Julien Mercier, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

NOAA budget cuts threaten DoD weather data and Indo-Pacific forecasting capabilities

The Defense Department leans on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for weather data across the force, from ship routing to flight safety. Planned reductions to NOAA’s next-generation satellite portfolio now put that pipeline at risk, with direct knock-on effects to the

September 8, 2025

Space Systems

Launch Complex 3 goes operational at Wallops as Rocket Lab stages Neutron hardware and prepares static-fire tests

Rocket Lab has opened Launch Complex 3 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and set the stage for Neutron's debut flight before year-end. The ribbon-cutting took place Aug. 28 with state leaders and company executives on site. The complex sits at Pad 0-D,

September 3, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

RTX wins $1.7 billion Army order to begin LTAMDS low-rate production as program advances to IOT&E

The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a $1.7 billion contract modification to produce the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, the radar chosen to replace the Patriot system's legacy sensor.

September 3, 2025

Aircraft

Southern California flight tests prepare Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operational evaluation and squadron generation

The Air Force's two Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes have entered the first-flight window. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' YFQ-42A and Anduril Industries' YFQ-44A completed engine runs and taxi trials over the summer, and are staged at their respective test sites pending weather, range

August 27, 2025

Space Systems

Northrop Grumman and USSF Run First Coherent Multi-Antenna DARC Demo to Track Multiple GEO Satellites

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Space Force achieved a first for the Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability at Site 1 in Western Australia, synchronizing multiple ground antennas to act as one radar and track several satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Program officials described a

August 27, 2025

AI & Autonomy

RAF Expands Loyal Wingman Program with New UK ACP Tranche 2 Requirements

The UK has officially moved its Loyal Wingman program from talk to action. A new notice for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms, Tranche 2, spells out what the Ministry of Defence wants, how much it's planning to spend, and when contracts are expected. It

August 13, 2025

Contracts & Deals

Defense Ministers Agree to Resolve FCAS Work‑Share Dispute by December

Boris Pistorius and Sébastien Lecornu closed their latest meeting in Osnabrück with a single-line instruction for staff: settle the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) work-share fight by the end of December. Pistorius called the deadline “non-negotiable”. Lecornu warned that further delays would

August 1, 2025

Industrial Partnerships

Lockheed Pledges Swift Typhon Strike Launcher Build Pending FMS Approval

Lockheed Martin concluded two days of discussions in Cologne with a plan that would see Germany's first Typhon launchers at the Meppen range by December 2026. Lockheed Martin program manager Edward Dobeck told visiting lawmakers the company's facility in Moorestown, New Jersey,

July 30, 2025

Middle East

US State Department Approves $4.7B NASAMS Sale for Egypt’s Air-Defense Upgrade

The U.S. State Department approved a $4.67 billion NASAMS sale to Egypt on July 24, 2025. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency sent the notice to Congress that day. The package cover radars, missiles, launchers, support gear, training, and sustainment. It stands among

July 25, 2025

Defense Budgets / Policy

Belgium to Order 11 Additional F-35 Jets and Boost Air Defense in Major NATO Catch-Up

Belgium signed off on a new defense strategy Friday that ramps up it's fighter jet numbers, rebuilds ground-based air defenses, and adds a third anti-submarine frigate - moves meant to plug serious gaps after years of lagging behind on NATO spending.

July 22, 2025

Julien Mercier

NOAA budget cuts threaten DoD weather data and Indo-Pacific forecasting capabilities

Launch Complex 3 goes operational at Wallops as Rocket Lab stages Neutron hardware and prepares static-fire tests

RTX wins $1.7 billion Army order to begin LTAMDS low-rate production as program advances to IOT&E

Southern California flight tests prepare Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operational evaluation and squadron generation

Northrop Grumman and USSF Run First Coherent Multi-Antenna DARC Demo to Track Multiple GEO Satellites

RAF Expands Loyal Wingman Program with New UK ACP Tranche 2 Requirements

Defense Ministers Agree to Resolve FCAS Work‑Share Dispute by December

Lockheed Pledges Swift Typhon Strike Launcher Build Pending FMS Approval

US State Department Approves $4.7B NASAMS Sale for Egypt’s Air-Defense Upgrade

Belgium to Order 11 Additional F-35 Jets and Boost Air Defense in Major NATO Catch-Up

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer