Trump targets defense giants in Davos as Qatari Air Force One nears takeoff
New on The Weekly Break Out: Trump in Davos, an Air Force One update and how defense contractors' investments stack up.
Qatari 747 to fly as Trump’s Air Force One this summer
The controversial aircraft donated by the Qatari government is set to transport the Commander-in-Chief after less than a year of modification work, according to the Air Force.
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Turning R&D into reality to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield
Knowing when to build on commercial systems and when to develop something new can be the difference between parity and information dominance.
How the Air Force is revamping its acquisition shop with new ‘portfolios’
The fresh approach is meant to streamline weapons procurement and cut through bureaucracy, though details like exactly what authorities new Portfolio Acquisition Executives will have are being worked out.
Air Force buying two Lufthansa 747s for delayed Air Force One program
The service is spending $400 million on the pair of jumbo jets for training and spares.
Air Force expects first delivery of delayed Boeing Air Force One jets in ‘mid-2028’
The new date marks some progress for the beleaguered Air Force One program, whose challenges have cost Boeing billions of dollars.
Pentagon creates new role managing B-21, F-47, AF1, ICBM programs
Lt. Gen. Dale White has been nominated for a fourth star in the new role of direct reporting portfolio manager (DRPM) for Critical Major Weapons Systems.
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Voyager is accelerating access to space
After manifesting 1,400 payloads aboard the ISS, Voyager is applying its mission management expertise to the next generation of space stations, ensuring uninterrupted mission readiness and success from the ground to space.
Senate passes $914B defense policy bill after resolving gridlock on amendments
Senators voted 77-20 to approve the National Defense Authorization Act, moving the bill forward on a largely bipartisan basis.
HASC adds funds for Virginia-class subs, Ukraine in FY26 policy bill
Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.
Boeing hires former Northrop exec to lead Air Force One program
Steve Sullivan, formerly vice president and general manager of Northrop’s strike division, has been tapped to lead Boeing’s VC-25B program, according to an internal email reviewed by Breaking Defense.
Boeing ‘very close’ to finalizing Air Force One design changes
“Over the last four or five months, we've made more progress than we've made in the last four years. … We have been able to see our way through some of these requirements that were just physically impossible to do,” said Steve Parker, the interim CEO of Boeing’s defense business.
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How warfighters communicate when their missions are beyond visual line of sight
Standoff capability means warfighters stay connected and remain remotely located in a safer environment while making it harder for adversaries to target them.
House GOP appropriators pass defense spending bill defeating Dem measures on Air Force One, Ukraine
The committee voted 36-27 to send its funding proposal to the House floor after a marathon markup that lasted almost nine hours.
Before lawmakers, Hegseth refuses to disclose cost, schedule to convert Qatari jet to Air Force One
The secretary of defense also defended cuts to the E-7 Wedgetail, Constellation-class frigate, and Ukraine assistance funds during the congressional hearing.
Turning Qatari jet into Air Force One would cost ‘less than $400 million,’ Air Force secretary says
Troy Meink also said he “couldn’t guarantee” that a proposal to accelerate a separate and long-delayed Boeing program for two new Air Force Ones could achieve a delivery date of 2027.
Pentagon accepts 747 from Qatar as Democrats try to block Air Force One plan
President Donald Trump’s embrace of a luxurious jet offered as a gift by the Qatari royal family has drawn bipartisan concerns about converting the aircraft to serve as a new executive airlifter.