Defense
USAF seeks ‘exact replica’ of Shahed drone to help develop defenses
Some U.S. companies are already showing off their versions.
New Golden Dome details emerge from industry day
Participants, and a Pentagon briefing deck, describe new roles for AI, new ideas for defensive satellites.
Space Force launches experimental satellite to inform future GPS
Delays with ULA’s Vulcan pushed back the launch nearly three years.
ULA’s heavy-lift rocket prepares to launch first Space Force mission
The company plans to loft nine missions this year, down from the once-hoped-for 20.
Anduril becomes third US supplier of rocket motors, company says
Annual production will grow to 6,000 motors by the end of next year, they say.
Lockheed Martin aims to test a missile-killing satellite by 2028
The company’s Golden Dome strategy mixes established missile defense tech with new concepts.
Lessons from this year’s unfunded priority lists
Just 15% of the value would go toward near-term readiness.
Space Force to launch ground target-tracking satellites ‘in the next year’
The new capability will first go to forces in the Indo-Pacific first.
Northrop unveils first cohort for autonomous flight tech program
Beacon is also a way for the blue chip defense hardware maker to share what it has learned over the years about autonomous flight with other companies.
Space Force choose 5 for $4B secure communications contract
The service branch is seeking to incorporate commercial solutions into its hybrid architecture that includes purpose-built satellites.
Secret spaceplane heading back to orbit to test quantum sensor, laser comms
The Boeing-built X-37B will depart on its eighth mission in August.
Exclusive
USAF won’t resume full F-35 buys until Lockheed wrings problems from upgrade: service chief
Gen. Allvin says the decision flows from new DOD priorities.
Command-and-control upgrade will ‘vastly reduce’ anti-missile salvos, Northrop says
The company is also pitching its IBCS command-and-control system to run Golden Dome.
With USAF approval, Northrop resumes work on new ICBM silos
Company is also ground-testing Golden Dome interceptors and looking to speed B-21 production.
General Atomics plans robot wingman production for Europe
The news follows fellow CCA builder Anduril’s announcement to partner with Rheinmetall.
Drones are now bullets: How a new Pentagon policy may accelerate robot warfare
The new policy also allows more units to buy drones, which should boost the demand signal to industry.
Allies struggle to work with US military in space operations, GAO finds
An excess of overlapping roles, classification, and unfilled jobs are hurting U.S. collaboration with partners in space.
Army aims to quadruple Patriot missile procurement
Move comes amid conflict with Iran, questions about aid to Ukraine.
How the National Guard’s domestic missions build deterrence
The Guard’s citizen-soldiers and -airmen boost American resiliency, complicating any adversary’s calculations.
Kremlin gloats about US weapons pause to Ukraine
The halt in aid speaks to a shifting view of the threat Putin poses.
