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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

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00

aerospaceglobalnews.com

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod

2026-05-22T05:55:08.975323-07:00

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash

2026-05-21T21:10:33.287494-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

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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

DefenseNews.com

US Marine Corps trials Neros Archer FPV drone controlled from a helicopter used as a mobile command-and-control node In a recent test, the US Marine Corps launched a Neros Archer FPV drone from the ground and then transferred control to operators aboard a helicopter orbiting miles away. The exercise demonstrated a mobile drone command-center concept for extending control ranges beyond the launch point.

2026-05-22T12:10:37.661790-07:00

US Marine Corps trials Neros Archer FPV drone controlled from a helicopter used as a mobile command-and-control node

Breaking Defense

IAI’s Diamond naval disaggregated offering pairs ship-dispersed drones and missiles with networked “mother ship” control IAI is pitching a new Diamond naval defense concept that disperses defensive systems across smaller satellite vessels and connects them to a mother ship in a disaggregated operating model. The approach is designed to flexibly combine drones and missile capabilities for small-ship users.

2026-05-22T09:54:05.718322-07:00

IAI’s Diamond naval disaggregated offering pairs ship-dispersed drones and missiles with networked “mother ship” control

Breaking Defense

SOCOM presses H-60/T901 re-engine and MV-75 tiltrotor path—while keeping Chinook Block II Gaps in view U.S. Special Operations Command says the Bell MV-75 tiltrotor should complement rather than fully replace the Sikorsky MH-60 special-mission Black Hawk fleet. SOCOM is also urging the Army to keep re-engine work on the H-60 via the GE Aerospace T901, and is looking ahead to Chinook Block III options even as the Army remains uncommitted to Block II fielding.

2026-05-22T09:11:23.421639-07:00

SOCOM presses H-60/T901 re-engine and MV-75 tiltrotor path—while keeping Chinook Block II Gaps in view

AeroTime

Intellisense Systems lands $400M Boeing contract for C-17 flight deck replacement Intellisense Systems will supply data concentrator units and multifunction displays for Boeing’s C-17 flight deck replacement program, in a deal valued at $400 million. The contract reinforces Boeing’s ongoing modernization of C-17 avionics architectures via third-party flight-deck systems.

2026-05-22T07:10:42.521555-07:00

Intellisense Systems lands $400M Boeing contract for C-17 flight deck replacement

aerospaceglobalnews.com

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod The US Air Force has deployed A-10C Warthogs to the Middle East with newly operational capabilities: a Probe Refueling Adapter enabling probe-and-drogue refuelling from the HC-130J, and the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod carried on operations. The A-10C reached deployment-ready status in weeks after its first test.

2026-05-22T05:55:08.975323-07:00

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod

SpaceNews.com

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Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Rocket Lab has secured its first geostationary-orbit satellite production orders: a $90 million U.S. Space Force contract to design, manufacture and operate two GEO satellites for Space Domain Awareness. The award also extends a Space Systems Command effort delivering two Heimdall prototype payloads on orbit.

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

Air Data News

Embraer-HAI MoU targets C-390 Millennium sustainment in Greece ahead of Greek fleet decision Embraer and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) have signed an MoU in Athens to develop C-390 Millennium maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, positioning local sustainment support prior to any Greek airlifter order. The wording of the announcement is being read as indicative of a likely Greek C-390 selection.

2026-05-22T01:39:09.248065-07:00

Embraer-HAI MoU targets C-390 Millennium sustainment in Greece ahead of Greek fleet decision

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

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

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash

News Timeline