🚀 Space and Defense #5

Happy Monday 👋

India and Japan have enhanced their defense partnership with a focus on technology and regional stability. Australia and Indonesia have unveiled a new defense agreement featuring joint military exercises. APC Technology will support Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 Program with new Redback vehicle displays, creating ten new roles. Lockheed Martin has secured a $130M contract to increase missile production and support for Ukrainian F-16s. The US approved a $265M sale of AIM-9X missiles to Canada and tested the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile. Planet Labs will supply high-resolution satellite data for NATO, while Astroscale signed an $81M contract with JAXA to address orbital debris. The Space Development Agency awarded $424M for tactical satellite prototypes. Defcon AI raised $44M for R&D, and Metakosmos secured $2M for spacesuit development.

🤝 Defense Collaboration Agreements

⚔️ India and Japan agreed to strengthen defense ties and regional stability efforts. The two nations committed to enhancing security cooperation, accelerating defense technology collaboration, and supporting each other's regional stability initiatives.

🪖 Australia and Indonesia unveil a new defense agreement for closer Asia-Pacific cooperation. The pact includes joint military drills and mutual operations, aiming to strengthen security ties as Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, prepares to take office in October.

🚀 Australia awarded APC Technology a contract for Redback vehicle displays. APC Technology will supply Generic Vehicle Architecture displays for Australia's Redback infantry fighting vehicles, create ten new roles, and provide three years of support, contributing to the LAND 400 Phase 3 Program.

✈️ Ballistic Missile Defense

🔒 Lockheed Martin secures $130M contract to boost missile production. The contract includes procuring tooling and test equipment for the US Air Force. The move aligns with reports that the US might arm Ukrainian F-16s with JASSM missiles. Lockheed also plans to double annual missile production to meet increasing demand.

🔫 US approved the $265M sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles to Canada. The deal includes 120 Block II and 48 Block II+ missiles, along with training and support. It aims to enhance Canada's defense, and interoperability with the US and support NATO objectives.

🦅 The US Army successfully tested Dark Eagle, a hypersonic missile with a 2,000-mile range. The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, launched from Hawaii, features a Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman booster and a Common Hypersonic Glide Body, reaching speeds over Mach 5 and targeting China's anti-access strategies.

✨ Space Tech Expansions

🛰️ Planet Labs to provide high-resolution satellite data for NATO's APSS program. The data from Planet’s SkySat system will support monitoring military activities, infrastructure, and threats, enhancing NATO’s space-based intelligence-sharing capabilities using advanced technologies like AI and cloud solutions.

🚀 Astroscale signed a contract with Japan’s space agency to remove orbital debris. The $81M five-year agreement with JAXA involves developing a spacecraft to remove debris from a 2009 rocket, addressing rising space collision risks.

🌠 SDA awards $424M to York Space Systems and Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems for T2TL Gamma prototype satellites. Each company will develop ten satellites to enhance tactical satellite communication and global encrypted connectivity, with launches beginning in 2027.

🪐 Space Deals of the Week

🤖 Defcon AI, a VA-based insights company, raised $44M in a Seed funding round. The company is to expand its team, improve its R&D program, and enhance its capabilities across various defense missions and the commercial sector.

🛸 Metakosmos, a startup developing spacesuits, raised $2M in a Pre-Seed funding round. The company will use the funds for its Kosmosuit platform, which is designed for extreme environments.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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