Today In Defense
Last Updated: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, 9:32 PM PST
2025-12-13T21:32:14.104272-08:00 2025-12-13T21:32:14.104272-08:00 (2025-12-13T21:32:14.104272-08:00)
The Aviationist
• Parth Satam
U.S. Army Retires RC-12X/MC-12S/EO-5C ISR Turbrops, Transitions to Jet-Powered High Accuracy Detection Platform
By The Aviationist: The legacy ISR fleet of RC-12X Guardrail, MC-12S EMARSS and the EO-5C ARL-M turboprops will be replaced by the jet-powered High Accuracy Detection and.
Aviation Week
• Brian Everstine
Boeing and U.S. Air Force Now Expect New Air Force One Delivery in Mid‑2028
By Aviation Week: Boeing and the U.S. Air Force now expect delivery of the next Air Force One in mid-2028.
AirForceTimes
• Hope Hodge Seck
US Navy review warns V-22 Osprey at risk of further ‘catastrophic’ mishaps, calls for immediate action
By AirForceTimes: Following major mishaps, the military’s first tiltrotor aircraft program must take “immediate and decisive action” to avoid more loss, a review found.
NAVAIR Releases V-22 Comprehensive Review Findings
Aviation Week
• Sean Broderick
NTSB Chair Warns NDAA’s Section 373 Could Undermine Manned Rotary-Wing Safety Oversight
By Aviation Week: NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is strongly opposing Sec. 373, “Manned Rotary Aircraft Safety,” in the House-passed 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
Reuters
• Dave Graham
Switzerland trims F‑35A purchase to meet original budget as costs rise
By Reuters: Switzerland said on Friday it would reduce the number of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it is buying from the United States so it can stick to the original budget plan after the cost of the order rose.
FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
USAF flight school receives first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk as T-38C phase-out begins
By FlightGlobal: The US Air Force's Air Force's Air Education and Training Command has received its first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, marking a significant milestone in the service's efforts to modernise pilot training and replace its ageing fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft.
Aviation Week
• Robert Wall
Quantum Systems Secures German Reconnaissance Drone Deal
By Aviation Week: Quantum Systems has secured a deal to provide up to 747 Twister reconnaissance drones to the German Armed Forces to replace the Aladin used across the services.
