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DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities

Air Force leaders told Congress the remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was a “workhorse” in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, even as the fiscal 2027 budget request continues to concentrate aircraft funding in crewed fighters. The testimony comes alongside new industry work on expendable autonomous drone engines, including GE426 proposals.

2026-05-21T11:10:25.711914-07:00

Wall Street Journal

SpaceX: U.S. federal agencies drive ~20% of revenue—boosting contracts while exposing revenue concentration risk

2026-05-20T19:38:19.735080-07:00

Air & Space Forces Mag

Space Force study says ~1,000 launches (FY27-31) likely requires a third heavy-lift launch site

2026-05-20T11:09:11.885625-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics

2026-05-13T09:09:38.870409-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities Air Force leaders told Congress the remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was a “workhorse” in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, even as the fiscal 2027 budget request continues to concentrate aircraft funding in crewed fighters. The testimony comes alongside new industry work on expendable autonomous drone engines, including GE426 proposals.

2026-05-21T11:10:25.711914-07:00

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities

Wall Street Journal

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SpaceX: U.S. federal agencies drive ~20% of revenue—boosting contracts while exposing revenue concentration risk Spending by U.S. federal agencies accounted for about 20% of SpaceX revenue last year, underscoring how closely the company is tied to government procurement while it continues building non-government customer bases. The revenue mix simultaneously strengthens cash-flow visibility and raises exposure if federal demand or contract terms shift.

2026-05-20T19:38:19.735080-07:00

SpaceX: U.S. federal agencies drive ~20% of revenue—boosting contracts while exposing revenue concentration risk

Air & Space Forces Mag

Space Force study says ~1,000 launches (FY27-31) likely requires a third heavy-lift launch site A U.S. Space Force infrastructure study, led by deputy for Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements Lt. Gen. David Miller, concludes the service will “probably” need an additional heavy-launch site to handle surging throughput. Miller cited demand for roughly 1,000 Space Force launches between fiscal 2027 and 2031.

2026-05-20T11:09:11.885625-07:00

Space Force study says ~1,000 launches (FY27-31) likely requires a third heavy-lift launch site

Breaking Defense

Sen. Budd pushes NDAA-backed multi-year buys for F-35 and F-15EX plus pilot retention measures North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis Budd is sponsoring a trio of bills aimed at boosting fighter-jet inventory and retaining pilots, with implications for multi-year procurement plans that could shape future U.S. Air Force force structure. The effort is positioned as adding airpower support through the NDAA pipeline.

2026-05-18T06:39:14.032488-07:00

Sen. Budd pushes NDAA-backed multi-year buys for F-35 and F-15EX plus pilot retention measures

CNBC

Defense stocks slide: iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF down ~10% since early March The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF has fallen roughly 10% since the start of March, signaling renewed pressure on listed aerospace and defense equities. The move follows a period when defense-linked suppliers and industrials had been supported by strong demand expectations.

2026-05-15T01:27:55.852642-07:00

Defense stocks slide: iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF down ~10% since early March

SpaceNews.com

Golden Dome chief disputes CBO’s $1.2T cost estimate for space-based missile defense U.S. Space Force Golden Dome program director Michael Guetlein challenged a Congressional Budget Office estimate pegging the program’s cost at $1.2 trillion. Speaking at Washington’s “Inside the Dome” conference, he argued the estimate does not reflect the program’s affordability and scaling path.

2026-05-14T10:36:53.949538-07:00

Golden Dome chief disputes CBO’s $1.2T cost estimate for space-based missile defense

Aviacionline

Argentina grounds A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet to make way for F-16M Fighting Falcon integration The Argentine Air Force has formally retired the A-4AR Fightinghawk fighter-bombers, ending nearly three decades of service. The service says the decision is tied to sustainability and logistic/cost criteria as it shifts institutional resources to the incoming F-16M Fighting Falcon.

2026-05-14T09:32:03.466000-07:00

Argentina grounds A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet to make way for F-16M Fighting Falcon integration

AeroTime

Swiss Patriot program faces 50%+ cost overrun risk, Bern weighs cancellation Switzerland is preparing for Patriot-related cost overruns of more than 50%, with the total bill potentially doubling to CHF 4 billion as the government in Bern considers cancellation. The decision highlights how affordability pressures and rising program costs are reshaping Swiss air-defense planning.

2026-05-14T01:11:46.388641-07:00

Swiss Patriot program faces 50%+ cost overrun risk, Bern weighs cancellation

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” in Epic Fury as lawmakers weigh manned-unmanned priorities

SpaceX: U.S. federal agencies drive ~20% of revenue—boosting contracts while exposing revenue concentration risk

Space Force study says ~1,000 launches (FY27-31) likely requires a third heavy-lift launch site

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics

News Timeline