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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

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

AeroTime

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

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

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

DefenseNews.com

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

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

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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

Reuters

Lockheed breaks ground on THAAD munitions production center in Troy, Alabama Lockheed Martin broke ground on an 87,000-square-foot Munitions Production Center in Troy, Alabama, aimed at accelerating THAAD interceptor production for the U.S. and allied customers. The company said the site is part of a broader $9B-plus investment through 2030 across more than 20 U.S. facilities, with plans to double capacity and add jobs.

2026-05-21T14:24:14.316151-07:00

Lockheed breaks ground on THAAD munitions production center in Troy, Alabama

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

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

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

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

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

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

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