The Air Current
• Carter Johnston
The U.S. Navy has asked defense contractors to develop an uncrewed aircraft centered on long-range strike, offering a clear signal of how it is reshaping future carrier air wings. The effort reflects mounting concern over long-range counter-air weapons and the operational demands of the Indo-Pacific.
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact
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The U.S. Navy has asked defense contractors to develop an uncrewed aircraft centered on long-range strike, offering a clear signal of how it is reshaping future carrier air wings. The effort reflects mounting concern over long-range counter-air weapons and the operational demands of the Indo-Pacific.
Lockheed Martin is negotiating potential supplies of scandium and germanium from North American producers, including NioCorp, Teck Resources and 5N Plus, as pressure builds to strengthen U.S. defense-material supply chains. NioCorp’s preliminary agreement could cover up to 15 metric tons of scandium oxide annually for 10 years.
Final observations from the Farnborough International Airshow examine how the Iran war is influencing arms sales and shaping aerospace and defense industry discussions. The review highlights the conflict’s relevance to procurement priorities and the broader defense-market outlook.
High activity
Rocket Lab has secured its largest-ever contract, a $266 million multi-launch deal with the U.S. Space Force for suborbital missile-defense launches. Separately, Japan’s iQPS signed for three dedicated Electron missions, underscoring Rocket Lab’s push across defense and commercial launch markets.
High activity
Lufthansa Group’s second-quarter adjusted EBIT fell by more than half as fuel costs rose by more than $750 million year over year and strike-related expenses weighed on results. The group widened its outlook range, while Lufthansa and Swiss pursue differing network strategies and the first 777-9 delivery remains planned for early 2027.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated five entities and one individual in China, India and Russia for allegedly acting as general sales agents for Iran’s Mahan Air. The action expands pressure on the airline’s international commercial network and its overseas service providers.
High activity
Northrop Grumman has signed two multi-year framework agreements worth more than $3 billion with the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin to supply components for Patriot and THAAD interceptors. The agreements support a broader U.S. effort to replenish missile inventories strained by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
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