DefenseNews

New planes, ready fleet a focus as Wilsbach takes charge of Air Force

New Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach on Tuesday pledged to focus on modernizing the service’s fleet, improving the readiness of both its aircraft and airmen and strengthening how well it works with other services and allies. “Being able to deliver [airpower] when called upon demands a constant focus on readiness,” Wilsbach said during the assumption of responsibilities ceremony…
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DefenseNews

F-22 Raptor pairs with Avenger drone in combat flight test

The pilot of a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter successfully maneuvered an MQ-20 Avenger unmanned jet during a demonstration of human-machine flight cooperation in an Oct. 21 flight test, according to drone maker General Atomics. “The test was conducted by…
DefenseNews

US arms deal still up in the air after Hegseth visit to Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — Despite U.S. interest in deeper military ties with Vietnam, the Nov. 2 visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during which he met Communist Party leader To Lam and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang, did not yield an expected announcement on arms sales. “Deeper [military] cooperation will benefit both of our countries,” Hegseth said ahead of his meeting with…
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Italy’s Avio shortlists three US states for new rocket motor factory

ROME — Italian propulsion firm Avio is a few weeks away from naming the U.S. state where it plans to build a factory employing up to 1,500 to satisfy growing demand for a solid rocket motors. “There are several states under active consideration, we are in the final stages of due diligence,” said retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. James Syring, CEO of Avio’s American unit Avio USA. Syring served…
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DefenseNews

Poland sets up first-ever military satellite launch

WARSAW, Poland — In a bid to secure an Earth observation system for the country’s armed forces, Poland is advancing a project to have its first three military satellites launched this month. Developed by a consortium of Finnish manufacturer ICEYE and Wojskowe Zakłady…
DefenseNews

Nordic and Baltic countries team up to fund US arms for Ukraine

PARIS — The Nordic and Baltic countries are teaming up to pay for a $500 million United States military support package of weapons and munitions for Ukraine, they said on Thursday. Norway will contribute the lion’s share at 2 billion Norwegian kroner, or about $200 million, while Sweden will provide $60 million and Denmark around 400 million Danish kroner ($53 million) in funding, the…
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