Defense Budgets & Spending News

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

GAO: Navy Zumwalt-CPS hypersonic installation running ~24 months behind; Lockheed missile-building at scale plagued by manufactu

A Government Accountability Office review found the U.S. Navy’s effort to upgrade three Zumwalt-class destroyers with the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile capability is about 24 months behind schedule. GAO also cited manufacturing and quality-control challenges preventing the program from reaching planned production rates, raising concerns about wasted money and time within the broader $50B-plus hypersonic push.

8 Sources

2026-07-17T12:58:41.317870-07:00

Reuters

Farnborough 2026: defense-first weapons focus meets eVTOL autonomy debut and IATA’s 2025 market readout

33 Sources

2026-07-16T23:44:00.863030-07:00

Via Satellite

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

8 Sources

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

AINonline

UK pledges €300M to help Ukraine field a 16-jet Saab Gripen E fleet by 2029

4 Sources

2026-07-16T22:29:31.150271-07:00

Defense Budgets & Spending News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

2 sources

SDA backs ‘Golden Dome’ missile-warning/tracking with $1.75B in new space-vehicle agreements; Pentagon funds $7.1M boost to US-m The U.S. Space Development Agency awarded two agreements totaling $1.75 billion for additional space vehicles supporting missile warning, missile tracking and missile defense. Separately, the Pentagon awarded $7.1 million to Martin Materials Solutions to expand U.S. manufacturing of space-qualified cover glass used to protect satellite solar-cell power systems.

2026-07-18T10:04:15.510008-07:00

SDA backs ‘Golden Dome’ missile-warning/tracking with $1.75B in new space-vehicle agreements; Pentagon funds $7.1M boost to US-m

DefenseNews.com

8 sources

GAO: Navy Zumwalt-CPS hypersonic installation running ~24 months behind; Lockheed missile-building at scale plagued by manufactu A Government Accountability Office review found the U.S. Navy’s effort to upgrade three Zumwalt-class destroyers with the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile capability is about 24 months behind schedule. GAO also cited manufacturing and quality-control challenges preventing the program from reaching planned production rates, raising concerns about wasted money and time within the broader $50B-plus hypersonic push.

2026-07-17T12:58:41.317870-07:00

GAO: Navy Zumwalt-CPS hypersonic installation running ~24 months behind; Lockheed missile-building at scale plagued by manufactu

FlightGlobal

2 sources

Australia weighs new financing models to replace RAAF Hawk 127 trainer fleet Canberra says it will explore multiple financing structures to meet its advanced jet trainer requirement as it reaches out to airframers on options to replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s BAE Systems Hawk 127 fleet. The review centers on how Australia will fund recapitalization and sustainment of its training capability.

2026-07-17T03:17:53.748915-07:00

Australia weighs new financing models to replace RAAF Hawk 127 trainer fleet

FlightGlobal

4 sources

Airbus Helicopters clears milestone with first H160M Guepard firing campaign Airbus Helicopters has completed the first weapons-firing campaign on the developmental H160M Guepard medium-twin, validating the integration of weapons and defensive aids in the HIL (Helicopter Integration & Launch) program. Conducted with France’s DGA at the Cazaux flight test site, the trials also supported the first mission-assistant flight tests.

2026-07-17T02:44:54.607053-07:00

Airbus Helicopters clears milestone with first H160M Guepard firing campaign

Reuters

33 sources

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Farnborough 2026: defense-first weapons focus meets eVTOL autonomy debut and IATA’s 2025 market readout With wars reshaping customer priorities, Britain’s Farnborough Airshow is set to foreground weapons and defense-linked capabilities alongside next-generation platforms. Vertical Aerospace plans its first public eVTOL prototype flight, following a defense-focused autonomy deal. Separately, IATA’s 2025 WATS highlights premium growth, Asia’s dominance, and shifting fleet dynamics.

2026-07-16T23:44:00.863030-07:00

Farnborough 2026: defense-first weapons focus meets eVTOL autonomy debut and IATA’s 2025 market readout

Reuters

2 sources

Saab reports Q2 profit surge driven by defence demand, lifting sales and order bookings Swedish defense and aerospace group Saab said second-quarter operating earnings rose more than expected, supported by strong demand in its major markets. The company also reported sharp growth in sales and a surge in order bookings, pointing to continued momentum in its defense programs.

2026-07-16T23:43:59.994304-07:00

Saab reports Q2 profit surge driven by defence demand, lifting sales and order bookings

AINonline

4 sources

UK pledges €300M to help Ukraine field a 16-jet Saab Gripen E fleet by 2029 The UK says it will provide €300 million in financing support to enable Ukraine to bring 16 Saab Gripen E fighters into service by 2029. The package covers pilot training (with initial activity in France), simulation, spares and operational support, with the first four aircraft targeted to be operational from 2028.

2026-07-16T22:29:31.150271-07:00

UK pledges €300M to help Ukraine field a 16-jet Saab Gripen E fleet by 2029

AeroTime

4 sources

UK commits €300 million (=$404M) to help Ukraine field 16 Saab Gripen E jets by 2029 The UK will invest about €300 million (roughly $404 million) to support delivery and sustainment of 16 Saab Gripen E fighter jets for Ukraine by 2029, including training, simulators, and spare parts. The announcement follows a broader UK-backed push to accelerate Gripen-related capability delivery.

2026-07-16T13:43:36.482386-07:00

UK commits €300 million (=$404M) to help Ukraine field 16 Saab Gripen E jets by 2029

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