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Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, January 6, 2026 is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership.

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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, January 6, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 3 January 06, 2026
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Business

RS-25, displayed in a museum aerospace exhibit. This powerful liquid-fuel rock Contributor: Melinda
article

AEI Buys Rocketdyne RL-10, Nuclear Group from L3Harris

Jan 05, 2026
AE Industrial Partners will buy a majority stake in the RL-10 upper-stage rocket and space nuclear propulsion businesses from L3Harris for $507 million.
Momentus Develops, To Test 3D-Printed Spacecraft Propellant Tank GARRETT REIM, garrett.reim@aviationweek.com Momentus has 3D printed a metal spacecraft propellant tank that it plans to test on an upcoming mission of its Vigoride-7 orbital service vehicle as part of an initiative to launch a new product for sale. The fuel tank was designed by Momentus and was manufactured using a 3D printer from Velo3D, Momentus said on Jan. 5. Momentus says Velo3D is its “strategic partner.” “Momentus plans to utili
article

DOD-Backed Firm Secures $200M For Critical Minerals Production

Jan 05, 2026
ReElement Technologies has secured a $200 million investment from Transition Equity Partners to ramp up critical minerals production in Marion, Indiana.
FGS Sachsen (F219), a Sachsen-class (or F124-class) air defence frigate operated by the German Navy, arriving for Exercise Joint Warrior 17-2. Contributor: Marco McGinty
article

Rheinmetall, MBDA Team On Naval Air Defense Lasers

Jan 05, 2026
Germany’s Rheinmetall and missile manufacturer MBDA are to create a joint venture for naval air defense lasers.

Daily Brief

In Brief

Programs

Lockheed Martin
article

Turkey Should Be Readmitted To F-35 Program, President Says

Jan 05, 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says it was “unfair” to banish his country from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and has called for Ankara to be readmitted to the project.
mirage with taimoor equipped
article

Pakistan Reveals New Conventionally Armed Air-Launched Cruise Missile

Jan 05, 2026
Pakistan has revealed a new conventionally armed air-launched cruise missile with a range of up to 600 km (373 mi.) following a successful test of the weapon.
aselsan air defense system
article

Turkey’s Long-Range Air Defense System Completes Key Trial

Jan 05, 2026
Turkish defense electronics company Aselsan says key elements of its Siper 1 long-range air and missile defense system have completed battery acceptance trials.
mq-9b
article

Japan Eyes MQ-9B UAS For Aerial Interceptions

Dec 29, 2025
Japan plans to study the use of General Atomics MQ-9B UAS for aerial interception missions, as it faces airspace intrusions by Chinese and Russian aircraft.
hurjet
article

Spain Buys Turkish-Made Hurjet Advanced Jet Trainers

Dec 30, 2025
Spain has formally signed a contract to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries' Hurjet advanced jet trainer, becoming the first export customer for the platform.

The Debrief

Maduro
article

Debrief: Textbook Venezuela Raid Reveals Power Of New Military Combo

Jan 05, 2026
The U.S. military staged one of the most daring, complex and successful military raids in modern history on Venezuela.

Funding & Policy

astra missile
article

India OKs Plans For Wide-Ranging Drone, Munition Purchases

Dec 29, 2025
The Indian government has given the green light to buy a range of homegrown and imported missile, drone and counter-drone systems.
Israel Ministry Of Defense
article

Top Israeli Defense Official Voices Funding Concerns

Dec 31, 2025
The director general of Israel’s Defense Ministry says the country has reverted too soon to a funding mindset that prevailed before the attack by Hamas.

Technology

Orbital servicer eyes expansion into space components Credit: Momentus
article

Momentus Develops, To Test 3D-Printed Propellant Tank

Jan 05, 2026
Momentus has 3D printed a metal spacecraft propellant tank that it plans to test on an upcoming mission of its Vigoride-7 orbital service vehicle.
lunar south pole
article

NASA Explores Lidar Use For Future Lunar Rover Operations

Dec 30, 2025
NASA is looking into the adoption of light detection and ranging (lidar) technology for lunar rover missions and operations on Mars.

Contracts