Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Suppliers to GE Aerospace boosted their material input to the engine OEM by more than 40% in 2025, including a double-digit improvement in the fourth quarter.

Crucial for defense and scarce due to China’s export controls, samarium was recently named the most vulnerable critical mineral by the U.S. Geological Survey.

SpaceX plans to deploy a space-to-ground laser link on its Starlink constellation, CEO Elon Musk said.

The U.S. Air Force expects a quick delivery of the Boeing 747-8i given to President Donald Trump by the government of Qatar.

Some of the UK RAF Eurofighter fleet is set to receive an advanced AESA radar under a $610 million contract.

Spanish defense electronics provider Indra says it is developing an airborne electronic-attack system for use on fighters.

German space launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg has secured two further ESA launches, while still working toward the inaugural liftoff of RFA One.

French metallic parts supplier Mecadaq is to take over cabin and seat component specialist Echeverria and helicopter engine maintenance expert Lopez.

FCAS is suffering due to a slow pace of decision-making rather than political will to work together, France’s ambassador to Germany says.

Rocket Lab suffered a structural failure of the Neutron's Stage 1 tank during testing, setting back efforts to get the fully reusable launcher to liftoff.

News in brief.

SAFRAN demonstrations Blacknaute INS system... RAYTHEON gets Tomahawk award... New COO at SLINGSHOT AEROSPACE...

The four members of NASA’s Crew-11 Dragon mission appeared healthy and in good spirits as they gathered for a Jan. 21 news briefing.

Space startup Astra said on Jan. 21 that it has shipped 110 satellite engines since Jan. 2025 and is planning to test its new rocket (Rocket 4) this year.

The GPS signals on satellites are being jammed from terrestrial sources at growing rates, and the demand for alternate options for position, navigation and timing is burgeoning.

Blue Origin plans to start launching TeraWave in the fourth quarter of 2027, a 5,408-satellite, high-throughput communications network.

Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group has received additional orders for the HT-750 optionally manned turbine-powered light helicopter from the UAE.

Germany has signed up to acquire additional stocks of the Meteor beyond-visual range air-to-air missile, MBDA has declared.

Mexico became the 25th country to order the Lockheed Martin C-130J airlifter, the U.S. company said on Jan. 21.

An Anduril-made sensor passively detected and targeted another aircraft from an autonomously commanded Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the first time.

Turkey could begin receiving Eurofighter combat aircraft from Qatar as soon as February, media reports have suggested.

Italy is budgeting €18.6 billion ($22 billion) for its role in the design, development and programmatic phases of the Global Combat Air Program.

German space startup The Exploration Company (TEC) is in talks to buy British launch startup Orbex.

The U.S. Navy now plans to brief industry on a concept for a new family of ship-launched ballistic missiles in February.

NASA has selected three science mission payloads for launch by Commercial Lunar Payload Services providers to study the Moon and galactic cosmic rays.