Michael Adler, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis

Lockheed and Pentagon Finalize $24.3 Billion Agreement for 296 F-35s in Lots 18 and 19

The Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin closed a $24.3 billion agreement for 296 F-35s covering production Lots 18 and 19. The package locks in 148 aircraft per lot and ends a two-year negotiation cycle that started after an undefinitized award used

October 7, 2025

Russia-Ukraine War

Russian Tu-95 Bombers and Su-35 Fighters Tracked in Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone

Two Russian Tu-95 bombers and two Su-35 fighters operated inside Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone on September 24. U.S. aircraft launched to identify and intercept in the zone. The activity took place in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian

September 25, 2025

Cybersecurity & Electronic Warfare

Extending ICAM into field units as the Army readies automated account provisioning and myAuth evaluation

The Army will extend identity, credential and access management across the enterprise and into field units this year. Officials expect wider use of automated account provisioning and privileged access tools by the end of 2025, with more systems added as connectors mature.

September 16, 2025

Aircraft

Lockheed and WZL-2 to Oversee In-Country F-16V Upgrades with L3Harris, RTX and Elbit Systems

Poland has locked in the electronics lineup for its F-16 Viper upgrade, a $3.8 billion program that will refit all 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ jets and keep the fleet viable through the 2030s.

September 6, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Aselsan’s Ogulbey hub expands Steel Dome capacity and assembles Europe’s largest integrated air-defense complex

ANKARA - Turkey has launched a $1.5 billion expansion centered on Aselsan's new Oğulbey Technology Base, an integrated campus officials describe as the largest single defense industry investment in the country and Europe's biggest air-defense complex. The project is tied directly to

September 6, 2025

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jackson Ricker

Joint Exercises / Special Ops Training

Japan Deploys F-15J Fighters and Support Aircraft to NATO Bases in North America and Europe

Four F-15J fighters from Japan’s 2nd Air Wing completed a transatlantic deployment between Sept. 14 and Oct. 1 under the mission name Atlantic Eagles. The route linked Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay, RAF Coningsby and RAF

September 3, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Retrofit Push Adds Anti-Ship Terminal Homing to Tomahawks, Expanding Destroyer and Submarine Strike Options

The U.S. Navy will expand the number of Tomahawk cruise missiles configured for anti-ship missions with a new tranche of Block V upgrades to field the Maritime Strike Tomahawk seeker. Defense officials confirm the requirement covers from 35 to 96 missiles and

August 29, 2025

Aircraft

Phoenix II EC-130J technical profile VLF communications and transition from E-6B Mercury

The Navy has given its next-generation nuclear command-and-control aircraft a name: Phoenix II. The service announced the designation on Aug. 7, 2025 and tied the choice to the C-130 family's long service in related roles. The airframe will form the backbone of

August 21, 2025

Russia-Ukraine War

Pentagon Limits U.S. Ground Role in Ukraine Security Guarantees, Europe to Lead

The Pentagon has told European counterparts that any U.S. role in a future security guarantee for Ukraine will be limited and largely off the ground. European forces would lead inside Ukraine if a ceasefire opens the door to a mission. The guidance

August 20, 2025

Defense Infrastructure & Manufacturing

Boeing Defense Workers Strike in St. Louis After Union Rejects Contract With 40 Percent Pay Growth

More than 3,200 machinists at Boeing's defense plants in the St. Louis area went on strike just after midnight, early Monday, August 4. The union-IAM District 837-had voted down a new four-year contract the day before.

August 6, 2025

Michael Adler

Lockheed and Pentagon Finalize $24.3 Billion Agreement for 296 F-35s in Lots 18 and 19

Russian Tu-95 Bombers and Su-35 Fighters Tracked in Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone

Extending ICAM into field units as the Army readies automated account provisioning and myAuth evaluation

Lockheed and WZL-2 to Oversee In-Country F-16V Upgrades with L3Harris, RTX and Elbit Systems

Aselsan’s Ogulbey hub expands Steel Dome capacity and assembles Europe’s largest integrated air-defense complex

Japan Deploys F-15J Fighters and Support Aircraft to NATO Bases in North America and Europe

Retrofit Push Adds Anti-Ship Terminal Homing to Tomahawks, Expanding Destroyer and Submarine Strike Options

Phoenix II EC-130J technical profile VLF communications and transition from E-6B Mercury

Pentagon Limits U.S. Ground Role in Ukraine Security Guarantees, Europe to Lead

Boeing Defense Workers Strike in St. Louis After Union Rejects Contract With 40 Percent Pay Growth

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer