UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   SAF   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF designates Northrop Grumman's Talon YFQ-48A and accepts self‑funded entry into CCA Increment 2

The USAF has designated Northrop Grumman's Talon uncrewed prototype as YFQ‑48A and accepted the company's self‑funded entry into the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program as Increment 2 begins. The service called Talon a "strong contender," adding Northrop as a third competitor alongside firms with prior R&D awards.

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 5 more
2025-12-22T09:05:19.203995-08:00
ATC   Middle East   Africa   Accident   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters

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: ABC News and The Guardian
2025-12-23T11:35:41.175896-08:00
MRO   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.".

2025-12-23T08:26:31.187821-08:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Apratim Sarkar

RTX unit Raytheon wins $1.7B contract to supply four Patriot air and missile defence systems to Spain

By Reuters: Raytheon Technologies, a unit of RTX Corp , won a $1.7 billion contract to deliver four Patriot air and missile defense systems to Spain, the U.S. defense contractor said on Tuesday.

Also: Economic Times and defence-industry.eu
2025-12-23T07:04:03.246691-08:00
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: FlightGlobal, Aviation A2Z, Janes, Aviation Week and 5 more
2025-12-23T02:57:50.550251-08:00
SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Swedish air chief lays out 2026 fighter decision timeline and Gripen’s anti‑drone role

By DefenseNews.com: The year 2026 promises to be a time of decisions, as the Swedish air force strives to keep its options open when it comes to a new fighter design.

Also: news.defcros.com and news.ssbcrack.com
2025-12-23T05:18:08.038359-08:00