Hegseth calls for extensive reforms to Pentagon drone-buying practices
The memo directs the military services to create active duty formations by September, built for the sole purpose of scaling the use of drones across DOD.
Europe
France asks FCAS partners to ‘rethink’ work share on fighter project
“The principle and details of this redesigned cooperation are currently being discussed with the partners," French armaments agency DGA told Defense News.
US Air Force stages dogfights with AI-flown fighter jet
The Air Force hopes that teaching AI to dogfight -- perhaps the hardest flying style to master -- will make it easier to autonomously fly other missions.
Nigeria expects first batch of Leonardo M-346 fighter jets this year
This year kicks off a delivery schedule for the light fighter plane that entails four batches of six aircraft each for the African nation.
India proffers HAL its largest-ever tender: 97 Tejas fighters
The state-owned company has ramped up its annual production capacity in anticipation of additional contracts.
From customer to sanctioned ‘proliferator,’ drones extend Iran’s reach
Iranian contractors and government officials have picked up on market demand, frequenting arms expos and other events in Russia, Iraq, Qatar and more.
Argentina inks deal to buy 24 F-16 jets from Denmark
The contract, which is worth $320 million, also includes reconnaissance pods and training armaments, such as AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles.
Air Force to get a head start on GPS, target tracking efforts
The service's first two Quick Start efforts involve boosting GPS resilience and advancing moving target indication capabilities.
F-35s to cost $2 trillion as Pentagon plans longer use, says watchdog
The military now plans to fly the F-35 through 2088, but inflation is taking an even deeper bite on the advanced jet.
Air Force to get F-15E jet with fresh electronic warfare tech in summer
EPAWSS, an advanced electronic warfare system, will allow F-15EX and some F-15E jets to monitor, jam and deceive threats in highly contested environments.
Brazilian Air Force, Embraer launch study for surveillance fleet
A military source tells Defense News that Brazil has started looking for options to replace its P-3AM Orion maritime patrol aircraft starting in 2031.
