F-35 production rebounds to record 191 deliveries in 2025 after Lockheed Martin clears TR-3 backlog, but software and supplier risks remain
Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35 Lightning II fighters in 2025, clearing much of the backlog created by delays involving the aircraft’s Technology Refresh 3 configuration.
Zelenskyy says Trump approved Patriot production licenses for Ukraine as Kyiv confronts interceptor shortages and escalating Russian strikes
President Donald Trump has made a final decision to grant Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday.
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment secures U.S. qualification pathway for SPIKE SR precision missile for dismounted combat forces
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment has secured an agreement to qualify the SPIKE SR shoulder-launched precision missile for U.S. military requirements.
U.S. Department of State approves $425 million MH-60R Seahawk sale to bolster Denmark’s homeland defense and critical infrastructure security
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $425 million Foreign Military Sale of three MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to Denmark.
Hanwha Defense USA selects U.S. Army’s Pine Bluff Arsenal for $2.2 billion 155mm munitions campus expected to create nearly 400 jobs
The facility will produce 155mm propellant charges and base bleed units and is expected to create close to 400 jobs over seven years.
U.S. warns allies of missile and interceptor delays of up to five years after Iran war depletes stocks and strains production
The Trump administration has warned U.S. allies that deliveries of some previously ordered missile systems and interceptors may be delayed by as much as five years.
Operation Epic Fury: U.S. struck 13,500 targets in 36,000 combat sorties during major military campaign against Iran, report says
More than 50,000 American service members deployed across the Middle East to support the campaign.
U.S. and Canada to conduct joint Bering Sea maritime strike drills with F-35s, E-3 aircraft and naval forces near Alaska
The United States and Canada will combine combat and surveillance aircraft with naval vessels in a Bering Sea exercise focused on joint maritime strikes and defense of the two countries.
U.S. Department of State clears possible $2.68 billion air defense package for Ukraine with European funding and U.S. financing support
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $2.68 billion Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine.
U.S. aircraft losses in Operation Epic Fury include three F-15Es lost to friendly fire, damaged F-35A and up to 30 MQ-9s
Operation Epic Fury left dozens of U.S. military aircraft destroyed or damaged, including four F-15E strike fighters, an F-35A and as many as 30 MQ-9 drones, according to a Defense Department Inspector General report.
U.S. Department of State approves potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia
The proposed acquisition would strengthen Saudi homeland defense and its ability to deter current and future threats, the department said.
Operation Epic Fury strains U.S. munitions stocks and exposes defense industrial bottlenecks, Pentagon report says
Operation Epic Fury created strategic shortfalls in U.S. munitions inventories and exposed production constraints across the defense industrial base, according to a Pentagon watchdog report.

