🚀 Space and Defense #13

Happy Monday 👋

This week, General Dynamics Electric Boat secured $1.2B in contracts for materials for Virginia-class submarines, supporting Block V and VI programs. Raytheon received a $736M contract for AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, with hardware upgrades. Anduril launched the Bolt-M autonomous drone for precision strikes, and Steadicopter introduced the Golden Eagle Heavy Strike, an unmanned helicopter equipped with Spike missiles. In space exploration, SANSA partnered with NASA to establish an antenna facility in South Africa. NASA awarded a $177M contract for aerospace simulation support and tested high-speed laser communications. In defense funding, watchTowr raised $19M for cybersecurity expansion, and XDLINX Space Labs secured $7M for payload production.

💼 Navy and Weapons Contracts

⚓ General Dynamics Electric Boat won two US Navy contracts totaling $1.2B for Virginia-class submarine materials. Block V submarines and Block VI materials are supported by $878M and $349.8M contracts, ensuring supplier operationality despite labor and cost challenges during contract negotiations.

🛡️ Raytheon was awarded a $736M US Navy contract to produce upgraded AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles. It features enhanced hardware and safety improvements. The missile, used by various allies, will be created through 2029 to meet growing global demand.

💥 The US approved a $1.2B sale of precision munitions to the UAE for multiple-launch rocket systems. Pending congressional approval, this deal enhances the UAE's defense capabilities and supports US foreign policy and security objectives.

🚀 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

🛩️ Anduril Industries launched the Bolt-M, an autonomous attack drone for precision strikes that operates without specialized operators. It features a user-friendly interface, can be deployed in under five minutes, and leverages AI software for target identification and engagement.

🚁 Steadicopter launched the Golden Eagle Heavy Strike, an unmanned helicopter armed with Spike missiles for precision strikes. It provides real-time intelligence, enhances decision-making, and reduces risk, with applications in battlefield and border security, delivering rapid, high-precision strikes with minimal collateral damage.

📡 Leonardo launched BriteStorm, a compact jamming system designed for "stand-in" jamming to disrupt enemy Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) ahead of the main force. Weighing 2.5kg, it employs advanced technology to confuse enemy radar, creating ghost aircraft signatures and overwhelming systems with electronic noise.

🌌 Space Exploration

🌍 SANSA signed an agreement with NASA to establish a NASA antenna facility in South Africa. This is part of NASA’s Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) program. The partnership will enhance spacecraft tracking for Artemis missions and boost South Africa's space science leadership.

🔧 NASA awarded Metis Technology Solutions a $177M contract for aerospace simulation support under the ARTS project, focusing on simulators and air traffic tools. Additionally, NASA's Low-Cost Optical Terminal (LCOT) demonstrated high-speed laser communications, transmitting five terabytes in three minutes during the T-Bird mission.

🛰️ The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a $129.4M contract with D-Orbit. This will be its first in-orbit servicing mission, RISE, launching in 2028. RISE will refuel, repair, and relocate aging satellites, extending their lifespan and enhancing sustainability in space.

💰 Space Deals

💻 watchTowr, a Singapore-based cybersecurity startup, raised $19M in Series A funding. They plan to strengthen its go-to-market, research, and engineering teams to seize market leadership and quicken its pace of worldwide expansion.

🚀 XDLINX Space Labs, an Indian space company, raised $7M in Seed funding. The funds would boost the production of payloads of the next generation.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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