Science & Tech
AI, satellites, and Golden Dome shine in new House-passed defense bill
The House version of the NDAA takes aim at acquisition and requirements processes that have long bedeviled both Congress and the military.
The Pentagon will host a ‘Top Gun’ school for Ukraine-style attack drones
The Defense Department is hoping for “American drone dominance”—but that’s easier said than done.
Firefly files for initial public offering
The eight-year-old maker of launch vehicles and other spacecraft gives a deeper look at its business for the first time, as is required before the listing completes.
Updated
Pentagon awards multiple companies $200M contracts for AI tools
Four tech firms just won big.
Secure comms with allies is hard. The Pentagon wants to change that
The department is working on an effort to streamline a complex set of classified networks they use with allies and partners.
Spat over Europe’s next-gen fighter program spills over at Paris Air Show
Public bickering between France and Germany doesn’t bode well for the continent’s efforts to build up military capability.
F-35 engine upgrade hits delay, casting doubt on timeline
Critical design review has been pushed back a year, according to Pratt & Whitney.
As CCAs make international debut, companies pitch European co-production
General Atomics said their robot wingman offering will be “far less than $20 million” a pop.
Americans more concerned about nuclear Iran than illegal immigration, survey finds
Public support continues to rise for U.S. leadership abroad in Reagan Institute poll.
China is bringing gray-zone warfare to space
Space is increasingly looking like the South China Sea.
Voyager fetches $383M in public offering
Substantially all of the proceeds will go toward Starlab, which the six-year-old company is offering NASA as a replacement for the International Space Station.
Omni Federal awarded $427M background check IT modernization contract
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency sought a managed service provider amid ongoing efforts to enroll all federal employees in continuous vetting.
Anduril's Series G round and more venture moves to highlight
The venture arms of Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Science Applications International Corp. and RTX feature in this snapshot of new investment rounds focused on automation, facility access, semiconductors and space.
Amentum wins $4B Space Force range contract
Space Force officials set up this recompete to support its ongoing work on transforming a pair of ranges into spaceports for government and commercial operators.
Army scrambles to improve drone training
One unit created its own virtual trainer with software used by Ukrainian troops.
Pentagon pushes US dronemakers to innovate as quickly as Ukraine does
DIU’s Project GI initiative aims to embed frontline insights into a perpetual loop of design, testing, and deployment.
Hegseth halves staff of Pentagon’s testing-oversight office
The move may reduce the quality of DOT&E’s second opinions, but may not affect safety, former officials said.
NOAA keeps 3 incumbents for $250M coastal mapping contract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses this program to aid in decisions regarding flood risks and transportation, among other uses.
Army prepping for Pacific conflict with prepositioned equipment, logistics hubs
Moving weapons, ammunition, fuel, and even water around the vast theater will be a huge challenge.
Space Force narrows the field in $100M terminal competition
Three companies are tasked to develop prototypes of the terminals, which Space Force will evaluate for interoperability and fit into a future data transport network.
