December 23, 2025 Military Aviation News

Editors’ picks for 2025: ‘More F-35s, more tankers: a reliable way to strengthen Australian deterrence’

12/23/2025

If the Chinese navy’s task group sailing around Australia a few weeks ago showed us anything, it’s that Australia has a deterrence gap so large you can drive a ship through it. Waiting for AUKUS or hoping Australia’s troubled shipbuilding program will deliver—in the 2030s—is a recipe for annual panic about grey zone coercion as Chinese deployments become routine.

Lockheed?Martin?and?MANTECH?Partner To Advance AI Based Sustainment For U.S. Combat Aircraft Fleet

12/23/2025

Lockheed Martin and MANTECH today announced a strategic teaming agreement to integrate advanced AI driven sustainment solutions into the U.S. combat aircraft fleet. Through this effort, we will deliver real-time aircraft performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, optimized logistics support and improved mission availability across legacy and next-generation platforms, while adhering to the highest standards of security.

Air Force designates Northrop Grumman’s Talon prototype as YFQ-48A

12/23/2025

The U.S. Air Force announces the designation of YFQ-48A as the Mission Design Series for Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, a semi-autonomous prototype aircraft. This designation marks a key step forward in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, underscoring the Air Force’s commitment to rapidly delivering next-generation capabilities that meet the urgent and evolving needs of the warfighter.

Russia begins flight tests of Su-57 fighter with new fifth-generation engine

12/23/2025

Russia has begun flight testing a new engine on its Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter as part of an effort to introduce a more powerful and efficient powerplant on future versions of the aircraft.

Ukraine said it sneaked into a guarded Russian airbase and destroyed 2 jets worth up to $100 million combined

12/23/2025

Ukraine said it destroyed two more Russian fighter jets by sneaking into an airfield hangar over the weekend, estimating the destroyed aircrafts' combined worth at up to $100 million. The hits add to the large haul of Russian jets Ukraine says it has been able to strike even at bases hundreds of miles from the front lines. Business Insider was not able to independently verify Ukraine's claim.

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