A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff on December 13, 2025, and returned safely to Washington Dulles International Airport. According to AeroTime, a piece of the engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on airport grounds.
Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense has approved United Airlines' plan to increase its minority stake in Azul Linhas Aéreas, clearing the way for a roughly $100 million investment tied to the airline's ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring. The decision removes a key regulatory hurdle and provides further clarity on Azul's post-restructuring ownership structure.
United Airlines flight 2323 experienced a mechanical issue upon landing at Orlando International Airport, resulting in the detachment of its nose wheel. The aircraft was grounded due to the incident, with passengers being bused to the terminal.
United Airlines reported record revenue in 2025, driven by strong demand from premium travelers and growth in higher-yield segments. CEO Scott Kirby credited 'brand-loyal customers' for the success.
United Airlines will air a new space-inspired film during the Superbowl on February 8, 2026, to celebrate its Starlink Wi-Fi rollout. The carrier has already equipped over 300 aircraft with the system, which is now available to almost all its passengers flying on regional service.
Breaking Defense spoke with Tim Saffold, Vice President, Autonomous and Unmanned Systems, Amentum, about the role of autonomous and unmanned systems in modern logistics. The use of unmanned systems can increase or expand reach, reduce risk to personnel, and enable more distributed, resilient operations.
Beechcraft has unveiled the M-346N, a jet trainer designed for the U.S. Navy.
UPS has fully retired its McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter fleet, bringing an end to decades of trijet cargo operations after a fatal crash in 2025. In its fourth-quarter earnings report, UPS confirmed the retirement of all 26 MD-11Fs it still owned.
Ursa Major has unveiled its HAVOC Missile System, a medium-range hypersonic design intended for mass production. The Colorado-based company is targeting an all-up-round price below $3 million, citing the benefits of storable liquid rocket engines and restart flexibility.
Ursa Major unveiled its new hypersonic missile system, dubbed HAVOC, at the AFA Warfare Symposium. The company plans to manufacture the system mostly in-house, with a target price tag of under $3 million per piece.
As the Trump administration and Ukraine inch toward a tentative peace agreement with Russia, security guarantees have emerged as the central issue in ongoing negotiations. Analysts from the Atlantic Council emphasize that any deal excluding NATO membership must include credible, enforceable protections from both the US and Europe.
The US government has acknowledged its role in the January 2025 collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle jet over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. The accident resulted in the deaths of 67 people, with court documents filed on December 17, 2025, accepting the government's responsibility for the breach of duty of care.
The US Air Force has announced the acquisition of two additional Boeing 747-8 aircraft for approximately $400 million. The purchase supports training and sustainment for the future presidential airlift fleet as delays continue to push back delivery of the next-generation Air Force One aircraft.
The US Air Force has officially received its first Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, marking a pivotal modernization milestone for pilot training. The sophisticated aircraft replaces the aging T-38C Talon and will prepare aviators for fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation fighter and bomber operations.
The US Air Force conducted a live demonstration of manned-unmanned teaming between an F-22 Raptor and an MQ-20 Avenger at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The exercise explored how autonomous aircraft can support frontline fighters in future operations, according to the US Air Force and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
A US Air Force RQ-170 Sentinel was reportedly deployed as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, months of intelligence preparation led to the successful mission.
A Canadian man, Dallas Pokornik, has been indicted for wire fraud after posing as a commercial airline pilot over four years. He obtained hundreds of free flights on three US airlines before being arrested in Panama, Cuba, and extradited to the US.
US airlines have welcomed news of a government shutdown end, but warned of lingering delays and cancellations. The 43-day shutdown had significant impacts on air traffic controllers, with staff absences due to illness and stress.
US airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, are preparing for potential disruptions due to Winter Storm Gianna. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow, high winds, and blizzard conditions to the southeastern coast from January 30-February 1, 2026.
US airlines are quantifying the financial damage from the 43-day federal shutdown, with major carriers slashing Q4 earnings forecasts due to flight disruptions and booking declines. Southwest cut guidance to $500 million from $600-800 million, while Delta reported a $200 million hit driven by refunds and reduced bookings.