Defense Procurement / Programs

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Indonesia has settled its remaining financial obligation under the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 Boramae fighter development program.

When the U.S. Space Force recently announced it had awarded nine base contracts for one of its marquee new programs, it opted to disclose only one provider: SpaceX.

An urgent pursuit of advanced missile defenses has sparked U.S. interest in new airborne platforms for launching targets during tests of new interceptors.

Victus Haze put the service’s rapid-response space concept to the test, launching and commissioning a satellite in record time.

The Swiss government has resumed payments to the U.S. for the FMS buy of RTX Patriot air and missile defense systems to avoid a ripple effect on other deals.

New Zealand's 2025 Defense Capability Plan offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that Wellington recognizes the need for greater combat capability.

Canada has formally signed an agreement to acquire Australia's over-the-horizon radar technology, marking Australia's largest-ever defense export program.

Austria has been approved to acquire 12 more Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks, as the country expands its military and consolidates its helicopter fleets.

The Pentagon and Congress appear ready to dissolve the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office’s specific authorities in 2027.

USAF selects Anduril and General Atomics for CCA production contracts while continuing autonomy system competition with three other firms.

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration has awarded type certification to the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighter.

The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with a plan to install an over-the-horizon radar for homeland defense on two sites in Oregon.

Germany is scrambling to quickly address a need for deep-strike weapons amid uncertainty about an earlier plan to rely on U.S. systems in the near term.

Senate authorizers agreed with their House counterparts to end the Space Development Agency and Space Rapid Capabilities Office as separate entities under the U.S. Space Force.

The Senate Armed Services Committee on June 11 approved its version of the 2027 defense policy bill with new restrictions on defense industry.

Kongsberg completed the acquisition of a 90% stake of Zone 5 Technologies, a maker of low-cost cruise and interceptor missiles already in large-scale production.

A U.S. Air Force classification change to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program could give a boost to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s (GA-ASI’s) marketing campaign in Europe.

A Ukrainian Gripen acquisition could unlock follow-on purchases from Sweden, and Brazil is considering additional buys, too.

Malaysia’s military modernization has been guided by Capability Development Plan 55, the first phase of which includes seven core strategic programs, with five directly related to aircraft procurement.

South Korea has reversed plans to scale back production of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 fighter, restoring the program to its original schedule.

Destinus is preparing the next step in its push to become a full-fledged rival to the likes of MBDA by designing rockets not just for the battle in Ukraine today, but for conflict tomorrow.

The U.S. Defense Department could take steps to instill greater confidence among institutional investors about the outlook for defense contractors.

The Pentagon’s strategy to acquire 340,000 drones by the end of next year requires industry to scale production up while driving prices down.

The U.S. Army’s new Amazon.com-like website for drone acquisition is challenging industry business models and supply chains.

Ottawa is trying to modernize its military, strengthen its industry and forge closer ties to Europe with its surprise airborne early warning and control pick.

Circumstances and priorities can change rapidly and targets can quickly be forgotten, but there can be no doubting Germany's commitment to expanding its military capabilities.

Now 75, the company trains tens of thousands of pilots, technicians and professionals from business, commercial, military and government aviation every year.

The head of Honeywell Aerospace asserted the Tier 1 aerospace supplier and defense prime will no longer be handcuffed in its investments, supply chain management and acquisitions.

The U.S. government has approved a possible foreign military sale to Vietnam covering sustainment support for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules.

Sweden is exploring the potential acquisition of two-seat Gripen Fs the country’s defense minister has suggested.

European countries have begun signing off on major defense equipment spending using Security Action for Europe loans.

SOFWerx plans to assess the capabilities of uncrewed aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion and channel wings for vertical takeoff and landing.

New procurement plans for executive airlift and support bring opportunities for special mission providers.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to stand up an initial space-based air moving target indication (AMTI) constellation by 2028.

The U.S. Space Force has tapped Blue Origin to support a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) launch as early as late 2027.

As a Canadian review of fighter acquisition plans continues, a top Saab executive says the domestic defense industry could play a role in Ukraine’s plan to acquire an initial batch of up to 20 Saab Gripen E/F fighters.

Leonardo is planning to grow its UK headcount beyond 10,000 people as the company sees greater commitments from the government on defense and security spending.

The Swiss government says its first Lockheed Martin F-35 has entered final assembly as the customer and company work toward first customer delivery next year.

The Space Development Agency appears closer to disassembly than ever before.

Ukraine will receive 16 donated Saab Gripen fighters from Sweden once it finalizes the first stage of a deal to acquire new-build Gripen Es.

L3Harris executives said that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney surprised and “disappointed” them by announcing the selection of the Saab GlobalEye.

The U.S. Air Force wants to regenerate the supply chain for its small Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bomber.

The Royal Thai Navy has ordered two C295 transport aircraft in an “enhanced transport configuration,” Airbus announced.

Canada plans to acquire the Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft to upgrade the country’s air warfare capability and bolster Bombardier as the aircraft supplier.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a new contract for the Space Data Network Backbone program.

The U.S. Space Force expects to launch two prototype spacecraft next year as it looks toward the next generation of anti-jam satellite communications.

Pentagon seeks advanced manufacturing solutions to address gaps in supersonic aircraft production and sustainment while preparing for next-generation programs.

SOCOM plans autonomous test range at NASA’s Stennis Space Center to rehearse missions and test unmanned systems in contested environments.

The U.S. FY27 defense budget request aims to outspend the next 17 nations combined amid global military spending surges.

In a rare move, U.S. military leaders are proactively reversing or reconsidering spending decisions made only two months ago.

The most valuable aircraft for the U.S. Air Force during the 38-day air strike campaign against Iran earlier this year proved to be the MQ-9A Reaper, the Air Force’s top general told lawmakers May 20.

As part of its plan to field new transport aircraft, SOCOM wants to prioritize cost-effective operations, range and a broad sustainment enterprise.

Gurpartap Sandhoo has assumed permanent leadership of the U.S. Space Development Agency and the Space Force’s portfolio acquisition executive for missile warning and tracking.

As the U.S. Air Force gets started on a replacement for the MQ-9, U.S. Special Operations Command wants to ensure its needs are considered early.

Navy approves Boeing MQ-25 for carrier-based refueling drone, with first production contract expected this summer.

Contenders for a possible U.S. Army contract to build interceptor missiles at a cost of less than $1 million each need to be able to demonstrate the full system by the end of the fiscal year, the Army said on May 15.

Norway's missile export ban forces Malaysia to reassess defense procurement strategies amid regional tensions.

The Indonesian Air Force has received its first Meteor missiles, becoming the first operator in the Asia-Pacific region to formally induct it into service.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

A major electronic warfare (EW) upgrade for the Royal Saudi Air Force fleet of Boeing F-15SA fighters has entered the early stages of the acquisition process within the U.S. Foreign Military Sales system.

Corrosion and spare parts shortages reduce UK F-35 mission rates as officials address engineering gaps and delayed infrastructure plans.

The Pentagon’s Drone Dominance program is expanding to include the acquisition of recoverable “bomber” types of uncrewed aircraft systems.

Pentagon plans to buy 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles and 500 hypersonic missiles annually, expanding its industrial base and accelerating procurement timelines.

The stand-up and operation of a notional Golden Dome missile defense architecture would cost about $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years, the Congressional Budget Office says in a new report.

British defense startup Rotron Aerospace says it successfully launched and flown its SkyLance one-way effector.

Aviation Week editors discuss how space control is front and center for the U.S. Space Force, allied services and adversaries.

South Korea considers delaying KF-21 Block 2 production to 2035 as rising costs, inflation and supply chain issues impact the program.

U.S. Air Force Futures has approved a requirements document for an aircraft that will replace the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9A Reaper.

The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to soon move forward on the acquisition of ground-launched prototypes for a low-cost, supersonic counter-air missile.

The U.S. Space Force is assisting an undisclosed partner nation that is interested in launching national security missions from a sovereign spaceport, a recent government notice shows.

The French Navy has taken delivery of the first of three Pilatus PC-24 aircraft from Jet Aviation.

The Norway government has restricted the export of Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) technology to Malaysia.

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to reshape its aviation branch with the arrival of autonomous collaborative combat aircraft by 2030.

The most consequential of all anticipated aerospace and defense IPOs is that of SpaceX, which will undoubtedly elevate the prospects of other aerospace IPOs.

The U.S. Air Force plans to launch an analysis of alternatives study next year for a New Heavy Bomber aircraft.

Kongsberg is hoping to get word from the U.S. government in the coming weeks about its proposed acquisition of low-cost missile developer Zone 5 Technologies.

Israel has given the green light for the procurement of additional Lockheed Martin F-35s and Boeing F-15IAs.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hinted that the long-awaited, much-delayed Defense Investment Plan could emerge “in the coming weeks.”

York Space Systems is acquiring All.Space, a UK-based satcom terminal provider, to expand connectivity solutions for the U.S. military and others customers.

When it comes to mergers and acquisitions in the middle market aerospace and defense companies, many people turn to Alderman & Company.

U.S. Space and defense officials say an acquisition coordination office is being established, focused on cislunar operations.

Australia approved a follow-on acquisition of Lockheed Martin Himars and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), expanding land-based long-range strike capability.

The most advanced Boeing P-8A Poseidon is operational, adding improved capability for wide-area signals intelligence against submarines, the U.S. Navy says.

The increased threat from Iran and its Houthi proxies in Yemen in recent years has seen defense spending in Saudi rise significantly.

Selected U.S. Military Contracts For The Week Of April 20 - 24, 2026

The U.S. Space Force has identified the 12 companies currently on contract to develop space-based interceptors ahead of a planned 2028 demonstration.

Just five years ago, prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and when U.S. security commitments to Europe looked solid, projections for defense spending on the continent appeared flat.

Several new programs have arisen to drive low-cost munitions into service more quickly and at higher volumes than ever before.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded its first prototype contracts in support of the Kronos program.

One of the U.S. Space Force’s main acquisition offices could soon undergo a significant revamp.

The U.S. Space Force on April 20 announced it is canceling its long-delayed GPS ground control system after lengthy speculation on its future.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The U.S. Army is looking at ways to do its own aerial refueling and get more training for its special operations helicopter crews, as it works to bring on modified MV-75 Cheyenne IIs for them.

Readers write about U.S. Navy trainers, Boeing 737-7 and -10 certification delays, and the X-59. Plus: Behind the Scenes at the Space Symposium.

Joby Aviation plans to conduct a demonstration flight of its S4-T uncrewed aircraft next week at its plant in California.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is proceeding with the acquisition of Leonardo AW119 single-engine helicopters for the country’s military.

The U.S. Space Force is exploring options to still use the Vulcan rocket heavy-lift launch vehicle for less-complex missions.

The Pentagon's budget largely excludes Army aviation, raising concerns amidst broader defense spending increases.

Airbus recently conducted a test flight of the autonomous H145 it is developing for the U.S. Marine Corps that for the first time integrated autonomy and edge computing from partner companies.

The U.S. Air Force is now looking at options for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance uncrewed aircraft in the “attritable” cost category.

The U.S. Space Force’s senior acquisition official is telling industry to prepare for significant satellite production contracts should the fiscal 2027 budget request.

The undefeatable ballistic missile in the future will be hypersonic, cheap, and long-range, the U.S. Army’s acquisition chief for artillery says.

HASC Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) is ready to take the White House’s opening fiscal 2027 defense spending bid as the new minimum funding level.

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona has been awarded a not-to-exceed $708,939,863 undefinitized contract action for small diameter bomb increment II production.

The flagship GPS upgrade in the U.S. Space Force's domain is years late, billions of dollars over budget and still not operational.

As the race to counter Shahed drones heats up, newcomers have their breakout moment.

The U.S. Space Force has picked 14 vendors to build space domain awareness satellites over the next decade for a new constellation in geosynchronous orbit.

France boosts defense spending to strengthen air defense, munitions, drones and space capabilities amid shifting global dynamics.

MTU Aero Engines expands into drone propulsion with AeroDesignWorks acquisition, boosting European systems and missile power tech.

Selected U.S. military contracts from the past week.

Unlock aerospace and defense industry critical insights from the Aviation Week Program Excellence Awards’ annual Program Management Roundtable.

The U.S. Air Force launches a new missile program for standoff attack weapons, targeting advanced features and affordability for fielding by 2033.

DARPA has revealed interest in developing a new class of air-to-air missiles in which the top design requirement is mass production rather than maximizing performance.

Switzerland says it will continue to withhold foreign military sales (FMS) payments related to the Patriot missile systems ordered by Bern.

As Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman prepares for the end of his time leading the U.S. Space Force, he is looking 15 years into the future and 232 years into the past.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX two additional missions on behalf of the Space Development Agency (SDA) to launch no earlier than late fiscal 2027.

A new variant of a low-cost, air-launched cruise missile quietly entered development for the U.S. Air Force in December.

The Indian Air Force can proceed with plans to buy a host of defense equipment.

Near Earth Autonomy is to further develop the U.S. Marine Corps’ ability to fly uncrewed logistics missions.

UK and Turkey seal £8B Typhoon deal including pilot training and defense industry support, with first jets due by 2030.

The U.S. Army is refining its approach for the next increment of its short-range air defense system.

The U.S. Navy is expanding the installation of low-cost counter drone systems on its destroyers.

The U.S. Air Force will soon launch the next “giant leap” in testing for a cruise missile program.

A technological development launched by DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (Alias) program a dozen years ago is now a testbed.

The U.S. Army within a few days in mid-March ordered thousands of reconnaissance drones.

The U.S. Space Force is shifting a GPS III launch from United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rockets to the SpaceX Falcon fleet for the fourth time.

The UK Defense Ministry is exploring a rapid acquisition of uncrewed aircraft system radars for naval applications, aimed at detecting cruie missiles and other aircraft.

Hypersonic test company Stratolaunch plans to develop an air-breathing variant of its rocket-powered Mach 5-plus Talon vehicle.

India’s Defense Ministry is seeking to join one of the foreign government-industry consortia developing competing sixth-generation fighters.

The U.S. Space Force has laid out how it plans to divide most of its mission areas under the Pentagon’s new portfolio acquisition executive (PAE) system.

Croatia’s prime minister says he has raised concerns with NATO about Serbia’s apparent acquisition of Chinese air-launched, long-range missiles.

Anduril did not win a $20 billion check from the U.S. Army on March 13, as announced, but instead a consolidated contracting vehicle.

The U.S. Air Force’s Boeing T-7A trainer program is seeing testing delays mount ahead of an imminent production decision, following a change in the acquisition approach to try to speed up fielding.

Investor sentiment for defense remains strong, but here are some factors to consider about the wave of initial public and secondary offerings.

A new U.S. Army online marketplace for counter uncrewed aircraft systems is now hosting more than 90 products.

The DOD is crafting a supplemental spending request to both replenish existing weapons used in the conflict in Iran and buy new, improved systems.

Jon Rambeau will become Karman Space & Defense's CEO on March 23, when current CEO Tony Koblinski steps aside while remaining a director on the board.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded two new deals worth $2.43 billion to Boeing to continue developing two E-7A prototypes as directed by Congress.

AeroVironment is cutting its sales and earnings outlook after the Pentagon terminated the Satellite Commercial Communications Augmentation Resource program.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry says it has “entered an agreement with India” to acquire the BrahMos supersonic missile system.

The U.S. Air Force’s opposition to buying additional Boeing E-7A Wedgetails has not changed despite a solicitation released on March 10.

A federal research agency in Canada will acquire a Bombardier Global 6500 to develop defense-related technologies.

The South Korean-developed KM-SAM Block II surface-to-air missile has made its combat debut with the United Arab Emirates military.

Dassault Aviation has been gradually increasing the production rate of the Rafale fighter, aiming for four aircraft per month in 2029.

The Pentagon under the Trump administration has pressed the defense industrial base to shift to a “wartime footing."

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman are investing in a B-21 capacity increase as the Sentinel program faces decision points.

The Pentagon is looking to build on the momentum of recent deals to invest in key munitions, with a specific focus on Lockheed Martin F-35 spare parts.

A group of competing defense contractors in the U.S. are jousting with each other to replace the venerable Patriot air defense missile.

Separating aerospace and defense businesses from broader industrial production is becoming the only credible route to competing with focused champions.

The Air Force secretary wants to fuse data gathered from a vast array of military and intelligence sensors for battle management.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions said late Feb. 26 that it plans to raise $1 billion gross via a share sale of its common stock.

An electronic warfare payload for a new class of high-altitude balloons is moving forward after a six-month pause for the U.S. Army to review the requirements.

Airbus Helicopters is actively exploring a European derivative of the H145-based autonomous Lakota connector aircraft it is developing for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The U.S. Air Force is focused on near-term tanker recapitalization—extending purchases of the Boeing KC-46 and planning minor situational awareness upgrades.

Both of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes are flying with mission autonomy as the service is preparing both for more intensive tests and production decisions.

Italian rocket company Avio says it will build a new solid rocket motor facility in Hurt, Virginia.

The Algerian Air Force has made recapitalizing its fighter fleet a top priority, especially given the retirement of the MiG‑25 in 2021 and the planned withdrawal of the aging Su‑24 fleet, with plans to expand the inventory to around 120 aircraft by 2035.

Heeding lessons from modern battlefields, the U.S. Army is transforming the aviation branch with autonomous technology at all levels.

The Department of the Air Force wants to test its ability to fuse sensor data from across the Defense Department via a series of exercises.

The U.S. Army says it plans to field an extended-range version of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) that runs through a competitive fly-off in fiscal 2028.

The top airman talks with Aviation Week about his focus on increasing immediate readiness and addressing “change fatigue.”

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

In February, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said it restarted the selection process for the Korean Next Generation Destroyer program.

After a relatively slow decade in terms of export success, the Saab Gripen program appears to be experiencing a renaissance.

Speed and range are becoming more central to Europe’s weapons plans.

BAE Systems' sales growth generated in Europe is poised to accelerate after with the business there now surpassing the British defense company’s sizable Saudi Arabian activities.

The service’s special operations forces are arguing for their relevance as upgrade plans evolve.

The EU plans to establish what it calls a Military Mobility Transport Group in a move that could be a boon to Airbus by paving the way for more A400M orders.

The U.S. Air Force is now planning for its first missile pad test launch of its next intercontinental ballistic missile next year.

Howmet Aerospace posted 21% defense sales growth in the fourth quarter, driven by engine demand from both advanced and legacy fighter jets.

“We would be foolish if we didn’t take advantage of commercial space capabilities,” a Space Force official says.

India is targeting greater than 50% localization of components for future Dassault Rafale fighters made in-country, Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said.

Hensoldt has struck a partnership with Helsing, the European defense AI company that is behind development of the CA-1 Europa collaborative combat aircraft.

Anduril plans to soon begin flying YFQ-44A prototypes controlled by Shield AI mission autonomy software in the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program.