The F-35 program is working to get the latest jets capable of carrying out combat missions, but important tests for its upgrades may not begin until next summer. (Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo/Air Force). The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation said in its annual report, submitted to Congress on Jan. 31, that dedicated operational tests for the F-35 Technology Refresh 3, or…
US Navy hits drone with HELIOS laser in successful test
February 5, 2025
The U.S. Navy successfully tested its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, system on one of its warships in fiscal 2024, according to a recently released report.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Preble fired its HELIOS system to zap…
In response to multiple audience questions about recent presidential executive orders involving the military, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George told a crowd of nearly 200 on Wednesday that he remains focused on preparing the service for future conflict.
At a previously…
Cummings Aerospace releases its Hellhound for Army competition
January 31, 2025
Huntsville, Alabama-based Cummings Aerospace is readying its Hellhound for submission to the U.S. Army’s loitering munition competition set to kick off later this year, having recently wrapped up flight tests of its turbo-jet powered, 3D-printed kamikaze drone.
The company took its S3 version of its man-portable loitering munition out to the Pendleton Unmanned Aircraft Systems test range in…
The U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that collided midair with an American Airlines passenger jet above Reagan National Airport in Washington on Wednesday night was piloted by experienced aviators that typically fly VIP missions in busy air space, according to a retired…
Poland buys radar-homing missiles for its future F-35 fleet
January 30, 2025
WARSAW, Poland — The Polish Ministry of National Defence has signed a deal to buy more than 200 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) from the United States, becoming the region’s first ally to secure an advanced capability to destroy…
Air Force triples funding for prototype sixth-gen fighter engine
January 30, 2025
The Air Force on Monday greatly expanded funding for the prototype engine for the service’s planned sixth-generation fighter.
General Electric of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pratt & Whitney Engines of East Hartford, Connecticut, each received modifications to their initial Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, or NGAP, contracts that bring the maximum amount for the prototype phase up to $3.5…
BAE awarded $70 million Navy contract to overhaul Mk 45 guns
January 30, 2025
The U.S. Navy expanded a contract with BAE Systems, awarding the company more money to upgrade and overhaul the service’s Mk 45 naval gun systems in an effort to improve their long-range strike and air defense capabilities, the company announced Monday.
BAE will receive an…
PARIS — Armored-vehicle makers KNDS and Rheinmetall and defense-electronics firm Thales signed the shareholder agreement for the project company that will develop a future main battle tank for Germany and France, moving a step closer to starting actual work on a program…
Why the US Navy wants to build a fully autonomous satellite
January 27, 2025
Navy researchers are testing a fully autonomous satellite designed to detect and characterize objects in space. The system, called Autosat, is designed to task, calibrate its signals and send and receive information on its own without the need for a human operator. Steven Meier, director of space technology at the Naval Research Laboratory, said Thursday his team has demonstrated the capability in…
