Air Warfare

Sentinel ICBM’s first flight test slips to 2026: Air Force

Sentinel ICBM’s first flight test slips to 2026: Air Force
Sentinel ICBM’s first flight test slips to 2026: Air Force

An official with prime contractor Northrop Grumman defended the beleaguered program, and said, “looking for that blame, I think, is hard because it really was just an immense challenge.”

On the EDGE: Army details launched effects acquisition roadmap

On the EDGE: Army details launched effects acquisition roadmap
On the EDGE: Army details launched effects acquisition roadmap

The newer category of weapons will take center stage at this year’s aviation-focused EDGE demonstration, with the service exploring swarming options.

French defense minister attacks industry over production rates, threatens requisitioning

French defense minister attacks industry over production rates, threatens requisitioning
French defense minister attacks industry over production rates, threatens requisitioning

Sébastien Lecornu said he’s “expecting some effort from industrialists,” or else.

Following AESA radar first flight on F-16, Aselsan eyes 5th-gen aircraft integration

Following AESA radar first flight on F-16, Aselsan eyes 5th-gen aircraft integration
Following AESA radar first flight on F-16, Aselsan eyes 5th-gen aircraft integration

“The radar program will also prove critical for the nation’s advanced strategic drone programs,” one expert said.

Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review

Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review
Official reveals UK undertaking a ‘classified’ Future Force Design Review

Disclosure of the future force review comes amid intense political scrutiny over the credibility of UK warfighting capabilities and calls by lawmakers to increase defense spending.

Japan cabinet OKs country’s first fighter export plan, for GCAP

Japan cabinet OKs country’s first fighter export plan, for GCAP
Japan cabinet OKs country’s first fighter export plan, for GCAP

Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says sales will come “down to cost and capability – how much does GCAP cost in terms of both unit cost and sustainment over the life of type.”

Sweden’s Saab to open new US-based munitions factory

Sweden’s Saab to open new US-based munitions factory
Sweden’s Saab to open new US-based munitions factory

The site “will support the en­gineering and production of missile weapon systems for the U.S. military, such as components for the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) system,” the company said.

Running down the Pentagon’s unfunded wish lists for Congress

Running down the Pentagon’s unfunded wish lists for Congress
Running down the Pentagon’s unfunded wish lists for Congress

The annual Unfunded Priority Lists, mandated by Congress, tell lawmakers how the Pentagon would spend extra funding over the fiscal 2025 request if Congress were to grant it.

Airbus greenlights Saab to put Arexis sensor suite, with ‘AI platform’, on German Eurofighters

Airbus greenlights Saab to put Arexis sensor suite, with ‘AI platform’, on German Eurofighters
Airbus greenlights Saab to put Arexis sensor suite, with ‘AI platform’, on German Eurofighters

Micael Johansson, Saab’s CEO, said that “combining advanced hardware and AI-enabled software, our Arexis sensor suite will strengthen the German defence with future-proof electronic warfare capability for decades to come.”

Avoiding accidental armageddon: Report urges new safety rules for unmanned systems

Avoiding accidental armageddon: Report urges new safety rules for unmanned systems
Avoiding accidental armageddon: Report urges new safety rules for unmanned systems

Even if China doesn’t agree to or abide by new “confidence-building measures,” CNAS scholar Tom Shugart says, the US and its allies should adopt them unilaterally to reduce the risk of accidents or worse in the West Pacific.

Air Force wishlist seeks additional $3.5B for spares, construction and Pacific maneuvers

Air Force wishlist seeks additional $3.5B for spares, construction and Pacific maneuvers
Air Force wishlist seeks additional $3.5B for spares, construction and Pacific maneuvers

No aircraft were featured on the Air Force’s unfunded priorities list submitted to lawmakers today despite a decision to cut back on fighter procurement in FY25.

Classified tech, LongShot drone lead R&E unfunded list

Classified tech, LongShot drone lead R&E unfunded list
Classified tech, LongShot drone lead R&E unfunded list

The biggest pot of money sought is for a program whose details are listed as “Description withheld. Classified topic. Materials available at higher level.”

Boeing CEO Calhoun exiting at end of year

Boeing CEO Calhoun exiting at end of year
Boeing CEO Calhoun exiting at end of year

Dave Calhoun had been under fire for some time, in large part due to public failures on the commercial side of the company.

Sweden asks Saab to study ‘future fighter concepts’

Sweden asks Saab to study ‘future fighter concepts’
Sweden asks Saab to study ‘future fighter concepts’

As Stockholm plots its way forward, Saab CEO Micael Johansson had called for such a study in a previous interview with Breaking Defense.