DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

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

October 13, 2025

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

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles

AI & Autonomy

Northrop’s Model 437 Vanguard Advances to Flight Testing with Partner Software for Collaborative Autonomy and Mission Learning

October 10, 2025

Northrop Grumman’s Model 437 Vanguard flew again on September 20 after months of modification for the Beacon autonomy program. Company engineers installed the Prism autonomy stack, integrated new interfaces and prepared the aircraft for envelope expansion sorties at Mojave before partner software

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeffery Stevens

Air & Missile Defense Systems

NATO Moves to Field Counter-Drone Systems Within Months to Oppose Russian Airspace Incursions

October 9, 2025

Gen. Ingo Gerhartz urged deployment timelines counted in months for counter-drone units across allied territory, using public remarks at the Warsaw Security Forum on Sept 29-30 to press the point. He now commands NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum and paired the schedule

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack

Defense Budgets / Policy

Meink Assures No Leadership Gap as Gen. Allvin Prepares to Retire and Wilsbach Moves Toward Confirmation

October 8, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. The Air Force will not face a leadership gap when Gen. David W. Allvin retires in early November. Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink told reporters on Sept. 22 that “we’re not gonna not have a chief,”

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

Contracts & Deals

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

October 7, 2025

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

Latest

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

Northrop’s Model 437 Vanguard Advances to Flight Testing with Partner Software for Collaborative Autonomy and Mission Learning

NATO Moves to Field Counter-Drone Systems Within Months to Oppose Russian Airspace Incursions

Meink Assures No Leadership Gap as Gen. Allvin Prepares to Retire and Wilsbach Moves Toward Confirmation

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

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer