China   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

AVIC Conducts First Flight of 'Nine Heavens' Large UAS Mothership

Aviation Week reports: AVIC says it has conducted the first flight of a large uncrewed aerial system called SS-UAV Jiu Tian, or Nine Heavens, designed to be a drone mothership.

Also: South China Morning Post, The Aviationist and 3 more
2025-12-11T02:26:46.147226-08:00

Today In Defense

Last Updated: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, 10:35 AM PST

2025-12-11T10:35:38.899381-08:00 2025-12-11T10:35:38.899381-08:00 (2025-12-11T10:35:38.899381-08:00)

Satellite   Africa   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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Reuters • Jessica Donati

Ivory Coast seeks US ISR aircraft basing in north to target al Qaeda-linked militants in the Sahel

By Reuters: Ivory Coast wants the Trump administration to station U.S. spy planes in the country’s north to carry out cross-border operations targeting Al Qaeda-allied jihadists wreaking havoc across the Sahel, according to two senior Ivorian security officials who told Reuters they expected a decision from Washington next year.

2025-12-11T08:10:41.151205-08:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
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af.mil

B-52 completes ferry flight after radar upgrade milestone under Radar Modernization Program

By af.mil: A B-52 Stratofortress, equipped with a modernized radar system, completed a significant milestone as part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program, ensuring the bomber remains a vital component of U.S.

Also: Air Data News, Boeing and 4 more
2025-12-10T16:12:28.588307-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
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Wall Street Journal • Jason Douglas

U.S. Flies Bombers in High-Profile Show of Support for Japan

By Wall Street Journal: U.S. B-52s and Japanese jets flew over the Sea of Japan, showcasing their alliance amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

Also: ABC News, South China Morning Post, Economic Times, Military.com and 4 more
2025-12-10T23:42:00.098467-08:00
Supply Chain   North America   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
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Air & Space Forces Mag • Matthew Cox

Pentagon awards BAE Systems $322M order for APKWS laser‑guided rockets under $1.7B contract

By Air & Space Forces Mag: BAE Systems received a $322 million order on a $1.7 billion contract to produce thousands of laser-guided rockets called APKWS.

Also: satnews, Reuters, Seapower Magazine and 5 more
2025-12-10T18:03:57.500082-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   North America   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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Wall Street Journal • Wall Street Journal

U.S. Forces Seize Oil Tanker Off Venezuela in Helicopter Rappel Operation

By Wall Street Journal: A video posted by Attorney General Pam Bondi shows armed U.S. personnel rappelling from a helicopter and taking control of a tanker off Venezuela’s coast.

Also: Sky News and globalnews.ca
2025-12-10T21:54:40.833553-08:00