Defense Budgets & Spending News

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial proposals for space-based “utility” power solutions—producing electricity in space and beaming it to spacecraft and, potentially, from orbit to Earth. DIU aims for a demonstration within two years and an operationally relevant transition by the end of the decade.

2 Sources

2026-07-16T08:44:48.269276-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Trump nominee for U.S. Space Force chief defends plan to more than double budget to $71.1B

1 Source

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00

Reuters

UK delivers new G-120TP trainer aircraft and pledges €300M for a 16-jet Gripen E squadron to Ukraine by 2029

6 Sources

2026-07-16T05:45:44.051100-07:00

The Hill

Pentagon blocks public release of GAO F-35 program report, citing Controlled Unclassified Information

2 Sources

2026-07-15T15:52:51.482403-07:00

Defense Budgets & Spending News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

2 sources

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial proposals for space-based “utility” power solutions—producing electricity in space and beaming it to spacecraft and, potentially, from orbit to Earth. DIU aims for a demonstration within two years and an operationally relevant transition by the end of the decade.

2026-07-16T08:44:48.269276-07:00

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Trump nominee for U.S. Space Force chief defends plan to more than double budget to $71.1B The Trump nominee to lead the U.S. Space Force backed the administration’s proposal to more than double the service’s budget, arguing for a $71.1 billion request to counter China’s rapidly expanding military capabilities in space. The nominee made the case in testimony to senators.

2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00

Trump nominee for U.S. Space Force chief defends plan to more than double budget to $71.1B

Aviation Today

1 source

DIU and U.S. Air Force partner on MQ-9A Reaper follow-on to replace $50M-class UAVs The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is collaborating with the U.S. Air Force on a project intended to replace the General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper. Depending on payload configuration, the Reaper platform can cost up to $50 million apiece, making the follow-on effort a significant procurement and modernization undertaking.

2026-07-16T07:14:56.212108-07:00

DIU and U.S. Air Force partner on MQ-9A Reaper follow-on to replace $50M-class UAVs

Reuters

6 sources

UK delivers new G-120TP trainer aircraft and pledges €300M for a 16-jet Gripen E squadron to Ukraine by 2029 Britain has taken delivery of its first new-generation G-120TP fixed-wing aircraft aimed at revitalizing military pilot training. In parallel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a €300 million package to help equip Ukraine with 16 Saab Gripen E fighter jets, targeting squadron delivery by 2029.

2026-07-16T05:45:44.051100-07:00

UK delivers new G-120TP trainer aircraft and pledges €300M for a 16-jet Gripen E squadron to Ukraine by 2029

The Hill

2 sources

Pentagon blocks public release of GAO F-35 program report, citing Controlled Unclassified Information The Pentagon has barred the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from releasing a watchdog report on the F-35 program to the public. The decision frames the material as Controlled Unclassified Information and highlights concerns over rising costs and low readiness.

2026-07-15T15:52:51.482403-07:00

Pentagon blocks public release of GAO F-35 program report, citing Controlled Unclassified Information

DefenseNews.com

3 sources

US Air Force shifts to mass-producible cruise missiles to cut strike costs The U.S. Air Force is pivoting toward cruise missiles it can procure in very large quantities. The goal is to use lower unit-cost weapons to enable multi-shot effects—potentially firing many missiles for less than the service previously paid to shoot a single weapon.

2026-07-15T12:58:45.749906-07:00

US Air Force shifts to mass-producible cruise missiles to cut strike costs

SpaceNews.com

6 sources

U.S. Space Force chief warns of potential space-launch capacity cap amid launch-infrastructure modernization shortfalls Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, in his final public remarks as Chief of Space Operations, warned that the U.S. may have to impose a cap on space launches if it cannot secure resources to modernize and expand aging launch infrastructure. He also highlighted the need to field space-capable forces to deter conflict extending into orbit.

2026-07-15T11:28:54.845851-07:00

U.S. Space Force chief warns of potential space-launch capacity cap amid launch-infrastructure modernization shortfalls

Payload

16 sources

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SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes The Space Development Agency plans to resume launches after a nine-month pause, sending a second (Tranche 1) batch of 21 York Space Systems transport-layer satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from California. SDA says it implemented tech fixes to restart momentum for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) and secure military/ally communications.

2026-07-15T05:52:31.043058-07:00

SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes

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