Giovanni de Briganti, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Addison Bolt

Air Force Starts Testing the AN/APQ-188 AESA on a B-52 at Edwards After the First Radar-Modified Jet Completes Ferry Flight

The first B-52 fitted with an AESA radar reached Edwards Air Force Base this week after a ferry flight from San Antonio. The aircraft completed the Dec. 8 move under the B-52 Radar Modernization Program, and the test team at Edwards now

December 11, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper

Aircraft

Vermont Air National Guard F-35A Fighters Set for Caribbean Deployment Under Operation Southern Spear

According to industry sources, the former Roosevelt Roads Navy base in Puerto Rico remains the leading candidate for the initial stop. The airfield has hosted U.S. aviation detachments linked to the operation since September. Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing F-35A

December 11, 2025

Aircraft

China Pushes a Swarm-Carrying Mothership UAV Concept

China’s state aircraft group says its large jet-powered Jiutian uncrewed aircraft completed its first flight Thursday at Pucheng in Shaanxi province. AVIC described the drone as having “a large payload, high operational ceiling, wide speed range, and short takeoff and landing capabilities.”

December 11, 2025

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Monford

Naval Systems

Congress Wants Navy Drone Ships Built With No Crew Option for MASC Block 0

Draft language released this week for the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill would block the Navy from starting early contracting work for its first Modular Attack Surface Craft batch unless the service commits to vessels built from the start for unmanned operations.

December 10, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Marines Test LUCAS Shahed-136-Style One-Way Attack Drones at Yuma

The U.S. Marine Corps has backed live evaluations of the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, known as LUCAS, at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The Army described LUCAS as a one-way attack aircraft and said the work supports the

December 10, 2025

Rehearsal for Independence Day parade in Kyiv

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Zelensky Claims First Combat Use of Ukraine’s Sapsan Ballistic Missile

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has begun using the Sapsan ballistic missile in combat. He spoke to journalists on Dec. 9 and declined to discuss targets or the number of shots fired. “Ukraine is already using the Neptune, the long-range Neptune, the

December 10, 2025

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Harstad

Middle East

Six EA-18G Growlers Deploy to Puerto Rico as US Caribbean Military Posture Expands

Six US Navy EA-18G Growler jets sat on the ramp today. They parked at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The detachment arrived during a wider US force push across the Caribbean. Senior defense leaders tie it to

December 10, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylir Meyer

Europe & NATO

Poland Negotiates Final MiG-29 Donation to Ukraine While Seeking Selected Drone and Missile Technologies in Return

Poland’s General Staff confirmed talks with Ukraine on handing over MiG-29 fighters. The message went public on Dec. 9 through an official statement posted online. It said the aircraft have reached the end of planned use, and upgrades no longer make sense.

December 10, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 Tests Tank Launched Switchblade 300 and 600 Drones With GDLS PERCH Launcher

General Dynamics Land Systems and AeroVironment have tested a turret-mounted launcher that lets an M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 fire Switchblade loitering munitions during a U.S. Army demonstration in Texas. The companies said the kit, called Precision Effects and Reconnaissance Canister-Housed, launched a Switchblade

December 9, 2025

Asia-Pacific

Japan and South Korea Launch Fighters After China-Russia Bomber Patrol Off Shikoku

Japan and South Korea launched fighter jets Tuesday after Chinese and Russian military aircraft flew a coordinated patrol over international waters. Japan’s defense authorities tracked Russian Tu-95 bombers moving from the Sea of Japan into the East China Sea. The aircraft linked

December 9, 2025

Giovanni de Briganti

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