Robert Wall

Rheinmetall eyes partnership with Raytheon around naval missiles
aviationweek.com/space/commer...

Rheinmetall Nears First Satellite-Making Deal | Aviation Week Network Rheinmetall forecasts an immediate need for 40 satellites. The production line is now being built up.

Rheinmetall's satellite ambitions go beyond the joint venture with ICEYE for synthetic aperture radars.
"We will go also into electro-optic and also into the communication satellites with other partners,” says CEO Armin Papperger
aviationweek.com/space/commer...

Leonardo Has Concerns Over Yeovil, Avio Space Strategy | Aviation Week Network Leonardo is seeing its defense business booming as Europe spends more on defense, but there are issues worrying management.

“We can’t subsidize Yeovil forever,” Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani says aviationweek.com/defense/budg...

After Criticism, SpaceX Issues Starship HLS Progress Report | Aviation Week Network SpaceX has yet to demonstrate critical pieces of its Starship HLS architecture, including in-space refueling in low Earth orbit.

After Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy criticized delays, SpaceX issued a lengthy progress report on its Starship-based Human Landing System (HLS) that is being developed for landing astronauts on the Moon. aviationweek.com/space/space-...

Airbus CEO says not dropping rate 14 goal for A220, just moving it back. Keeps rate 14 timeline vague

Airbus CEO says more work has to be done to reach breakeven on the A220 program

Airbus had 32 A320s lacking engines at end of Q3, CEO says

Airbus adjusts A220 production ramp plan; given "the current balance between supply and demand" Airbus now aims to reach rate 12 in 2026

Boeing officially moves 777X EIS to 2027 as it takes a $4.9 billion charge on the program in its Q3 results

Project Lotus, Northrop Grumman’s Secret Autonomous Aircraft Revealed | Aviation Week Network Northrop Grumman has secretly built a large new uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), dubbed Project Lotus.

@thedewline.bsky.social reveals Project Lotus - Northrop Grumman’s secret autonomous aircraft aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

BAE, after Turkey finalizes deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, says it anticipates that it will recognise around £4.6 billion including through its shareholding in MBDA, from the deal

Kratos To Use Hermeus’ Supersonic Aircraft For MACH-TB | Aviation Week Network Kratos Defense will use the Hermeus high-speed Quarterhorse aircraft as part of its support work for the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency’s MACH-TB program.

Kratos Defense will utilize the Hermeus high-speed Quarterhorse aircraft as part of its support work for the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency’s Multi-Service Advanced Capabilities Hypersonic Testbed (MACH-TB) program. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

+ Saab CEO sees need for another Gripen production hub aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Ukraine's Gripen Plan Adds Pressure On Saab To Scale Up | Aviation Week Network Saab is considering adding a new production hub to help address demand for Gripen production elsewhere, CEO Micael Johansson says.

Saab eyes Gripen ramp up needs given Ukraine's interest as CEO details GlobelEye interest from Denmark, Germany, NATO, and more
aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Saab CEO still sees Gripen deal with Colombia close this year

Airbus, Leonardo, Thales Set 2027 For Start Of New Satellite Venture | Aviation Week Network Airbus, Leonardo and Thales have joined forces to gain critical mass in the satellite business amid slumping demand for the largest telecommunications spacecraft and hot competition in other segments.

Airbus, Leonardo and Thales move forward on their plan to consolidate some of their space operations, eyeing a 2027 start of the combined entity and promising around €400 million to €600 million in synergies starting around 2032

aviationweek.com/space/satell...

Ukraine Selects Gripen E For Rebuilt Fighter Fleet | Aviation Week Network Ukraine has taken a first step in acquiring as many as 150 Saab Gripen Es through a long-term agreement with Sweden.

Milestone order or wishful thinking? Ukraine has taken a first step in acquiring as many as 150 Saab Gripen Es through a long-term agreement with Sweden to modernize the Ukrainian air force. aviationweek.com/defense/airc... @rotorfocus.bsky.social

Spoiled for choice: the South Korean government will have at least two alternatives next year for a scheduled decision on whether to buy an additional batch of Boeing P-8As. aviationweek.com/defense/airc... vi @thedewline.bsky.social

Shield AI Unveils High-End, VTOL Collaborative Combat Aircraft | Aviation Week Network Shield AI, the software-focused company known for its widely used Hivemind autonomy system, plans to enter into the world of high-end aircraft development with an uncrewed fighter it calls X-BAT.

Shield AI, the software-focused company known for its widely used Hivemind autonomy system, plans to enter into the world of high-end aircraft development with an uncrewed fighter it calls X-BAT. aviationweek.com/defense/airc... via @beverstine.bsky.social

Northrop Grumman CEO sees ICBS "to be a significant double-digit growth driver" in 2026

Brazil Trims Embraer KC-390 Military Transport Aircraft Order | Aviation Week Network Embraer says Brazil has reduced its committed KC-390 purchase by one aircraft, with 18 firm orders now on the books for the military transport.

Embraer says the Brazilian government has reduced its committed KC-390 purchase by one aircraft, with 18 firm orders now on the books for the military transport from that customer. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Bell, Ukraine Assess Options Related To AH-1Z, UH-1Y Sale | Aviation Week Network Bell has confirmed new discussions with Ukrainian government agencies over a potential Foreign Military Sale of AH-1Z and UH-1Y attack and utility helicopters.

Bell in talks to supply AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters to Ukraine aviationweek.com/defense/airc... @thedewline.bsky.social

NASA To Open SpaceX’s Artemis III Contract To Blue Origin, Others aviationweek.com/space/space-...

Three-Stars, Retirees Among Options For Top U.S. Air Force Job | Aviation Week Network The U.S. Air Force search for a new military leader broadened to more retirees and lieutenant generals after a leading contender faced new criticism on social media, sources say.

The U.S. Air Force search for a new military leader broadened to more retirees and lieutenant generals after a leading contender faced new criticism on social media report @beverstine.bsky.social and @thedewline.bsky.social

aviationweek.com/defense/budg...

Leonardo Targets U.S. With BriteStorm Jammer | Aviation Week Network Leonardo is looking to replicate its success selling the BriteCloud active decoy to the Pentagon with its BriteStorm jammer system.

eonardo is looking to replicate its success selling the BriteCloud active decoy to the Pentagon with its BriteStorm jammer system.
aviationweek.com/defense/miss...

U.S. Air Force Vice Nominee Pulled, Adding To Leadership Uncertainty | Aviation Week Network The Trump administration has withdrawn the nomination of Gen. Thomas Bussiere to be the U.S. Air Force's vice chief of staff, a source says.

aviationweek.com/defense/budg... via @beverstine.bsky.social

France Orders Laser Weapon Demonstrator | Aviation Week Network France says it has ordered a counter-drone laser system as a demonstrator with an eye on potentially fielding a system around 2030.

France says it has ordered a counter-drone laser system as a demonstrator with an eye on potentially fielding a system around 2030. aviationweek.com/defense/miss...

Switzerland Scales Back Hermes 900 Requirement Over Delays | Aviation Week Network The Swiss government has opted to forgo key features in its Hermes 900 UAS because of repeated development delays.

Switzerland scales back Hermes 900 requirement over delays, but sticks with program while flagging risk of further delays aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Joby Completes Autonomous Caravan Exercise With U.S. Air Force | Aviation Week Network Joby has concluded exercises with the U.S. Air Force in which it used an automated Cessna Caravan to fly thousands of miles over the Pacific and Hawaii.

Joby has concluded a series of exercises with the U.S. Air Force in which it used an automated Cessna Caravan to fly thousands of miles over the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii. aviationweek.com/aerospace/ad...

NATO Says All Members Will Meet 2% Spending Target | Aviation Week Network NATO anticipates that all of its 32 members will meet its longstanding target to spend 2% of GDP on defense, though only three meet the revised 3.5% target figure.

NATO anticipates that all of its 32 members will meet its longstanding target to spend 2% of GDP on defense, though only three meet the revised 3.5% target figure alliance members agreed to achieve in core military spending by 2035. aviationweek.com/defense/budg...