UAV Development & Drone Programs   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The Space Review • Dwayne A. Day

Satellite imagery shows multiple Tu‑22M3 'Backfire' bombers destroyed in June 2025 Ukrainian drone strike

Satellite imagery from Maxar and Planet shows at least four Tu‑22M3 'Backfire' bombers destroyed and two damaged in a June 2025 Ukrainian drone strike. The losses captured in the photos raise fresh questions about the remaining operational strength of Russia's long‑range bomber fleet.

Also: The Space Review
2025-12-23T15:04:23.305398-08:00
ATC   Middle East   Africa   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Tuvan Gumrukcu

Radio contact lost with private jet believed to carry Libya’s army chief over Ankara; flights diverted

By Reuters: The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on Tuesday after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally recognised government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com, The Independent, The Guardian, horizon.mt, CNBC, Sky News, ABC News and 10 more
2025-12-23T11:35:41.175896-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters • Costas Pitas

Pentagon increases Lockheed Martin C-130J contract from $15B to $25B

By Reuters: A previously awarded contract to Lockheed Martin related to C-130J aircraft delivery, development and engineering worth $15 billion has been increased to $25 billion, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

2025-12-23T14:45:47.843022-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   SAF   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

US Air Force Designates Northrop Grumman Talon as YFQ-48A, Calls It a ‘Strong Contender’ for CCA Increment 2

By The War Zone: The USAF says the Talon drone is a "strong contender" in its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, Increment 2 of which has now kicked off.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, DVIDS / U.S. DoD, FlightGlobal, asdnews.com, Aviation Week, news.defcros.com, Defense One, defence-blog.com, grandfleet.info, insidedefense.com and 6 more
2025-12-22T09:05:19.203995-08:00
MRO   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
insidedefense.com

DOD IG Finds Shortcomings in Oversight of F‑35 Sustainment Contracts

By insidedefense.com: The Dec. 19, 2025 Defense Department inspector general's report assesses "DOD’s oversight of contractor performance on air vehicle sustainment contracts for the F‑35 Joint Strike Fighter (F‑35) aircraft.".

Also: Bloomberg Law and Stars and Stripes
2025-12-23T08:26:31.187821-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Airbus • News Release

Spain orders 18 C295 transport aircraft

By Airbus: The Spanish Ministry of Defence has acquired 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft to replace the CN235 and C212 fleets of the Spanish Air and Space Force.

Also: AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Aviation A2Z, Janes, Aviation Week and 5 more
2025-12-23T02:57:50.550251-08:00