Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon accelerates directed-energy: Lockheed/nLIGHT high-energy lasers; Space Force funds Pulse Space $40M for laser power and

The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin and nLIGHT Defense contracts to transition high-energy laser weapon systems into field-ready, production-oriented platforms to defeat drones and cruise missiles. Separately, the Space Force funded Pulse Space’s $40 million effort for laser-based power beaming and orbital tracking. The Space Force also finalized an acquisition-structure reform creating nine mission-area portfolio acquisition executives.

28 Sources

2026-07-09T06:15:31.858085-07:00

Bloomberg

GOP lawmaker says Trump will license Patriot interceptor production for Ukraine, aligning with Lockheed Martin’s interests

1 Source

2026-07-11T08:15:19.328186-07:00

Air Data News

US Air Force commits B-21 Raider combat operations to a two-pilot crew, while arming B-2s with up to 16 long-range anti-ship mis

11 Sources

2026-07-10T01:45:09.814901-07:00

Bloomberg

Turkey seeks Russia’s consent to transfer S-400 air-defense systems to enable a pathway to US-made F-35s

3 Sources

2026-07-10T03:29:19.809506-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News Timeline

Bloomberg

1 source

GOP lawmaker says Trump will license Patriot interceptor production for Ukraine, aligning with Lockheed Martin’s interests A senior Republican lawmaker said the Trump administration would grant a licensing pathway that could allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors. The lawmaker argued that such a move aligns with the business interests of US defense primes, including Lockheed Martin.

2026-07-11T08:15:19.328186-07:00

GOP lawmaker says Trump will license Patriot interceptor production for Ukraine, aligning with Lockheed Martin’s interests

The War Zone

1 source

Russia confirms talks with Turkey on the future of the S-400 as Ankara seeks a pathway to its F-35 request and US sanctions reli Russia says it is in talks with Turkey over the disposition of the Russian-made S-400 air-defense system, amid Ankara’s effort to secure Washington’s lift of its F-35-related embargo. Reports indicate Ankara is weighing transferring the S-400 to a Gulf partner to advance US approvals.

2026-07-10T10:25:48.473102-07:00

Russia confirms talks with Turkey on the future of the S-400 as Ankara seeks a pathway to its F-35 request and US sanctions reli

Reuters

7 sources

Turkey in talks with Russia over potential S-400 transfer as F-35 negotiations and U.S. sanctions lift efforts continue Turkey has started discussions with Russia to enable it to sell/transfer its S-400 air defense system, which led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Turkish officials say the goal is to reach progress on lifting U.S. sanctions and preserve allied defense cooperation while keeping pathways open to purchase F-35s.

2026-07-10T08:29:46.346237-07:00

Turkey in talks with Russia over potential S-400 transfer as F-35 negotiations and U.S. sanctions lift efforts continue

Bloomberg

3 sources

Turkey seeks Russia’s consent to transfer S-400 air-defense systems to enable a pathway to US-made F-35s Turkey is seeking Russia’s approval to transfer the S-400 air-defense systems it purchased from Moscow to a third country. The move is intended to clear the way for Turkey’s procurement of US-made F-35 fighter jets, linking the S-400 disposal process to the F-35 decision timeline.

2026-07-10T03:29:19.809506-07:00

Turkey seeks Russia’s consent to transfer S-400 air-defense systems to enable a pathway to US-made F-35s

AeroTime

6 sources

Raytheon UK training overhaul, USAF LAIRCM missile-defense upgrade and Army C2/anti-drone wins underscore rapid counter-UAS and Multiple defense awards and test updates target digitally enabled readiness and onboard survivability: the British Army’s 15-year Collective Training System contract; a sole-source USAF deal for LAIRCM enhanced sensor development through 2029; Army orders for L3Harris NGC2 manpack Falcon systems; and autonomous/UAS fleet technology sourcing alongside initial NUBURU laser dazzler counter-UAS test results in Italy.

2026-07-10T01:58:52.441351-07:00

Raytheon UK training overhaul, USAF LAIRCM missile-defense upgrade and Army C2/anti-drone wins underscore rapid counter-UAS and

Air Data News

11 sources

US Air Force commits B-21 Raider combat operations to a two-pilot crew, while arming B-2s with up to 16 long-range anti-ship mis The US Air Force says the B-21 Raider will operate in a two-pilot configuration for combat missions, supported by a new pilot transition program to retain experienced combat officers in the bomber community. Separately, the Air Force has equipped the B-2 Spirit with up to 16 Long-Range Anti-Ship missiles, a capability designed around the Taiwan Strait. A new US law also effectively ends Airbus’ single-pilot cockpit plans for the next generation.

2026-07-10T01:45:09.814901-07:00

US Air Force commits B-21 Raider combat operations to a two-pilot crew, while arming B-2s with up to 16 long-range anti-ship mis

SpaceNews.com

28 sources

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Pentagon accelerates directed-energy: Lockheed/nLIGHT high-energy lasers; Space Force funds Pulse Space $40M for laser power and The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin and nLIGHT Defense contracts to transition high-energy laser weapon systems into field-ready, production-oriented platforms to defeat drones and cruise missiles. Separately, the Space Force funded Pulse Space’s $40 million effort for laser-based power beaming and orbital tracking. The Space Force also finalized an acquisition-structure reform creating nine mission-area portfolio acquisition executives.

2026-07-09T06:15:31.858085-07:00

Pentagon accelerates directed-energy: Lockheed/nLIGHT high-energy lasers; Space Force funds Pulse Space $40M for laser power and

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Golden Dome missile-defense program becomes a startup magnet as technical details remain unsettled With many technical and program specifics for Israel’s Golden Dome still unresolved, the missile-defense effort has nonetheless emerged as a focal opportunity for space and defense startups seeking new markets. The cluster highlights how uncertainty in delivery and architecture has not deterred companies from positioning for future demand.

2026-07-09T05:14:38.368961-07:00

Golden Dome missile-defense program becomes a startup magnet as technical details remain unsettled

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