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U.S. Navy Plans One-Year Pause in AARGM-ER Missile Orders

U.S. Navy Plans One-Year Pause in AARGM-ER Missile Orders

The U.S. Navy has announced a one-year pause in the procurement of the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) from Northrop Grumman. This decision, outlined in the fiscal 2027 budget proposal, allocates only $24 million for the missile's procurement, with no funds for new orders. The pause follows recent test failures and reflects a strategic reassessment of the missile's role in the Navy's arsenal. The Navy is also exploring alternatives, such as the Advanced Emission Suppression Missile, which promises longer range and higher production rates.
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Navy Faces Delays in F/A-XX Fighter Program Due to Contractor Capacity Issues

Navy Faces Delays in F/A-XX Fighter Program Due to Contractor Capacity Issues

The U.S. Navy is experiencing delays in its F/A-XX fighter program due to one of the two competing contractors being unable to meet the required delivery schedule. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle revealed this issue during the Navy League’s Sea Air Space convention. The Navy had previously postponed the contract award for the next-generation carrier-based fighter due to these concerns. Although Adm. Caudle did not specify which contractor is facing difficulties, both Boeing and Northrop Grumman have claimed they can meet the Navy's timeline. Lockheed Martin was previously eliminated from the competition. Despite these challenges, the Navy plans to proceed with awarding the contract in 2026, with a decision expected by the end of the summer. The F/A-XX fighters are intended to replace the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growlers on carrier decks starting in the mid to late 2030s.
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Lockheed and Northrop Complete E-2D Radar Upgrade to Enhance US Navy Capabilities

Lockheed and Northrop Complete E-2D Radar Upgrade to Enhance US Navy Capabilities

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have successfully completed testing of the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, a key component of the US Navy's airborne early warning and control system. The DREXR upgrade replaces outdated hardware with a modern, software-defined system that enhances beamforming precision and improves resistance to electronic jamming. This advancement is expected to significantly bolster the US Navy's ability to operate in contested and challenging environments. Rick Cordaro, vice president of Lockheed Martin Radar and Sensor Systems, emphasized the importance of this upgrade in maintaining the E-2D's role in force protection and mission success. A critical design review for a major system upgrade of the E-2D is scheduled for May, which will involve comprehensive updates to both software and hardware components.
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Northrop Grumman Reveals Rendering of F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter for US Navy

Northrop Grumman Reveals Rendering of F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter for US Navy

Northrop Grumman Reveals Rendering of F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter for US Navy
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Lockheed Martin Secures Contract to Equip US Navy with Patriot Missiles, Enhancing Maritime Defense

Lockheed Martin Secures Contract to Equip US Navy with Patriot Missiles, Enhancing Maritime Defense

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract to integrate the Patriot missile, an Army missile interceptor, into the U.S. Navy's Aegis combat system. This marks the first time the weapon will be deployed at sea, a significant milestone for the company. The decision to arm Navy vessels with Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors is driven by concerns over potential threats from China's hypersonic weapons in the Pacific. The integration aims to bolster the missile defense shield of the Navy's destroyers. Lockheed Martin has been pursuing this integration for several years, and the new contract represents a concrete step towards deploying the Army interceptor on Navy surface ships. The demand for the Patriot weapon has increased, with production set to triple over the next seven years, from 600 to over 2,000 missiles annually.
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Lockheed Martin Integrates PAC-3 Missile for U.S. Navy Hypersonic Defense

Lockheed Martin Integrates PAC-3 Missile for U.S. Navy Hypersonic Defense

Lockheed Martin has announced the integration of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) into the U.S. Navy's Aegis Combat System. This integration, under a $200 million contract, aims to enhance the Navy's capabilities in defending against aircraft and incoming missiles, including hypersonic threats. The PAC-3 MSE, which has been used in combat by Ukraine, will be integrated into the Mk 41 launch cell on Navy ships, providing an additional layer of defense against advanced missile threats.
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Navy arming warships with Patriot missiles to counter China's hypersonic threat

Navy arming warships with Patriot missiles to counter China's hypersonic threat

By Mike Stone WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract to integrate the Patriot missile, an Army missile interceptor, into the U.S. Navy's Aegis combat system, a milestone the company said on Tuesday marks the first time the weapon will be fielded at sea.
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Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget includes $750 billion for ships, jets and Golden Dome

Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget includes $750 billion for ships, jets and Golden Dome

By Mike Stone WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Tuesday unveiled more details of President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027, by far the largest year-over-year increase in defense spending in the post-World War Two era.
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AeroVironment Conducts Successful Naval Trials of Locust Laser Weapon for Drone Defense

AeroVironment Conducts Successful Naval Trials of Locust Laser Weapon for Drone Defense

AeroVironment has announced the successful completion of naval trials for its Locust laser weapon system, designed to counter drone threats. The trials took place on the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, where the system was deployed in a palletized form. During the trials, the Locust laser weapon tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple drone targets. This development is part of a collaboration with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. The trials aimed to validate the system's effectiveness in a maritime environment, which presents unique challenges due to the movement of the vessel. AeroVironment is focusing on providing low-cost-per-kill solutions to address the increasing threat of drone and drone-swarm attacks, particularly in regions like the Middle East.
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Space Force Faces Workforce Challenges Amidst $71 Billion Budget Increase

Space Force Faces Workforce Challenges Amidst $71 Billion Budget Increase

The Space Force is grappling with significant workforce challenges as it prepares to manage a proposed budget of $71.1 billion for fiscal year 2027, a substantial increase from the current $31.6 billion. This budget boost aligns with President Trump's 'space superiority' executive order and includes funding for new space-based technologies and weapons. The increase comes after a 14 percent reduction in the Space Force's civilian workforce last year, which has left the service struggling to fill critical positions. Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, leading the Space Systems Command, highlighted the difficulty in hiring 100 civilians per month to meet the demands of the new budget. The budget allocates $38 billion for research, development, testing, and evaluation, and nearly $10 billion for procurement of new technologies, including missile warning systems and GPS satellites.
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Zen Technologies Secures License for Air-Defense Cannons to Enhance UAV Countermeasures

Zen Technologies Secures License for Air-Defense Cannons to Enhance UAV Countermeasures

Zen Technologies, a Hyderabad-based company, has obtained a license under India's Arms Act to manufacture air-defense systems, including 12.7 mm, 23 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm cannons. These systems are designed for aerial, naval, and counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) roles. The company is developing a micro-missile launcher to integrate with its Zen anti-drone system (ZADS), aimed at providing rapid-fire, last-layer defense against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, and low-flying aerial threats. Zen Technologies plans to manufacture these munitions at its facilities in Hyderabad, retaining core intellectual property components in-house while outsourcing non-core manufacturing to external vendors. This approach is intended to ensure scalability, cost-effectiveness, and accelerated production while safeguarding critical technologies.
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HII Expands U.S. Shipbuilding Industrial Base, Creating Jobs and Enhancing Navy Capabilities

HII Expands U.S. Shipbuilding Industrial Base, Creating Jobs and Enhancing Navy Capabilities

HII Expands U.S. Shipbuilding Industrial Base, Creating Jobs and Enhancing Navy Capabilities