Craig Langford
BAE wins DARPA deal to advance autonomous space surveillance
BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development arm has been awarded a $16 million Phase 2 contract under DARPA’s Oversight programme, which aims to build an autonomous system capable of maintaining continuous custody of large numbers of ground targets.
Royal Navy tests quantum navigation in Arctic
The Royal Navy is testing multiple quantum systems across the fleet, but officials stress that no replacement for GPS is imminent.
First Jupiter HC2 enters UK service ahead of deployment
The first Jupiter HC2 helicopter has begun flying operations at RAF Benson, marking its entry into UK service and the start of a programme that will replace ageing Bell 212 and 412 aircraft in Brunei and Cyprus from early 2026.
British forces deployed worldwide on Christmas Day
Thousands of British Armed Forces personnel will remain deployed or on standby across the globe on Christmas Day, continuing operations that span Europe, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, British Overseas Territories and the UK itself.
Troops remain on duty over Christmas
Around 19,000 British Armed Forces personnel will remain on duty or on standby over the Christmas period, including large numbers based in Scotland, as the UK maintains military readiness at home and overseas.
MOD cites family life and civilian jobs in troop exits
The Ministry of Defence has said that pressures on family life and opportunities outside the military remain the primary reasons personnel leave the armed forces, despite recent improvements in recruitment and retention.
RAF engineer retention scheme for F-35 costs £113.5m
The Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the RAF’s Financial Retention Incentive for engineers supporting the UK’s F-35 Lightning programme is worth approximately £113.5 million.
UK rules out keeping Warrior armoured vehicles in service
The Ministry of Defence has ruled out any extension to the planned withdrawal of the Warrior armoured vehicle, confirming it will leave service in 2027 as scheduled.
Rolls-Royce opens new engine overhaul facility in China
Rolls-Royce has officially opened Beijing Aero Engine Services Limited, a new maintenance, repair and overhaul joint venture with Air China, expanding its global capacity for servicing large civil aircraft engines.
US personnel killed in ISIS ambush during Syria engagement
Two US service members and a US civilian interpreter were killed in Syria on 13 December after an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, according to US Central Command.










