Payload
• Douglas Gorman
Ukraine-founded UForce raised $700 million at a $6 billion valuation to expand production for Ukraine and allied customers. In France, Tekever opened a factory producing its AR3 and AR5 drones under a seven-year procurement agreement, while U.S. maker Powerus reported $130 million in signed orders and highlighted the cost gap between Patriot missiles and interceptor drones.
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Ukraine-founded UForce raised $700 million at a $6 billion valuation to expand production for Ukraine and allied customers. In France, Tekever opened a factory producing its AR3 and AR5 drones under a seven-year procurement agreement, while U.S. maker Powerus reported $130 million in signed orders and highlighted the cost gap between Patriot missiles and interceptor drones.
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Revolv Space, an Italy- and Netherlands-based aerospace power systems developer, raised €5 million in a Series A led by Deep Ocean Capital to expand R&D and production. Separately, Avio reported nine-month revenue up 17%, with missile propulsion at 33% of backlog, and is advancing its U.S. expansion.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has introduced Super Ice, a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile designed for high-value strategic targets, including advanced air-defense systems. Its 453kg warhead is about four times heavier than Ice Breaker’s, and the weapon can be launched from aircraft, ships or land platforms.
RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems has introduced SUPER ICE, a long-range cruise missile intended to engage high-value strategic targets across challenging environments and extended operational ranges. The company’s announcement identifies a 1,000-pound warhead but provides no specific range or other performance figures.
Vektrex, whose glide munitions were designed to extend the reach of 155mm howitzers, is exploring a different application: packing them inside the nose of a missile. New details and imagery tease a concept involving the AIM-174B long-range missile, though the article provides no performance or program specifics.
A report says a new Democratic Congress will likely drop the “Golden Dome” branding, though the initiative’s replacement name and the extent of any policy or program changes are not specified. The development points to potential congressional scrutiny of the initiative’s political framing.
Air Force leaders say C-17 and C-130 transports will soon be able to release cruise missiles from cargo holds using standard airdrop pallets. The service’s Dragon Cart program is targeting 2027 to field the capability, turning mobility aircraft into additional platforms for delivering large numbers of standoff weapons.
The US State Department approved a possible sale of 11 UH-60M Black Hawks to Mexico, with engines, weapons, sensors and support, valued at up to $1.075 billion. Separately, Argentina signed a letter of acceptance for four UH-60L helicopters for its Army, in a deal announced at $28 million.
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