North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
Simple Flying • Victoria Agronsky

Congress blocks Pentagon cancellation of Boeing E‑7 Wedgetail, preserves $724M for USAF

Congress has blocked the Pentagon's attempt to cancel Boeing's E‑7 Wedgetail program, preserving $724 million to keep interim development and procurement funding for the Air Force's 737‑based next‑generation airborne early‑warning and surveillance aircraft. It reverses the Defense Department's cancellation and highlights congressional insistence on sustaining AEW capability amid force‑structure debates.

Also: Wall Street Journal and Air Data News
2025-12-28T23:24:45.456878-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Israel   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: news.ssbcrack.com and defencestar.in
2025-12-28T20:24:09.356531-08:00
Supply Chain   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
defence-industry.eu • Defence Industry

Lockheed Martin awarded $3.6 billion contract for logistics support of global F-35 fighter fleet

By defence-industry.eu: On 19 December, the United States Department of War announced the signing of another contract with Lockheed Martin for the provision of logistics support services for the global fleet of multirole combat aircraft from the F-35 Lightning II family.

2025-12-28T15:03:35.597633-08:00
China   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Reuters

China launches ‘Just Mission 2025’ multi‑service military drills around Taiwan amid Japan tensions

By Reuters: China launched its most extensive war games around Taiwan to showcase Beijing's ability to cut off the island from outside support in a conflict, testing Taipei's resolve to defend itself and its arsenal of U.S.-made weapons.

Also: odt.co.nz, sinodaily.com and newsable.asianetnews.com
2025-12-28T17:14:51.452812-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Daily Sabah • Daily Sabah

Two Kızılelma jets complete world’s first fully autonomous close‑formation flight

By Daily Sabah: Two prototypes of the Turkish unmanned combat aircraft, Bayraktar Kızılelma, have successfully carried out the world’s first fully autonomous...

Also: defenceturkey.com
2025-12-28T05:31:07.152792-08:00
Blue Origin   Leadership   ULA  
Bloomberg • Loren Grush

Blue Origin Names Tory Bruno to New National Security Group

By Bloomberg: Tory Bruno, the former chief executive officer and president of United Launch Alliance, will become the president of the new national security group at Blue Origin, the Jeff Bezos-founded space venture that is one of ULA’s biggest suppliers and rivals.

Also: Breaking Defense, Spaceflight Now, Space Policy Online, newspaceeconomy.ca, orbitaltoday.com, Fortune, webpronews.com, GeekWire, Defense Daily, talkoftitusville.com, rocketcitynow.com, Bloomberg Law and 6 more
2025-12-26T10:27:36.727268-08:00
Supply Chain   Leadership   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
ch-aviation • CH-Aviation Staff

US Air Force appoints new Chief of Staff — implications for policy, procurement and industry

By ch-aviation: Interested in Commercial Aviation/Business Aviation? Unlock exclusive news such as “United States Air Force appoints new Chief of Staff” today!.

2025-12-27T18:17:57.728362-08:00