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Space Intel Report • Peter B de Selding

SpainSat NG_2 Likely Total Loss; Indra/Hisdesat Readies Replacement Tender (Insured $400M)

SpainSat NG_2, a large military telecommunications satellite launched in October, now appears to be a total loss following its deployment attempts. The craft is insured for about $400 million, and operator Indra/Hisdesat is preparing a replacement tender to restore the capability.

2026-01-16T08:26:02.399342-08:00

Breaking Defense

The state of play in military space: acquisition, policy and training priorities

2026-01-16T07:26:11.391531-08:00

Airbus

France orders six VSR700 naval unmanned rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

Reuters

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

News Timeline

Space Intel Report

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SpainSat NG_2 Likely Total Loss; Indra/Hisdesat Readies Replacement Tender (Insured $400M) SpainSat NG_2, a large military telecommunications satellite launched in October, now appears to be a total loss following its deployment attempts. The craft is insured for about $400 million, and operator Indra/Hisdesat is preparing a replacement tender to restore the capability.

2026-01-16T08:26:02.399342-08:00

SpainSat NG_2 Likely Total Loss; Indra/Hisdesat Readies Replacement Tender (Insured $400M)

Breaking Defense

The state of play in military space: acquisition, policy and training priorities Military space is accelerating across acquisition, policy and training. A new Breaking Defense eBook gathers Space Force and industry officials to map near‑term shifts in procurement approaches, regulatory priorities and workforce preparation as services race to field resilient, contested‑space capabilities.

2026-01-16T07:26:11.391531-08:00

The state of play in military space: acquisition, policy and training priorities

Air Data News

Saab assembles first of four additional JAS 39C Gripens for Hungary Hungary has revealed the first of four additional Saab‑assembled JAS 39C Gripen fighters for the Hungarian Air Force. The assembled airframe is the opening aircraft in a four‑jet augmentation to Hungary’s existing Gripen fleet, with three further airframes to follow.

2026-01-16T04:19:14.846977-08:00

Saab assembles first of four additional JAS 39C Gripens for Hungary

AeroTime

Israeli UH-60 'Yanshuf' Lost After Sling/Towing-Harness Failure During Mid‑Air Recovery Near Gush Etzion An Israeli Air Force UH-60 "Yanshuf" detached and crashed during a mid‑air recovery by a CH‑53 "Yasur" after its sling/towing harnesses failed over Gush Etzion. The aircraft was a total loss; the IDF reports no casualties and the helicopter had earlier made an emergency landing.

2026-01-16T04:11:25.247372-08:00

Israeli UH-60 'Yanshuf' Lost After Sling/Towing-Harness Failure During Mid‑Air Recovery Near Gush Etzion

Reuters

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy Leonardo's Proteus, the UK's first full-size autonomous helicopter developed for the Royal Navy, completed its maiden flight from the National Drone Hub in Cornwall. The Proteus technology demonstrator will be used to explore uncrewed rotorcraft roles, including high-risk missions and carrier/"hybrid air wing" experimentation.

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy

Airbus

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France orders six VSR700 naval unmanned rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028 France's DGA has contracted Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group to produce six VSR700 vertical‑takeoff unmanned rotorcraft for the Marine Nationale. Based on the Guimbal Cabri G2, the VSR700 will provide shipborne ISR—radar, EO/IR and AIS—and is due to enter service from 2028.

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

France orders six VSR700 naval unmanned rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

Vertical Mag

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years Senior U.S. Army officials announced late last year plans to buy up to one million drones over the next two to three years as the service pivots toward uncrewed operations. The figure is a dramatic increase from the roughly 50,000 drones the Army currently purchases annually.

2026-01-16T02:53:42.744802-08:00

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years

DefenseNews.com

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads The Marine Corps wants to increase its rapid prototyping fund by nearly six times in 2023 to accelerate trials of partner unmanned systems and new payloads for MQ‑9 Reaper aircraft. The effort is aimed at fast‑tracking integration, evaluating subordinate UAS concepts and fielding capabilities more quickly.

2026-01-16T01:51:55.035041-08:00

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

SpainSat NG_2 Likely Total Loss; Indra/Hisdesat Readies Replacement Tender (Insured $400M)

The state of play in military space: acquisition, policy and training priorities

France orders six VSR700 naval unmanned rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy

News Timeline