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.

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.

AUKUS army chiefs’ lessons from Ukraine: ‘Explosion’ in autonomy, value of long-range fires

AUKUS army chiefs’ lessons from Ukraine: ‘Explosion’ in autonomy, value of long-range fires
AUKUS army chiefs’ lessons from Ukraine: ‘Explosion’ in autonomy, value of long-range fires

The US Army chief, Gen. Randy George, offered an intriguing possible win for AUKUS Pillar 2: “a common controller” for unmanned systems, allowing the three allies to exchange systems.

Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request

Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request
Pentagon scales back F-35, F-15EX fighter buys in FY25 budget request

Across the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Pentagon will purchase 21 fewer fighter jets than originally expected for the 2025 fiscal year, dropping a planned buy of 107 to 86.

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request
Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

“We’re very, very fixated on being competitive with the pacing challenge [of China],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “I think the budget that we’ve submitted moves us forward — not quite as fast as we would like to, but it moves us forward in the right direction while maintaining current capabilities that are essential to the nation.”

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says
F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

Despite disagreements with Boeing on pricing for the E-7A Wedgetail, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said officials still see the radar plane “as a capability that makes sense and that we need to field in the near term.”  

Singapore to buy 8 F-35As, expanding JSF fleet to 20

Singapore to buy 8 F-35As, expanding JSF fleet to 20
Singapore to buy 8 F-35As, expanding JSF fleet to 20

The move would set up the Singapore Air Force to join a small group of countries that operate both the A and B variants of the stealth fighter.

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date
UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

The ITN phase is expected to deliver, for the first time, a full breakdown of requirements and costs for industry for the estimated $1.3 billion program.

Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’

Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’
Polish foreign minister warns Ukraine losses will be Speaker Johnson’s ‘responsibility’

The plea from Radosław Sikorski adds to a chorus of European officials who have grown concerned by Washington’s reluctance to approve the new funding and wider fears that Europe cannot sustain the war effort without American weapon supplies.

Hungary, Sweden reach deal for additional Gripen fighters, with NATO clearance looming

Hungary, Sweden reach deal for additional Gripen fighters, with NATO clearance looming
Hungary, Sweden reach deal for additional Gripen fighters, with NATO clearance looming

Hungary was the third country, behind Sweden and Czech Republic to operate the Gripen C/D planes, initially acquired under a lease agreement for 12 single seaters (Gripen C) and a pair of two seaters (Gripen D).

Army moving towards new Javelin launcher fielding in 2025, software glitch fixed

Army moving towards new Javelin launcher fielding in 2025, software glitch fixed
Army moving towards new Javelin launcher fielding in 2025, software glitch fixed

While launcher fielding remains on track, development of the new G-Model missile is still in limbo after a 2022 test failure.

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite
As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

Two international customers so far have signed on to buy Northrop’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, and the company hopes more could be in the works.

Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’

Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’
Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’

“So there’s a sweet spot for where we can prime it and there’s a stretch area. … What I hope is you see the sweet spot increases and the stretch area is moving to higher” program sizes and complexities, Kratos’s Steve Fendley told Breaking Defense.

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall
Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

International partners could join in on drone development for a next round of CCA work planned for the FY25 budget, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.