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Reuters • Mike Stone

Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to develop the “Space Data Network Backbone,” a low Earth orbit satellite network intended to operate as a military internet in space. The backbone is positioned to support the broader Space Data Network, including SDA transport-layer satellites.

2026-05-26T14:43:28.561315-07:00

Breaking Defense

HASC marks up FY2027 NDAA: multiyear F-35 and F-15EX buys; more Black Hawks and Chinooks; munitions and Arleigh Burke funding

2026-05-26T14:04:32.733605-07:00

DefenseNews.com

US lawmakers weigh Iran-war fuel price impact on military aviation costs in FY2027 NDAA drafting

2026-05-26T14:23:45.094355-07:00

SpaceNews.com

SmallSat Europe: Defense-budget momentum won’t fix Europe’s smallsat bottlenecks without cutting red tape and unlocking capital

2026-05-26T10:05:53.544149-07:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

Carlyle launches middle-market aerospace/defense/industrials investment platform to ride military-spending cycle Carlyle Group is creating a new middle-market investment unit focused on aerospace, defense and industrials, positioning the firm to capture opportunities tied to the current wave of defense spending. The platform targets deals in the lower middle-market segment as investors broaden exposure to defense-linked companies.

2026-05-27T04:34:03.300272-07:00

Carlyle launches middle-market aerospace/defense/industrials investment platform to ride military-spending cycle

Washington Post

F-35 as U.S. air-superiority backbone for a potential high-end fight with China In a conflict with China, securing air superiority is framed as the central prerequisite for U.S. operational effectiveness, with the F-35 positioned as a vital enabler. The argument ties fifth-generation capabilities to the need for survivable, networked strike and control of contested airspace.

2026-05-27T04:12:02.476623-07:00

F-35 as U.S. air-superiority backbone for a potential high-end fight with China

Reuters

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Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to develop the “Space Data Network Backbone,” a low Earth orbit satellite network intended to operate as a military internet in space. The backbone is positioned to support the broader Space Data Network, including SDA transport-layer satellites.

2026-05-26T14:43:28.561315-07:00

Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications

DefenseNews.com

US lawmakers weigh Iran-war fuel price impact on military aviation costs in FY2027 NDAA drafting Ahead of drafting the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, U.S. lawmakers are assessing how rising fuel prices—linked to the Iran conflict—could affect military aviation operating costs. The issue is being debated in the context of broader budget planning and affordability during defense hearing sessions.

2026-05-26T14:23:45.094355-07:00

US lawmakers weigh Iran-war fuel price impact on military aviation costs in FY2027 NDAA drafting

Breaking Defense

HASC marks up FY2027 NDAA: multiyear F-35 and F-15EX buys; more Black Hawks and Chinooks; munitions and Arleigh Burke funding The House Armed Services Committee released its markup of the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill, largely backing Pentagon plans. The draft would authorize multiyear procurement for F-35 and F-15EX fighters, expand Army lift recap with additional Black Hawks and Chinooks, and approve multiyear buys for critical munitions, including the Arleigh Burke destroyer program.

2026-05-26T14:04:32.733605-07:00

HASC marks up FY2027 NDAA: multiyear F-35 and F-15EX buys; more Black Hawks and Chinooks; munitions and Arleigh Burke funding

SpaceNews.com

SmallSat Europe: Defense-budget momentum won’t fix Europe’s smallsat bottlenecks without cutting red tape and unlocking capital Panelists at SmallSat Europe said rising European military budgets could create demand for space capabilities from entrepreneurial smallsat firms, but regulatory burdens and limited access to capital remain major blockers. The sector’s growth depends on clearing bureaucratic roadblocks to convert spending into investable, scalable programs.

2026-05-26T10:05:53.544149-07:00

SmallSat Europe: Defense-budget momentum won’t fix Europe’s smallsat bottlenecks without cutting red tape and unlocking capital

SpaceNews.com

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US Space Force awards $437.6M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global contracts to Viasat and SES through 2029 The U.S. Space Force awarded Viasat and SES combined $437.6 million to build communications satellites for Protected Tactical Satcom–Global, a network intended to resist jamming and cyber attacks. The program replaces vulnerable single-satellite architectures with four new GEO satellites under contracts through 2029.

2026-05-22T16:31:01.439487-07:00

US Space Force awards $437.6M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global contracts to Viasat and SES through 2029

AeroTime

Australia opens AUD 200M facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh to sustain P-8A Poseidon Australia has opened a AUD 200 million (US$130 million) maintenance and sustainment facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh, positioned as a regional hub for P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft support. The site is intended to expand sustainment capacity for the RAAF’s P-8A fleet across maintenance and sustainment functions.

2026-05-22T04:53:53.624360-07:00

Australia opens AUD 200M facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh to sustain P-8A Poseidon

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications

HASC marks up FY2027 NDAA: multiyear F-35 and F-15EX buys; more Black Hawks and Chinooks; munitions and Arleigh Burke funding

US lawmakers weigh Iran-war fuel price impact on military aviation costs in FY2027 NDAA drafting

SmallSat Europe: Defense-budget momentum won’t fix Europe’s smallsat bottlenecks without cutting red tape and unlocking capital

News Timeline