Space Force OKs Vulcan rocket as SpaceX competitor for military launch
Vulcan’s certification means SpaceX should have at least one competitor for future launches — though several other firms are lining up behind them.
Unmanned
Defense Innovation Unit picks four firms to test one-way drones
The companies, including two Ukrainian vendors, will test demonstrate their capabilities in April and May, and DIU will make final picks soon after.
Space Force eyes commercial options for space surveillance mission
The Space Force is looking at ways to integrate commercial capabilities and better partner with international allies on space domain awareness.
Palantir delivers first 2 next-gen targeting systems to Army
The announcement comes nearly one year to the date of the service awarding the firm a $178 million contract to deliver 10 TITAN ground systems.
Space Force bumps Astrion from Resilient GPS program
After initial design reviews with the firms competing for R-GPS, the service opted to “discontinue” the company's contract, an official told Defense News.
Former Pentagon leader Chris Miller joins defense investment firm
The firm, founded in 2024, focuses its investments on emerging and enabling technologies like advanced manufacturing and AI.
L3Harris unveils Amorphous autonomy software to manage drone swarms
To date, the company has demonstrated the ability to connect multiple systems, but it envisions Amorphous eventually managing thousands of payloads.
Applied Intuition acquires AI software firm EpiSci
The move positions Applied Intuition to expand its portfolio into the air, sea and space domains.
Navy’s readiness push means longer maintenance for current ships
For the Navy to meet its goal of having 80% of its fleet ready to deploy by 2027, the service must stick to its maintenance schedule.
Pentagon says small business programs not part of grant funding pause
The department does not believe SBIR and STTR programs fall within the scope of an Office of Management and Budget order to halt federal grant funding.
Anduril to build ‘Arsenal-1′ autonomous weapons plant in central Ohio
Production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles is envisioned to begin in July 2026.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket debuts
New Glenn lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida just after 2 a.m., carrying a payload for the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit.
Defense tech firms establish AI-focused consortium
The consortium is led by Anduril and Palantir and comes amid a flurry of recent partnership announcements involving the two firms.
LeoLabs sees defense business grow as space-tracking needs multiply
The company's CEO, Tony Frazier, said the firm now serves mostly defense customer in the U.S. and abroad.
Lockheed acquires satellite firm Terran Orbital in $450 million deal
Lockheed already owns one-third of the firm due to its satellite production contracts and investments made in Terran through its venture capital arm.
Astronauts say Boeing space capsule can safely return them to Earth
NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Starliner capsule early last month.
NATO signs $700 million Stinger missile contract amid production push
The Raytheon-produced system was one of the first weapons the U.S. shipped to Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
