United Airlines Holdings has ordered 25 Boeing 737 Max jets as it accelerates deliveries of 40 737 Max aircraft the company previously ordered. The new planes will "help us to grow as demand returns," said Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella.

The US military's Indo-Pacific Command has completed a five-year plan for investment in the Pacific region meant to deter the rising threat from China. The plan includes $27.3 billion in expenditures, including for missile defense systems and other infrastructure.

The US Air Force is pursuing the first booster test of the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon as the service looks toward hypersonic missiles of the future. "The hypersonic cruise missile is, in my mind, a game changer," said Michael White, hypersonic research and development director for the Pentagon.

Boeing has confirmed it will use its Loyal Wingman as the basis for its US Air Force Skyborg prototype. Boeing, General Atomics and Kratos Defense have all received contracts to develop prototypes for the program.

Rolls-Royce's Accelerating the Electrification of Flight program, known as ACCEL, is approaching its first flight milestone after completing taxi tests. "Set to be the world's fastest electric plane, this pioneering aircraft highlights the value of close collaboration between industry and government," according to the company.

Rocket Lab has unveiled plans for the development of a larger rocket capable of carrying crews into space as the company prepares to go public. The Neutron rocket, capable of carrying payloads of eight metric tons, could launch by 2024.

Northrop Grumman will help the Space Development Agency gather data with the SDA's Persistent Infrared Payload on Northrop's next resupply mission to the International Space Station. This part of the mission will include the collection of data for the development of missile-tracking sensors.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the chamber will vote on the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package this week as Democrats attempt to have the bill signed into law before the expiration of federal unemployment benefits. Senate lawmakers are expected to change several of the bill's provisions, including removing language raising the minimum wage to $15 after the Senate parliamentarian said the provision was not compliant with budget rules.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., says he does not support any across-the-board cuts to defense and supports the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent being built by Northrop Grumman. "The bottom line is we can always look for ways to get better bang for the buck, and I do think we need to listen to the military and hold them accountable, just like we need to hold accountable the contractors out there," he said.

FedEx and UPS have begun moving shipments of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, which arrived at their hubs in Memphis, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., following Food and Drug Administration authorization. "I think a lot of people think of a shot as just a shot in the arm, but this is really a shot of hope and a light at the end of the tunnel, and a lot of us are welcoming that with open arms," said UPS pilot Alyse Adkins, a captain who has flown planes with previous vaccines.