PARIS — Belgium’s new government vows to boost the defense budget over the coming years to ensure the country, notoriously one of NATO’s worst performers on military spending, starts pulling its weight in the alliance.
The government of Prime Minister Bart De Wever plans to set the Belgian defense budget on track to reach current NATO spending targets by 2029, and the coalition agreement…
Navy League urges rapid expansion of battle fleet for future wars
February 10, 2025
The Navy League of the United States urged Congress on Thursday to invest in a buildup of the military’s battle force fleet. Here, a welder with Newport News Shipbuilding works on a steel panel. (Ashley Cowan/HII)
U.S. leaders should invest at least $40 billion…
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…
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 an aerial drone during a weapons testing exercise in 2024, according to an Office of the Director, Operational Test and…
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…
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 Army chief warrant officer with over 30 years of flying experience, who serves in the Headquarters Department of the Army…
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…
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 additional $23.5 million, according to a release. That amount comes in addition to its original $47 million contract…
