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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Boeing wins up to ~$2B MUOS contract for two next-gen Space Force military comms satellites

The U.S. Space Force awarded Boeing an agreement worth up to $2 billion to build and support two next-generation Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communications satellites under a long-term program. Funding runs through FY2026, with delivery work stretching to about 2035 and including launch support.

2026-06-23T15:25:14.939653-07:00

Air Data News

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation

2026-06-23T14:07:49.186518-07:00

The War Zone

NATO and Ukraine seek private-sector solutions to deny Russia use of cratered airfields

2026-06-23T12:56:01.069593-07:00

Bloomberg

Israel weighs US IPO for state-owned defense primes IAI and Rafael to ease local disclosure

2026-06-23T08:40:09.522600-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Boeing wins up to ~$2B MUOS contract for two next-gen Space Force military comms satellites The U.S. Space Force awarded Boeing an agreement worth up to $2 billion to build and support two next-generation Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communications satellites under a long-term program. Funding runs through FY2026, with delivery work stretching to about 2035 and including launch support.

2026-06-23T15:25:14.939653-07:00

Boeing wins up to ~$2B MUOS contract for two next-gen Space Force military comms satellites

Air Data News

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation Italy says more countries could join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the UK–Japan–Italy effort to develop a sixth-generation fighter, after signaling interest in bringing Germany into the programme. The comments add pressure to GCAP’s partner-selection and industrial-participation plans as GCAP moves deeper into design work.

2026-06-23T14:07:49.186518-07:00

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation

The War Zone

NATO and Ukraine seek private-sector solutions to deny Russia use of cratered airfields NATO and Ukraine are turning to the private sector to develop a system designed to prevent Russia from using cratered airfields. The initiative reframes airfield denial as a technology and problem-solving challenge beyond traditional military engineering, with outside innovators competing for a reward.

2026-06-23T12:56:01.069593-07:00

NATO and Ukraine seek private-sector solutions to deny Russia use of cratered airfields

Bloomberg

Israel weighs US IPO for state-owned defense primes IAI and Rafael to ease local disclosure Israel is considering a US listing for state-owned defense companies Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, aiming to potentially avoid stricter disclosure obligations in the local market. The move would shift the financing and transparency footprint of two major Israeli defense industrials to US capital markets.

2026-06-23T08:40:09.522600-07:00

Israel weighs US IPO for state-owned defense primes IAI and Rafael to ease local disclosure

Vertical Mag

Bristow: Rising defense budgets could accelerate privatized military SAR programs Bristow argues that as defense budgets increase, governments are more likely to expand or outsource search-and-rescue (SAR) capabilities, creating growth opportunities for private operators. The company frames privatization as a near-term lever to increase SAR capacity and responsiveness while budgets stay on an upward trajectory.

2026-06-23T06:28:27.726682-07:00

Bristow: Rising defense budgets could accelerate privatized military SAR programs

Reuters

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise France’s DGA has renewed its program of record with Harmattan AI, ordering 5,000 Sonora quadcopter drones—an increase from prior deliveries—after operational success during the Orion 2026 exercise. The award highlights rapid scale-up by the early-stage French startup and a continued pivot toward local small-UAS production.

2026-06-23T03:42:35.867850-07:00

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise

Bloomberg

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Bristow to buy Berry Aviation for $105M, expanding government services and defense aviation Bristow Group has agreed to acquire Berry Aviation from Acorn Capital Management for $105 million to broaden its government aviation offering, centered on search and rescue operations and defense-related missions including ISR. The deal is designed to boost government/defense revenue and improve cash flow.

2026-06-23T02:55:13.768120-07:00

Bristow to buy Berry Aviation for $105M, expanding government services and defense aviation

FlightGlobal

Airbus Helicopters’ Racer high-speed demonstrator advances flight validation; CEO says the next step hinges on military funding Airbus Helicopters’ chief says prospects for a high-speed programme are limited without military funding, even as the company continues validating its “compound” architecture via flight tests of the Racer demonstrator. The comments frame Racer as a technology step that may not convert to a full development path absent defense demand.

2026-06-23T02:25:37.236326-07:00

Airbus Helicopters’ Racer high-speed demonstrator advances flight validation; CEO says the next step hinges on military funding

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Boeing wins up to ~$2B MUOS contract for two next-gen Space Force military comms satellites

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation

NATO and Ukraine seek private-sector solutions to deny Russia use of cratered airfields

Israel weighs US IPO for state-owned defense primes IAI and Rafael to ease local disclosure

News Timeline