The Aerospace Industries Association is voicing support for the creation of an assistant secretary for international armaments cooperation office, as detailed under the National Defense Authorization Act. AIA's Dak Hardwick says the new role represents "a great opportunity to further integrate the US defense industrial base with partner and allied defense industrial bases, but it's important to remember that this position is not about sales -- it's about cooperation."

The House has passed a $900 billion defense policy bill that includes a pay raise for military personnel, an overhaul of the War Department's weapons acquisition process, and a repeal of the Iraq war authorization. The legislation includes measures to support allies in Europe and Asia, cut climate and diversity initiatives, and increase congressional oversight of the War Department. The bill now moves to the Senate.

BAE Systems has been awarded a five-year contract by the US Navy, worth up to $1.7 billion, to deliver laser-guidance kits. The contract involves supplying kits that transform unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of the Navy's arsenal.

HII has secured a US Navy contract worth up to $286.8 million to provide engineering services for San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships. Work will be carried out in Pascagoula, Miss., and Norfolk, Va., through December 2030.

L3Harris Technologies is seeing increased international interest in its airborne early warning and control aircraft after securing a contract with South Korea. The company is considering offering the aircraft to NATO after the alliance chose not to proceed with Boeing's E-7A Wedgetail.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has acknowledged that Boeing is likely to win the annual order race, driven by strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner and support from the Trump administration in resolving trade disputes. Faury notes that Airbus remains ahead in deliveries and backlog but highlights the impact of US tariff negotiations on Boeing's orders.

Germany's Atlas Air Service has been designated an authorized seller for Textron Aviation special-mission aircraft. Atlas, which has more than 50 years of experience in business aviation, services Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft and performs special-mission conversions.

The US Space Force has outlined a certification process for Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket under the National Security Space Launch program. Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant says the rocket must complete four orbital flights for certification, a process similar to the one the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur underwent.

The National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program is being opened to new providers with rockets ready by early 2027. The US Space Force has issued a request for proposals for the fiscal 2026 on-ramp, with a Jan. 22, 2026, deadline. The Space Force expects to have at least 30 missions in the five-year base period.