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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, December 17, 2025

VOL. 294 NO. 54 December 17, 2025
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Daily Briefs

Daily Briefs
article

Daily Briefs

Dec 17, 2025
GREECE picks Elbit’s PULS... SIKORSKY gets VH-92 support award... BOEING’s new VP of safety...

In Brief

article

In Brief: BAE To Sell Half Its Stake In Air Astana

Dec 17, 2025
News in brief.

Programs

air force
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USAF Buys Two More 747-8is For Future Air Force One Program

Dec 16, 2025
The USAF is buying two Boeing 747-8is from Lufthansa for training and spares as part of the delayed program to replace the current VC-25A “Air Force One” fleet.
sea tiger flying
article

Germany’s Russia Concern Drives Urgency For NH90 Sea Tiger Fielding

Dec 16, 2025
Germany's military has a sense of urgency to bring into service and enhance its new NH90 Sea Tiger anti-surface warfare and sub-hunting helicopters.
U.S. Air Force
article

Debrief: Uncertainty Surrounds Compass Call Fleet Growth

Dec 16, 2025
Momentum has slowed for the U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call.
A digital rendering of the NASA-supported commercial space station, Vast’s Haven-1, which will provide a microgravity environment for crew, research, and in-space manufacturing.
article

Vast Seeks Long-Term Commercial Space Station Research Proposals

Dec 15, 2025
Vast Space LLC has issued a call for research proposals that could be conducted aboard its under development Haven-1 commercial space station.
Chinese airlifter
article

China Flies New Tactical Airlifter

Dec 16, 2025
China appears to have flown a new tactical airlifter, more than a decade after the concept was first unveiled in 2014.
Starfish Space and Impulse Space performed autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations using a lightweight camera system. Credit: Starfish Space
article

Starfish Space, Impulse Space Perform Autonomous Rendezvous Ops

Dec 15, 2025
Two space startups recently conducted a self-funded mission to showcase autonomous maneuvering in low Earth orbit.
nh90 helicopters being built
article

NHIndustries Sees New NH90 Buyers As Top-Up Orders Mount

Dec 16, 2025
NHIndustries is looking to regain momentum in securing new orders for its NH90 helicopter in the new year after securing several top-up deals.

Operations

Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp (left) and Win Marshal J. Bronzewall, Director and Chief Global Business Officer, Innospace.
article

Innospace Expands Mission Options With Southern Launch Pact

Dec 16, 2025
South Korea’s launch service newcomer Innospace has signed an agreement with Southern Launch, opening the door for missions from Australia.
maven
article

Efforts By NASA To Resume Mars MAVEN Mission Ops Continue

Dec 16, 2025
NASA reports is continuing efforts to re-establish contact with the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution orbital spacecraft after losing contact on Dec. 6.
Baikonur repairs
article

Russia Sees Damaged Baikonur Launchpad Repaired In February

Dec 16, 2025
Russian space agency Roscosmos says it expects a damaged launchpad critical to International Space Station operations to be fixed by the end of February.
U.S. Space Command Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting speaks Dec. 11, 2025 at the Space Force Association's Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Florida. Credit: SFA
article

U.S., France Conduct Second Dynamic Space Operations Demo

Dec 15, 2025
The U.S. and France have completed a second bilateral, on-orbit operation related to dynamic space operations.
intuit
article

U.S.-European Partnership Extends Commercial Comms Capabilities

Dec 15, 2025
Intuitive Machines, Leonardo and Telespazio have signed a commercially cooperative U.S.-European strategic accord intended to enhance interoperability.

Funding & Policy

U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon (right) speaks with Lt. Gen. Dennis Bythewood Dec. 12, 2025, at the Space Force Association's Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Florida. Credit: Space Force Association
article

Orbital Warfare Training Top Priority For New Combat Forces Commander

Dec 12, 2025
New Combat Forces Command Commander Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon plans to focus his time in command on training for orbital warfare.

Business

telkom image
article

Viasat, Space42 D2D Joint Venture Pursues Indonesia Connection

Dec 16, 2025
The partnership between Viasat and United Arab Emirates-based Space42 to pursue the direct-to-device satellite communication business is in talks to partner with Indonesia’s main telecommunications operator.