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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly readies first Alpha Block 2 debut late this summer as SciTec wins US space-based missile defense OTA

Firefly Aerospace says it plans to debut the upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer amid strong demand. Separately, SciTec, a Firefly unit, received an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement from U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command for the Golden Dome space-based interceptor program—backed by a cited $3.2 billion Space-Based Interceptor total.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

The War Zone

U.S. helicopters clear defended corridor through Strait of Hormuz; MH-60S and AH-64 Apaches sink six Iranian small boats

2026-05-04T11:12:13.238067-07:00

Aviation Week

State Dept. approves $373.6M Foreign Military Sale of Boeing JDAM-ER tail kits to Ukraine

2026-05-05T17:06:38.110297-07:00

Breaking Defense

Turkey unveils “Yıldırımhan” ICBM concept at SAHA 2026, targeting ~6,000 km with conventionally-armed deterrence intent

2026-05-06T12:36:31.055231-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab, with Raytheon, tapped for U.S. Space Force Space Based Interceptor demo under Golden Dome Rocket Lab says it has been selected, in partnership with Raytheon, to demonstrate “advanced capabilities” for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Based Interceptor program. The Pentagon-related award is tied to the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile-defense initiative and an accelerating push to broaden hypersonic testing.

2026-05-07T15:27:26.182649-07:00

Rocket Lab, with Raytheon, tapped for U.S. Space Force Space Based Interceptor demo under Golden Dome

Breaking Defense

Turkey unveils “Yıldırımhan” ICBM concept at SAHA 2026, targeting ~6,000 km with conventionally-armed deterrence intent Turkey presented Yıldırımhan—its first domestically developed intercontinental ballistic missile mock-up—at SAHA 2026, describing it as a new long-range deterrence layer. Reporting ties the concept to a claimed 6,000 km class range and notes the country joining a small group able to produce ICBM-scale systems.

2026-05-06T12:36:31.055231-07:00

Turkey unveils “Yıldırımhan” ICBM concept at SAHA 2026, targeting ~6,000 km with conventionally-armed deterrence intent

Breaking Defense

Lockheed challenges Northrop bid to lift 2018 consent-order “firewall” affecting solid rocket motor scaling Lockheed Martin is opposing Northrop Grumman’s effort to remove a 2018 consent-order firewall that Northrop says is constraining its ability to ramp solid rocket motor production for critical munitions. The dispute highlights how legacy regulatory remedies can limit near-term industrial capacity expansion.

2026-05-06T11:42:11.110301-07:00

Lockheed challenges Northrop bid to lift 2018 consent-order “firewall” affecting solid rocket motor scaling

AeroTime

MBDA and India’s Air Force agree to localize MICA missile MRO capability in India MBDA has signed an agreement with the Indian Air Force to develop an in-country Maintenance, Repair and Mid-Life Overhaul (MRO) capability for the MICA missiles used with India’s Rafale fleet. The IAF will operate the facility, with MBDA supplying machinery, tools and training.

2026-05-06T08:27:35.377580-07:00

MBDA and India’s Air Force agree to localize MICA missile MRO capability in India

Aviation Week

State Dept. approves $373.6M Foreign Military Sale of Boeing JDAM-ER tail kits to Ukraine The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $373.6 million Foreign Military Sale for 1,532 Boeing JDAM-ER tail kits/guidance elements to Ukraine. The guidance kits are intended to expand Ukrainian Air Force stand-off strike capability using JDAM-ER extended-range precision munitions.

2026-05-05T17:06:38.110297-07:00

State Dept. approves $373.6M Foreign Military Sale of Boeing JDAM-ER tail kits to Ukraine

SpaceNews.com

Anduril names industry teammates for Space Force “Golden Dome” space-based interceptor prototyping team Anduril will lead a consortium to prototype space-based interceptor technologies for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command under a Golden Dome homeland missile-defense effort. The company has named collaborators—including Impulse Space, K2 Space, Voyager and others—following an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) award for SBI-related technology prototyping.

2026-05-05T06:55:52.217590-07:00

Anduril names industry teammates for Space Force “Golden Dome” space-based interceptor prototyping team

DefenseNews.com

MBDA wins UK MoD deal to develop a medium-range strike missile for future F-35 force MBDA has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract to develop a medium-range strike weapon intended for its upcoming F-35 aircraft fleet. The deal extends MBDA’s role in arming UK stealth jets with a longer-range precision capability, aligning with ongoing UK investment in long-range effects.

2026-05-05T04:24:07.499374-07:00

MBDA wins UK MoD deal to develop a medium-range strike missile for future F-35 force

SpaceNews.com

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Firefly readies first Alpha Block 2 debut late this summer as SciTec wins US space-based missile defense OTA Firefly Aerospace says it plans to debut the upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer amid strong demand. Separately, SciTec, a Firefly unit, received an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement from U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command for the Golden Dome space-based interceptor program—backed by a cited $3.2 billion Space-Based Interceptor total.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

Firefly readies first Alpha Block 2 debut late this summer as SciTec wins US space-based missile defense OTA

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

Firefly readies first Alpha Block 2 debut late this summer as SciTec wins US space-based missile defense OTA

U.S. helicopters clear defended corridor through Strait of Hormuz; MH-60S and AH-64 Apaches sink six Iranian small boats

State Dept. approves $373.6M Foreign Military Sale of Boeing JDAM-ER tail kits to Ukraine

Turkey unveils “Yıldırımhan” ICBM concept at SAHA 2026, targeting ~6,000 km with conventionally-armed deterrence intent

News Timeline