Peter Johansson, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell

Congress Demands Answers on the Future of the Airborne Command Post and a Possible C-130 Option

New language attached to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act orders the U.S. Air Force to explain how it will keep the Airborne Command Post mission, often called Looking Glass, after the Navy begins retiring the E-6B Mercury fleet. The

December 8, 2025

Aircraft

New Su-57 Footage Reveals Loaded Weapons Bays and Stealth Strike Missile Loadout

New footage released on 9 November ahead of Dubai Airshow 2025 shows a Su-57 Felon flying with its internal weapons bays open and fully loaded. The aircraft is the T-50-9 prototype, bort number “509,” and the images give a clear view of

November 10, 2025

DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders

Defense Infrastructure & Manufacturing

European Arms Embargoes Push Israel Toward Domestic Defense Manufacturing

JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set a goal on September 15 to drive far greater self-reliance in weapons production, using the “super-Sparta” line to describe the end-state. He paired the appeal with a warning on possible foreign blocks to arms supplies.

November 6, 2025

Defense Budgets / Policy

Defense Department Draft Memo Reveals Major Restructuring of Military Weapons Procurement and Contractor Accountability

A six-page draft memo obtained by multiple defense outlets lays out what could become the most extensive overhaul of Pentagon procurement in decades. The document, titled “Transforming the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Capabilities,” centers on one priority: speed. Defense

November 4, 2025

A second B-21 Raider, the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber, joins flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base (Courtesy photo).

Aircraft

Air Force Reviews B-21 Crew Structure for Long Missions and Advanced Automation Integration

On 15 August, Gen. Thomas Bussiere, then commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, signed a memo that laid out his preferred B-21 crew mix. He argued that the Raider’s two-seat cockpit should usually carry one pilot and one weapon systems officer,

November 4, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adam Enbal

Defense Infrastructure & Manufacturing

Boeing Defense Posts Positive Q3 Results Despite St. Louis Labor Stoppage

Boeing reported about $23.3 billion in third-quarter revenue, including a core loss driven by a $4.9 billion charge tied to the commercial 777X program’s updated certification schedule. Free cash flow was slightly positive, and the FAA cleared a step-up of 737 production

November 4, 2025

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alyssa Joy

Contracts & Deals

NH Industries Pays Norway €305 Million to End Litigation Over Canceled NH90 Maritime Helicopter Program

Norway and NHIndustries signed an out-of-court settlement on November 3 that ends litigation over Oslo’s canceled NH90 maritime helicopter program. Officials confirm the agreement includes €305 million in cash plus roughly €70 million previously drawn under bank guarantees. The Oslo District Court

November 3, 2025

Directed Energy

Rheinmetall and MBDA Deliver 20 kW Shipborne Laser to WTD 91 for Meppen Drone Defense Trials

Berlin – Germany’s naval laser demonstrator has moved from sea to shore. The Rheinmetall–MBDA system transferred to the Bundeswehr’s Laser Competence Centre at WTD 91 in Meppen after a year of trials on the air-defense frigate Sachsen. Company materials note “fully operational

October 28, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jasmyne Bridgers-Matos

Joint Exercises / Special Ops Training

Skyraider II Forced Field Landing in Oklahoma Raises Questions for OA-1K Training and Safety Procedures

An OA-1K Skyraider II assigned to Air Force Special Operations training at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base made a forced landing in a field southeast of Oklahoma City on Oct 23. The two-person crew – one active-duty airman and one contractor

October 23, 2025

Contracts & Deals

Army Selects AeroVironment Freedom Eagle-1 for Counter-UAS Missile Program

The U.S. Army chose AeroVironment’s Freedom Eagle-1 as its Next-Generation Counter-UAS Missile. The selection adds a lower-cost interceptor to layered air defense aimed at long-range one-way attack drones and other uncrewed threats. A $95.9 million award under the Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor program

October 22, 2025

Peter Johansson

Congress Demands Answers on the Future of the Airborne Command Post and a Possible C-130 Option

New Su-57 Footage Reveals Loaded Weapons Bays and Stealth Strike Missile Loadout

European Arms Embargoes Push Israel Toward Domestic Defense Manufacturing

Defense Department Draft Memo Reveals Major Restructuring of Military Weapons Procurement and Contractor Accountability

Air Force Reviews B-21 Crew Structure for Long Missions and Advanced Automation Integration

Boeing Defense Posts Positive Q3 Results Despite St. Louis Labor Stoppage

NH Industries Pays Norway €305 Million to End Litigation Over Canceled NH90 Maritime Helicopter Program

Rheinmetall and MBDA Deliver 20 kW Shipborne Laser to WTD 91 for Meppen Drone Defense Trials

Skyraider II Forced Field Landing in Oklahoma Raises Questions for OA-1K Training and Safety Procedures

Army Selects AeroVironment Freedom Eagle-1 for Counter-UAS Missile Program

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer