Citing China's efforts to steal US intellectual property, the Pentagon says it will consider security when selecting contractors. "We must establish security as a fourth pillar in defense acquisition and also create incentives for industry to embrace security, not as a cost burden, but as a major factor in their competitiveness for US government business," said Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Kari Bingen.

BAE Systems CEO Jerry DeMuro says his company focuses on facts, not political rhetoric, when charting its course. "The facts are the budget went up $300 billion. The facts are investment accounts went up $21 billion. The facts are we know what the gaps are. We know what the priorities are, and we're trying to align our portfolio with that," he said.

"It's time for the US to crack the whip" on development of hypersonic weapons and other defense technologies, says former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work. He notes that China "is coming uncomfortably close to achieving technological parity with the US."

Germany is looking at the Lockheed Martin F-35, Boeing F-15 and F-18 and Eurofigher Typhoon as possible replacements for its aging Tornado aircraft and could narrow the field soon.

NASA is moving forward with developing technology that will allow drones to share commercial airspace now that its Ikhana drone has had a successful solo flight.

Bombardier is confident it can take a 50% market share with its updated CRJ 900, which competes with the Embraer E175. Bombardier recently received an order for 20 CRJ 900s from Delta Air Lines.

A survey by the Pew Research Center finds that 77% of respondents have faith that private space firms will develop safe, reliable spacecraft.

The Air Force has certified the SpaceX Falcon Heavy for a classified satellite launch, the first national security launch for the rocket. SpaceX offered a launch-services price of $130 million.

The Trump administration plans to move all background investigations to the Pentagon after taking the responsibility for security clearance checks away from the Office of Personnel Management. The Defense Information Systems Agency is at work reducing a massive security clearance backlog.

Turkey has received its first F-35 fighter jet, but the delivery of more is in question due to the country's ties with Russia and its human rights record. The US Senate's latest defense policy bill blocks delivery of F-35s in the future.