Aircraft Carrier  
USNI News • Sam LaGrone

USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Enters Caribbean for Operation Southern Spear to Target Transnational Criminal Organizations

USNI News reports: Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) entered the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, according to a statement from Carrier Strike Group 12. The carrier and the embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 sailed south through the Anegada Passage east of Puerto Rico on Sunday as part of the newly named Operation Southern Spear, according to the statement.

2025-11-16T07:57:16.644313-08:00

Today In Defense

Last Updated: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, 10:50 AM PST

2025-11-16T10:50:34.582265-08:00 2025-11-16T10:50:34.582265-08:00 (2025-11-16T10:50:34.582265-08:00)

Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
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Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

KC-46 RVS 2.0 Completes First Flight — Major Step Toward Fixing Boeing’s Refueling Boom

By Aviation Week: Boeing Defense and Space CEO Steve Parker says a long-awaited upgrade for the system that operates the Boeing KC-46 refueling boom has completed its first flight.

Also: FlightGlobal and Breaking Defense
2025-11-16T05:17:00.326368-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Saab wins €550m Arexis electronic warfare contracts for Germany’s Eurofighter EK programme

By FlightGlobal: Saab has been awarded contracts valued at almost a combined €550 million ($639 million) to supply its Arexis electronic warfare (EW) equipment for use on the German air force's future EK-version of the Eurofighter.

Also: The Aviationist
2025-11-16T04:35:25.660202-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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saab.com • News Release

Saab signs contract for Gripen E/F with Colombia

By saab.com: Saab has today signed a contract with the Colombian Government and received an order for 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. The order value is EUR 3.1 billion and deliveries will take place 2026-2032.

Also: Breaking Defense, Reuters, Air Data News, The Aviationist, Space Daily, Aviation24, Aviacionline, Aviation Week, India Defense News, Times of India, UK Defence Journal and 15 more
2025-11-14T15:29:08.631787-08:00
Supply Chain   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Workforce & Skills Development  
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Reuters • Dan Catchpole

Striking Boeing workers in St. Louis Missouri approve labor deal, ending over three-month walkout

By Reuters: Striking workers at Boeing Defense's St. Louis-area facilities voted to approve the company's latest contract offer on Thursday, union officials said, ending a 101-day strike that has hampered production of fighter jets and other programs.

Also: Flying Magazine, DefenseNews.com, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Breaking Defense, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Air Data News, Associated Press, Aviation Week, NZ Herald, Defense Daily and 12 more
2025-11-13T11:08:31.614663-08:00