The Defense Department is pursuing a block buy of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets with a contract modification that includes a $6 billion payment to Lockheed. "This contracting funding strategy provides stability and a steady production rate over a defined period of time which enables industry to plan and make investments that reduce overall cost and achieve greater manufacturing efficiencies," the F-35 Joint Program Office says.

An Air Force study of electronic warfare capabilities should be completed in January. "If you don't dominate the spectrum, you quickly resort to a World War II Army or Navy or Marine Corps or Air Force," said Gen. Stephen Wilson.

Germany and France are setting initial requirements for a joint future fighter jet that is expected in the 2040s. "In terms of the basic design requirements, a system-of-systems will be the key characteristic, but the list [of requirements] is not complete and is a living document," Luftwaffe Brig. Gen. Gerald Funke says.

Under Boeing's ownership, Aurora Flight Sciences has built a solar-powered drone with a 243-foot wingspan. The Odysseus will undergo flight testing in Puerto Rico next year.

Sources say Delta Air Lines is the customer behind a recent $3 billion Airbus order for 10 A330neo passenger planes.

Saudi Arabia's Flyadeal airline will choose between the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo, announcing its 30-jet order by the end of November.

Northrop Grumman is launching its Cygnus supply capsule aboard the Antares rocket to the International Space Station today. Russia, meanwhile, is planning to launch its Soyuz rocket for an ISS resupply mission on Friday.

Experts say NASA's mission to return to the moon will benefit a future Mars mission. "You can use the moon very creatively to enable Mars," NASA's Rick Davis says.

The Army is pursuing the development of small satellites with contractor Dynetics under the Gunsmoke-L program.

China's prominence in making networking equipment could threaten US security, according to a report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. US infrastructure and consumer devices made in China may be vulnerable to attack.