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DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper “MVP” for Epic Fury and pitches expendable autonomous-drone propulsion as lawmakers push manned-unmanned

US Air Force leaders told Congress on May 20 that the MQ-9 Reaper has been a key “workhorse” in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, even as the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request prioritizes crewed fighters. In parallel, GE Aerospace and Kratos won a May 19 contract to design the GE426 expendable drone engine for autonomous aircraft.

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 “MVP” for Epic Fury and pitches expendable autonomous-drone propulsion as lawmakers push manned-unmanned US Air Force leaders told Congress on May 20 that the MQ-9 Reaper has been a key “workhorse” in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, even as the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request prioritizes crewed fighters. In parallel, GE Aerospace and Kratos won a May 19 contract to design the GE426 expendable drone engine for autonomous aircraft.

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

USAF calls MQ-9 Reaper “MVP” for Epic Fury and pitches expendable autonomous-drone propulsion as lawmakers push manned-unmanned

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 “MVP” for Epic Fury and pitches expendable autonomous-drone propulsion as lawmakers push manned-unmanned

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