Satellite   Space Force   L3Harris   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

SpaceX to launch SDA Tranche 2 — 36 missile‑tracking satellites (L3Harris, Lockheed Martin) plus 8 Millennium FOO Fighters

SpaceX will launch the Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, carrying 36 missile‑tracking satellites — 18 built by L3Harris and 18 by Lockheed Martin — plus eight Millennium Space Systems FOO Fighter demonstrators, advancing SDA's proliferated missile‑warning and tracking architecture.

2026-01-09T13:28:13.058173-08:00
Space Force   Leadership   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

US Air Force creates 'Portfolio Acquisition Executives' to streamline weapons procurement and cut bureaucracy

By Breaking Defense: The fresh approach is meant to streamline weapons procurement and cut through bureaucracy, though details like exactly what authorities new Portfolio Acquisition Executives will have are being worked out.

Also: Defense Scoop, Military Times, insidedefense.com, Defense Daily and news.defcros.com
2026-01-09T11:52:42.938534-08:00
Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Gabriel Rubin

Trump’s ‘bully pulpit’ raises political risk for defense firms — threats to RTX buybacks and major investor deals

By Reuters: President Trump wants to block defense contractors like $250 bln RTX from repurchasing stock and big investors such as Blackstone from buying homes. He can't do so alone, but CEOs will waste resources coping.

Also: Flying Magazine
2026-01-09T06:45:28.523190-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Navy integrates autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft with F-35s in Joint Simulation Environment to develop new fighter tactics

By FlightGlobal: The US Navy has digitally integrated autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft with Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters inside the Joint Simulation Environment, as the service begins a fleet transformation that will see uncrewed fighters operated alongside conventional aircraft.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com, Navy Times, marinecorpstimes.com and Military Times
2026-01-09T05:28:00.902972-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Hypersonic   Europe   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Andrew Osborn

Russia Reports Firing Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile at Ukrainian Energy and Drone Manufacturing Sites

By Reuters: The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although there was no suggestion that the one used in the overnight attack had been fitted with them.

Also: Associated Press, politico.eu, Janes, AeroTime, Sky News, Economic Times, globalnews.ca, Euronews, The Independent, NBC News, defence-blog.com, defence-industry.eu and 17 more
2026-01-08T23:02:31.746901-08:00