DefenseNews

US Air Force eyes improved comms with bombers after Midnight Hammer

To ensure future missions such as last summer’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities can succeed, the U.S. Air Force must improve the way it securely transmits critical information with bombers and other aircraft securely transmit critical information, a top general said Thursday. The June 22 B-2 Spirit bomber-led strikes dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer — which used Massive Ordnance…
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DefenseNews

The US Army wants 11 business jets for ISR missions

After a half-century of flying turboprop ISR aircraft, the U.S. Army is turning to business jets. The service plans to buy up to 11 customized Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System, or HADES, program, according to the Army’s recent Request for Information. Contractors must be able to provide up to four planes per year, based on a contract award…
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DefenseNews

Germany proposes ‘two-speed’ EU to hasten defense buildup

PRAGUE — Germany is spearheading an initiative to create a “two-speed” European Union, proposing that a core group of six major economies bypass the bloc’s traditional consensus-based decision-making to accelerate defense cooperation and industrial competitiveness…
DefenseNews

Rubio to warn of military action if Venezuela strays from US goals

Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans on Wednesday to warn that the Trump administration is ready to take new military action against Venezuela if the country’s interim leadership strays from U.S. expectations. In prepared testimony for a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio says the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela and that its interim leaders are cooperating, but he…
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DefenseNews

Boeing reports $565M loss on KC-46 as firm looks forward to repricing

Boeing on Tuesday reported a $565 million loss on its KC-46 Pegasus refueling tanker in the fourth quarter of 2025, the latest for a program that has recorded billions in losses over the years. In an earnings call with investors, Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the loss is “disappointing,” but said the company is seeing encouraging signs in the aircraft’s operational…
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