration concerns.

2025-10-20T06:28:59.550667-07:00

Lockheed wins $233M full‑rate award for IRST21 Block II to equip Navy pods and ANG F‑16s despite reliability concerns

Reuters

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NASA reopens Artemis 3 lunar lander competition, putting SpaceX award back into play Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy said he will reopen the Human Landing System contract for Artemis 3, allowing rivals—including Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin—to compete after determining SpaceX's Starship is behind schedule to support the crewed Moon return.

2025-10-20T06:28:25.249950-07:00

NASA reopens Artemis 3 lunar lander competition, putting SpaceX award back into play

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