DefenseNews

MBDA advances land version of its naval missile as European strike weapon

PARIS — MBDA is advancing with a land-launched version of its Naval Cruise Missile to offer European nations a long-range strike option, with the pan-European missile maker presenting a truck-transportable launcher and plans for a missile upgrade at the Eurosatory defense show. The upgraded version of the cruise missile is expected to be available in 2030 and will have longer range, better…
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DefenseNews

Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz

The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed to terms to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, news that brought relief to markets — although the pact may hinge on an end to hostilities in Lebanon and defers talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended…
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DefenseNews

Australia forges ahead with 155mm ammo production

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Amid efforts to ramp up ammunition production in Australia, the government announced a A$72 million – around US$51 million – contract to set up an M795 155mm artillery projectile production line there. The deal with Rheinmetall Nioa…
DefenseNews

Only 1 in 4 F-35s is fully mission capable, GAO finds

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025, with the fleet’s full mission capable rate falling to 25%, according to a new Government Accountability Office report released Thursday. The mission capable rate, which measures the percentage of time aircraft can perform at least one of their tasked missions, dropped from 67% in fiscal 2021…
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DefenseNews

US Army astronaut tapped for NASA’s Artemis III mission

The U.S. Army is launching into space — once again — by way of Col. Frank Rubio, who will be part of the 2027 Artemis III mission, NASA announced Tuesday. The astronaut will be part of a four-man crew that will tackle a host of difficult tests within Earth’s orbit in preparation for NASA’s 2028 Artemis IV flight, which will be the first crewed mission to the moon’s South Pole.
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