Breaking Defense is reporting that the Air Force has awarded contracts to GE and Rolls-Royce to advance designs for medium thrust class drone engines. It also said the Marine Corps' Harrier aircraft completed its final flight following a SOUTHCOM deployment, as the service transitions to fully adopt fifth-generation aircraft.
The publication highlighted industry and training hurdles for making drone wingmen a reality, noting potential changes for defense manufacturers as the U.S. increasingly partners with drones in combat. Breaking Defense also reported that Anduril has teamed with Elbit America and OshKosh Defense for the Army's self-propelled howitzer competition.
Separately, the Army and J-7 are preparing to test the Wallabee prototype sensor with a high-altitude balloon to enhance intelligence-gathering in the stratosphere. Breaking Defense also covered delays in U.S. weapon sales to allies, citing an analyst who suggested this could lead allies to question their dependence on the United States for essential defense articles. It further reported that the Commission on US Cyber Force Generation released a report outlining a new military service that would require at least a $10 billion budget.