Platforms & Systems Archives - Page 3 of 7

Solicitation Calls for Scalable USVs Ready for Mass Production in 18 Months

The U.S. Navy issued a formal solicitation on July 28, 2025, for a new class of unmanned surface vessels-Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC)-designed to move from contract award to prototype delivery within 18 months and then scale production across multiple shipyards. White

August 5, 2025

Aircraft

US Air Force to Expand KC‑46 Fleet with Up to 75 Additional Jets

The U.S. Air Force has authorized an extension to KC-46A production for up to 75 additional aircraft. Senior leaders announced this decision in the past two weeks to sustain the tanker recapitalization line once the current contract expires. Under the original 2011

August 4, 2025

Aircraft Propulsion

First In‑Flight Trial of VK‑800 Engine on Yak‑40 Testbed Advances Baikal Program

Novosibirsk, Russia - A Yakovlev Yak-40 flying laboratory lifted off from SibNIA's Yeltsovka airfield on July 14, logging the first airborne run of UZGA's new VK-800 turboprop. The 15-minute sortie reached roughly 700 meters and about 340 kilometers per hour. Test crews

July 15, 2025

Naval Systems

Swedish FMV Awards Saab £70m Order for 22 Next-Gen CB90 Combat Boats

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded Saab a contract for 22 additional CB90 fast assault boats, placing a fresh £70 million order that lifts Sweden's amphibious capacity at a moment when Baltic security demands rapid response craft.

July 7, 2025

Space Systems

U.S. Space Force Selects Boeing for $2.8B Secure Strategic Communications Program

The U.S. Space Force has selected Boeing to build the first two satellites of the Evolved Strategic SATCOM program, issuing a $2.8 billion fixed-price-incentive contract that includes options for two more spacecraft. The decision, announced late July 3, positions the company to

July 4, 2025

Naval Systems

Royal Australian Navy Welcomes HMAS Arafura as New Arafura-Class OPV

The Royal Australian Navy has added a new hull to its order of battle. On 28 June the service commissioned HMAS Arafura, first of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels, during a ceremony at Fleet Base West near Fremantle. Defense officials confirm the

July 2, 2025

Aircraft

E-7 Wedgetail Scrapped by Air Force Over Cost Overruns and Vulnerability Risks

The U.S. Air Force has decided to halt the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early-warning and control program, ending a three-year effort to replace the aging E-3 Sentry fleet with a more modern, radar-equipped 737 derivative. Defense officials disclosed the move during the FY-26

July 1, 2025

Aircraft Propulsion

Italian Air Force Orders 54 EJ200 Powerplants from EUROJET for Upcoming Eurofighter Batch

EUROJET Turbo GmbH has agreed to deliver up to fifty-four new EJ200 engines for the Italian Air Force's forthcoming batch of twenty-four Eurofighter Typhoons. Defense officials confirm the deal was signed in Rome with the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency (NETMA)

June 30, 2025

Space Systems

FY 2026 Request: Space Force Seeks $277M for MILNET and Pauses Tranche 3 Transport Layer

The Space Force wants $277 million next year to launch the Military Internet (MILNET) constellation and has frozen money for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 3 Transport Layer. Defense officials confirm the shift appears in the service's fiscal 2026 budget books, released

June 30, 2025

Aircraft

Weapons Tester Cites Further F-35 Challenges (excerpt)

The Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation has sent fresh shockwaves through the F-35 community. His memo to senior leaders says the Joint Strike Fighter remains far from its promised combat edge even though the U.S. Air Force just marked the

August 23, 2016

Platforms & Systems - Page 3