Julien Mercier, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

Russia’s An-22 Heavy Transport Crashes Near Ivanovo During Test Flight

A Russian Air Force Antonov An-22 heavy transport crashed in the Ivanovo region on December 9, 2025. Russian investigators said everyone on board died. The loss likely removes the last flying An-22 from Russian service. The type already flew rarely and recent

December 9, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Why New Photos Suggest Ukrainian F-16s Are Now Armed With Laser-Guided 70mm Rockets

A photo that began circulating online in early December shows a Ukrainian F-16AM carrying two seven-shot 70mm rocket pods that match the LAU-131 family, mounted under the wings. A targeting pod appears on the intake station on the right side. The weapons

December 5, 2025

Space Systems

How Inversion Space’s Arc Could Deliver Military Cargo From Orbit in One Hour

Los Angeles-based startup Inversion Space is developing an orbital cargo-drop system for military use. Its Arc orbital supply capsule is intended to send roughly 500 pounds of cargo from low Earth orbit to almost any point on the globe in about an

November 6, 2025

Russia-Ukraine War

Russia Implements Mandatory Drone Production Ratings for Regions Starting in 2026 Using 25-Indicator Evaluation System

Russian authorities have formalized a nationwide “dronification” rating that scores regions on progress in unmanned aviation. Officials presented pilot results in June, then spent the autumn refining the method for a nationwide rollout in 2026. Ministries told regional leaders to plan around

November 6, 2025

Contracts & Deals

Romania Takes Ownership of 18 Dutch F-16s at Fetești Training Center

Romania now owns 18 former Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM/BM fighters that had already been flying from the 86th Air Base at Fetești as part of the European F-16 Training Center. The aircraft remain assigned to the training mission at Fetești, where

November 4, 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

Aircraft

AeroVironment Expands Switchblade Family with 400, 300 Block 20 Upgrades and VAPOR CLE VTOL Platform

AV announced three updates to the Switchblade line and introduced a compact VTOL helicopter UAS for longer missions with heavier payloads. The reveals at AUSA in Washington tie to Army efforts on loitering munitions and Group 2 drones. Switchblade 400 Targets LASSO

October 13, 2025

Aircraft

Anduril Founder Warns Shutdown Will Delay YFQ-44A Maiden Flight as Air Force CCA Tests Face Approval Bottlenecks

Palmer Luckey warned reporters in mid-October that the government shutdown would “certainly” set back the first flight of Anduril’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype. “I can’t fund the government,” he said, pointing to approvals and support functions that pause when agencies close. The

October 13, 2025

Aircraft

Lockheed Tests Vertical Launch JAGM Quad Launcher for Naval Counter-Drone Defense

Lockheed Martin fired a Joint Air-to-Ground Missile from a new four-cell launcher built for vertical launch and shipboard counter-UAS missions, completing an initial ground test ahead of a planned intercept against a live drone. Yuma Ground Test and Planned China Lake Intercept

October 13, 2025

Defense Budgets / Policy

President Trump nominates Gen Kenneth Wilsbach for Air Force Chief of Staff

As of October 5, 2025, the nomination of Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach to be the 24th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force is before the Senate with a confirmation hearing set for October 9. Nomination Filed Sept. 30, 2025

October 6, 2025

Julien Mercier

Russia’s An-22 Heavy Transport Crashes Near Ivanovo During Test Flight

Why New Photos Suggest Ukrainian F-16s Are Now Armed With Laser-Guided 70mm Rockets

How Inversion Space’s Arc Could Deliver Military Cargo From Orbit in One Hour

Russia Implements Mandatory Drone Production Ratings for Regions Starting in 2026 Using 25-Indicator Evaluation System

Romania Takes Ownership of 18 Dutch F-16s at Fetești Training Center

Army Pursues Helicopter Wingman Capability by FY26

AeroVironment Expands Switchblade Family with 400, 300 Block 20 Upgrades and VAPOR CLE VTOL Platform

Anduril Founder Warns Shutdown Will Delay YFQ-44A Maiden Flight as Air Force CCA Tests Face Approval Bottlenecks

Lockheed Tests Vertical Launch JAGM Quad Launcher for Naval Counter-Drone Defense

President Trump nominates Gen Kenneth Wilsbach for Air Force Chief of Staff

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer