US Army Welcomes First 600 Enlisted Space Soldiers; Powerus Secures $82M Interceptor Order

INNOVATION

Boeing adds to big week with first full-rate Grey Wolf helicopter order

The announcement comes during a busy week for Boeing. On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy selected the company to build its F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier-based fighter under a development contract worth more than $20 billion. The same day, the Air Force signed a $2.38 billion order for 22 more F-15EX Eagle II fighters.

Helsing’s chief scientist says defence startups can snag top tech talent

Having a sense of mission, plus being financially competitive, both help

INVESTMENT

DOE Announces $400M for Frontier Science Research

The Department of Energy is super-charging research into bleeding edge energy tech.

AI

AI Takes Hours Out of F-35 Production at Northrop Grumman

AI is helping technicians complete complex assembly work faster while improving inspection and manufacturing efficiency across F-35 production.

South Korea to Train Defense AI Talent From the University Level

A new university-industry program will give students hands-on experience with defense data while creating a direct pathway into AI roles at Hanwha Aerospace.

TECHNOLOGY

Lockheed Martin plans expanded Indian production under aircraft bid

Lockheed Martin and Tata plan to build 48 aircraft in India if selected for the Indian Air Force’s 60-aircraft requirement.

Smart Shooter secures counter-UAS contract from JIATF-401

The 36-month sole-supplier agreement covers SMASH fire control hardware, software, training and support for US force protection missions.

What are humanoid robots actually for on the battlefield?

Despite their cinematic, sci-fi allure, humanoid robots could potentially address real manpower and survivability problems, a former Turkish general argues.

POLICY

Pentagon update on National Defense Strategy cites progress, omits key threats

The report to Congress notes accomplishments but masks depleted arsenals, strategic distractions, and a quiet retreat from European defense.

SPACE

US Army Welcomes First 600 Enlisted Space Soldiers

“We had nearly 3,000 soldiers apply, and selected over 600 of the most capable, professional soldiers in the Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey Jackson of US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) in a statement.

EUROPE

Germany to set up first drone regiment next year, modeled after Ukraine war lessons

Germany plans to stand up its first dedicated drone regiment next year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced, as Berlin attempts to institutionalize lessons from the war in Ukraine after years of domestic foot-dragging on unmanned warfare.

Diehl Defence to adapt IRIS-T SLM for German Navy frigates

Diehl Defence will build prototypes and conduct test firings to support IRIS-T SLM integration on the German Navy’s F125 frigates.

DRONES

Powerus Secures $82M Interceptor Order

the newly public drone company announced exclusively to Tectonic that it secured an $82M order for its interceptors —the second, and largest, order under a $90M IDIQ contract awarded by the US Air Force in August.

AIR FORCE

US Air Force Bets on New Sensing Tech to Catch Long-Range Missiles Early

Ghost Mantis Gen 3 uses a multi-function aperture to perform multiple sensing missions across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Air Force pulls bombers from RAF Fairford after security incident

The decision to pull U.S. bombers from the British base comes a week after several people were arrested on suspicion of plotting terrorist action.