AINonline
• Kerry Lynch
AINonline
• Kerry Lynch
Today In Defense
Last Updated: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, 10:42 AM PST
2025-11-20T10:42:32.480367-08:00 2025-11-20T10:42:32.480367-08:00 (2025-11-20T10:42:32.480367-08:00)
Helicopter
Military Aircraft Procurement
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
FlightGlobal
• Dominic Perry
NATO NGRC concept studies include 17t tiltrotor and Racer-derived high-speed compound designs
By FlightGlobal: Concepts submitted to a NATO-led effort to develop a next-generation military rotorcraft include a 17t tiltrotor and two compound designs - including an apparent adaptation of Airbus's Racer architecture - alongside two conventional helicopters.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Europe
Defense Budgets & Spending
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
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AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
UK awards £316m contract to MBDA for DragonFire naval laser after successful high-speed drone trials
By AeroTime: MBDA's DragonFire laser-based air defense system will join the Royal Navy from 2027 after achieving a UK-first by shooting down high-speed drones.
Dassault Aviation
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact
Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
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AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
US Commission: China Ran Coordinated Disinformation Campaign to Undermine Dassault Rafale During India–Pakistan Clash
By AeroTime: New US-China Commission report reveals how Beijing used India-Pakistan clash to fuel a coordinated influence and disinformation campaign undermining the Rafale.
Breaking Defense
• Michael Marrow
L3Harris F-16 electronic warfare system cleared for low-rate production; bids to displace Northrop Grumman for USAF EW kits
By Breaking Defense: The defense contractor is also making a play to dislodge Northrop Grumman as the supplier for US Air Force F-16 EW kits.
Also:
FlightGlobal
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Ars Technica
• Stephen Clark
Attack, defend, pursue—the US Space Force’s new naming scheme foretells new era
By Ars Technica: Ars is first to reveal how the Space Force will name its weapon systems.
Satellite
Aviation Safety & Regulation
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
Space Defense & Militarization
Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)
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Wall Street Journal
• Mike Cherney
The Pentagon Can’t Trust GPS Anymore. New devices navigate without the help of satellites or the risk of enemies jamming signals
By Wall Street Journal: New devices navigate without the help of satellites or the risk of enemies jamming signals.
Saudi Arabia
Supply Chain
Military Aircraft Procurement
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)
Defense Budgets & Spending
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact
Aviation Week
• Steve Trimble
Global Surge in Fighter Orders Spurs Multi-Decade Backlogs — From Colombia and Ukraine to Saudi Arabia
By Aviation Week: Fighter backlogs are soaring to heights not seen in decades as countries around the world restock and modernize.
