DefenseNews

Diehl, Lockheed Martin to explore IRIS-T missiles for Mk41 launcher

PARIS — Diehl Defence and Lockheed Martin will explore integration of the German company’s IRIS-T missiles into the American company’s Mk41 VLS, the most widely used vertical launch system in Western navies. The two firms will also look at the possibility of integrating IRIS-T in the Aegis Weapon System, Diehl said in a Nov. 18 statement. The integrated naval-weapons system is used by…
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DefenseNews

EU nations boost drone defense, pledge more US weapons for Ukraine

BERLIN — Top officials from Europe’s five largest military spenders met in Berlin today to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s defense and announce a number of measures designed to strengthen Europe’s eastern flank. Among the planned moves is the deployment of counter-drone forces to Finland and Belgium and new military and financial support for Ukraine, defense leaders from Germany…
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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

Here are the major defense programs backed in shutdown-ending deal

The bills passed last week as part of the deal that ended the longest U.S. government shutdown in history include billions of dollars for major Air Force and Navy programs. This includes funds to build new aircraft carriers and submarines, facilities needed for new stealth bombers and nuclear missiles and research and development spending to keep a major airborne command and control program…
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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…
DefenseNews

Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv kills 6, injures at least 35

Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Kyiv early Friday, killing six people, leaving gaping holes in apartment buildings and starting fires as the sound of explosions boomed across the city and lit up the night sky. A pregnant woman was among at least 35 people wounded, Ukrainian authorities said. Russia used at least 430 drones and 18 missiles in the nighttime attack, Ukrainian…
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