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

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

Reuters

RTX posts steady Q3 2025 as GTF maintenance stabilizes and Collins Aerospace drives growth despite tariff headwinds

2025-10-21T04:12:01.320495-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News Timeline

The War Zone

Shield AI unveils X‑Bat — an AI‑piloted, VTOL stealth unmanned fighter Shield AI unveiled X‑Bat, an unmanned, AI‑piloted stealth fighter with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability. The demonstrator is pitched to disrupt the autonomous combat aircraft market, signalling Shield AI's push into advanced, operationally flexible uncrewed combat platforms that combine stealth and VTOL for contested environments.

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

Shield AI unveils X‑Bat — an AI‑piloted, VTOL stealth unmanned fighter

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 contract for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing $461 million via two contract actions for nine CH-47F Block II Chinook heavy‑lift helicopters, advancing the service's rapid fielding commitments from September and sustaining its heavy‑lift modernization effort to replace and upgrade brigade‑level lift capability.

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

U.S. Army awards Boeing $461M contract 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 sovereign, NATO‑aligned UAS capacity Volatus Aerospace will open an innovation centre and drone manufacturing hub at Mirabel Airport to build a made‑in‑Canada, NATO‑aligned unmanned aerial systems capability. The company says the facility will expand sovereign production to support Canadian Armed Forces requirements and boost defence readiness for allied missions.

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

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

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 expects year‑end USAF B‑21 contracts to accelerate production amid funding risks Northrop Grumman expects new U.S. Air Force contracts for the B‑21 Raider by year‑end to accelerate production, CEO Kathy Warden said. Executives say they remain confident on milestones despite funding uncertainty and a potential government shutdown that could stall late‑2025 ramp plans.

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

Northrop expects year‑end USAF B‑21 contracts to accelerate production amid funding risks

FlightGlobal

Baykar's Kizilelma flies first time with Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA radar, releases two Turkish air‑to‑surface weapons Baykar's jet‑powered Bayraktar Kizilelma UCAV completed its first flight carrying Aselsan's MURAD 100‑A AESA radar and successfully trialled the release of two Turkish‑developed air‑to‑surface weapons. The airborne AESA integration is a significant sensor and weapons‑integration milestone for the programme.

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

Baykar's Kizilelma flies first time with Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA radar, releases two Turkish air‑to‑surface weapons

Create a free account to see more recent Defense Industry & Major Contractors stories.