Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO Eric Fanning argues in this opinion piece that "right to repair" provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act could undermine defense innovation by forcing contractors to share intellectual property. Fanning says that this could deter investment in new technologies and increase costs for the government. "Our defense industrial base isn't just a supplier; it's also a strategic partner," Fanning writes. "Undermining the incentive to innovate will have long-term consequences for military readiness and technological superiority."

Congress has voted to reopen the government, maintaining budget levels until Jan. 30 and giving the Pentagon an 11-week window to advance key initiatives before the next budget showdown. Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta notes that the temporary funding measure includes additional money for programs such as the E-7 Wedgetail and Navy shipbuilding.

Boeing has received an $876 million contract from the U.S. Army to deliver up to 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, including logistics, training and engineering support. The helicopters will be produced in Pennsylvania, with the contract completion slated for 2035.

Northrop Grumman has secured a $303.6 million contract from the Air Force to support F-16 radar component repairs for foreign military sales. The contract, set to run through November 2030, will benefit countries including Bahrain, Bulgaria, Greece, South Korea, Slovakia, Taiwan, Morocco and Jordan.

The British Army has received the first 55 units of ground-based surveillance radars from Elbit Systems UK, part of a 2023 order for 90 units. The remainder of the 90-unit 2023 order is expected to be delivered before the end of this year.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has initiated a public consultation on a legal framework for the use of AI technology in aviation. The first step involves Notice of Proposed Amendment 2025-07, which offers technical guidance in line with the EU AI Act. This consultation aims to gather feedback on the proposed structure and requirements, ensuring the framework reflects the needs and concerns of the aviation sector regarding AI technologies.

Archer Aviation has partnered with LA28 and Team USA to use air taxis to transport people between venues during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Demonstration flights are slated for next year with Archer's Midnight air taxi. Archer also has acquired Hawthorne Airport, which is near major Olympic venues, to serve as an operational hub.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket has launched the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission is the second of three planned for Viasat's Ka-band communications satellite constellation.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is seeking optical signal processing technology to track objects in cislunar space. The initiative aims to address the gap in monitoring spacecraft near the moon as part of a broader effort by the U.S. military to enhance situational awareness in lunar space amid a new space race with China.