Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Boresight debuts BQ-750 Block 2 target drone as B-52 readiness strains AGM-181A cruise-missile testing

Boresight says it has built the BQ-750 Block 2 target drone to expand on the company’s earlier commercially successful BQ-400. In parallel, reporting highlights that B-52 fleet readiness issues—following a tragic loss—are creating testing challenges for the AGM-181A nuclear cruise missile upgrade.

3 Sources

2026-07-07T16:53:13.919557-07:00

Via Satellite

US Space Force’s Space Systems Command awards SES a 5-year Ku-band connectivity BPA

1 Source

2026-07-07T13:13:53.630965-07:00

Wall Street Journal

Raytheon and NATO allies expand AMRAAM production in Europe, enabling European-built advanced missile components

3 Sources

2026-07-07T16:00:11.844045-07:00

Breaking Defense

Senate Democrats press for Air Force and contractor details on Qatari-gifted aircraft conversion

1 Source

2026-07-07T13:00:27.025842-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News Timeline

The War Zone

3 sources

Boresight debuts BQ-750 Block 2 target drone as B-52 readiness strains AGM-181A cruise-missile testing Boresight says it has built the BQ-750 Block 2 target drone to expand on the company’s earlier commercially successful BQ-400. In parallel, reporting highlights that B-52 fleet readiness issues—following a tragic loss—are creating testing challenges for the AGM-181A nuclear cruise missile upgrade.

2026-07-07T16:53:13.919557-07:00

Boresight debuts BQ-750 Block 2 target drone as B-52 readiness strains AGM-181A cruise-missile testing

The War Zone

None source

Poor B-52 Readiness Creating Testing Challenges For New AGM-181A Nuclear Cruise Missile

2026-07-07T16:53:13.919557-07:00

Poor B-52 Readiness Creating T

Wall Street Journal

3 sources

Raytheon and NATO allies expand AMRAAM production in Europe, enabling European-built advanced missile components Raytheon and a coalition of NATO allies signed an agreement to expand the AMRAAM missile program, clearing the way to produce components of the advanced air-to-air missile on European soil for the first time. The pact supports broader component build capacity in Europe as part of the program’s scaling.

2026-07-07T16:00:11.844045-07:00

Raytheon and NATO allies expand AMRAAM production in Europe, enabling European-built advanced missile components

Via Satellite

1 source

US Space Force’s Space Systems Command awards SES a 5-year Ku-band connectivity BPA Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded SES Space and Defense a five-year blanket purchase agreement for global Ku-band connectivity, including managed connectivity services. The BPA structure is designed to enable the military to obtain Ku-band connectivity more quickly as operational needs arise.

2026-07-07T13:13:53.630965-07:00

US Space Force’s Space Systems Command awards SES a 5-year Ku-band connectivity BPA

Breaking Defense

1 source

Senate Democrats press for Air Force and contractor details on Qatari-gifted aircraft conversion Senate Democrats say they have been “stonewalled” when requesting more granular information tied to a controversial Air Force aircraft conversion involving a Qatari-gifted platform. The lawmakers are seeking additional answers from the Air Force and relevant contractors regarding how the conversion was handled and governed.

2026-07-07T13:00:27.025842-07:00

Senate Democrats press for Air Force and contractor details on Qatari-gifted aircraft conversion

Wall Street Journal

1 source

Lockheed to pay $5 million to fund White House South Lawn pad for Marine One helicopter operations Lockheed says it will pay $5 million for a new South Lawn helipad, with the donation earmarked to support construction for Marine One helicopter operations. The move links a major defense contractor’s resources to a high-profile presidential lift capability and White House infrastructure.

2026-07-07T10:58:50.369509-07:00

Lockheed to pay $5 million to fund White House South Lawn pad for Marine One helicopter operations

AINonline

1 source

Radia expands partner network for WindRunner supersized cargo lifter, targeting military rotary-wing transport Radia is adding partners to its WindRunner “supersized cargo lifter,” positioning the platform for defense use cases such as carrying multiple Chinook helicopters—described as potentially “half a dozen.” The updates underscore how Radia is building a broader ecosystem around lift capacity rather than focusing solely on airframe development.

2026-07-07T06:44:59.790712-07:00

Radia expands partner network for WindRunner supersized cargo lifter, targeting military rotary-wing transport

Bloomberg

1 source

VC funding surges into defense tech, spotlighting Anduril’s Ghost drone Venture capital for aerospace and military startups is shifting from “off limits” to a mainstream bet, with investors increasingly backing companies tied to defense programs. Anduril used its Costa Mesa headquarters to showcase its Ghost drone, signaling how defense-focused autonomy is attracting new funding.

2026-07-07T04:15:56.395629-07:00

VC funding surges into defense tech, spotlighting Anduril’s Ghost drone

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