Defense Tech
Congress Backs $1.5B White House Bid for E-7 Wedgetail Funding
Congress is throwing its weight behind the White House's $1.5 billion bid to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program, a move that could give the project a flying start. The funding boost would come from reallocating resources from the Navy's E-2 procurement account and the Air Force's classified special update programs.
Loitering Munitions Converge on Long-Range Strike Designs
Loitering munitions have revolutionized long-range strikes, as seen in Ukraine's recent launch of hundreds of LMs at multiple regions, including a daring attack on Russia's Gazprom Neft Moscow Oil Refinery, just 14 km from the Kremlin. This new class of munitions has eliminated the need for high-cost platforms, allowing for more flexible and affordable precision strikes.
Pentagon seeks $5B to overhaul 'deteriorating' research labs
The Pentagon's research labs are in a state of disrepair, posing safety risks and technical limitations that threaten the US military's ability to stay ahead of the curve. A recent review led by Assistant Secretary for Science & Technology Joseph Jewell calls for a $5B overhaul to modernize these critical facilities.
Pakistan Accelerates Low-Cost Cruise Missile Development
Pakistan is shaking up the game with its low-cost cruise missile development, focusing on a key factor that sets its missiles apart: a powerful warhead and manageable weight. This strategic approach allows for a heavier payload and sustained range, making it a contender in the global shift towards affordable, mass-producible cruise technology.
Fincantieri Explores Nuclear-Powered Vessel Design Amid Italian Naval Plans
Fincantieri is proactively exploring nuclear-powered vessel design, driven by CEO Pierroberto Folgiero's bold vision to accelerate innovation and lead the charge in sustainable maritime solutions. The shipbuilder is actively engaging with cutting-edge nuclear technology, including third- and fourth-generation reactors.
UK Tests Low-Cost Deep-Strike Weapons for Ukraine
The UK has successfully tested three low-cost, long-range strike weapons designed to give Ukraine a powerful defense boost, with the goal of delivering a cheap and effective deep-strike capability. These British-made weapons can fly over 500 km and pack a 225 kg punch, all at an affordable price tag of around £400,000 each.
Baykar and Leonardo Test C-UAS Teaming with M-346 Control
In a groundbreaking test, a Leonardo M-346 fighter jet successfully took control of a Baykar Kızılelma combat drone in mid-flight, marking a major milestone in C-UAS teaming technology. This innovative demonstration brings the future of unmanned combat air vehicles one step closer to reality.
Australia Shifts to Spiral Development for Military Acquisitions
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced a game-changing approach to military acquisitions: spiral development, an adaptive process that incrementally adds features to systems, reducing risks and enabling smoother adaptation. This approach is set to revolutionize project delivery, allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency.
Army Expands Digital Marketplace for Global Materiel Buys
Imagine a digital storefront where soldiers, allies, and partners can easily find and acquire the best materiel, with reviews and ratings guiding their choices - that's the vision Army Secretary Dan Driscoll shared for a single, global digital marketplace. This platform would prioritize interoperability, harnessing the power of free market forces to drive innovation and excellence.
Turkey Expands Naval Exports with First Combat Warship to Romania
Türkiye marks a historic milestone in its naval exports with the delivery of its first combat warship to Romania, a NATO and EU member country, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hails the deal as a groundbreaking achievement. This sale paves the way for Türkiye's growing presence in the global defence market.
Boeing Secures $2B Space Force Contract for MUOS Satellites
Boeing has landed a whopping $2 billion contract with the Space Force to develop two new Mobile User Objective System satellites, expanding the military's narrow-band communication capabilities. This major deal cements Boeing's role in supporting the Space Force's communication needs, following a competitive bid process that drew in industry heavyweights.
Lockheed Secures $35 Billion THAAD Production Boost
Lockheed Martin is set to supercharge production of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors with a whopping $35 billion contract, quadrupling output over the next seven years. This game-changing deal is a major win for the company and a significant boost to America's defense capabilities.
General Atomics Upgrades Ground Stations for MQ-9B Drone Compatibility
General Atomics is upgrading its Block 30 ground control stations to ensure seamless compatibility with its latest MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones, addressing a key concern for current MQ-9A operators. The company will fund the upgrade research and development and plans to begin flight testing by the end of the year.
Pentagon Unveils Quantum Strategy to Fortify Cryptography Defenses
The Pentagon is bolstering its defenses with a new quantum strategy, aimed at safeguarding its systems for decades to come, Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies announced. This forward-thinking plan will help mitigate the risks of emerging quantum capabilities and modernize defense networks.
UK Industry Partners Miniaturize DragonFire Laser for Type 45 Destroyer Debut
The UK's naval industry is making strides in laser technology, with QinetiQ, MBDA, and Leonardo teaming up to miniaturize the powerful DragonFire laser system for its debut on a Type 45 destroyer by 2027. This innovative partnership is shrinking the hardware to make the high-energy laser more feasible for naval deployment.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Deploys in Major Pacific Combat Exercise
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone made its debut in a major Pacific combat exercise, demonstrating its cutting-edge capabilities as a force multiplier that can fly alongside crewed fighters and extend their reach. This milestone marks a significant step forward in human-machine teaming and showcases the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
US Navy Still Flies MQ-1 Predators in Secret Test Role
The US Navy is secretly testing a fleet of 20 MQ-1 Predators, acquired from the Air Force in 2019 and rebranded as NMQ-1Bs, despite the aircraft's official retirement in 2018. These drones are being used for mysterious testing purposes at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.
Air Force Weighs $1.5B Engine Deal with GE in T-7 'Horse Trade
The US Air Force is considering a game-changing $1.5 billion engine deal with GE Aerospace, a move that could significantly impact the T-7 Red Hawk program. This potential shift could add up to $1.5 billion in extra costs, but may also bring new efficiencies to the program.
Army to Unify Divisions with Next-Gen Command and Control System
The Army is taking a major step forward in modernizing its operations by implementing a next-generation command and control system, uniting its divisions under a single, cutting-edge configuration. Anduril will lead the charge in bringing together two prototype divisions, the 25th Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division, onto this common platform.
Australia's Defence Force Struggles to Govern Rapid AI Integration
The Australian Defence Force is betting big on AI, with a whopping A$425 billion investment in cutting-edge capabilities by 2035-36 - and artificial intelligence is at the forefront, poised to revolutionize everything from undersea warfare to cyber defence. With AI now embedded in the Defence Force's budget, it's clear that this tech is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a must-have for Australia's military future.
Army Launches Low-Cost Interceptor Program to Counter Affordable Drone Threats
The Army is shaking up its defense strategy with a new Low-Cost Interceptor program, aiming to take down affordable drone threats with scalable, budget-friendly solutions. This move is set to revolutionize air-defense systems by providing a cost-effective alternative to multimillion-dollar solutions.
US Air Force Accelerates $7 Billion Fightertown Upgrade in Alaska
The US Air Force is embarking on a massive $7 billion upgrade of its Alaska base, dubbed Fightertown, which promises to create a state-of-the-art fighter hub from the ground up. This ambitious project takes a holistic approach, integrating construction, aircraft procurement, and logistical needs to create a cutting-edge facility.
NATO and Ukraine Seek Private Sector Help to Neutralize Russian Airfields
NATO and Ukraine are calling on the private sector to help disrupt Russia's air power by developing innovative solutions to neutralize their airfields. A €250,000 award is on offer for game-changing ideas that can prevent Russia from using its air bases.