Today In Defense

Last Updated: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, 2:31 PM PST

2025-12-11T14:31:32.629387-08:00 2025-12-11T14:31:32.629387-08:00 (2025-12-11T14:31:32.629387-08:00)

Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
❗️
Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense

How a Mid-Tier Contractor Won the Air Force’s “Doomsday” Plane: Open Architecture and Government-Owned Data Cut Costs and Speed Modernization

By Breaking Defense: From SAOC to other programs, open architecture and government-owned data cut sustainment costs and speed modernization.

2025-12-11T11:15:08.724230-08:00
China   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
❗️
Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

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

By Aviation Week: 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 and 4 more
2025-12-11T02:26:46.147226-08:00
Satellite   Africa   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
❗️
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  
❗️
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: AeroTime, Air Data News, Aviation Week, Boeing and 5 more
2025-12-10T16:12:28.588307-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
❗️
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 6 more
2025-12-10T23:42:00.098467-08:00