Pentagon’s ‘85% Solution’ Signals New Risk Culture
The Pentagon is moving toward an “85% solution” acquisition approach, where it buys good-enough systems now and finishes the rest later. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the idea in a Nov. 7 address to industry. Since then, executives and trade groups have begun to unpack what this means for risk, speed, and contracts. They agree […]
FLY-R, MBDA launch AI loitering munition
French UAV designer FLY-R has launched a new rhomboidal-wing loitering munition with European missile group MBDA. The UAE’s Tawazun Council supports the programme as an industrial partner. At Dubai Airshow 2025, the partners announced the project in front of senior Emirati and French officials. Fast-track programme for land and maritime missions The co-development effort targets […]
Spike in U.S. Military Aviation Mishaps
Pentagon data shows that U.S. military aviation mishaps have risen sharply over the last four years. The rate of Class A accidents, the most deadly and costly category, has increased by 55 percent since fiscal 2020. Lawmakers, defense analysts, and aviation safety experts now view U.S. military aviation mishaps as a strategic risk to both […]
Kizilelma Gokdogan missile test
Baykar has released new footage of its jet-powered Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft carrying two Gökdoğan beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. The short clip, taken during the PT-5 phase of the test campaign, shows the UCAV taxiing. It then takes off with the missiles mounted on its inner wing pylons. The Kizilelma Gokdogan air-to-air missile test marks […]
Edge–Anduril JV debuts Omen UAV
Edge Group used Dubai Airshow 2025 to show the first hardware from the Edge-Anduril Omen UAV joint venture. The new Omen platform anchors a broader expansion of Edge’s uncrewed portfolio, which now includes three additional systems revealed at the show. Together, they highlight how the group wants to move faster, export more and enter new […]
AGM-158 XR extreme range cruise missile
Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 XR extreme range cruise missile is moving from concept to reality as the company prepares for flight tests by the fourth quarter of 2026, following its public debut in 2024 as an internally funded project.[1]:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Positioned as the next evolution of the JASSM family, the XR variant aims to give US and […]
FCAS Next Generation Autonomy Computer Tested
Spain’s SATNUS consortium has completed the third flight test campaign of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, validating its Manned-Unmanned Teaming & Common Systems Demonstrator and integrating the FCAS Next Generation Autonomy Computer. The latest trials mark a concrete step from lab concepts to flight-proven autonomy for Remote Carriers that will operate alongside Europe’s […]
Dubai Airshow Western jet orders under pressure
Aircraft backlogs, China’s entry into the single‑aisle market and shifting Gulf strategies will shape Dubai Airshow Western jet orders this year. The event has become a stress test for Airbus and Boeing as they try to convert massive demand into firm, deliverable business.
Saab at Dubai Airshow 2025
Saab at Dubai Airshow 2025 uses one of the region’s most visible air power stages to push a clear message: future air sovereignty depends on integrated sensing, resilient command-and-control and survivable combat aircraft. At Dubai World Central, the Swedish group occupies stand 945 to showcase Gripen E, GlobalEye, Giraffe 1X, coastal surveillance systems and digital […]
Pantsir-SMD-E counter-drone SHORAD
Russia has unveiled the Pantsir-SMD-E counter-drone air defence system at Dubai Airshow 2025. The new short-range design focuses on defeating unmanned aerial threats and precision weapons around high-value sites. In doing so, it departs from earlier mixed gun–missile Pantsir variants and moves to a missile-only layout.
KC-390 Millennium debuts new livery at Dubai
Embraer has unveiled the Embraer KC-390 new livery at the 2025 Dubai Airshow. The scheme gives the Millennium family its sharpest refresh to date. As a result, the demonstrator signals a deliberate push into NATO and Middle Eastern competitions for mid‑weight airlift and tanker roles. The branding move aims to lift visibility in crowded procurement […]
EDGE Dubai Airshow 2025: 42 new systems
EDGE Dubai Airshow 2025 is now one of EDGE’s biggest launch platforms. The group is unveiling 42 new products and solutions. They cover autonomous systems, smart weapons, propulsion, space, radar and secure communications. The show also marks a key moment in the company’s growth story. It comes six years after its first appearance at the […]
The Changing Face of Defence Branding
In the halls of today’s major defence exhibitions, the changing face of defence branding has little to do with camouflage paint or turbine blades. The most aggressive new entrants present themselves less like legacy prime contractors and more like venture-backed software firms. Walk past the stands of companies such as Anduril, Shield AI or Saronic […]
MKE TOLGA Short-Range Air Defence System
Türkiye’s state-owned defence manufacturer Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) has validated its new MKE TOLGA short-range air defence system with a 100% success rate during its first live-fire campaign at the Ministry of National Defence’s Karapınar Firing, Test and Evaluation Center. The trial shows how seriously Ankara now invests in layered counter-drone protection.
3D-Printed Munition Dropper Tested by US Troops
The U.S. Army has begun field evaluations of a 3D-printed munition dropper mounted to a small quadcopter, a low-cost concept designed to give platoons organic, on-demand effects when artillery and air support are not immediately available [1]. The prototype—nicknamed Widowmaker—is being tested on the PDW C100 drone and configured to release M67 fragmentation grenades, M18 […]
Autonomous Military Logistics Convoy Debuts
Spain has staged the first European demonstration of an autonomous military logistics convoy. Sener Aerospace & Defence closed out its EU‑funded COMMANDS trials in Seville with a live convoy run. In the demo, Sener’s Naviground autonomy linked with Indra’s battle‑management system on GDELS ASCOD and IVECO Defence Vehicles platforms. As a result, the event shows […]
YFQ‑44 Collaborative Combat Aircraft Flies
The YFQ‑44 Collaborative Combat Aircraft has completed its first flight, bringing both of the U.S. Air Force’s Increment 1 CCA prototypes—YFQ‑42A by GA‑ASI and YFQ‑44A by Anduril—into flight test. The event, conducted on Oct. 31, 2025, marks a pivotal step from paper concepts to flying, semi‑autonomous jet‑class wingmen designed to team with F‑35, F‑15EX and […]
Hitachi’s Drone Wind Modeling Breakthrough
Hitachi’s new drone wind modeling technology makes small drones safer in sudden gusts and strong winds. It measures each aircraft’s wind resistance, builds a digital response model and lets teams test flights in a virtual space. As a result, operators can verify behavior with high precision before deployment in Japan’s dense cities and mountainous corridors […]
Anduril Ghost Shark XL-AUV factory open
Anduril has opened a purpose-built 7,400 m² manufacturing facility in Sydney. The site will scale production of the Anduril Ghost Shark XL-AUV for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The opening also marks a key milestone: the first production Ghost Shark rolled off the line ahead of schedule. It now enters sea acceptance testing, with delivery planned […]
EU military mobility plan, 2026 push
The EU military mobility plan is moving from slides to the street. Brussels aims to cut cross‑border approvals to 3–5 working days. It will also name priority logistics corridors and fund dual‑use upgrades. As a result, tanks, armoured vehicles, and heavy engineer assets can move at tempo when it matters. The effort sits at the […]