The aerospace and defense sectors are witnessing a transformative phase marked by the culmination of groundbreaking programs and technologies. Recent developments in December 2025 highlight significant milestones, including finalists in collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) programs, final deliveries of advanced unmanned systems, and breakthroughs in missile technologies. This article delves into these ‘final’ developments that are reshaping the landscape of military aviation and defense strategies.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program Finalists

The CCA program, aimed at enhancing air dominance through innovative technologies, has reached pivotal stages with the announcement of its finalists. Among these, Anduril’s Fury and General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Gambit have emerged as frontrunners.

Anduril’s Fury

Achieving its first semi-autonomous flight on October 31, 2025, the Fury represents a significant evolution in combat aircraft design, reaching this milestone just 556 days post clean-sheet design. Its emphasis on affordable mass production is indicative of modern military requirements for scalability and efficiency. The Fury is designed to operate seamlessly with existing air force assets, utilizing an Advanced Sensor Module that integrates a three-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetic sensor for exceptional stability in varied flight conditions.

General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Gambit

The Gambit took flight on August 27, 2025, marking it as the first CCA prototype from its family to undergo extensive flight testing. Its production-representative design focuses on advanced capabilities, including an integrated Control System that features automatic exposure control and external triggering capabilities, enhancing its operational flexibility.

As the U.S. Air Force announced on December 22, 2025, the selection of nine additional vendors for the next phase of the CCA program signifies a robust commitment to advancing air combat technologies beyond these initial finalists.

Final Deliveries and Historic Firsts in Unmanned Systems

December 2025 also saw historic advancements in unmanned systems with significant final deliveries that underscore the urgency for innovation in air combat training and operational capabilities.

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat

On December 8, 2025, Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat made headlines by successfully live-firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile in an autonomous engagement with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A and F/A-18F aircraft. This operation not only showcases the Ghost Bat’s capability to engage targets autonomously but also emphasizes the importance of integrating unmanned systems with manned platforms for enhanced combat effectiveness.

U.S. Air Force QF-16

On December 5, 2025, the U.S. Air Force received its final QF-16 full-scale aerial target drone, marking a critical transition in air combat training. The QF-16 is equipped with advanced flight control systems and sensors, enabling it to simulate enemy aircraft effectively, thereby providing invaluable training for fighter pilots.

T-7A Red Hawk

Also on December 5, 2025, the first T-7A Red Hawk was delivered to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. This advanced trainer is set to revolutionize pilot training with its high-G tolerance and advanced simulation capabilities, ensuring that future pilots are adequately prepared for the complexities of modern aerial warfare.

Advancements in Missile and Strike Systems

Missile technology continues to evolve, driven by the need for precision and extended range in strike capabilities.

Lockheed Martin’s Extended-Range GMLRS

On December 18, 2025, Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated the Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) with a flight test reaching an impressive 112 kilometers. This test at White Sands Missile Range underscores the system’s enhanced precision strike capability, critical for modern battlefield scenarios.

U.S. JASSM-ER Sale to Italy

Additionally, a Congressional notification on December 5, 2025, announced a sale of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) to Italy, valued at up to $301 million. This transaction will bolster Italy’s capabilities for deep strike operations, enhancing its defense posture.

Kratos MACH-TB 2.0 Hypersonic Testbed

Securing a $1.45 billion contract in January 2025, the Kratos MACH-TB 2.0 Hypersonic Testbed continues to advance multi-service hypersonic testing. With capabilities for subscale, full-scale, and air-launch operations, this testbed is pivotal for developing next-generation hypersonic weapons.

Notable International Developments

Internationally, advancements are also noteworthy. Türkiye’s ANKA III Stealth Drone achieved critical autonomous capability milestones on December 8, 2025, further emphasizing the global race in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies.

Conclusion

The recent developments in aerospace and defense signify a paradigm shift in military capabilities, particularly emphasizing the integration of unmanned systems, advanced strike technologies, and collaborative efforts among various defense contractors. As programs like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft evolve, and final deliveries are made, the industry is poised for significant advancements that will shape the future of air combat and defense strategies. The integration of sophisticated technologies such as high-performance MEMS accelerometers and precision accelerometers will be critical in ensuring that the military maintains a strategic edge in an increasingly complex operational environment. The strides made in December 2025 reflect a commitment to innovation that is likely to accelerate in the coming years, driving the aerospace and defense sectors toward new horizons.

References

1. Daily Report | Air & Space Forces Magazine (www.airandspaceforces.com) - 12/30/2025 The Daily Report will go on a holiday break and not publish from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2. We’ll be back in your inboxes Jan. 5, 2026.

2. 2025 in review: Air Force - Defense One (www.defenseone.com) - 12/29/2025 Air Force leaders axe major China-focused organizational efforts. The service continues to unravel its “reoptimization for Great Power …

3. Best Defense Tech of 2025 (defenseacquisition.substack.com) - 12/27/2025 Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat achieved a historic first on December 8, 2025, by live-firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM to successfully destroy a target drone …

4. Newsroom News Releases - Lockheed Martin (news.lockheedmartin.com) - 12/22/2025 WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2025 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to …

5. Last Week in Defense Technology - December 8 - 12, 2025 - YouTube (www.youtube.com) - 12/13/2025 Catch up on last week’s top stories in defense technology — U.S. Special Operations Command moved to experiment with agentic artificial …

6. Defense News Aerospace 2025 - Results from #75 - Army Recognition (www.armyrecognition.com) - 12/11/2025 On 5 December 2025, the U.S. Air Force marked a symbolic turning point in its air combat training by taking delivery of the final QF-16 full-scale … Read more.

7. 25AERP12 : Aerospace & Defense Technology: December 2025 (www.sae.org) - 12/3/2025 Nuclear microreactors could improve the performance of electric propulsion systems in spacecraft. Controlling Heat Spikes in Electric Aircraft …

8. Tectonic Defense: Home (www.tectonicdefense.com) - 5/30/2025 Air Force Taps Nine Vendors for the CCA Program’s Next Round. December 22, 2025 December 22, 2025. Tech · Picogrid and CX2 Team Up at Scarlet Dragon. December …

9. DefenseScoop | Breaking US Military Tech News, Modern Defense … (defensescoop.com) - 1/19/2023 … December 22, 2025. President Donald Trump on December 22 announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself — an honor usually …