China   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

China conducts first sea launch of YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from Type 055 destroyer

The PLA Navy says its YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile has completed a "finalization test" and was live-fired from a Type 055 destroyer in the first public sea launch. Reports and imagery describe a cold launch and near-vertical waverider profile from the roughly 10,000‑ton warship.

Also: interestingengineering.com
2025-12-29T11:49:25.479824-08:00
China   UAV Development & Drone Programs   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

Japan Studies MQ‑9B Drones for Airspace Interceptions Amid Chinese, Russian Intrusions

By Aviation Week: Japan plans to study the use of General Atomics MQ-9B UAS for aerial interception missions, as it faces airspace intrusions by Chinese and Russian aircraft.

2025-12-29T04:26:09.718334-08:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
Simple Flying • Victoria Agronsky

US lawmakers block Pentagon cancellation of Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, preserving US Air Force surveillance funding

By Simple Flying: US lawmakers block Pentagon plans to cancel the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, preserving funding for the Air Force’s next-generation surveillance aircraft.

Also: Wall Street Journal and Air Data News
2025-12-28T23:24:45.456878-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Israel   Middle East   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
spacewar.com • Agency France-Presse

Israeli air force deploys first laser interception system

By spacewar.com: Jerusalem (AFP) Dec 28, 2025 - Israel's defence ministry said on Sunday it had deployed a new Iron Beam laser system for the air force to intercept aerial threats.

Also: Unmanned Airspace, asdnews.com, defence-blog.com, news.ssbcrack.com and defencestar.in
2025-12-28T20:24:09.356531-08:00