Today In Defense
Last Updated: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 6:31 AM PDT
2025-10-19T06:31:50.970873-07:00 2025-10-19T06:31:50.970873-07:00 (2025-10-19T06:31:50.970873-07:00)
Washington Post
• Tara Copp
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine to fly an F‑16; Pete Hegseth to ride in an F/A‑18 during Nevada demonstration
By Washington Post: Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, who patrolled D.C.’s skies during 9/11, will again fly the Air Force’s F-16, and Pete Hegseth will be a passenger in a Navy F/A-18.
Seapower Magazine
• Seapower Staff
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Selected to Support U.S. Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Design Effort
By Seapower Magazine: GA-ASI Selected to Support U.S. Navy CCA Design Effort Front Page.
The Aviationist
• Kai Greet
RAF’s MQ-9B Protector RG1 Conducts First Known Overseas Deployment to RAF Akrotiri
By The Aviationist: Activity visible on flight tracking websites reveals that the Royal Air Force's MQ-9B Protector RG1 has been deployed to RAF Akrotiri as the type ramps up.
Washington Post
• Marianne LeVine
US Department of Homeland Security awards $200M Gulfstream G700 contract for executive transport despite $50M request
By Washington Post: The new Coast Guard contract for two Gulfstream G700 jets far exceeds the $50 million the Coast Guard had requested earlier this year to purchase a new jet.
FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
Lightweight Martlet missile cleared for frontline use with Royal Navy Wildcats
By FlightGlobal: The Royal Navy (RN) has declared full operational capability (FOC) for the Thales UK-produced Martlet missile with its Leonardo Helicopters Wildcat rotorcraft.
Reuters
• Phil Stewart
U.S. to Transfer Survivors of Caribbean Semi‑Submersible Strike Overseas Rather Than Detain as POWs
By Reuters: The U.S. military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors after the strike on their semi-submersible vessel.
Air Data News
• JCC; Ricardo Meier
Russia to Begin Assembly of First Su-75 "Checkmate" Prototype in 2025 — Sukhoi’s Light Stealth Fighter Advances
By Air Data News: Russia will begin assembly of the first prototype of the Su-75 Checkmate fighter in 2025, according to an announcement by Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry.
