Defense officials advocate for diverse target-tracking architecture
Defense officials say a moving target indicator capability that includes both air and space assets is needed until the department defines its architecture.
Space
Varda lands third space capsule, carrying key hypersonic flight data
Funded by AFRL, Varda’s W-3 capsule landed May 13 at Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
SDA should re-evaluate launch plans as key tech lags, watchdog says
A watchdog argued the Space Development Agency's focus on rapid development is creating blind spots when it comes to validating key capabilities.
Space Force will play ‘central role’ in Iron Dome, service chief says
The Space Force is evaluating what systems it already has in development to support President Trump's order and what capabilities it would need to build.
Space Force bumps Astrion from Resilient GPS program
After initial design reviews with the firms competing for R-GPS, the service opted to “discontinue” the company's contract, an official told Defense News.
DARPA touts ‘formal methods’ for nipping cyber disasters in the bud
The agency is pushing for greater military adoption of a slew of resilient software tools it has developed in recent years.
Space Development Agency to re-bid contentious prototype contract
Tyvak, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital that is now owned by Lockheed Martin, has been under a stop work order since mid-December.
Space Force picks Firefly to launch Victus Sol rapid response mission
The Space Force would not confirm a target launch date for the mission, but its fiscal 2025 budget set late 2025 or 2026 as its notional timeline.
Pentagon expands list of commercial drones certified for military use
Following a November demo, DOD chose 23 systems and 14 drone components to add to its Blue UAS and Framework lists, pending cybersecurity validation.
Space Force acquisition office ‘aggressively’ pushing reform efforts
The focus on tracking program performance comes as Elon Musk’s DOGE is expected to set its sights on the Defense Department in the coming weeks.
Pentagon acquisition office orders review of Space Development Agency
The review is meant to ensure that SDA is on a path to deliver a proliferated satellite constellation that meets Defense Department requirements.
