It is tempting to speculate that Lockheed’s third-quarter, classified earnings windfall—accounting for 26% of a year-over-year, $502 million sales increase for Aeronautics—is based on something we already know about.

Ten NATO countries have linked arms for the development of short and medium range ground-based air defenses. 

With confirmation of an Oct. 16 test by Turkey of its Russian S-400 air defense system, the U.S. Defense Department again condemned the decision.

The Directorate’s Direct Attack Division published a broad agency announcement on Oct. 19 calling for a study of a next generation Global Precision Attack Weapon. 

The package of deals, worth an estimated $1.8 billion, follows the sale of 66 Lockheed F-16C/D Block 70 fighters to Taiwan, which was finalized in August. 

If National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien’s statement about the Arleigh Burke-class upgrade applies to the Conventional Prompt Strike program, it would imply a significant retrofit program.

“The SPEAR flight demonstrator will provide the F/A-18 Super Hornet and carrier strike group with significant improvements in range and survivability against advanced threat defensive systems,” said Steve Mercer, Boeing’s SPEAR program manager. 

A National Academy of Sciences committee has been formed to study the technical feasibility of the U.S. Army's Strategic Long-Range Cannon.