The US Army has selected Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Training will cover 1,200 pilots annually starting in 2027, representing a significant expansion of Army aviation training capacity.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
President Donald Trump has threatened to decertify Canadian-made commercial jets, drawing attention to the potential impact on military contracts. The move may affect military aircraft in service or future acquisitions, including those used by the US Air Force and Army.
In his first message to airmen, new Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach stated that the Air Force should focus on restoring and expanding US airpower.
Spain has agreed to purchase 100 Airbus helicopters worth an estimated €4.5 billion, including 50 new H145M aircraft for its army. The order is part of a national helicopter plan aimed at modernizing local defense assets.
The Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has purchased another Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft intended for transformation into a non-prototype aircraft for the Army's High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program of record. According to Breaking Defense, this purchase signals SNC is ahead of schedule in its delivery of HADES aircraft, per a company release.
The US Army has selected Rafael, Lockheed Martin, and the Boeing-Anduril team for Phase I of the second Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) interceptor program. The program aims to develop a more capable second interceptor to target lower flying, supersonic cruise missiles.
The US Army's 11th Airborne Division conducted Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 26-02 training exercises in Alaska, where soldiers simulated an Arctic conflict scenario amidst freezing temperatures. According to Breaking Defense, the training comes as the Pentagon reorients to homeland defense.
The Department of Defense Inspector General has concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth created operational security risks by sharing sensitive military information over an unsecured Signal messaging app during Houthi strike operations earlier this year. The report found that Hegseth sent nonpublic DoD information identifying aircraft quantities and strike times to hostile territory approximately 2-4 hours before execution.
Breaking Defense reports on the significant changes happening at the US Army and Pentagon in 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a comprehensive transformation of the Army, including divesting certain formations and canceling procurement on legacy systems.
French Army Aviation leadership argues that the war in Ukraine is pushing armed forces to adjust helicopter tactics rather than abandon crewed rotorcraft. General David Cruzille and his deputy, General Hubert Doutaud, spoke to French weekly Le Point about the lessons learned from Ukraine.
The Defense Innovation Unit released a solicitation for commercially-made 'advanced nuclear power technologies' as part of the Army's plan to deploy commercial nuclear microreactors at domestic military bases. The program aims to stand up these systems over the next few years, with initial deployment sites including Fort Benning, Ga.
The US Army has selected Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Training will cover 1,200 pilots annually starting in 2027, representing a significant expansion of Army aviation training capacity.
In keeping with tradition, lawmakers' fiscal 2026 defense policy bill released late Sunday tweaks several key Pentagon programs, including the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail program and Army helicopter procurement. The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act would boost the Pentagon's topline by $8 billion above what the Trump administration requested.
The US Army has struggled with electronic warfare and AI-generated disinformation in wargames at the National Training Center. Visiting units often lack technical versatility, while backup systems lack bells and whistles.
The US Army has announced plans to establish a new space career field, dubbed 40D Tactical Space Operations Specialist. Col.
The US Army is undergoing significant changes to its acquisition process, including a new reporting structure and a focus on commercialization. The Army plans to buy commercial engines for the M1E3 tank and set up a marketplace for drones and counter-drone capabilities.
The Army is nearing the release of a request for prototype proposals (RFPP) for its Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) program. The initiative aims to bring together nontraditional vendors and adopt a 'teams of teams' approach, which has already been successful in other programs.
The US Army tested the first prototype for its Next Gen C2 data layer as part of its modernization initiative. The test involved dispersed command post operations to evaluate transport resiliency and effectiveness supporting the data layer.
The Army is undergoing a holistic reevaluation of its approach to autonomy, particularly for ground vehicles, as part of a broader effort to streamline programs and reduce costs. According to Alex Miller, the Army Chief Technology Officer, some programs may be cut due to lack of alignment with the Army's new direction.
The US Army has combined its forces under a single four-star headquarters, Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC), with Gen. Joseph Ryan at the helm.
The Army Software Engineering Center is transforming into the Army Software Innovation Center (ASIC) as part of a broader effort to reinvent itself and stay relevant in the face of changing technology landscapes. The reorganization aims to provide more agile software development capabilities, leveraging a DevSecOps approach to deliver modern solutions to the Army.
The US Army has selected Red Cat for its Short Range Reconnaissance Program, which aims to provide cutting-edge capability to warfighters. The program's focus on small UAS at scale represents a significant shift in the Army's doctrine.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
The US Army has released a request for information for the second-generation MAPS Gen II system, which requires prime contractors to hand over their intellectual property. The system is designed to provide position, navigation and timing data for ground vehicles in GPS denied environments.
The US Army is seeking to award a contract for its self-propelled howitzer program by July, with a tight deadline of just 10 months after a request for information went out to industry in September. The competition includes companies such as Hanwha, Rheinmetall, Elbit America, Leonardo DRS, and BAE Systems.
The U.S. Army is actively seeking industry components for a potential small drone interceptor program, issuing a request for information to identify counter-UAS technologies.
The US Army expects to accept an airframe for testing of the first MV-75 tilt-rotor helicopter by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Breaking Defense, Army Chief of Staff Gen.
The Army's acquisition overhaul is accelerating modernization of its simulation and training capabilities, according to Brig. Gen.
The US Army is set to release a new software directive aimed at bringing flexibility to acquisition and streamlining the application of modern software. Undersecretary Michael Obadal emphasized the need for flexible funding, citing the challenges of rigid funding authorities in acquiring modern, agile software.
The US Army is pushing its M1E3 tank prototypes to soldiers five years ahead of schedule, thanks to a new acquisition model that involves multiple vendors working together. This approach allows for faster testing and iteration, with the goal of delivering top-of-the-line equipment.
The US Army is preparing to integrate small drones into its forces, with a goal of fielding one-way attack drones to every squad by October. To achieve this, the Army is hosting a drone warfighter competition to explore training and tactics changes.
The US Army has budgeted for the first division in fiscal year 2027 to receive the production full stack Next Generation Command and Control ecosystem, according to officials. Brig.
The US Army is implementing a comprehensive overhaul of its acquisition structure, aiming to streamline processes and reduce costs. Breaking Defense reports that the reorganization will see significant changes, including consolidating general officers and reducing the number of Program Executive Offices (PEOs).
The US Army has announced significant changes to its acquisition process, aiming to boost funding for network modernization and software acquisition. The service plans to invest $750 million per year in emerging technologies through the FUZE program.
A senior Army official warned companies to avoid criticizing the service's 'clean sheet' approach to Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) when interacting with Congress. The initiative aims to modernize the Army's command and control systems, and the official emphasized the importance of transparency and consistency in its communications with lawmakers.
The Army's acquisition czar expressed concerns over General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems' (GD-OTS) handling of the 155mm artillery projectiles production plants in Mesquite, Texas. The facility has yet to produce a single projectile for 155 or any other artillery, resulting in only 56,000 shells per month being manufactured.
The US Army has selected three companies to move on to the next phase of its Flight School Next competition, which aims to train 900-1,500 rotary wing pilots per year with a period of performance of 26 years. Lockheed Martin will partner with Robinson for the program, while Bell and M1 are competing as their own entities.
The US Army is facing challenges in its sustainment costs, particularly with regards to non-mission capable tanks. Advanced manufacturing techniques can produce parts quickly, but current policies limit their use due to funding and pricing constraints.
The US Army has launched a challenge to find a replacement for its Gray Eagle large drone, with industry invited to submit proposals for short/vertical takeoff and landing (S/VTOL) unmanned options. The RFI seeks systems that meet specific weight and performance requirements, as well as advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities.
The US Army has issued a call to industry for electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) solutions, seeking proposals that embrace artificial intelligence and edge computing. The request for information (RFI) outlines four general areas for which the Army is seeking solutions: attack, support, protect, and common services.
The US Army has released a request for information for up to 11 business jets to be used for its High Altitude Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program, which aims to provide advanced surveillance capabilities. The RFI was published on January 22 and seeks aircraft that can operate between 41,000 and 51,000 feet above sea level.
The US Army is expanding its high-altitude balloon swarm experiment with more platforms and help from NORAD. The experiment aims to use swarms as an intel-gathering tool at scale, with a focus on creating mass disruption for an adversary.
The US Army has paused its decision to move forward with the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program, instead opting to assess multiple competing designs and consider non-traditional vendors. The Request for Information (RFI) aims to explore innovative solutions for rapid design, production, and delivery of ground combat vehicles.
The Army successfully integrated Marine Corps data into its Next Generation Command and Control ecosystem during Ivy Sting 4. This exercise demonstrated bidirectional data exchange and coordinated joint fires using the NGC2 data layer.
The Army has selected three companies - Bell, M1, and Lockheed Martin - to move on to the next phase of the Flight School Next program. The companies will provide more information about their proposals and illustrate their full-scale solutions.