Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Space Force to Own Next‑Gen Space Domain Awareness Satellites Built on Commercial Tech; SSC Draft RFP Due by Year‑End

Space Systems Command expects to issue a draft request for proposals by the end of the calendar year for a Space Force‑owned, next‑generation space domain awareness satellite system built on commercial technology, a Space Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense. The move formalizes military ownership of commercially sourced SDA capabilities.

2025-09-22T13:00:22.639439-07:00

Air & Space Forces Mag

Boeing begins assembly of first F-47 NGAD fighter; USAF targets first flight in 2028

2025-09-22T08:27:09.485059-07:00

AeroTime

Fujian conducts EMALS launches of J-35, J-15T and KJ-600; PLAN declares initial full‑deck capability

2025-09-22T05:12:26.428254-07:00

Bloomberg Law

Trump–Erdogan Washington meeting could yield 250‑jet Boeing order and multi‑billion F‑16/F‑35 deals

2025-09-19T12:56:58.217699-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News Timeline

Breaking Defense

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Space Force to Own Next‑Gen Space Domain Awareness Satellites Built on Commercial Tech; SSC Draft RFP Due by Year‑End Space Systems Command expects to issue a draft request for proposals by the end of the calendar year for a Space Force‑owned, next‑generation space domain awareness satellite system built on commercial technology, a Space Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense. The move formalizes military ownership of commercially sourced SDA capabilities.

2025-09-22T13:00:22.639439-07:00

Space Force to Own Next‑Gen Space Domain Awareness Satellites Built on Commercial Tech; SSC Draft RFP Due by Year‑End

The War Zone

Lockheed proposes life‑extension upgrades for Block 20 F‑22 Raptors to sustain combat capability into the 2040s Lockheed proposes life‑extension upgrades for older Block 20 F‑22 Raptors now sidelined to training, saying retrofits could sustain the small combat‑capable Raptor force into the 2040s. The plan would restore capability to jets held back from frontline service, increasing operational availability.

2025-09-22T12:21:03.895495-07:00

Lockheed proposes life‑extension upgrades for Block 20 F‑22 Raptors to sustain combat capability into the 2040s

FlightGlobal

Anduril says first flight ‘imminent’ for YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype Anduril is concluding ground testing of its YFQ-44A attritable jet fighter and is taking extra time to mature the autonomous flight software. Executives say a first, fully uncrewed flight without remote piloting inputs is imminent as the company finalizes flight‑control systems.

2025-09-22T10:59:46.680368-07:00

Anduril says first flight ‘imminent’ for YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype

India Defense News

IAF Combat Strength Sees Sharpest Six‑Decade Drop as Service Moves to Exceed 42‑Squadron Benchmark The Indian Air Force is experiencing its steepest decline in combat strength in over 60 years, with squadron numbers set to fall below the long‑held 42‑squadron benchmark. Senior leaders are considering proposals to restore and expand squadrons, aiming to push fighter strength beyond 42.

2025-09-22T09:44:29.251919-07:00

IAF Combat Strength Sees Sharpest Six‑Decade Drop as Service Moves to Exceed 42‑Squadron Benchmark

Aviation Week

Royal Navy trials 'carrier hopping' in Indo-Pacific to extend F-35B reach The UK Royal Navy’s Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group is testing “carrier hopping” in the Indo‑Pacific to extend the operational reach of its Lockheed Martin F‑35B Lightning IIs, moving between allied ports and carriers to sustain persistent strike and air‑defence presence.

2025-09-22T09:12:52.749437-07:00

Royal Navy trials 'carrier hopping' in Indo-Pacific to extend F-35B reach

Air & Space Forces Mag

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Boeing begins assembly of first F-47 NGAD fighter; USAF targets first flight in 2028 Boeing has begun building the first F-47, a sixth‑generation fighter for the USAF's NGAD programme, with the service targeting a first flight in 2028. The jet is slated to replace the F‑22, incorporate advanced engines and stealth, and operate with drone "collaborative combat aircraft."

2025-09-22T08:27:09.485059-07:00

Boeing begins assembly of first F-47 NGAD fighter; USAF targets first flight in 2028

FlightGlobal

Bombardier delivers ninth Global 6500 to USAF for BACN communications Bombardier Defense has delivered a ninth Global-series business jet — a Global 6500 configured as an E-11A — to the U.S. Air Force for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) programme. The company is also pitching Challenger and Global platforms to support U.S. military missions.

2025-09-22T08:24:13.832712-07:00

Bombardier delivers ninth Global 6500 to USAF for BACN communications

SpaceNews.com

Moog breaks ground on propulsion clean room to boost satellite and missile production Moog has broken ground on a new propulsion clean room to expand its capacity to manufacture propulsion hardware for growing satellite and missile programs. The facility will provide controlled conditions for production and testing to support increased demand from Moog’s space and defense customers.

2025-09-22T08:18:35.583767-07:00

Moog breaks ground on propulsion clean room to boost satellite and missile production

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