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7 Best Defense Stocks to Buy Now

By U.S. News & World Report

U.S. military spending under the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act hit $900.6 billion. Considering the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the war between Russia and Ukraine and heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, global military spending is unlikely to slow down any time soon.

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Investors typically consider defense stocks to be safe, reliable and recession-resistant investments. Many of these companies are locked into long-term government contracts that make their revenue and earnings outlooks stable and predictable. Here are seven of the best defense stocks to buy now, according to Morgan Stanley:

GE Aerospace (GE)

GE Aerospace supplies jet engines and services around the world and currently has an installed base of roughly 30,000 military and 50,000 commercial aircraft engines. The company’s Defense & Propulsion Technologies business designs, produces and services jet engines, associated electrical systems, and components for governments, commercial airframes and militaries. Analyst Kristine Liwag says GE’s stock price weakness so far in 2026 is a buying opportunity given the company’s potential for upside earnings revisions if a resolution to the Iran conflict brings down oil prices. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $400 price target for GE stock, which closed at $297.45 on May 12.

RTX Corp. (RTX)

RTX is the defense behemoth created by the 2020 merger of Raytheon and United Technologies. The company’s Collins and Pratt & Whitney subsidiaries are more focused on the commercial aerospace industry, but its Raytheon subsidiary develops advanced sensors and provides training, software and cybersecurity solutions for the U.S. intelligence community and the Department of War. Liwag says RTX is benefiting from robust end-market demand and is her top aerospace stock pick. She says RTX’s outperforming defense business will fuel margin expansion and long-term growth. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $220 price target for RTX stock, which closed at $178.89 on May 12.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM)

Howmet Aerospace manufactures lightweight metal products, specializing in jet engine components, titanium structural parts, aerospace fastening systems and forged wheels. The company also provides defense solutions to its military partners, such as precision machining, integrated program management and metals expertise. Liwag anticipates Howmet’s pricing power, strong competitive positioning, recent strategic acquisitions and reliable execution will help the company expand its margins and maintain industry-leading growth. In addition, she says Howmet has a strong financial position that allows for significant financial flexibility and additional capital deployment opportunities. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $315 price target for HWM stock, which closed at $269.76 on May 12.

[Read: 7 Best Semiconductor ETFs to Buy in 2023]

General Dynamics Corp. (GD)

General Dynamics is a diversified aerospace and defense company that produces a wide range of products, including Gulfstream jets, Abrams tanks and nuclear submarines. The majority of the company’s revenue comes from the U.S. government, particularly its large contracts with the Department of War. Liwag says General Dynamics’ Aerospace book-to-bill ratio of about 1.2x has reassured investors concerned Middle East customers would pull back on Gulfstream spending. Liwag says the defense segment is experiencing elevated demand and General Dynamics is outperforming its peers in 2026. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $435 price target for GD stock, which closed at $346.46 on May 12.

Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC)

Northrop Grumman is one of the world’s largest weapons and military technology producers. The company’s Defense Systems segment provides battle management and missile systems products and services, while its Mission Systems segment focuses on airborne sensors and networks, as well as other military and intelligence mission solutions. Liwag says Northrop recently upped its capital expenditures outlook for 2026 due to larger-than-expected B-21 Raider investments. However, she says Northrop’s missile and missile defense technology businesses and its B-21 program position Northrop well for the current military spending environment. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $745 price target for NOC stock, which closed at $558.30 on May 12.

TransDigm Group Inc. (TDG)

TransDigm designs and manufactures original aircraft parts sold to manufacturers. The company also produces aftermarket replacement parts sold to commercial and military aircraft operators. In recent years, TransDigm has announced several significant buyouts, including acquiring SEI Industries, Raptor Scientific, and the components and subsystems business of Communications & Power Industries. Liwag says investors are too pessimistic about aerospace commercial aftermarket weakness, and TransDigm is the most attractively valued stock among aerospace and defense peers. The company’s recent guidance hike suggests limited negative impact from elevated oil prices. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $1,680 price target for TDG stock, which closed at $1,191.19 on May 12.

L3Harris Technologies Inc. (LHX)

L3Harris Technologies is an aerospace and defense company focused on technology-driven mission solutions. The company’s leading defense products include airborne ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and electronic warfare systems, precision-guided munitions and propulsion products, communication systems, integrated vision solutions, and space and missile defense technologies. Liwag says strong international growth helped L3Harris generate an impressive book-to-bill ratio of 1.4x in the first quarter. She says the company’s Space & Missions Systems business was a particular standout in the quarter, and she sees L3Harris’ guidance as overly conservative. Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating and $390 price target for LHX stock, which closed at $309.47 on May 12.

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7 Best Defense Stocks to Buy Now originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 05/13/26: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

Trump secretly switched planes in Turkey amid security concerns, official says

By CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump secretly slipped out of Turkey last month on an alternate military plane, which he boarded while hidden inside a catering truck, as part of an elaborate ruse prompted by an Iranian threat, according to a US official.The clandestine security plan — first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by CNN — underscored the lengths American officials went to in order to protect Trump from being assassinated by Iran.Trump had flown to Turkey on a new plane gifted by Qatar and meant to be used as Air Force One. But while he was on the trip, officials announced he would fly out on an older presidential plane, which CNN and others had previously reported was due to security concerns.That, though, was apparently part of the subterfuge. After boarding the older aircraft, a moment caught on camera, Trump secretly got off via the catering vehicle and moved to a smaller Air Force C-32A. The Qatari-gifted plane, the older aircraft used as Air Force One, and the C-32A then all departed separately for the UK. Once there, Trump got on board the Qatari-gifted plane and flew home.For the last month, much of the public discussion about the plane swap had been centered around the security capabilities of the Qatar-donated plane. Trump had boasted about the new aircraft — even though officials felt it was not as secure as other planes because it had to be retrofitted to serve as Air Force One — and the president seethed privately over coverage of its deficiencies, CNN previously reported.Now, attention is likely to shift to reporters and staffers unknowingly being aboard a decoy plane — and the nature of the threat that prompted such dramatic security measures.When asked about the reports of the secret plane switch, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung told CNN, “The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff. As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats.”Details from the presidential travel pool — a group of journalists who travel with the president and document his movements — provide a closer look at the unusual sequence of events surrounding Trump’s departure from Turkey following a consequential NATO Summit.Trump was aboard the old Air Force One in Ankara as of 8:26 p.m. local time, according to a pool report.Air Force One was wheels up at 8:43 p.m. local time, according to a subsequent pool report, 17 minutes later.The pool was also “advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed,” according to a print pool note from Politico’s Megan Messerly. This is extraordinarily unusual, and seemed indicative of a security situation; Trump would later say it was “because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with.”A supplemental pool note from ABC’s Michelle Stoddart on Tuesday, sent in light of the secret plane revelation, noted that a Secret Secret agent came back to the press cabin to remind the media to keep the shades closed. When a photographer attempted to lift a shade, they were quickly told to lower it again. And when the press inquired with White House staff about why, they only said it was a request from Secret Service.Video shows what appeared to be a catering truck parked next to Air Force One at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport during that time, about seven minutes before the aircraft begins taxiing.The plane then was “wheels down” at RAF Mildenhall in England at 10:29 p.m. local time. But it wasn’t until roughly 20 minutes later that the pool notified news networks that an underwing shot — a camera angle from underneath the wing of the plane — was being set up to capture the president deplaning.That is an unusually long period of time — and it’s enough that Trump theoretically would be able to get off the smaller plane and back on Air Force One before cameras could capture it. For comparison, CNN was part of the pool on Sunday, when it took roughly eight minutes between wheels down and the underwing shot to be established.Trump was seen stepping off Air Force One about one minute after the pool alerted that the underwing shot was up.That timing was notably faster than what CNN crews typically experience. Usually, it takes several minutes for the president to deplane after the pool crew has assembled under the aircraft. The pool is generally in position before the first Air Force One door is opened and the stairs for the president are put into place.CNN reviewed pool video from Mildenhall that showed the stair car already in position and the aircraft door already open when the pool shot came up. There also appeared to be more security personnel on the tarmac than CNN crews are accustomed to seeing.Trump later boarded the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One at 11:01 p.m., according to pool notes. The pool captured video of the president walking from one aircraft to the other.CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and photojournalist Khalil Abdallah noted that when they traveled as part of the pool covering Davos and had to turn around and board a new aircraft due to what officials described as a minor electrical issue, the White House did not allow the CNN crew to film Trump transferring between planes. Instead, the crew was instructed to wait until he had boarded the new aircraft.During the flight on the Qatari gifted plane, Trump was asked what prompted the aircraft switch.Trump had said the change was to give US service members stationed at the base “a chance to tour the Aircraft.” Pressed on whether there were any other issues, Trump quickly responded, “no issues.”Trump was also asked why reporters had been instructed to lower the window shades on the aircraft.He said it was “because you’re probably on a dangerous flight.”“They didn’t ask me to close mine, but if they did, I would’ve done it,” Trump added.“But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump said. “Perhaps someday you want to change professions”Trump ultimately landed at Joint Base Andrews and deplaned Air Force One at 1:23 am ET.“He saluted and quickly loaded into the Beast,” a pool note said.This story was updated with additional reporting.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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