Space Defense & Militarization News

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot

The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-fire test over the Mojave Desert in which Anduril’s developmental YFQ-44A CCA drone externally carried and launched a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missile. The test marks the first time a U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone has fired a live air-to-air missile.

21 Sources

2026-07-15T08:17:03.882731-07:00

European Spaceflight

Europe tightens space-systems execution—from defense milsatcom schedules to direct-to-device ground infrastructure—while securin

5 Sources

2026-07-15T06:48:28.888867-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force chief warns of possible U.S. space-launch “cap” amid budget uncertainty as Gen. Chance Saltzman exits

5 Sources

2026-07-15T11:28:54.845851-07:00

Payload

SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes

16 Sources

2026-07-15T05:52:31.043058-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

1 source

Space Force awards Slingshot Aerospace a $69.2M contract for AI-enabled mission rehearsal training environments Slingshot Aerospace has won a $69.2 million U.S. Space Force contract to deliver AI-powered mission rehearsal and operational training capabilities for Space Force Guardians. The effort is tied to the service’s Operational Test and Training Infrastructure and will simulate satellite-defense scenarios and adversary actions in orbit.

2026-07-15T12:24:48.342197-07:00

Space Force awards Slingshot Aerospace a $69.2M contract for AI-enabled mission rehearsal training environments

SpaceNews.com

5 sources

Space Force chief warns of possible U.S. space-launch “cap” amid budget uncertainty as Gen. Chance Saltzman exits Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, departing Chief of Space Operations, warned the U.S. may need to limit space-launch capacity if it cannot secure resources to modernize and expand aging launch infrastructure despite booming demand. In his final public remarks, he also pressed for realistic problem management and argued deterrence requires space-capable forces.

2026-07-15T11:28:54.845851-07:00

Space Force chief warns of possible U.S. space-launch “cap” amid budget uncertainty as Gen. Chance Saltzman exits

Breaking Defense

21 sources

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U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-fire test over the Mojave Desert in which Anduril’s developmental YFQ-44A CCA drone externally carried and launched a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missile. The test marks the first time a U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone has fired a live air-to-air missile.

2026-07-15T08:17:03.882731-07:00

U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot

European Spaceflight

5 sources

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Europe tightens space-systems execution—from defense milsatcom schedules to direct-to-device ground infrastructure—while securin A set of Europe-focused moves highlights the region’s effort to counter SpaceX’s growing gravity in satellite networks. Germany’s defense space buildup is anchored on schedule adherence toward 2027, even as optical and NTN-related ground segments face launch delays, and ESA-backed security work targets verification gaps in scaling multi-orbit systems.

2026-07-15T06:48:28.888867-07:00

Europe tightens space-systems execution—from defense milsatcom schedules to direct-to-device ground infrastructure—while securin

Payload

16 sources

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SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes The Space Development Agency plans to resume launches after a nine-month pause, sending a second (Tranche 1) batch of 21 York Space Systems transport-layer satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from California. SDA says it implemented tech fixes to restart momentum for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) and secure military/ally communications.

2026-07-15T05:52:31.043058-07:00

SDA to relaunch PWSA buildout with Falcon 9 launch of 21 York Space Systems data transport satellites after tech fixes

Space.com

12 sources

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SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13, aiming to deploy first Starlink V3 satellites and validate major Raptor and vehic SpaceX is preparing Starship’s 13th flight test with a launch attempt no earlier than July 16 (a 90-minute window opening at 17:45CT). The mission is planned to deploy the first Starlink V3 satellites, restart a Raptor engine in space, and test key V3-related upgrades as Falcon 9 reaches its 600th booster reuse.

2026-07-15T03:04:57.428538-07:00

SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13, aiming to deploy first Starlink V3 satellites and validate major Raptor and vehic

AINonline

4 sources

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Iridium makes its first PNT ASIC commercially available for assured navigation amid GNSS jamming/spoofing threats Iridium says its first Positioning, Navigation and Timing Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (PNT ASIC) is now broadly commercially available, with more than 150 organizations expressing interest. The chip is intended for hardware-level assured backup PNT capabilities as GNSS vulnerabilities to jamming and spoofing grow, including for avionics integration.

2026-07-14T10:59:14.578164-07:00

Iridium makes its first PNT ASIC commercially available for assured navigation amid GNSS jamming/spoofing threats

Breaking Defense

1 source

Pentagon backs space-based solar power—linking NATO summit priorities to anticipated Farnborough work The Pentagon is pursuing space-based solar power, positioning the effort as part of broader defense and allied priorities discussed around the NATO summit. With Farnborough in view, the program’s next milestones are expected to shape near-term industry engagement and technology focus areas.

2026-07-14T09:45:55.662937-07:00

Pentagon backs space-based solar power—linking NATO summit priorities to anticipated Farnborough work

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