Air Warfare

NRO expects even lower National Security Space Launch costs starting in FY25

NRO expects even lower National Security Space Launch costs starting in FY25
NRO expects even lower National Security Space Launch costs starting in FY25

Troy Meink, NRO principal deputy director, explained that the decline in launch costs is one of two critical factors in allowing NRO to begin to diversify its on-orbit force structure to include both “large and small satellites” using multiple orbital domains.

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Military innovation and savings: Go commercial

Military innovation and savings: Go commercial
Military innovation and savings: Go commercial

DoD uses FAR Part 12 acquisitions to save hundreds of millions of dollars in “of a type” systems like civil landing systems with applicability to military aircraft.

Amid Chinese activity, new NORTHCOM chief calls for more exercises near Arctic

Amid Chinese activity, new NORTHCOM chief calls for more exercises near Arctic
Amid Chinese activity, new NORTHCOM chief calls for more exercises near Arctic

China is conducting regional maritime activities “under the cloud of a technical or scientific research, but we think it’s certainly multi-mission to include military” operations, Gen. Gregory Guillot, head of NORTHCOM/NORAD said.

Air Force moves out on hypersonic cruise missile flight testing in FY25

Air Force moves out on hypersonic cruise missile flight testing in FY25
Air Force moves out on hypersonic cruise missile flight testing in FY25

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall last year said the service was “more committed” to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile than the service’s other fast-flying design, the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon.

Rocket Cargo is go! Air Force’s experimental resupply program moves closer to the launch pad

Rocket Cargo is go! Air Force’s experimental resupply program moves closer to the launch pad
Rocket Cargo is go! Air Force’s experimental resupply program moves closer to the launch pad

The investment in transitioning Rocket Cargo “is focused on utilizing vehicles that traverse from or through space to transport DoD materiel anywhere around the world within tactically responsive timelines,” the Space Force’s FY25 budget request says.

Dassault, Thales, MBDA bank ‘extraordinary’ 2023 sales, with more projected

Dassault, Thales, MBDA bank ‘extraordinary’ 2023 sales, with more projected
Dassault, Thales, MBDA bank ‘extraordinary’ 2023 sales, with more projected

Thales, Dassault Aviation and MBDA all conducted their annual investor events over the last two weeks, with the three firms collectively announcing revenues of €27.7 billion ($30.3 billion) in 2023, a massive haul for France’s defense sector.

Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays

Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays
Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays

Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter noted potential troubles ahead for the KC-46A and said T-7A production could start “a little later” than previously anticipated, but he remained confident about the way forward for the two aircraft.

Israel’s 3 biggest defense companies take stock after 5 months of war

Israel’s 3 biggest defense companies take stock after 5 months of war
Israel’s 3 biggest defense companies take stock after 5 months of war

With thousands of their employees called up to the reserves, the companies moved to 24/7 shifts to supply the IDF, while continuing sales abroad, executives at each told Breaking Defense.

Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay

Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay
Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay

The “Milestone C” decision is a crucial moment signifying the department’s confidence in the performance of the F-35 and maturity of Lockheed Martin’s production system, though the plane has been in service for years.

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request
Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

“It’s just about the overall budget of the Air Force and what we’re able to afford and what we’re not able to afford,” explained Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter of the decision to cut the birds.

America’s newest nuclear warhead will cost under $100M to produce, budget docs show

America’s newest nuclear warhead will cost under $100M to produce, budget docs show
America’s newest nuclear warhead will cost under $100M to produce, budget docs show

The B61-13, announced in October, seeks to create a higher-yield nuclear bomb that can be used to penetrate hardened enemy locations.

Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award

Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award
Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award

NGRC requirements mainly cover a future medium lift helicopter that costs no more than €35 million ($38.2 million) per aircraft and provisionally planned to enter service between 2035 and 2040.

Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market

Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market
Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market

The agreement speaks “volumes about EDGE’s resolve to develop sound domestic production capabilities of next-gen radar systems in the short term and to position itself as a competitive radar production hub regionally in the long run,” one analyst told Breaking Defense.

Honeywell unveils new F-35 thermal management fix as Pentagon hunts for better cooling

Honeywell unveils new F-35 thermal management fix as Pentagon hunts for better cooling
Honeywell unveils new F-35 thermal management fix as Pentagon hunts for better cooling

“Now that we understand that 80 kilowatts is a must-have, it was the mission of: how do we get there, with the lowest impact to the overall airframe?” Honeywell Aerospace’s Matt Milas told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.