Defense`s Feeds

Americas The recent opening of the US Army’s Theater Readiness Monitoring Facility (TRMF) at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) has shed light on the extensive efforts to inspect HAWK missiles for the support of Ukraine’s war efforts. A key revelation from the opening is the sheer scale of HAWK missile inspections being undertaken. As of 2025, MCAAP has inspected a total of 2,751 HAWK missiles. Furthermore, the facility has received 825 missiles and other equipment donations from six countries. These missiles and equipment are likely to be transferred to Ukraine. The US Coast Guard received its 18th HC-130J Combat King II airplane from Lockheed Martin. This is part of a plan to improve their long-range patrol planes. The plane will spend a year in Georgia getting special equipment to make it better at watching the sea and carrying heavy things. It will get a system called Minotaur, which helps gather and send information using radar and other tools. This will make the plane much better at its job. Middle East & Africa The Royal Navy has used its S-100 Peregrine rotary-wing unmanned aerial system for the first time in the Middle East. It was deployed from aboard the HMS […]

Americas According to Breaking Defense, Pentagon leaders are planning to change how they buy and use technology. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth might make the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) the main way to develop software. The SWP is a faster method created in 2020 to speed up software development by using ideas from private companies. It helps the Department of Defense (DoD) get custom software quickly, aiming to deploy new features in hours or days instead of months. RTX has introduced its first aircraft radar warning receiver (RWR) with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities. This technology uses the Cognitive Algorithm Deployment System (CADS), which integrates AI/ML models into existing RWR systems. CADS combines advanced computing with sensor-level threat processing, allowing the RWR to detect, classify, and prioritize threats more effectively. This enhances survivability by quickly identifying and prioritizing threats, reducing the workload on pilots. The system is designed to improve threat analysis and resistance to spoofing, making it more reliable in combat scenarios. Middle East &Africa The UAE military is focusing on autonomy and investing heavily in naval assets, particularly unmanned maritime systems. This strategy aims to address two key challenges: The UAE Navy is the smallest branch […]

Americas Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday backed a suggestion by US counterpart Donald Trump for Russia, the United States, and China to all cut their defense budgets in half. “I think it’s a good idea. The US would cut by 50 percent and we would cut by 50 percent and then China would join if it wanted,” Putin said in a televised interview. Russia has massively ramped up military spending since launching its offensive in Ukraine in 2022, boosting economic growth but also inflation. GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney have passed the detailed design review of their offerings for the US Air Force’s Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. The detailed design review is the fourth stage of the six-phase program, preceded by initial design, preliminary design, and adaptive prototyping planning. It allows the two contenders to procure, assemble, and test a prototype ground demonstrator, with testing likely in the late 2020s. Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed interest in purchasing General Atomics’ MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In response, the American defense contractor has been preparing a package involving a “large number of aircraft” along with arrangements to involve Riyadh’s local industries.  No further details have been disclosed and the deal […]

Americas Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., part of Lockheed Martin, has received a $232.4 million contract modification to procure additional long-lead time materials for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. This modification is for Lot 10 full-rate production of the aircraft for the US Marine Corps. The work will be carried out at Sikorsky’s facility in Stratford, Connecticut, and is set to be completed by March 20262. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland, is overseeing the contract and will use fiscal year 2025 aircraft procurement funds for this project. This contract ensures that the Marine Corps’ next-generation heavy-lift helicopter program remains on schedule1. The CH-53K King Stallion is designed to replace the aging CH-53E Super Stallion fleet and is considered the most powerful and technologically advanced heavy-lift helicopter ever built for the US Marine Corps. The Marine Corps plans to acquire at least 200 CH-53K helicopters, with production ramping up as additional Lot 10 aircraft enter production. The CH-53K program has already achieved several milestones, including Initial Operational Capability in April 2022 with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 4611. Huntington-Ingalls Inc. has received a $44.9 million contract modification to prepare for the USS Harry S. Truman’s (CVN 75) Refueling and Complex […]

Americas General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has received a $21.7 million contract modification for DDG-1000 Class Planning Yard requirements, extending its role in maintaining and modernizing the Zumwalt-class destroyers. Key points include: The contract covers tasks such as Ship Change Document development, technical problem resolution, and integrated logistics support. Most work will be done in Bath, Maine, with completion expected by March 2026. Funding sources include fiscal 2024 and 2025 Navy procurement and research funds. The contract was awarded without competition due to the need for a specific source under 10 US Code 3204(a)(1). This modification supports the ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. has been awarded a $15.1 million contract modification for work on the AN/AQS-24 Sonar Mine Detecting Set. This modification covers depot-level repair, maintenance, and modifications for all variants of the AN/AQS-24 system, along with support for common post-mission analysis and intermediate-level test equipment. The work will be primarily performed in Annapolis, Maryland (95%), and Panama City, Florida (5%), with completion expected by March 2026. This modification is part of a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The AN/AQS-24 is a high-speed airborne mine detection system that utilizes side-scan sonar […]

Americas Raytheon Co. in McKinney, Texas, has received a contract worth $48.5 million to supply JANUS II systems. This contract includes a multi-mission optical sensor, a multi-spectral targeting system pedestal enclosure system, and additional hardware and software needed to support these systems. The contract was awarded as a sole source action, meaning Raytheon was the only company that could meet the Navy’s needs. The work will take place at Raytheon’s facilities in McKinney and is expected to be completed by February 2030. The funding for this contract comes from the Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance budget for the Navy, with $4,169,000 allocated at the time of the award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, located in Crane, Indiana, is responsible for overseeing this contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Melbourne, Florida, has received an $8 million modification to an existing contract for the E-2D Hawkeye aircraft upgrade program. This modification adds work to integrate a single board computer as part of the Block II upgrade, which involves a complete technology refresh for the cockpit, mission computer, and operations station. The Block II upgrade aims to modernize the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye fleet by reducing pilot workload, improving situational awareness, […]

Americas The Colombian Air Force (FAC) is evaluating the potential inclusion of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB3 drone into its fleet in an ongoing effort to modernize its capabilities. High-ranking FAC officials reportedly traveled to Ankara to assess the operational capabilities of the long-endurance drone and determine whether it aligns with the country’s strategic needs. As part of its modernization, the FAC is exploring options to upgrade its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fleet, transitioning away from its current Israeli-made Hermes 900 and 450 drones. The US Marine Corps conducted the maiden test launch of a new Long Range Precision Fire (LRPF) capability in November, the service announced last week. An AH-1Z Viper helicopter fired the munition at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona. The launch was conducted through a wireless application called the Marine Air-Ground Tablet (MAGTAB). The tablet-shaped device enables navigation and communication data exchange for enhanced battlefield situational awareness. “The November test at YPG exceeded the threshold requirements with regards to position, navigation, and timing,” the service said in a press release. Middle East & Africa Sierra Nevada Co. has been awarded a $29,661,478 contract to provide support and sustainment for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s King Air 350ER aircraft. The contract includes field service representatives, […]

Americas Sentrycs has received a multi-million-dollar award to integrate its counter-unmanned aerial system technologies for an undisclosed Latin American defense customer. Under the effort, the Tel Aviv-based company will provide fixed, portable, and vehicle-mounted versions of its anti-drone kits to address the user’s multi-layer defense requirements against evolving autonomous airborne threats. Part of the countermeasure devices will be used for low-footprint protection across military bases, mobile operations, special forces missions, and VIP security. In another production qualification trial, the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) has completed a flight test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Two of the Lockheed Martin-developed weapons were launched in a long-range flight from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to neutralize targets, which included a mock SCUD missile, radar, and rotary wing platforms. This test follows the system’s double salvo performance in November and the first soldier-led limited user test conducted in December last year. Middle East & Africa Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Tuesday that troops remain at five positions in southern Lebanon past a pullout deadline, vowing action against any truce violation by militant group Hezbollah. The Israeli military “will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon with five control positions, and […]

Americas Lockheed Martin got an extra $18.8 million to keep providing engineering and maintenance at Pearl Harbor for MK48 torpedoes. This is an addition to an existing contract. The work should be done by February 2026. The Navy is paying for it with $3.3 million in funds that must be used this year. The Naval Sea Systems Command is in charge of the contract. The  Intermediate Maintenance Activity at Pearl Harbor typically processes about 300 torpedo maintenance actions per year. These maintenance activities include failure analysis, cleaning, rebuilding components, testing, and configuration changes to ensure the torpedoes meet reliability and availability standards for the submarine fleet. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is set to provide enhanced armor protection to the US Army’s Stryker armored fighting vehicle. A functional review of the technology will be performed by the company on a Stryker platform over the next six months, using DEVCOM Ground Systems Center (GVSC) provided armor designs, integration schemes, and durability test data. It is part of GVSC’s Stryker Enhanced Armor (SEA) program, which was conceived to provide increased protection for the platform’s future armor kits. Middle East & Africa Israel’s defense ministry said Sunday that a shipment of “heavy” US-made […]

Americas Raytheon won an $18.7 million modification to exercise options for design agent and engineering support services for the Rolling Airframe Missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by March 2028. Federal Republic of Germany funds in the amount of $22,471,090 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. The US Army is conducting tests for the M10 Booker armored infantry support vehicle at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Testing includes firing trials as well as performance and maintainability assessments. Personnel from different US Army divisions are trialing the vehicles on rough terrain, steep slopes, and water obstacles. Operations also evaluate durability and performance in extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, cold-weather testing is underway at Fort Greely in Alaska to assess its capability in sub-zero temperatures. Middle East & Africa A shipment of heavy US-made bombs, specifically MK-84 munitions, arrived in Israel overnight. This delivery coincided with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first visit to the country in his new role. The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed that the bombs were unloaded at […]

Americas Bell Boeing Joint Project Office in Amarillo, Texas, has been awarded a $23 million contract modification to continue flight test support for the V-22 Osprey aircraft. This modification extends the existing contract to provide ongoing support for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and the government of Japan.The work will be distributed across multiple locations, with the majority of work (70%) performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, followed by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (15%), Fort Worth, Texas (10%), and Hurlburt Field, Florida (5%). The project is expected to be completed in January 2026. Anduril Industries has taken over the development of the US Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) from Microsoft. This transition comes after a series of challenges and delays in the program, which was initially awarded to Microsoft in 2021 with a budget of $21.9 billion.The IVAS program aims to provide soldiers with augmented reality headsets to enhance combat effectiveness, situational awareness, and decision-making on the battlefield Europe The Dutch Ministry of Defense has announced the delivery of 25 YPR armored vehicles to Ukraine. These vehicles are specifically configured for medical evacuation purposes, designed to transport wounded soldiers from the frontlines. This announcement was made by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans […]

The European Defence Agency (EDA) launched its first-ever European Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign on 28 January 2025. The campaign was launched under the umbrella of EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) and hosted at the Italian Army’s Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Italy. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and operational deployment of future capabilities.  

Managed in close partnership with the Italian Army and supported by the Italian National Armaments Directorate, the OPEX campaign focuses on testing future capabilities in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS). The principle behind this initiative is to take next-generation technology, which is already at an advanced stage in development, and place it in an operational setting to support the rapid adoption of emerging capabilities that are likely to shape the future of EU defence.  

The new framework provides a unique opportunity for experimentation in a realistic operational environment, allowing those involved to collaboratively test, refine, and adapt emerging technologies under real-world conditions. Through this campaign, EDA helps Member States and industry to bridge what defence specialists refer to as the “valley of death” in development, where promising new technologies fail to transition into defence programs.  

During the campaign’s launch, Nathalie Guichard, EDA’s Director for Research, Technology, and Innovation, said: “We are embarking on a ground-breaking initiative that will shape the future of European defence innovation. For the first time, Europe is providing a collaborative and agile environment for field-testing emerging disruptive technologies." 

Tests in June and July 

Now that it has launched, the OPEX campaign will run across two test locations in Italy between June and July 2025. These varied environments will rigorously assess how proposed autonomous logistics solutions meet military requirements and explore disruptive concepts of operation beyond traditional defence applications.  

The campaign is also supported by an expert working group of 76 UAS and UGS experts from 14 EU Member States, Switzerland, and Ukraine. This working group will provide technical and operational guidance for the development of the OPEX campaign, ensuring it aligns with Europe’s current defence needs while considering possible future operational realities. 

What makes this campaign work is the close collaboration with the Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB), which plays a pivotal role in connecting European test and evaluation centres into a so-called network of excellence. The DTEB strategy further strengthens these efforts by aiming to harmonise test and evaluation procedures, addressing challenges stemming from emerging technology, as well as fostering interoperability across Europe.  

Embedded in EDA’s broader defence innovation framework, this initiative complements activities such as the Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas, the Action Plan on Autonomous Systems, and the Emerging Disruptive Technologies’ Capability-Driven Action Plan.  

Areas to be tested 

• Following a competitive procurement process launched in July 2024, EDA awarded contracts across six specialised categories so that a diverse range of solutions are rigorously field-tested. These are:  
• Low-Cost Attritable UAS – BEYOND VISION (Portugal)  
• Vertical Take-Off and Launch (VTOL) UAS – ALTUS LSA (Greece)  
• Heavy Lift VTOL UAS – SCHIEBEL (Austria)  
• Low-Cost Attritable UGS – ALYSIS (Spain)  
• Medium Wheeled Logistical UGS – PIAP (Poland) 
• Medium Tracked Logistical UGS – ARX ROBOTICS (Germany)  

The OPEX support team is a consortium led by French company EXTENSEE. It will help in the design, execution, and evaluation of the OPEX campaign in collaboration with EDA and the Italian authorities. 

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

Americas Lockheed Martin and Boeing are in a competition to build new military communication satellites for the US Space Force. Both companies have successfully passed early design reviews, allowing them to proceed to the next stage. Lockheed Martin emphasized its use of advanced digital technology and collaboration, creating a reprogrammable payload processor, and its design surpassed expectations. Boeing completed its design review in December 2024, leveraging its existing 702MP satellite platform used by the Space Force. The goal is to expand the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) with two new satellites by 2030, enhancing secure military communications. Momentus has secured a $3.5 million contract from DARPA to support the NOM4D program, which focuses on building large-scale structures in space. The company will use its Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle to demonstrate in-orbit assembly technologies in low-Earth orbit. This mission, scheduled for early 2026, aims to validate the performance of space-optimized structures like antennas and solar arrays, advancing capabilities for future Department of Defense systems. Middle East & Africa A tragic accident has claimed the life of an Air Force of Zimbabwe student pilot during a training mission near Gweru. Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza was killed when his Karakorum-8 (K-8) jet trainer […]

Senior European Defence Agency (EDA) officials briefed members of the defence industry community on 11 February 2025, ahead of a new European strategy to strengthen the European Union’s defence industrial base.  

The forum, hosted at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), came as the EU institutions, with input from EDA, prepare a ‘White Paper on the Future of European Defence’, which is expected in mid-March 2025. The EESC, as the voice of organised civil society, ensures that economic and social considerations are integrated into EU policymaking, and fosters dialogue between institutions and stakeholders. 

“The European defence base remains fragmented, characterised by a lack of joint procurement and national preferences for defence spending.  This results in small, localised markets with relatively low production numbers,” EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said. “It is only by cooperating more that Member States can strengthen the defence technological and industrial base, create economies of scale, and develop the defence capabilities our Member States need.” 

Call for 100-billion-euro budget

The white paper will outline strategies for funding, improving industrial competitiveness, supporting Ukraine, and addressing critical investment needs. Negotiations over the EU's next long-term budget, the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, are also due to start at the end of 2025.  Pietro de Lotto, President of the EESC Consultative Commission on Industrial Change, said: “We need to come together to protect our common security, common values and common future.” De Lotto called for a dedicated €100 billion in the next seven-year MFF and stressed the need for public understanding and support, noting that a strong defence strategy in a democratic society requires citizens to see the European defence industry as a force for peace and security, not conflict. 

Katarzyna Ananicz, the European Council’s chairwoman of the Council’s working party on defence industry, said that the current interpretation of defence investment in the EU fiscal rules governing national budgets was too narrow. Ananicz stresssed that investment should not only include the purchase of military equipment but capital support for arms, ammunition factories, investment in infrastructure used by the armed forces and the construction of shelters. 

In 2024, Member States are projected to have spent €326 billion on defence, equivalent to 1.9% of the EU’s GDP. EDA officials warned that it is still insufficient to meet security threats. Countries must work together to develop the European defence industrial base. “The defence industry is our partner, and we cannot develop military capabilities without industry,” said Baudouin Heuninckx, EDA’s deputy director for industry. 

Obstacles to financing

EDA briefed the EESC on some of the obstacles, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector. These companies face significant barriers to financing, despite the Union’s efforts to boost military spending, Šedivý told the forum. De Lotto warned that sidelining SMEs would weaken the EU and stressed the need to better integrate them into future defence projects and funding. The Commission’s Fabio Liberti, giving an update on industry support, urged that joint procurement is the best way forward.  

EDA outlined its 18 collaborative opportunities that were identified in its 2024 Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the EU’s ‘State of the Union’ on defence. Four of these projects have already won political backing, including initiatives on integrated air and missile defence and electronic warfare. 

EDA’s Federica Valente also briefed the forum on EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI). HEDI is helping to identify and address future technological and operational needs of European armed forces, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of innovation and preparedness. EDA explained its revised Memorandum of Understanding with the European Investment Bank, which aims at improving financing access for defence projects. “They have financial knowledge; we have military expertise. This collaboration can help identify projects needing investment,” Šedivý said.

Americas Detyens Shipyards Inc., located in North Charleston, South Carolina, has been awarded a $21.1 million fixed-price contract to perform maintenance and dry-docking on the Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler, USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189). The project will last 180 days, starting March 23, 2025, and ending September 18, 2025. The contract includes additional options that could increase its total value to $21.8 million. The funding for this work comes from the Navy’s fiscal year 2025 budget and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, and three proposals were submitted. Military Sealift Command, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is managing the contract. The US Navy is upgrading its mine-hunting tech. Raytheon got $18.3M to build mine-detecting gear for unmanned boats. Textron got $12.1M to build mine-sweeping gear for the same boats. Bollinger Shipyards got $7.7M to improve the boats themselves. These upgrades will help the Navy find and get rid of underwater mines more safely and efficiently. Middle East & Africa The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Design and Construction Services and related equipment for […]

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a new research project to monitor and predict the health of batteries in aircraft, which is known as Prognostic Health Management (PHM). Led by Italy and involving Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, and Germany, this three-year project aims to innovate aircraft power systems, with a focus on hybrid-electric aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for defence. The EDA project kicked off on 4 February 2025 and focuses on a type of rechargeable battery used in aircraft called structural Li-Ion/Po batteries.  

Unlike traditional batteries, structural batteries not only store energy but also help support the structure of the aircraft, which can reduce the overall weight. This is especially important for aircraft, as every kilogram saved helps improve fuel efficiency and performance. By developing advanced systems to monitor the health of these batteries, the project aims to ensure they last longer and perform reliably. These systems will help predict how long the batteries and the materials that make up the aircraft can be safely used, reducing the risk of failure and increasing the safety of flights, especially for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that are used in defence operations. The project is known as BATTAGE, combining BATT from batteries, and AGE, referring to the battery’s lifetime.  

Project objectives: from design to testing 

• Sensor network and battery management system design, with the creation of a multifunctional, advanced battery management system that meets structural battery construction standards. 
• Diagnostic and prognostic algorithm implementation, with the development of algorithms for early anomaly detection, enhancing safety and operational efficiency of aircraft. 
• Experimental validation, with laboratory testing on structural batteries and UAV components under realistic operational conditions to evaluate durability and performance. 
• Scaling PHM systems and extending methodologies from testing to full UAV component-level validation.

These efforts bring together Member States’ expertise and testing facilities, reducing financial burdens and aiming to accelerate innovation. The project seeks to lay the foundation for research applicable to both civil aeronautics and the automotive industry, raising the possibility of a broad application of the technologies developed. Conducted under the framework of the EDA’s CapTech Aerial Systems, BATTAGE reinforces the European Union’s commitment to advancing defence and aeronautical technologies, while promoting collaboration between Member States. BATTAGE meets with European goals in defence and aeronautics to enhance air-domain capabilities across several areas, including: Air combat, supporting armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS); Airborne command and control (C2): Multi-Mission/Reconfigurable UAV systems; and Air Transport with tactical cargo UAVs for defence. The project will aim for a Technology Readiness Level of up to five, meaning that PHM technology is safe for environments where it might be potentially deployed. 

A European consortium 

The BATTAGE project brings together a consortium of leading institutions from five European countries: 

• Italy: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), National Research Council (CNR) 
• Belgium: Centre de Recherche en Aéronautique (CENAERO) 
• Germany: German Aerospace Center (DLR) 
• Greece: University of Patras (UPATRAS) 
• The Netherlands: Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), Tulip Tech (TULIP) 

  EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

Americas Canada has opened a rebuilt pier at its Esquimalt naval base in British Columbia. This project cost 1.1 billion Canadian dollars and is part of a larger plan to upgrade the harbor. The new pier will be able to handle the Royal Canadian Navy’s new ships, like the Joint Support Ships and Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels, which are being built as part of the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. This upgrade will allow the base to support these larger, modern vessels. GM Defense has been awarded a $44.8 million contract to provide its Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISV) to the US Army. The exact number of vehicles to be supplied hasn’t been specified, and work locations and funding will be determined as orders are placed. Deliveries are expected to continue through December 2025. This deal will provide the Army with vehicles designed to improve troop mobility, based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform and able to carry nine soldiers. Middle East & Africa The US government has agreed to sell $7.4 billion worth of weapons to Israel. This includes $6.75 billion for bombs and related equipment, and $660 million for Hellfire missiles– The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency says these weapons […]

Americas Raytheon received a $52.2 million contract to produce 18 advanced camera systems for military helicopters (MH-60 aircraft) used by Saudi Arabia (1), South Korea (1), Norway (8), Spain (4), and India (4). The majority of the work will be conducted in Texas, with additional parts manufactured in other US states, and is expected to be completed by February 2028. The funding for this project originates from foreign countries through the Foreign Military Sales program, and the US Navy is overseeing the contract. The US Navy is spending money on new tools to find and remove underwater mines. They’re focusing on improving unmanned boats that can be launched from ships or the shore. These boats are designed to find, track, and destroy mines without putting sailors in danger. The Navy has given out several contracts to different companies to make these tools better. They want to make sure their ships, especially the Littoral Combat Ships, have the latest equipment to deal with mines in shallow waters near coastlines.These new tools will help the Navy replace its older mine-hunting ships and helicopters. The goal is to make it safer and more efficient to clear mines from important areas where ships need […]

Americas The US government has given Lockheed Martin a big job worth up to $2.81 billion to improve the THAAD missile defense system. This work will continue for 10 years, from February 2025 to January 2035. The company will upgrade THAAD’s hardware and software, test these improvements, and start putting them into use.Most of this work will happen in Sunnyvale, California, and Dallas, Texas. THAAD is a powerful weapon that can stop different types of incoming missiles. It works by hitting these missiles directly, destroying them before they can reach their targets. This system is important for protecting areas from missile attack. The US Air Force has given BioFlyte, a company from New Mexico, a job to test their new safety device called BioTOF z200. This device is special because it can spot dangerous things in the air that might harm people or buildings. The BioTOF z200 uses smart computer programs to quickly figure out if there are any bad chemicals or germs in the air.. The Air Force wants to see if this device can help keep military bases and soldiers safe from harmful substances that enemies might use.The Air Force is working with BioFlyte through a program that helps small companies […]

A German Heron TP drone flew in military- and civilian-controlled airspace between Germany and the Netherlands on 3 February 2025, marking another step towards remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) being allowed to fly safely alongside commercial airlines and other manned aviation. 

The round-trip test flight built on previous work by the European Defence Agency (EDA), which has been supporting its Member States in the safe integration of RPAS into general air traffic (GAT) airspace. It follows a similar milestone flight between France and Spain in December 2021. But this year, the flight took place in upper airspace for the first time.  

EDA initiated the project through a call for tender, which was awarded to a consortium led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) together with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Royal NLR) and the German armed forces. The German air force provided the Heron TP drone for testing and the project also received the support of the German military aviation authority. 

The Heron TP, which with its 26-metre wingspan can fly for more than 24 hours, took off from Schleswig in northern Germany, initially climbing in military-controlled airspace. From there, it was handed over to German air traffic control and EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, before transitioning into Dutch airspace at more than 8,500 metres (28,000 feet) above sea level, a region primarily occupied by commercial aircraft. 

The German Heron TP drone is a joint Israeli-German project developed by Airbus and Israel Aerospace Industries, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). 

More test flights planned 

One of EDA’s goals, along with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is to enable the full integration of large RPAS into general air traffic airspace. By testing, evaluating, and refining the procedures, the project is helping to bridge the gap between ‘accommodation’ or ‘mitigation’ measures and full integration. EDA, working closely with EASA and EUROCONTROL, as well as national aviation authorities, is laying the foundation for a more secure and efficient airspace across Europe. 

The German-Dutch mission implemented lessons learned to further refine the procedures to make such cross-border flights more commonplace. With two more test flights planned in the coming weeks, the focus is on demonstrating that mitigation measures developed so far are ‘aircraft agnostic’ — meaning that they work across different RPAS platforms, including civilian drones. The aim is that the full integration of RPAS into shared airspace will soon be possible. Unlike the previous mission between France and Spain, which used a different drone model, February's test helped confirm that integration procedures work across various aircraft, not just a single RPAS design. 

Another objective of the test flights is to trial procedures in the event of a loss of communication between the remote pilot and the aircraft and to operate the drone at its maximum altitude. These flights are planned to take place over the coming weeks.  

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base.