US Air Force Opens $300M Pathway for Texas Space Technologies

INVESTMENT

Confirmed: Cambridge Aerospace raised $300M at a $3.4B valuation

UK interceptor startup also verified a separate $200M round at a $1.3B valuation from earlier this year, a sign of how heated the market is right now

UK-based OLIX raises $312 million Series B to build better AI infrastructure

The funding will go towards delivering the OLIX Decode Accelerator 1 (DX-1), a custom silicon solution that assists in AI inference. The company plans to expand manufacturing and supply chain systems that their hardware and software solutions will require.

Anti-drone defense startup raises $300 million

Cambridge Aerospace, a British air defense tech startup, raised $300 million in Series C funding at a $3.4 billion post-money valuation led by DFJ Growth.

AI

AI-Driven X-62 Intercepts Crewed Jets in Test

A heavily modified F-16D, the X-62 is also known as the Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, or VISTA. In the tests, it used Lockheed Martin’s Infrared Search and Track Legion Pod to demonstrate how autonomous aircraft intercepts might work, the Air Force said in a statement.

TECHNOLOGY

GDIT scores $1.3 billion National Guard IT contract

The Enterprise Network Operations and Cybersecurity Support contract aims to provide modernized IT and cybersecurity services to the Army National Guard.

Turkey Creates New Infrared Eyes for Nearly Everything in Its Military Arsenal

Aselsan’s infrared detector enables thermal imaging, target detection, and precision tracking across military platforms.

SPACE

Scaleup Europe Fund Makes its First Space Bet

Europe’s capital drought may be coming to an end.

Scaleup Europe, a new €5B fund created by the European Commission, announced this week that it completed its first investment—co-leading ICEYE’s €450M Series F, announced in June, which reached €1B+ in total investment after secondary placements.

U.S. space and missile defense at center stage in Huntsville, Alabama

The future of space-based military operations, the need for more rapid replenishment of American munitions stockpiles, and President Trump’s signature Golden Dome missile shield are all in the spotlight as top Pentagon officials and defense contractors descend on a major conference that opens here Tuesday.

EUROPE

Lithuania Eyes South Korean Air Defense, Counter-Drone Systems

Lithuania is considering South Korean air defense and counter-drone systems as it seeks equipment that can be delivered quickly.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas discussed the potential cooperation with South Korean Ambassador Joyoung Jeon, with talks focusing on gun-based air defense systems in the 30-40 mm range.

Ukraine’s Most Important Innovation in Processes, Not Tech

Yuriy Filatov, head of unmanned systems applications for the Ukrainian army’s 3rd Army Corps, at a recent defense trade show said he understood that attendees wanted to hear about all the latest technologies emerging from the nation’s battlefields.

“You expect me to talk about drones, about robots, about naval drones on the frontline ... but I want to tell you more [about] why technology is the least valuable thing that we bring to the table today,” he said at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Future Force Capabilities Conference and Exhibition.

SECURITY

As AI models break free, White House works with firms on secret safety measures

Lawmakers blast administration's "ad-hoc" AI strategy; tech giants pitch ideas to keep federal contracts flowing.

STARTUPS

Defense tech Hadrian raises $1.37B at $8B valuation

Hadrian is an interesting defense tech in that it’s not trying to build new AI-powered weapons. The company is building automated manufacturing facilities that will mass-produce parts for the vehicles that the military complex already relies on.

DRONES

One Operator, Five FPV Drones: Ukraine Introduces New Control Station

The Hydra Predator Reboff enables one soldier to control and monitor five FPV drones from a single station.

MicroVision Gives Drones a New Way to See in 3D

MOVIA Air and MOVIA Air Plus are LiDAR sensors for UAVs to enable real-time 3D mapping, onboard perception, and obstacle avoidance.

Exclusive: Ondas Inks the NFL’s First Counter-Drone Deal

Pretty much all of the counter-drone tech we cover day in and day out is designed to protect military personnel, infrastructure, and installations, but the threat of hostile drones isn’t limited to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Civilian infrastructure—everything from stadiums to airports, political rallies, and data centers—is vulnerable, too.

ARMY

Army opens premier test ranges to private industry for rapid innovation

In a major effort to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter, the U.S. Army announced today it is opening four premier stateside military test ranges and collaborating with partners to open an international military test range to private industry for their internal research, development and rapid experimentation.

NAVY

Updating Navy warships at the speed of software

After years of wanting and waiting, the Navy is now updating combat systems over-the-air on ships at sea, write two Navy Department leaders.

AIR FORCE

New SOUTHCOM Permanent Cartel Task Force Will Expand Air Force Role

As U.S. Southern Command shifts its counter-narcotics mission to a permanent task force, the Air Force piece of the larger war on cartels in Latin America and the Caribbean is likely to grow.

US Air Force Opens $300M Pathway for Texas Space Technologies

The US Department of the Air Force has entered into a 10-year agreement worth up to $300 million with the Texas Space Commission to accelerate the integration of commercial space technologies into military programs.