Defense industry news covering military contractors, weapons systems, defense spending, arms deals, and defense technology developments.
AeroVironment Inc. secured a $117.3M firm-fixed-price contract to deliver 82 P550 unmanned aircraft systems. The drones will provide battalion-level forces with reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition capabilities.
This commentary argues that despite a surge in defense tech funding and valuations, most startups will fail to transition from prototype contracts to production deals, a challenge known as the 'Valley of Death.' It draws on insights from venture investor Ross Fubini to identify what separates successful companies from the rest.
This commentary argues that US delays in weapons deliveries to allies, driven by domestic stockpile replenishment and a new executive order prioritizing national production, may erode trust in American arms sales. It contends that while no major shift away from US weapons has occurred, the pattern could push allies to seek alternatives, especially given high munitions expenditure in recent conflicts.
Oshkosh Defense announced orders valued at $142 million for its Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) A2 platform from U.S. and international customers. Oshkosh Corporation's shares rose over 4.5% in pre-market trading on Wednesday.
GE Aerospace qualified two high-voltage power electronics systems for use in U.S. military ground vehicles, clearing them for production. The qualification supports the U.S. Army's pursuit of more advanced vehicle power architectures.
South Korea's Hanwha reached a deal with Algoma Steel to supply military-grade steel for potential land defence vehicle manufacturing in Canada. The agreements are contingent on Hanwha winning Canada's submarine contract, competing against Germany's TKMS.
Motorola Solutions has signed a deal to acquire counter-drone specialist D-Fend Solutions for $1.5 billion, adding counter-drone technologies to its portfolio. The company stated that securing airspace against unauthorized drones is a rapidly increasing global necessity.
Physical Sciences Inc., an employee-owned small business in Andover, Massachusetts, is advancing defense technologies through the SBIR program. Its underwater drone battery powers the Navy's Barracuda Mine Neutralization System, tested in Narragansett Bay. The company also developed radiation detectors that reject false alarms from naturally occurring radioactive material.