U.S 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a contract worth up to $24.4 billion to accelerate production of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6). The Department of War announced the agreement as part of efforts to replenish missile stockpiles, expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. The contract covers five years, with two additional option years, providing long-term procurement certainty to support higher production, workforce expansion, facility investment, supply-chain improvements and cost savings. Specific missile quantities and delivery schedules have not been disclosed. Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said, “Maritime power requires weapons that are produced quickly and in large quantities.” Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey said the agreement would strengthen missile inventories and industrial production. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate fleet inventories, while Van Hendrey, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Munitions, linked the agreement to faster procurement and lower costs. Raytheon President Phil Jasper said the company has invested in facilities, its workforce and production automation to meet rising demand. Earlier framework agreements targeted annual SM-6 production of more than 500 missiles. The Navy's fiscal year 2027 budget request included $4.3 billion for 540 Standard Missiles.   SM-6 Specifications and Capabilities The SM-6 is a multi-mission missile measuring approximately 6.6 meters (21.6 feet) long and weighing around 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds). Its solid-fuel propulsion system includes a Mk 72 booster and Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor. The missile exceeds Mach 3, with publicly reported speeds reaching Mach 3.5, and has a publicly reported range exceeding 240 kilometers (150 miles). Some open-source estimates cite longer ranges depending on the variant and mission profile. It carries an approximately 64-kilogram blast-fragmentation warhead and uses inertial navigation, command updates, and active and semi-active radar homing. Integrated with the U.S. Navy's Aegis combat system, it can engage aircraft, cruise missiles and surface ships and intercept ballistic missiles during their terminal flight phase. Raytheon describes the SM-6 as the only combat-proven munition capable of performing anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and terminal-phase ballistic missile defense roles. It is deployed on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers through the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System. It has also been launched from land-based systems, including the U.S. Army's Typhon Mid-Range Capability launcher. Its air-launched derivative, the AIM-174B, is associated with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.   Combat Use and Wider Missile Production Between October 2023 and January 2025, U.S. Navy surface combatants fired 80 SM-6 interceptors while countering attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces against commercial and military shipping in the Middle East. The expenditure has contributed to efforts to replenish inventories and maintain sufficient missile supplies. The agreement follows a reported $20.7 billion AMRAAM contract signed in late September 2026, a recent Tomahawk weapon-system award and a $58.6 billion Lockheed Martin contract for Patriot interceptors awarded in July 2026. These contracts aim to provide sustained demand for expanding manufacturing facilities, hiring workers and strengthening critical-component supply chains. However, industry executives have noted that congressional appropriations are still necessary to fund new facilities and increased production capacity. The SM-6 award forms part of the wider U.S. effort to increase weapons output and maintain adequate inventories for military operations. The final production quantities and delivery schedule under the contract remain undisclosed.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-02 12:50:38

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force is seeking a dedicated missile warning system (MWS) for its F-15EX Eagle II fighter fleet to improve the aircraft's ability to detect incoming missiles, particularly infrared-guided heat-seeking weapons. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate issued a sources-sought notice on September 29, 2026, requesting information on an operationally qualified missile launch and approach warning system that can be rapidly integrated into the F-15EX. The system must provide timely warnings while limiting false alarms.   F-15EX Already Has Provisions for an MWS Although the F-15EX entered service without a dedicated missile warning system, the aircraft already has infrastructure for one. The Air Force requires a proposed system to use six existing sensor locations. Two are horn-like positions below the cockpit canopy, two are located near the ends of the tail booms, and two provide additional upward and downward coverage. The aircraft already has associated data and power wiring and cooling provisions. The system must connect with the existing MIL-STD-1553 data bus and be installable and removable by Air Force maintenance personnel in the field without broader aircraft configuration changes.   Closing an Infrared Detection Gap The F-15EX is equipped with BAE Systems' Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), which is designed mainly to detect, locate and counter radar-based threats. However, infrared-homing missiles do not need to transmit radar signals. A dedicated MWS uses electro-optical sensors to detect missile launches and approaching threats, providing aircrews additional time to deploy flares, use other countermeasures or maneuver. The F-15EX's requirement is notable because related export versions already have missile warning capability. The F-15QA operated by Qatar and F-15SA operated by Saudi Arabia, which are related to the F-15EX design, use missile warning systems. Singapore's F-15SG also has such capability. One system used on the F-15SA and F-15QA is the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) from BAE Systems. Versions of the AN/AAR-57 are also used on U.S. Army AH-64, UH-60 and CH-47 helicopters. The Air Force notice, however, does not specify the AN/AAR-57 or any other system.   Recent Combat Experience The requirement follows recent combat experience involving infrared-guided threats. In April 2026, an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran. Reports indicated that a shoulder-fired heat-seeking surface-to-air missile, or MANPADS, was involved. The F-15E also lacks a dedicated MWS, and reports indicated that its defensive system provided only about half a second of warning. In Yemen, Houthi forces have also used infrared-related targeting capabilities and have claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15SA, which is equipped with a missile warning system. The incident shows that an MWS provides an additional defensive capability but does not eliminate the threat from infrared-guided weapons.   F-15EX Fleet The Air Force had 22 F-15EX aircraft in its inventory as of late September 2026 and plans to operate approximately 267 to 268 aircraft. Boeing is under contract to build 120 aircraft. On September 29, the Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 additional F-15EX fighters under Lot 7, bringing the contracted total to 120. Individual aircraft cost more than $100 million, excluding separately purchased engines. The current MWS effort remains in the market-research phase and is not a commitment to purchase a specific system. Industry responses to the notice are due by November 12, 2026. The Air Force has not yet identified a preferred system or announced a contract award timeline.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 16:02:33

 U.S 

OAK HARBOR, Wash. — The U.S. Navy recently evaluated the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SeaGuardian at the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) Commander’s Operational Group (COG) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) in Oak Harbor, Washington. The evaluation focused on how the SeaGuardian can support wide-area maritime surveillance, patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. The Navy is assessing the aircraft as a potential “force multiplier” for the MPRF and as part of an ongoing capability assessment supporting the U.S. 7th Fleet. The SeaGuardian is the maritime variant of the MQ-9B Group 5 remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). The Navy currently operates it under a Company-Owned, Company-Operated (COCO) contract with GA-ASI. This arrangement allows the Navy to conduct capability assessments and evaluate the aircraft in operational scenarios. The MQ-9B SeaGuardian has supported aircraft carrier pre-deployment workups and participated in major fleet exercises, including Northern Edge and the Integrated Battle Problem. The aircraft has also been displayed alongside the crewed P-8A Poseidon to demonstrate how uncrewed and crewed maritime patrol aircraft can operate as part of the same force.   Anti-Submarine Warfare and Surveillance SeaGuardian is designed to take on long-endurance maritime surveillance missions and support crewed maritime patrol aircraft. In its standard maritime surveillance and ASW configuration, the aircraft has a 1,200-nautical-mile mission radius. The aircraft uses an open-architecture system equipped with a centerline wide-area maritime radar, electronic support measures and a self-contained ASW mission kit. For ASW missions, four wing stations can carry up to four sonobuoy dispenser pods. The configuration can carry, release and monitor up to 40 A-size or 80 G-size sonobuoys, with operators managing the data from a single remotely piloted aircraft. The SeaGuardian can provide operational and acoustic data to naval command centers, supporting the detection and tracking of underwater and surface threats. Its modular sensor configuration can also support missions such as search and rescue, disaster relief and law enforcement. The latest evaluation at Whidbey Island is part of the Navy's continuing assessment of how the MQ-9B SeaGuardian could expand the capabilities of its maritime patrol and reconnaissance forces.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 15:34:34

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — A suspected China-aligned hacking group has impersonated U.S. artificial intelligence and foreign policy experts in an effort to target fewer than 10 people involved in AI regulation, national strategy and export controls, according to cybersecurity firm Proofpoint   Targets Included Think Tanks, Universities and Law Firms Proofpoint identified the group as TA419. Its targets included individuals working at think tanks, universities, defense companies and law firms in the United States and Japan. The campaign appeared focused on people involved in AI policymaking and related national-security issues.   Hackers Impersonated Former U.S. Officials The hackers impersonated prominent experts, including Lynne Parker, a former principal deputy director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Heidi Crebo-Rediker, a former State Department economist. The attackers initially sent emails proposing legitimate-looking AI collaborations. Some invited recipients to join a fictitious “AI Policy Advisory Committee,” while others referred to a supposed Senate report on AI export controls and supply chains. After communication was established, the hackers directed targets to websites designed to steal cloud account passwords.   Alex Engler Was Among the Targets Reuters identified Alex Engler, head of the Penn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy and a former White House official, as one of the targets. Engler received an email appearing to come from Parker that invited him to participate in an AI policy project. He told Reuters the message “felt slightly, nebulously off.” After consulting colleagues, he determined that the email was an impersonation. Parker confirmed that Engler was one of two people who reported receiving suspicious messages using her identity.   TA419 Has Conducted Similar Campaigns Proofpoint said TA419 has conducted similar targeting operations since at least 2025, including against organizations and experts working on AI and national-security issues. Proofpoint assesses TA419 as a China-aligned, espionage-motivated group. China has previously denied conducting cyberespionage operations. Parker told Reuters that the alleged targeting is consistent with the wider competition between the United States and China over AI and AI policy.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 15:19:28

 U.S 

AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Navy has awarded Saronic Technologies a production agreement for 10 Marauder autonomous vessels, part of an initial order for 30 Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (MUSVs) following successful at-sea testing. The Navy awarded production agreements for 10 vessels each to Saronic, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Galliano Marine Services. The service lists an average procurement cost of about $40 million per vessel, which would put 10 vessels at roughly $400 million based on that average. However, neither the Navy nor Saronic disclosed the exact value of Saronic's agreement. The awards use Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, a contracting method intended to move faster than traditional procurement. Production is set to begin immediately at shipyards in Louisiana, with deliveries expected to begin as early as the fourth quarter of fiscal 2027.   Marauder Design and Capabilities Saronic's Marauder is a 55-meter (180-foot) autonomous vessel designed mainly for logistics and modular payload transportation. It can carry up to 150 metric tons, including four 40-foot or eight 20-foot shipping containers. The vessel cruises at 12 knots and can exceed 25 knots at sprint speed. Its listed range is 5,400 nautical miles (10,000 km) with a light load and 4,100 nautical miles (7,600 km) when fully loaded. Marauder can operate autonomously or under remote human supervision. During Navy testing, Marauder completed more than 140 test scenarios without failure during eight days of continuous operations. It demonstrated autonomous maneuvering around maritime traffic and detected, tracked and followed vessels using passive onboard sensors while keeping its radar switched off, reducing active electronic emissions. “Marauder went from initial design to on-the-water in under a year, and this evaluation demonstrated that the platform holds up under the Navy’s own toughest testing,” Saronic CEO and co-founder Dino Mavrookas said. Mavrookas said Saronic has now flipped its third Marauder hull, with several more moving through production.   Production Expansion Saronic launched its first Marauder in May 2026 at its shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana. The company is investing $300 million at the facility to construct three new slips and establish a dedicated production line, with a long-term goal of producing up to 20 Marauders annually. Finished vessels are transported to the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi, for final testing and commissioning. Saronic is also developing its planned Port Alpha shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, where the company has a separate Navy contract to construct landing craft utility vessels.   Navy's MUSV Marketplace The production awards follow Phase One of the Navy's MUSV Marketplace, launched in March 2026 after the service ended its earlier Modular Attack Surface Craft prototyping effort. Under the “fly before you buy” approach, companies funded development of their vessels and had to pass Navy at-sea evaluations before receiving production opportunities. Seven companies were selected for testing in May: Saronic, HII, Galliano Marine Services, Leidos, PacMar Technologies, Sea Machines and Birdon. Six successfully completed testing, while Birdon did not advance. Saronic, HII and Galliano received the initial 30-vessel production awards. Leidos, PacMar Technologies and Sea Machines each received $15 million after completing the prototype phase and were added to an online marketplace where U.S. defense organizations can place follow-on orders. HII will provide 10 vessels from its Romulus family, while Galliano Marine Services, affiliated with Edison Chouest Offshore, will deliver another 10. Production locations include Loreauville, Houma and Franklin, Louisiana. The Navy is funding the first 30 vessels with money provided through the previous year's reconciliation law. The service has also opened Phase Two, covering additional MUSV designs, including larger logistics vessels. The requirements allow vessels up to 90 meters long that can operate unmanned for at least 10 days and carry at least two standard 20-foot containers. The first phase has also faced a legal challenge from Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone, two companies that were not selected for testing. They argue that the Navy did not follow its stated criteria when selecting the initial competitors. The Marauder is Saronic's second major Navy production program. The company already holds a $392 million contract to produce its 7-meter (24-foot) Corsair autonomous boat. Earlier this year, Saronic raised $1.75 billion, bringing its valuation to $9.25 billion.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 14:40:41

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is facing growing pressure on its communications networks as military space sensors generate far more data than they did two decades ago. A new 37-page report by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, titled “War at the Speed of Information: Data Transport, Decision Advantage, & the Future of Military Space Communications,” warns that communications capacity must expand alongside the rapid growth of space-based sensors. The report, authored by retired Air Force Col. Jennifer K. Reeves, says military space sensors now generate up to 200 times more data than they did 20 years ago. Much of this information still moves through legacy radio-frequency (RF) links, which were developed when satellite numbers and data requirements were much lower. The report notes that elements of the Space Force's Satellite Control Network have faced sustained demand for more than a decade. Its newest major ground station was completed in 1991, when fewer than 2,000 operational satellites existed worldwide. By May 31, 2026, more than 16,900 active satellites were orbiting Earth.   Report Calls for Laser Communications The Mitchell Institute recommends accelerating the use of optical, or laser, communications to increase data-transport capacity. According to the report, laser links can transmit data 10 to 40 times faster than traditional RF systems, while their beams can be nearly 1,000 times narrower. The narrower beams can make communications harder to detect, intercept or jam. Optical systems also operate at higher frequencies and avoid some of the spectrum limitations affecting RF systems, while generally requiring less size, weight and power. The report does not propose replacing RF communications completely. Instead, it recommends hybrid RF-optical networks, combining the flexibility of RF systems with the higher capacity and narrow beams of optical communications. The Space Development Agency (SDA) is already installing optical communications terminals on satellites in its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The Space Force has also requested fiscal 2027 funding for the Space Data Network to expand hybrid commercial-government data transport.   Laser Links Still Face Challenges Optical communications require highly accurate pointing between satellites. Spacecraft in low-Earth orbit travel at roughly 17,000 miles per hour, while vibration or movement can disrupt a laser connection. A 2025 Government Accountability Office report found that the SDA had not fully demonstrated all planned laser-communications capabilities in space before awarding additional contracts. Work is continuing to improve interoperability between optical terminals from different companies. The Mitchell Institute report also recommends using artificial intelligence and edge processing aboard satellites. Satellites could process, filter and prioritize sensor data in orbit, reducing the amount of raw information that must be transmitted to ground stations. The report also highlights China's development of satellite constellations using optical cross-links, including Guowang (National Network), which began launches in 2024, and Qianfan (Thousand Sails). The report recommends accelerating communications modernization, deploying hybrid RF-optical architectures and developing interoperability standards. Reeves said an initial operational capability for a hybrid network could be possible within about five years if prioritized. The report's central finding is that the U.S. military is rapidly increasing its ability to collect data in space, but its communications networks must also expand and modernize so that the information can reach decision-makers in useful time.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 14:35:14

 U.S 

SAN DIEGO — Tiberius Aerospace has announced a $500 million contract to manufacture, license and distribute its Sceptre precision-guided munition. The agreement combines U.S.-developed defense technology with industrial cooperation from the United Kingdom and establishes a model for sovereign allied production. Tiberius said the Sceptre program moved from a desktop concept to a scaled production agreement in 24 months.   Sceptre 155mm Ramjet Munition Sceptre is a liquid-fueled, ramjet-powered 155mm munition designed to be fired from existing NATO-standard howitzers without modifications to the launch platforms. The company says the munition can sustain speeds above Mach 3.5 and deliver payloads at ranges extending beyond 140 kilometers. The munition uses an active GPS and inertial hybrid guidance system, while aerodynamic control canards adjust its flight path during flight to maintain precision targeting.   Defense-as-a-Service Model Tiberius described the agreement as the first major deployment of its Defense-as-a-Service model. Under this approach, the company develops, tests and validates defense technology before licensing it to qualified allied nations and domestic manufacturers. The company says the model is intended to distribute research and development costs and risks across allied markets while creating additional manufacturing pathways and reducing supply-chain vulnerabilities. “The West’s greatest strategic advantage is the freedom to invent, compete and build,” said Chad Steelberg, founder and chief executive of Tiberius Aerospace. “Our ambition is to turn that advantage into our greatest weapon: the collective innovative power of the free market.”   U.S.-U.K. Industrial Cooperation The manufacturing collaboration operates under an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Technical Assistance Agreement, which authorizes the sharing of technical data, engineering development and industrial participation between Tiberius and a consortium of U.K. technology partners. General Sir Roly Walker, the British Army’s chief of the general staff, said the partnership demonstrates the value of combining U.K. and U.S. technological expertise in advanced artillery technologies and strengthening transatlantic defense cooperation. Tiberius is using its AI-powered GRAIL software platform to coordinate engineering requirements, suppliers, performance evaluation, manufacturing and export compliance. The company says GRAIL helps ensure distributed production remains aligned with the original engineering standards and regulatory authorizations. Sceptre's modular, open architecture is also intended to allow qualified component upgrades as the system develops, with GRAIL providing a framework for evaluating and integrating those changes across participating companies.   Earlier Development Work Sceptre's development has included support from the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and contract work with the U.K. Ministry of Defence. The program also includes a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center. Retired Adm. Gary Roughead, the 29th chief of naval operations, said modern conflicts have highlighted the importance of munitions production capacity for sustaining combat power. He added that increased allied production capacity is important for maintaining readiness and supporting long-term combat operations. The $500 million agreement now moves Sceptre into a larger manufacturing, licensing and distribution framework involving U.S. technology and U.K. industrial cooperation.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 14:26:29

 U.S 

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded BAE Systems a contract with a maximum value of $19.7 million to research new military applications for laser technology. The project, known as the Laser Utilization for Military Innovation and Novel Applications (LUMINA) program, will examine the use of pulsed lasers and the integration of solid-state laser technology with existing beam control systems. The contract was awarded to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems of Broomfield, Colorado, following a competitive process that attracted proposals from six companies.   $1 million initially obligated The Department of Defense has initially obligated $1 million from its fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds for the program. The contract uses a cost-plus-fixed-fee structure. Under this type of agreement, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs and provides a fixed fee. The $19.7 million figure represents the contract's maximum ceiling, meaning the Air Force is not required to spend the full amount. The work is scheduled to continue through September 29, 2031.   Research will focus on pulsed lasers One of the main objectives of the LUMINA program is to examine potential military uses for pulsed lasers. Unlike continuous-wave lasers, which produce a continuous beam, pulsed lasers release energy in short bursts. The Air Force's research will look at how the characteristics of pulsed lasers could be used for military applications. The second objective is to integrate solid-state laser technology with existing beam control systems. Beam control is an important part of a directed-energy system. It involves technologies such as optics, sensors and tracking equipment that are used to point the laser toward a target, maintain tracking and compensate for atmospheric effects that can affect the laser beam.   Military application remains undisclosed The contract announcement does not identify the specific military applications that the Air Force intends to pursue through the LUMINA program. It does not specify whether the research is intended for laser weapons, sensing, communications or another application. The announcement also does not identify specific targets or platforms associated with the research. This leaves the exact operational purpose of the technology under development undisclosed.   Work to be conducted at Kirtland Air Force Base All work under the LUMINA contract will be carried out at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Kirtland is home to the AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate, which conducts Air Force research and development involving high-energy lasers and high-power microwave technologies. The directorate's work includes research into directed-energy technologies and related systems.   BAE Systems unit has spacecraft and sensor expertise The contract was awarded to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems, the Colorado-based business that was formerly Ball Aerospace. BAE Systems acquired Ball Aerospace in 2024. The business develops spacecraft, satellite instruments, optical systems and sensor technologies for U.S. government customers, including the Department of Defense and NASA. The LUMINA contract will now involve the company in research focused on expanding potential military uses of laser technology and combining solid-state lasers with existing beam control capabilities. The Air Force has not disclosed further technical specifications or details about any future system that could result from the research.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-01 14:19:31

 U.S 

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. — Northrop Grumman has delivered 21 military communications satellites to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking its first batch of spacecraft for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer. The satellites are part of the Pentagon’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a planned low-Earth-orbit network designed to rapidly move targeting data and other military information around the world. The Transport Layer will also support data transport for the SDA’s Tracking Layer, which is focused on missile warning and tracking.   126 Transport Layer satellites planned The Tranche 1 Transport Layer will consist of 126 satellites. Northrop Grumman is building 42, while Lockheed Martin and York Space Systems are each producing 42. The companies received contracts in 2022 as part of awards totaling about $1.8 billion. The satellites are designed to provide secure, resilient and low-latency communications between military forces on the ground, in the air and at sea. They also include Link 16 capability, allowing tactical data to be transmitted directly to existing military systems. The network is designed around open architecture standards so satellites, payloads and ground systems from different providers can operate together. Optical inter-satellite links will allow spacecraft to exchange data in orbit and form an interconnected mesh.   Launches to begin in October The first Tranche 1 satellites are expected to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg as early as October 2026. Northrop Grumman said several dozen additional PWSA spacecraft are expected to launch over the next six months, supporting both secure communications and missile-tracking missions. The company said the 21 delivered satellites are the first batch from a larger pipeline of about 150 spacecraft it is producing for the overall effort. SDA plans to deploy Tranche 1 across 10 orbital planes. The broader plan includes 126 Transport Layer satellites, 28 Tracking Layer satellites and four additional demonstration spacecraft. SDA expects the Transport and Tracking satellites to reach orbit and form their interconnected network within roughly six to eight months.   63 Transport satellites already in orbit So far, 63 Transport Layer satellites are already on orbit. York Space Systems supplied 42 through two launches, while Lockheed Martin supplied 21. Earlier launches faced technical and operational challenges that resulted in a pause, with launches resuming in July 2026 with another group of York satellites. Northrop Grumman said dozens of additional spacecraft have been fully integrated and are undergoing final checks. The company is using part of its roughly 7 million square feet of space-program manufacturing facilities, including advanced manufacturing systems and artificial intelligence tools, to support higher-volume production. Keith Matthews, Northrop Grumman’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer program manager, said the production approach is supporting scalability. Lou Christen, senior director of proliferated systems, said the company is focused on integrating its spacecraft into the wider architecture supporting national defense requirements. Once deployed, the Tranche 1 Transport Layer is intended to provide the initial warfighting capability of the PWSA, while expanding the Pentagon’s low-Earth-orbit communications and missile-tracking network.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 16:22:22

 U.S 

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — The U.S. Army has selected five defense companies to develop competing prototypes for the next-generation Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4, a version designed to reach targets at least 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) away. On September 29, the Army awarded separate Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements to Anduril, Castelion, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Mach Industries, and RTX. The Army did not disclose the value of the individual agreements. The OTA process provides a streamlined approach for prototype development outside traditional procurement rules.   1,000-Km Range Requirement The Increment 4 prototypes must have a minimum range of 1,000 km, roughly twice the range of the current PrSM baseline. They must be compatible with the M142 HIMARS launcher, with potential integration onto platforms such as the M270. The missile must also be capable of engaging moving maritime targets and relocatable land targets, including mobile air-defense systems and missile launchers. The program will also follow the Army's Modular Open Systems Approach.   Two-Phase Competition Initial prototype development will take place in Fiscal Year 2027, beginning October 1, 2026, followed by a competitive fly-off and a down-select. The companies whose designs demonstrate sufficient maturity will receive follow-on agreements in Fiscal Year 2028, leading to a second development phase and final competitive fly-off.   PrSM Development PrSM entered service in 2023 as a replacement for the ATACMS, which has a maximum range of about 300 km (186 miles). Lockheed Martin's PrSM Increment 1 is designed for approximately 500 km (310 miles) and has been tested against targets beyond 400 km. It was used in combat for the first time in March 2026 during Operation Epic Fury against targets in Iran. The PrSM family is being developed in stages. Increment 2 adds a multi-mode seeker for moving ships and land targets, while Increment 3 focuses on additional warhead and payload options. Earlier in September, the Army awarded Lockheed Martin a production contract worth up to $1.2 billion for Increment 2. Increment 4 is focused on extending the range to at least 1,000 km.   Lockheed Martin's Long-Range Design In 2023, the Army awarded Lockheed Martin $33.3 million and a Raytheon-Northrop Grumman team nearly $100 million to study advanced propulsion and airframe designs for the long-range requirement. Lockheed Martin's Increment 4 design uses a rocket booster and air-breathing ramjet engine to increase range while maintaining the missile's physical size for existing launchers. In June 2026, Lockheed Martin and L3Harris completed a ground test of the transition from the booster to the ramjet. Flight testing was planned for fall 2026. RTX, formerly Raytheon, is also participating in the competition. Castelion is developing the Blackbeard hypersonic missile and was selected earlier this year by the U.S. Navy for its Multi-mission Affordable Capacity Effector program. Anduril and Mach Industries have not publicly disclosed their technical approaches for Increment 4. The Army is also continuing production of earlier PrSM variants. In June 2026, it increased an existing Lockheed Martin contract by $8.4 billion, bringing its total value to about $13.3 billion and extending production support through September 2032.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 16:17:18

 U.S 

ROCKET CENTER, W.Va. — Northrop Grumman has been awarded an $18.8 million contract by the U.S. Army to develop and integrate solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology into missile prototypes for the Army’s eXtended Range Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (XRC) program. The contract was issued by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC). The work will focus on developing an air-breathing propulsion system designed to provide greater range and energy for counter-UAS interceptors.   Solid fuel ramjet technology Unlike conventional solid rocket motors, which carry both fuel and a chemical oxidizer, solid fuel ramjets use oxygen from the atmosphere as the oxidizer during flight. This allows internal space that would otherwise be used for oxidizer to be allocated to additional fuel. The design is intended to provide a more efficient propulsion system with greater range and kinetic energy, allowing the interceptor to engage highly maneuverable aerial threats, including advanced uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), at greater distances from protected forces.   Supporting the XRC and M-SHORAD The XRC program is intended to enhance the Army’s Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) capability, which protects maneuvering combat units against low-altitude aerial threats. The new ramjet-powered interceptors are also designed to remain compatible with the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher (SVUL). This compatibility supports the use of the system against advanced UAS as well as traditional fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.   Ground and flight testing Northrop Grumman will conduct a ground and flight test campaign to validate the SFRJ propulsion design and establish reliable production processes. The development work will be carried out at the company’s Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia, which focuses on advanced propulsion systems and energetics. Northrop Grumman vice president of missile products Erik Buice said the rapid evolution of unmanned aerial threats requires new solutions. He said the company’s propulsion technology is intended to help engage targets farther away, protect mobile forces and strengthen layered air defense. The company is also involved in other Army counter-UAS efforts, including the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system, the AI-driven AiON command system for managing sensors and engaging drone swarms, and the Raid Hunter 50mm gun-based air-defense system. The $18.8 million contract represents the Army’s latest effort to develop extended-range counter-UAS interceptor technology while maintaining compatibility with existing launcher infrastructure.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 16:07:27

 U.S 

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The U.S. Department of the Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft under Lot 7 of the program. The agreement was finalized before the September 30 fiscal-year deadline to use available congressional reconciliation funding. The award brings the total number of F-15EX aircraft under Air Force contract to 120 across Lots 1 through 7. The Lot 7 deal was negotiated amid inflation across the defense industrial base and the effects of a 2025 production disruption. The Air Force's F-15 Program Office and Boeing reached an agreement that kept all 22 aircraft within available funding. Earlier planning documents had listed 21 aircraft for Lot 7. Funding included approximately $115 million from the fiscal 2026 budget and about $2.8 billion from the previous year's reconciliation package. The reconciliation funds faced an 8.3 percent reduction if they were not obligated by October 1, 2026. At $2.38 billion, the airframe portion of the contract averages about $108 million per aircraft. The figure does not include engines, which are supplied by GE Aerospace under a separate contract. “Lot 7 reflects a disciplined approach to executing available resources while balancing the realities affecting defense production,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate.   F-15EX Replacing Older F-15s The F-15EX Eagle II is a twin-seat, multirole heavy fighter based on the F-15 design. It features modern avionics, large-area cockpit displays, a digital backbone and improved survivability systems. The Air Force is acquiring the aircraft to replace aging F-15C and F-15D fighters. The aircraft is also designed to accommodate future weapons and system upgrades, while some planning anticipates it supporting part of the F-15E Strike Eagle mission set over time.   Production and Deliveries Boeing is currently delivering aircraft from Lot 3, with deliveries continuing through the rest of 2026. The company and the Air Force are working to increase production to two aircraft per month. About 22 F-15EX aircraft have been delivered to the service as of the latest available figures. The contract involved specialists from program management, contracting, pricing, engineering, financial management, logistics and other acquisition areas. Col. Jonathan Varoli, system program manager for the F-15 Program Office, said the effort brought together the required expertise to support the program and future fighter force. The F-15EX program remains in full-rate production. Earlier Air Force plans had targeted about 129 aircraft, before the overall program goal was later increased substantially. Lot 7 sustains near-term production while the Air Force continues assessing its longer-term fighter requirements and acquisition strategy. The Department of the Air Force said it will continue working with Boeing to support rapid, affordable and sustainable F-15EX production.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 15:42:25

 U.S 

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Army has awarded Heaviside Industries Inc., based in Marina del Rey, California, a $99 million firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for its MOTH radio-frequency (RF) spectrum analyzers. The award, dated August 27, 2026, covers the procurement, fielding, upgrades and sustainment of MOTH systems. Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity under contract W56KGY-26-D-A003. The five-year contract is scheduled to run through August 27, 2031, with initial deliveries expected in fiscal year 2027. Work locations and funding will be determined through individual orders. The Army received 99 proposals after soliciting bids online.   Part of Army's REWSI effort The contract is one of the first two production awards under the Army's Rapid Electromagnetic Warfare and Signals Intelligence (REWSI) Call for Solutions. The program operates under the Army Open Solicitation and Commercial Solutions Opening framework and is intended to accelerate access to commercial capabilities for spectrum situational awareness, direction finding, geolocation and signal identification at the tactical edge. The Army also awarded Research Innovations Inc. $96.9 million under the same call, bringing the combined value of the two initial contracts to nearly $196 million.   MOTH RF spectrum analyzer MOTH is a compact, passive RF detection system designed to provide soldiers with real-time awareness of nearby RF activity, including signals from unmanned systems and communications equipment. It scans frequencies from 5 MHz to 6 GHz in real time, at a rate of five scans per second. The unit weighs 0.99 pounds (0.45 kg) with its battery installed and measures 5.78 by 3.3 by 1.8 inches. It can be carried by hand or worn on a vest. The system features a 2.79-inch LCD display with 240 × 320-pixel resolution, built-in GPS, vibration alerts, Direction Finding Mode and real-time signal display. Its 25.2 Wh battery provides up to 12 hours of battery life. MOTH has an IP67 rating for dust and water protection and operates from 14°F to 131°F. It has a Technology Readiness Level of 9, is NDAA-compliant, Blue UAS Cleared, and is designed and manufactured in the United States. It also supports integration with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK). The system can operate independently or provide real-time signal detection and spectrum-awareness information to existing electronic-warfare systems. It supports distributed threat detection, spectrum management and frequency deconfliction for individual soldiers.   Commercial price and company A commercial MOTH kit is currently available through Lumenier for $4,950. The kit typically includes the analyzer, two batteries, USB-C charger, vest pouch, protective case and antennas. However, the unit price under the Army contract has not been disclosed. Founded in 2024, Heaviside Industries describes itself as a developer of multi-domain precision-munitions platforms and specialized tactical technology for U.S. and allied forces, including systems designed for contested and GPS-denied environments. Heaviside President Nils Haagenrud said MOTH supports the Army's electromagnetic-spectrum operations priorities, while CEO Phillip Walker said the contract expands the company's work beyond precision-strike systems by providing real-time spectrum awareness directly to individual soldiers.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 15:19:21

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Navy has selected Boeing to develop its next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter, the F/A-XX, under a contract valued at more than $20 billion for the full-scale development phase. The contract includes multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems and weapons integration testing. Boeing defeated Northrop Grumman for the contract after Lockheed Martin was eliminated during an earlier down-select in March 2025. The decision gives Boeing both of the U.S. military’s major sixth-generation crewed fighter programs. In March 2025, Boeing won the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contract to develop the F-47.   F/A-XX to replace Super Hornets and Growlers The F/A-XX is intended to augment and eventually replace the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s. It will operate alongside the F-35C and work with manned and unmanned platforms, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The Navy plans to use the aircraft for advanced carrier-based power projection, extended operational reach and operations in contested airspace. Earlier program information also identified advanced stealth, open-architecture systems and a 25% range increase over existing Navy strike fighters. The aircraft is intended to operate as an airborne command node with uncrewed aircraft. Technical and programmatic details remain classified, and the Navy has not announced a formal designation for the aircraft. Boeing has said the design will advance open mission systems architecture, advanced mission systems, operational reach and capacity.   Program faced a potential freeze The F/A-XX program faced uncertainty in June 2025, when the Pentagon moved to freeze the effort over concerns that the U.S. defense industrial base lacked sufficient capacity to develop the Navy’s fighter and Air Force F-47 at the same time. Congress intervened to keep the program funded and moving forward. In April 2026, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said a winner would be announced in August. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao supported that timeline, but August passed without an announcement. Caudle later said he was no longer aware of the decision date. Two weeks before the award, Air Force Gen. Dale White again raised industrial-capacity concerns about producing F/A-XX alongside F-47. Caudle had also said in January 2026 that existing aircraft, including the F/A-18, would not provide the capabilities required against potential adversaries including China, Russia and Iran, among others.   Officials and Boeing respond Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, called F/A-XX a “crucial, non-negotiable investment” in U.S. national security and said it would extend operational reach and provide capabilities for contested airspace. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao described the sixth-generation fighter as a “generational leap in air superiority.” Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Steve Parker said Boeing had planned to develop and deliver two advanced fighters in parallel and had invested accordingly. Boeing is expanding its production facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, with nearly $2 billion in planned investment to support its future fighter programs. The company has described the facility as the largest fighter manufacturing facility in the United States and is also investing in digital manufacturing, technology and personnel.   Super Hornet production shutdown On the same day, the Navy awarded Boeing a separate $16,667,607 contract to support the final shutdown of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler production lines. Northrop Grumman said it had offered a highly survivable, digitally advanced sixth-generation fighter and looked forward to receiving additional information about the selection. The F/A-XX will form a major part of the Navy’s future carrier air wing, alongside the F-35C and increased use of Collaborative Combat Aircraft. A first-flight date has not been officially announced.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 15:08:25

 U.S 

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) has awarded an additional $5 million to Rhode Island-based REGENT Craft to expand testing of its electric Seaglider technology. The latest funding brings the total value of the military partnership to $19.25 million.   Fourth phase to focus on operational testing The new funding supports the fourth phase of the partnership, which includes six deliverables. REGENT will test its full-scale Viceroy Seaglider in conditions designed to closely resemble real-world military operations. The phase will also examine command-and-control integration, including how the Seaglider would be tasked, tracked and coordinated with other military assets. REGENT has not announced when or where the demonstrations will take place. The partnership began with $4.75 million for the first two phases, which focused on technical feasibility. The third phase received $9.5 million and supported demonstrations of the full-scale prototype. REGENT said the third phase is now complete and included flight testing. “What started as a feasibility question has become a real operational program, and that trajectory says a lot about where this technology is headed,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT.   Viceroy completes crewed flight The Seaglider starts as a boat, rises onto a hydrofoil as it accelerates and then lifts off to fly within about one wingspan of the water. At this low altitude, it uses ground effect, which reduces drag. REGENT says the Viceroy is designed to carry up to 12 passengers, reach 180 mph (290 km/h) and travel up to 180 miles (290 km). It operates from water without requiring a runway and can be recharged from a ship or shore facility. On September 2, two captains conducted the Viceroy's first human-crewed flight over Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. The flight lasted about 30 seconds, covered nearly 2,000 feet and reached 33 feet in altitude. REGENT says the flight provided engineering and performance data for the ongoing development program.   Squire supports autonomous logistics REGENT is also testing the smaller Squire, a fully autonomous Seaglider designed for uncrewed logistics missions. The Squire is designed to carry a 50-pound payload and travel at 80 mph (70 knots) for more than 115 miles (100 nautical miles).   Marine Corps focuses on expeditionary logistics For the Marine Corps, the Seaglider's main potential use is expeditionary logistics. The technology is intended to provide another option for moving troops and equipment between remote islands and naval vessels without relying on established ports or airfields. This is relevant to the Marine Corps' plans for dispersed operations in the Pacific. “This next phase of our MCWL partnership is about putting the technology in the hands of the warfighter so they can fully realize the advantages Seagliders bring to the forward-operating areas,” said Becky Russo, REGENT’s director of defense mission integration. REGENT also says the Seaglider's low flight path could keep it below some radar coverage and that its electric motors produce limited heat signatures. However, these specific defense claims have not been independently verified through public testing.   Commercial development REGENT is also pursuing commercial applications for the Seaglider. The company says it has secured more than $340 million in funding commitments, including investment from Lockheed Martin and Japan Airlines, and has civilian orders across six continents. The additional $5 million from the Marine Corps now moves the partnership into its fourth phase, with testing focused on operational conditions and integration with military command-and-control systems.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-30 14:53:11