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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, April 25, 2025

VOL. 292 NO. 19 April 25, 2025
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Programs

A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker on the flightline of a Bamboo Eagle exercise at Travis AFB, California, in January 2024. Credit: U.S. Air Force
article

USAF Eyes Near-Term Network Mods Over Major Tanker Modernization

Apr 24, 2025
The U.S. Air Force is pressing ahead on near-term updates to its refueling fleet for connectivity and survivability as opposed to large-scale modernization.
belgian air force f-35
article

Belgium Mulls More F-35 Acquisitions In Bid To Grow Fleet

Apr 24, 2025
Belgium is set to acquire additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters as part of plans to grow the country’s defense spending to the equivalent of 2% of GDP.
locally assembled AW149 in flight
article

First Polish-Built AW149 Utility Helicopter Takes To The Skies

Apr 24, 2025
Poland’s PZL-Swidnik has completed the first flight of a locally-assembled Leonardo AW149 battlefield utility helicopter for the Polish Army.
NASA X-66
article

Boeing Puts X-66 On Ice But Will Continue Thin Wing Studies

Apr 24, 2025
Boeing is pausing development of the X-66 transonic truss-braced wing aircraft with NASA and reallocating resources to get the 737-7, 737-10 and 777X certified.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Funding & Policy

pentagon
article

Pentagon’s Budget Request ‘Couple Weeks’ Away, L3Harris CEO Says

Apr 24, 2025
L3Harris CEO Chris Kubasik says he expects the Trump administration to release a basic version of the fiscal 2026 budget request within two weeks.
A U.S. Air Force test of its Minuteman III ICBM in September 2023. Credit: U.S. Air Force
article

CBO Estimates Large Cost Growth In Nuclear Spending

Apr 24, 2025
The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting a sharp rise in the Pentagon’s spending to maintain and modernize its nuclear arsenal.

Business

thales LMM
article

Thales Eyes 2026 Budgets For Hints At European Defense Spending Hikes

Apr 24, 2025
Thales will look to 2026 defense budgets in Europe to get a better sense of the speed at which words transform into real money, CFO Pascal Bouchiat says.
A Bell 505 Jet Ranger X light helicopter
article

Bell Revenue Growth Drives Textron Results

Apr 24, 2025
Strong revenue growth at Bell during the first quarter offset lower-than-expected sales in other divisions, parent company Textron said April 24.

The Debrief

DEBRIEF0424AWIN
article

Debrief: Heven Acquisition Spotlights Hydrogen Fuel Option For Drones

Apr 24, 2025
A new fleet of small, hydrogen-powered, long-range drones could soon become a feasible option to operate from remote, austere bases.

Operations

A backup plan to deorbit the space station would use two Russian Progress spacecraft and the Russian segment of the station. The Progress 89 cargo craft was pictured leaving the station on Feb. 25. Credit: NASA
article

NASA, Russia Prepare Backup ISS Deorbit Plan

Apr 24, 2025
NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos are working on a backup plan to deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its operational life.
Shenzhou-20 lifts off
article

China's Shenzhou-20 Crewed Lifts Off On Upgraded Long March 2F Rocket

Apr 24, 2025
China has sent three astronauts on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, blasting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 5:17 pm Beijing time on April 24.

Aviation Week Forecasts

The first Polish-built AW149 Promo Image
article

Aviation Week Forecasts: Global AW149 Fleet To More Than Double In The Coming Years

Apr 24, 2025
The AW149’s Polish contract provides a much-needed foothold in the medium-lift military helicopter market, where it faces stiff competition against more established platforms.