Giovanni de Briganti, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

Maj. Gen. Lozano Signals Program Reset for Next-Generation Patriot Interceptor

A year after shelving plans for a new Patriot interceptor, the U.S. Army is moving back toward a Lower-Tier Future Interceptor. Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, the Army’s program executive officer for Missiles and Space, told an audience in Washington he expects support

October 19, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Anduril Wins Army Counter-UAS Fire-Control Competition

The Army named Anduril the winner of its competition for a new counter-drone fire-control system run with the Defense Innovation Unit. Defense officials confirm the October 15 selection followed competitive testing. The award covers fire-control software for counter-UAS that fuses sensor tracks

October 18, 2025

Aircraft

Army Pursues Helicopter Wingman Capability by FY26

Army aviation leaders at AUSA 2025 said they aim to field a collaborative combat aircraft–like capability within a couple of years. The effort runs beside launched effects and other unmanned projects, pairing a loyal wingman with Army rotorcraft in contested theaters. AUSA

October 17, 2025

AI & Autonomy

Netherlands Joins U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program with Full Development Access

The Netherlands signed a letter of intent on October 16 in Washington to join the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft effort. State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman signed at the Dutch Embassy during Defense Industry Days. The Dutch Ministry of Defence

October 16, 2025

Defense Infrastructure & Manufacturing

Army Pushes 3D-Printed Drone Production Through SkyFoundry Network to Reach 10,000 Per Month

The Army aims to turn its organic base into a distributed network that builds small drones by the tens of thousands per month. Leaders set a near-term stretch goal of 10,000. The plan leans on additive manufacturing, faster tooling, and a parts

October 15, 2025

Photo by Jason Cutshaw, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

Defense Budgets / Policy

Army Consolidates Homeland Air and Missile Defense Under SMDC

Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey said the Army has broadened the Space and Missile Defense Command’s role beyond the Ground-based Midcourse Defense mission to include all air and missile defense threats. “We did grow in responsibility,” he said. “The ground-based midcourse defense mission

October 15, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Thompson

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Air Force Cancels Integrated Capabilities Command, Reassigns Duties to Air Force Futures

The Air Force will not proceed with a stand-alone Integrated Capabilities Command. Leadership will fold the planned command’s functions into Air Force Futures, the A5/7 organization at the Pentagon, and establish a new Chief Modernization Officer to steer the work. The department

October 15, 2025

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Paz-Sosa

Aircraft

Boeing Develops CxR Unmanned Tiltrotor Wingman for Apache and Chinook Operations

Boeing has moved a new unmanned tiltrotor into formal concept work to team up with U.S. Army helicopters on attack, reconnaissance, and contested logistics missions. Company engineers described a gas-turbine aircraft offering two tilting proprotors, modular payload bays, and autonomy for cooperative

October 14, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Rafael Introduces L-SPIKE 4X High-Speed Loitering Munition

Rafael’s U.S. subsidiary introduced a rocket-powered loitering munition, the L-SPIKE 4X, during the Association of the United States Army exhibition in mid-October. The company presents it as a “Launched Effect” that complements the wider SPIKE family and uses legacy SPIKE launchers and

October 14, 2025

Aircraft

Hanwha and General Atomics to Establish Gray Eagle STOL Production Line in South Korea

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Hanwha Aerospace signed a co-development and co-production agreement for a Short Takeoff and Landing version of Gray Eagle during AUSA 2025. The plan calls for a production-representative aircraft, first flight in 2027, and initial deliveries in 2028.

October 14, 2025

Giovanni de Briganti

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