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Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Space Force awards SpaceX $4.16B SB-AMTI contract for space-based airborne moving target indication

On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to build satellites for SB-AMTI, a space-based airborne moving target indication effort. The program is intended to speed delivery of global sensors that track moving aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles from orbit.

2026-05-29T10:10:15.681121-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market

2026-05-29T08:00:04.813837-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force budget request targets missile-warning satellites and proliferated LEO, backed by “resilient operations centers” and

2026-05-28T16:09:22.845952-07:00

Breaking Defense

Operation Epic Fury shows Space Force space capabilities are being targeted—Fernengel flags need for distributed operations and

2026-05-28T12:43:02.245929-07:00

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Breaking Defense

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Space Force awards SpaceX $4.16B SB-AMTI contract for space-based airborne moving target indication On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to build satellites for SB-AMTI, a space-based airborne moving target indication effort. The program is intended to speed delivery of global sensors that track moving aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles from orbit.

2026-05-29T10:10:15.681121-07:00

Space Force awards SpaceX $4.16B SB-AMTI contract for space-based airborne moving target indication

SpaceNews.com

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market The U.S. Space Force is working to pull more defense-and-space startups into the national security market, positioning itself as a “commercial gatekeeper” and outlining a playbook for companies trying to win Space Force business.

2026-05-29T08:00:04.813837-07:00

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market

SpaceNews.com

Space Force budget request targets missile-warning satellites and proliferated LEO, backed by “resilient operations centers” and The U.S. Space Force’s fiscal 2027 budget request totals about $71 billion, drawing focus on investments in missile-warning satellites and proliferated low Earth orbit constellations. The plan also calls for a nationwide network of “resilient operations centers” and aims to roughly double Space Force staffing levels by 2030.

2026-05-28T16:09:22.845952-07:00

Space Force budget request targets missile-warning satellites and proliferated LEO, backed by “resilient operations centers” and

Washington Post

JD Vance warns Air Force Academy grads: AI will change warfare, but humans must make life-and-death decisions Vice President JD Vance told 2026 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates that AI will “inevitably change warfare,” but he cautioned against delegating life-and-death decisions to machines. In remarks at commencement in Colorado, he urged cadets to stay adaptable amid expanding Pentagon work on AI in combat.

2026-05-28T12:44:33.435137-07:00

JD Vance warns Air Force Academy grads: AI will change warfare, but humans must make life-and-death decisions

Breaking Defense

Operation Epic Fury shows Space Force space capabilities are being targeted—Fernengel flags need for distributed operations and Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel says Operation Epic Fury marked the first time Space Force saw its space capabilities targeted and destroyed, and expects this to recur more frequently. The comment frames a push toward distributed operations and resilient electronic-warfare sites to protect space effects in a contested environment.

2026-05-28T12:43:02.245929-07:00

Operation Epic Fury shows Space Force space capabilities are being targeted—Fernengel flags need for distributed operations and

SpaceNews.com

HASC FY2027 NDAA draft would fold SDA and Space RCO into a single structure The House Armed Services Committee’s draft FY2027 NDAA would eliminate the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the Space RCO as separate entities, pressing for a consolidated organizational approach for Pentagon space programs. The move is positioned within broader HASC support for multiyear space acquisition and faster execution.

2026-05-27T15:42:01.618805-07:00

HASC FY2027 NDAA draft would fold SDA and Space RCO into a single structure

Breaking Defense

DAF space acquisition chief says finalized Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) structure and office leaders to be announced so The Department of the Air Force says it is still working to sort space programs into the finalized acquisition “PAE” structure. Acting space acquisition chief Thomas Ainsworth said the coming-days rollout will include the finalized portfolio structure and the names of each office leader.

2026-05-27T13:14:20.191068-07:00

DAF space acquisition chief says finalized Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) structure and office leaders to be announced so

Reuters

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Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to develop the “Space Data Network Backbone,” a low Earth orbit satellite network intended to operate as a military internet in space. The backbone is positioned to support the broader Space Data Network, including SDA transport-layer satellites.

2026-05-26T14:43:28.561315-07:00

Space Force awards SpaceX $2.29B for Space Data Network Backbone LEO communications

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Space Force News

Space Force awards SpaceX $4.16B SB-AMTI contract for space-based airborne moving target indication

Space Force seeks to channel more startups into national-security market

Space Force budget request targets missile-warning satellites and proliferated LEO, backed by “resilient operations centers” and

Operation Epic Fury shows Space Force space capabilities are being targeted—Fernengel flags need for distributed operations and

News Timeline