Aaron Mehta

Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.


  • F-35 Software Challenge Won’t Delay IOC
    F-35 Software Challenge Won’t Delay IOC

    The F-35B joint strike fighter remains on track to go operational for the Marine Corps this year, despite a recently discovered software fusion problem that manifests itself when multiple F-35 sensor suites attempt to communicate.

  • No DoD Flights Planned for Paris Air Show
    No DoD Flights Planned for Paris Air Show

    Organizers taking part in the biannual Paris Air Show expect an increase in the US presence at Le Bourget, but said there are no plans for Pentagon aircraft to perform.

  • USAF Issues T-X Requirements
    USAF Issues T-X Requirements

    The US Air Force has released the long-awaited requirements for its next-generation trainer program, known as T-X.

  • SecAF: KC-46 First Flight ‘Hopefully’ Summer
    SecAF: KC-46 First Flight ‘Hopefully’ Summer

    The Air Force secretary expects the KC-46A tanker to have its first flight sometime over the summer, a “several month” delay for a milestone on the program.

  • HASC Looking to Alter RD-180 Restriction
    HASC Looking to Alter RD-180 Restriction

    There is a growing sense on the Hill that language designed to limit the procurement of Russian engines for military space launch needs to be altered to avoid unexpected fallout.

  • KC-46A First Flight Facing Delay
    KC-46A First Flight Facing Delay

    The KC-46A Pegasus tanker program director is “not comfortable” saying the tanker’s first flight will happen as planned in April.

  • Pentagon Launches New EW Council
    Pentagon Launches New EW Council

    The Pentagon is launching a group focused on innovations and strategies in electronic warfare across the entire Department of Defense, a top official announced Tuesday

  • Lockheed Eyes Singapore, Korea F-16 Upgrades
    Lockheed Eyes Singapore, Korea F-16 Upgrades

    Lockheed Martin is getting closer to signing Singapore on as a customer for its F-16V upgrade package, with an agreement potentially coming before the end of 2015.

  • ULA to Retire Delta IV, Push for More RD-180s
    ULA to Retire Delta IV, Push for More RD-180s

    The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has decided to retire all but the heavy variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle, a decision that will likely cause fireworks at a Congressional hearing scheduled for this week.

  • Analysts: Sikorsky Decision May Signal Trend
    Analysts: Sikorsky Decision May Signal Trend

    United Technologies Corporation will spend the next several months weighing whether it will divest itself of its Sikorsky unit, in what analysts say is a reflection of shrinking profit margins across the defense sector.

  • F-35 Software Challenge Won’t Delay IOC
    F-35 Software Challenge Won’t Delay IOC

    The F-35B joint strike fighter remains on track to go operational for the Marine Corps this year, despite a recently discovered software fusion problem that manifests itself when multiple F-35 sensor suites attempt to communicate.

  • No DoD Flights Planned for Paris Air Show
    No DoD Flights Planned for Paris Air Show

    Organizers taking part in the biannual Paris Air Show expect an increase in the US presence at Le Bourget, but said there are no plans for Pentagon aircraft to perform.

  • USAF Issues T-X Requirements
    USAF Issues T-X Requirements

    The US Air Force has released the long-awaited requirements for its next-generation trainer program, known as T-X.

  • SecAF: KC-46 First Flight ‘Hopefully’ Summer
    SecAF: KC-46 First Flight ‘Hopefully’ Summer

    The Air Force secretary expects the KC-46A tanker to have its first flight sometime over the summer, a “several month” delay for a milestone on the program.

  • HASC Looking to Alter RD-180 Restriction
    HASC Looking to Alter RD-180 Restriction

    There is a growing sense on the Hill that language designed to limit the procurement of Russian engines for military space launch needs to be altered to avoid unexpected fallout.

  • KC-46A First Flight Facing Delay
    KC-46A First Flight Facing Delay

    The KC-46A Pegasus tanker program director is “not comfortable” saying the tanker’s first flight will happen as planned in April.

  • Pentagon Launches New EW Council
    Pentagon Launches New EW Council

    The Pentagon is launching a group focused on innovations and strategies in electronic warfare across the entire Department of Defense, a top official announced Tuesday

  • Lockheed Eyes Singapore, Korea F-16 Upgrades
    Lockheed Eyes Singapore, Korea F-16 Upgrades

    Lockheed Martin is getting closer to signing Singapore on as a customer for its F-16V upgrade package, with an agreement potentially coming before the end of 2015.

  • ULA to Retire Delta IV, Push for More RD-180s
    ULA to Retire Delta IV, Push for More RD-180s

    The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has decided to retire all but the heavy variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle, a decision that will likely cause fireworks at a Congressional hearing scheduled for this week.

  • Analysts: Sikorsky Decision May Signal Trend
    Analysts: Sikorsky Decision May Signal Trend

    United Technologies Corporation will spend the next several months weighing whether it will divest itself of its Sikorsky unit, in what analysts say is a reflection of shrinking profit margins across the defense sector.

  • F-35 Software Challenge Won’t Delay IOC
    F-35 Software Challenge Won’t Delay IOC

    The F-35B joint strike fighter remains on track to go operational for the Marine Corps this year, despite a recently discovered software fusion problem that manifests itself when multiple F-35 sensor suites attempt to communicate.

  • No DoD Flights Planned for Paris Air Show
    No DoD Flights Planned for Paris Air Show

    Organizers taking part in the biannual Paris Air Show expect an increase in the US presence at Le Bourget, but said there are no plans for Pentagon aircraft to perform.

  • USAF Issues T-X Requirements
    USAF Issues T-X Requirements

    The US Air Force has released the long-awaited requirements for its next-generation trainer program, known as T-X.

  • SecAF: KC-46 First Flight ‘Hopefully’ Summer
    SecAF: KC-46 First Flight ‘Hopefully’ Summer

    The Air Force secretary expects the KC-46A tanker to have its first flight sometime over the summer, a “several month” delay for a milestone on the program.

  • HASC Looking to Alter RD-180 Restriction
    HASC Looking to Alter RD-180 Restriction

    There is a growing sense on the Hill that language designed to limit the procurement of Russian engines for military space launch needs to be altered to avoid unexpected fallout.

  • KC-46A First Flight Facing Delay
    KC-46A First Flight Facing Delay

    The KC-46A Pegasus tanker program director is “not comfortable” saying the tanker’s first flight will happen as planned in April.

  • Pentagon Launches New EW Council
    Pentagon Launches New EW Council

    The Pentagon is launching a group focused on innovations and strategies in electronic warfare across the entire Department of Defense, a top official announced Tuesday

  • Lockheed Eyes Singapore, Korea F-16 Upgrades
    Lockheed Eyes Singapore, Korea F-16 Upgrades

    Lockheed Martin is getting closer to signing Singapore on as a customer for its F-16V upgrade package, with an agreement potentially coming before the end of 2015.

  • ULA to Retire Delta IV, Push for More RD-180s
    ULA to Retire Delta IV, Push for More RD-180s

    The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has decided to retire all but the heavy variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle, a decision that will likely cause fireworks at a Congressional hearing scheduled for this week.

  • Analysts: Sikorsky Decision May Signal Trend
    Analysts: Sikorsky Decision May Signal Trend

    United Technologies Corporation will spend the next several months weighing whether it will divest itself of its Sikorsky unit, in what analysts say is a reflection of shrinking profit margins across the defense sector.