Stealth Is Over: The Next War Is Human‑Robot; Europe’s Rearming Stops Short of Space

INNOVATION

Stealth isn’t Strategy: Post-Stealth Warfare will be a “Dirty Mix” of Humans and Robots

A 2026 report by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies contended the U.S. Air Force needs 200 B-21s and 300 F-47s “to deny enemy sanctuaries,” which contrasts with the current plan of buying 100 B-21s and 185 F-47s.[1]

The Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command recently told Congress, “I would favor 200 B-21 bombers… Not just for the nuclear deterrence mission, but for penetrating strike capabilities,” and the Secretary of War similarly stated, “We believe we’ll require a lot more, over 100, in the future.”[2] This doctrinaire focus on quantities of exquisite stealth platforms (and their missions) frames American military strategy as an inventory issue, not emerging battlefield realities.

The Navy wants next-generation munitions, so it’s spending millions on innovation hubs

Replenishing munitions stockpiles doesn’t end with simply producing more of them. There are persistent challenges with mixing, manufacturing, integrating and discovering new energetic materials—the chemical compounds that make up explosives, propellants, and munitions. On Thursday, the Navy broke ground on a new facility to help.

INVESTMENT

Motorola Snaps Up C-UAS Startup D-Fend Solutions for $1.5B

If you’ve taken a look at the summer events calendar and are worried about how hostile drones could throw a wrench into all of the FIFA World Cup and America 250 festivities, you’re not alone. The big players in public safety are, too, and they’re making some money moves to make sure it all goes smoothly.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI to cement the future of industry

Gigaton, formerly known as Carbon Re, raises $25M for AI to reduce carbon emissions and bring modern cement production online

TECHNOLOGY

T-7 Simulator Blurs the Lines Between Live and Virtual Flying

When the first T-7A Red Hawk touched down here in late December, senior leaders celebrated a major step forward in the future of Air Force pilot training. Sleek, and eye-catching with their red tails, the first two jets look the part.

Shifters Raises $10.2M Seed for Ground Robots

The company says the money will accelerate the development of its autonomous ground robot teams, which they say will “help operators extend reach, improve situational awareness and preserve human life in dangerous environments.” That means robots that can be sent into dangerous environments first to clear rubble, navigate tunnels, and operate in jammed or debris-filled areas before human teams move in.

Hudson Technologies gets contract extension with U.S. Defense Logistics Agency

Woodcliff Lake-based Hudson Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of sustainable refrigerant products and services to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry, announced that it has received a bridge modification from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

This extends the expiration date of its existing agreement from July 29 to Nov. 29, 2026, with the option for two additional three-month extensions through Feb. 28, 2027, and May 29, 2027, if necessary.

Marine Harriers will make a final public flight before retirement

“The Harrier didn't need an airfield. All it needed was a Marine flying it.”

POLICY

New bill aims to regulate military uses of AI

A new bill would restrict the Pentagon’s use of AI in operations and heavily regulate its use on fully-autonomous weapons, for domestic surveillance, and with nuclear weapons.

Between Beijing and the Budget: The Domestic Realities of Taiwan’s Defense Spending Drama

On May 8, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan broke a grueling six-month stalemate by passing a landmark $25 billion defense budget, catching many observers off guard. The vote brought sudden end to an agonizing legislative deadlock that had pushed U.S.-Taiwanese relations to the edge. For months, long-simmering frustration in Washington over Taiwan’s defense trajectory has threatened to boil over, catalyzed by an unprecedented bipartisan open letter from U.S. senators, demanding that Taiwan authorize the pending defense packages.

SPACE

Europe is rearming together — except in space

Europe is rapidly rewriting its security architecture. Faced with Russian aggression, mounting doubts about long-term American commitment and growing pressure to shoulder more of its own defense burden, European states have embraced minilateralism: smaller, flexible coalitions built around shared strategic priorities and operational needs. From the Joint Expeditionary Force to the Anglo-German Kensington Treaty and France’s new concept of “forward deterrence”, these coalitions are reshaping how Europe prepares for conflict. And yet space, increasingly central to military operations and deterrence, remains the missing piece.

EUROPE

Estonia deploys first anti-drone systems on Russian border

Estonia has begun deploying its first fixed drone detection and monitoring systems along its Russian border as the Baltic state continues to strengthen its defences against aerial incursions linked to the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine and Lithuania launched joint initiative Brave Lithuania. What is known?

According to the prime minister, the project was created to support innovation. It will be jointly implemented by Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence and the Brave1 cluster.

The joint work will focus on areas directly needed on the battlefield.

SECURITY

A Cyber Force budget would require at least $10 billion, new commission report says

The Commission on US Cyber Force Generation released its report outlining what a new military service could look like.

STARTUPS

Defense tech darling Mach Industries hits $1.8B valuation, a 4x jump in a year

Mach Industries, the three-year-old defense tech startup run by 22-year-old founder and CEO Ethan Thornton, has raised a $300 million Series C at a $1.8 billion valuation, the company announced on Monday.

The raise nearly quadruples the valuation of the company in a year. In June 2025, Mach raised $100 million at a $470 million valuation. Other investors include Bedrock Capital, Sequoia Capital, and Khosla Ventures.