Anduril to Lead NGC2 Common Data Baseline; Designing Drones for Africa

INNOVATION

Designing Drones for Africa

Cheap Turkish and Chinese drones and sensor systems have proliferated across Africa for years. Where do those systems fall short, and what capabilities do you hope to add to the crowded unmanned market?

RIMPAC kicks off in Hawaii with a focus on experimentation

The 30th iteration of RIMPAC will feature 30 to 35 experiments that involve unmanned systems, the Pacific Fleet’s second-in-command said Wednesday.

The experiments are “a major part” of this year’s edition of the biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific, Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon told reporters at a press conference. He declined to provide specifics.

INVESTMENT

Fort Worth could land manufacturing plant for cutting-edge defense tech startup

Fort Worth could be the site of a manufacturing plant for a high-profile defense technology startup.

At a June 23 work session, Fort Worth City Council heard details on a potential economic development agreement with Mach Industries, a company that develops advanced unmanned aircraft systems.

TECHNOLOGY

Air Force could spend $1.5B, get ‘Doomsday Plane’ data in T-7 engine ‘horse trade’

“There’s goodness in it, but not as a taxpayer," a source told Breaking Defense about the prospective deal. "And only if the Air Force gets it right with its requirements.”

Anduril Tapped to Lead NGC2 Common Data Baseline

Hasn’t been a slow year (or week) for Anduril, to say the least, and it’s about to get a whole lot busier.

POLICY

Budget Supplemental Would Give Pentagon Billions for Epic Fury, Munitions, Space Force Programs

President Donald Trump’s administration is asking Congress for an extra $21 billion to boost munitions stockpiles, $17.3 billion to pay for operational costs from the conflict with Iran, and $4 billion for high-priority Space Force programs, according a June 24 supplemental funding request.

ACQUISITION

Booz Allen to acquire Ultra defense tech unit for $720M

Booz Allen is pushing to ramp up its tech product integration efforts and increase the number of commercially-available offerings.

SPACE

Japan Eyes Sovereign D2D Satellite Network

Japan plans to select a proposal this month for its domestically owned and operated D2D satellite network, called J-LEO.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has already allocated ~$1B in subsidies, covering up to half the total project cost. The winning operator will be required to match that investment with private funds—meaning the full build-out could run to ~$2B.

EUROPE

Europe Needs a Strategy for its Turn to New Defense Tech

Defense tech innovations will be at the heart of Europe’s new security strategy. But so far, Brussels has been making moves without a broader plan, undermining readiness and credibility.

Dutch semiconductor company is bringing secure, authenticated satellite positioning to handheld devices

For years, authenticated satellite positioning has largely been reserved for expensive, power-hungry systems operating in defence, aviation, and other specialised sectors. Meanwhile, the devices most exposed to spoofing and signal manipulation — asset trackers, wearables, drones, and IoT sensors — have largely been left without practical protection.

Estonia receives first IRIS-T SLM defence system from Diehl Defence

The IRIS-T SLM air defence system counters aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles.

Harmattan Scores 5,000-Drone Follow-On Order from France

Yesterday, French autonomy startup Harmattan AI announced that the French government has ordered another 5,000 of its Sonora ISR drones, just a year after ordering a first tranche of 1,000. That first batch—part of a program of record with the French MoD—was delivered in less than six months.

SECURITY

Resetting Cyber Relations with the United States

For years, the United States anchored global cyber diplomacy. As Washington rethinks its leadership role, the launch of the UN’s Cyber Global Mechanism may test how allies adjust their engagement.

STARTUPS

Irish space tech firm Ubotica raises $11M

Ubotica, the Irish space tech firm developing orbital AI for satellites, has raised $11 million to scale the commercialisation of its maritime intelligence platform, Live Maritime Intelligence (LMI).