Bloomberg
• Jen Judson, Roxana Tiron
Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden said the Trump administration’s Golden Dome space defense system is becoming tangible for defense contractors and that Northrop expects a “decent share” of the work. The program could ultimately cost more than $1 trillion, according to Warden.
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons
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Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden said the Trump administration’s Golden Dome space defense system is becoming tangible for defense contractors and that Northrop expects a “decent share” of the work. The program could ultimately cost more than $1 trillion, according to Warden.
Ursa Major plans to merge with a blank-check company and enter public markets in early 2027, valuing the combined business at about $2.3 billion. The transaction is intended to fund a shift from development and low-rate production to full-rate output for hypersonic systems, rocket engines and solid motors.
The U.S. has approved a potential sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rockets to Italy, a deal intended to bolster the Italian Air Force’s ability to counter drones. The notification adds an air-launched precision weapon to Italy’s evolving response to the growing unmanned threat.
The Navy unveiled RTX’s AIM-424 Malice, a long-range air-to-air missile reported to exceed 250 nautical miles, while a B-2 demonstrated a precision-guided air-launched anti-ship weapon and unmanned boats surveyed and engaged targets. The service is also seeking a new air-launched torpedo for submarine warfare.
The Italian Air Force is considering acquiring U.S. technology that would transform low-cost, unguided missiles into precision weapons for countering drones. The concept could give Italy a more affordable interceptor option, while opening a potential U.S.-Italian defense technology and procurement discussion.
China’s military has developed a hypersonic glide vehicle designed to launch air-to-air weapons against high-value targets, including command-and-control aircraft, at ranges of thousands of miles. The capability could extend the threat envelope facing airborne battle-management and support platforms central to military operations.
The UK plans to transfer Storm Shadow/SCALP missile blueprints to enable local assembly in Ukraine alongside France, while the low-cost, long-range Brakestop project advances. Separately, Ukrainian company General Cherry says it is already producing Bullet interceptors and Air Speed FPV UAVs in Finland.
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The U.S. Navy has disclosed the Raytheon-built AIM-424 Malice, a long-range air-to-air missile with a stated reach exceeding 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers). The weapon is undergoing flight testing and is intended for the F/A-18, F-35—including the carrier-based F-35C—and future F/A-XX fighters.
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