Missile Defense & Weapons

The F-47, low-cost missiles, space superiority and more—listen in as editors break down the key developments of 2025 in the defense world.

Ursa Major says it is in early talks to expand the potential customer base of a newly developed, affordable hypersonic missile.

Belgium and Italy have been approved to acquire Lockheed Martin-made air-to-ground weaponry from the U.S. by the State Department.

Diehl is closing out the year by booking additional IRIS-T SLS air-defense systems that have been in hot demand throughout the year.

The U.S. Space Force’s first self-described space control platform has been approved for potential export to select allies and partners.

The U.S. Air Force has moved to eventually reacquire the ability to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles from a new fleet of airborne command posts.

Kratos is looking at was to operationalize its hypersonic systems developed for testing.

Bidders looking to vie for the UK Defense Ministry’s Project Nightfall ballistic missile development have until Dec. 18 to raise their hands.

AeroVironment should secure deals for its P550 vertical-takeoff-and-landing uncrewed system from abroad within the next six months, CEO Wahid Nawabi says.

Muon Space will harness its multispectral imaging payload for the Space Development Agency’s missile warning/missile tracking constellation.

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force have conducted the first air-to-air live-fire test of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, with the CCA firing an AIM-120 Amraam.

Lockheed Martin has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hadrian to help increase production of parts for several missile systems.

The U.S. Space Force is seeking prototype proposals for space-based interceptors.

While Beijing is criticizing the U.S. pursuit of space-based interceptors as reckless, China’s academic institutions are quietly researching similar concepts.

South Korea has approved a KRW65.8 trillion ($45 billion) defense budget for 2026, a 7.5% year-on-year increase.

Gen. Michael Guetlein, Golden Dome program director, said the first batch of contracts for space-based interceptor technology were awarded in November.

The Office of Management and Budget director said the administration views reconciliation as a strategy to fund key defense needs outside of an appropriations process that requires 60 votes in the Senate.

The California hypersonic missile startup is increasing its overall capital war chest to $464.5 million since emerging from stealth mode nearly two years ago.

The Royal Thai Air Force has awarded Israel Aerospace Industries a contract for its Integrated Air Defense System program, according to a Thai government document seen by Aviation Week.

South Korea has kicked off development of its indigenous Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile-II (SRAAM-II).

Australia will begin in-country production of Lockheed Martin’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles as a new production line opens.

Norway and the UK will work together on tackling Russian underwater warfare threats through a new agreement signed by the two countries.

The integration of the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile onto the CTOL Lockheed Martin F-35 has advanced, with ground-based testing beginning.

The Pentagon is casting a wide net for work under the Golden Dome air and missile defense program.

U.S. Central Command plans to use one-way attack drones based on a copy of the Iranian Shahed-136, and has set up a new task force to deploy them.