The Pentagon’s New Battery Rule Could Reshape the Drone Market
The FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act added a country‑of‑origin filter that bars the Department of Defense from buying advanced batteries sourced from China, Russia, Iran or North Korea. The rule, Section 842, phases in for new acquisitions on Jan 1 2028 and fully applies to standard batteries by Jan 1 2029, with existing contracts winding down by Jan 30 2031. Compliance requires every cell component—cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator and the battery‑management system—to be sourced outside the listed foreign entities, effectively making most Chinese‑made drone batteries ineligible for defense contracts. Companies such as SES AI, Enovix and Amprius are scrambling to certify or re‑tool supply chains ahead of the 2027‑2028 deadline.
DARPA and Northrop Grumman to Launch First US On-Orbit Satellite Servicing Mission This Summer
DARPA and Northrop Grumman are set to launch the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) mission this summer, marking the United States’ first on‑orbit satellite servicing capability. The robotic spacecraft will operate in geosynchronous orbit, performing inspection, repair, refueling and relocation...
CISA to Allow Researchers to Report Vulnerabilities to Exploited Bugs Catalog
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) unveiled a public nomination form that lets researchers, vendors, and industry partners submit exploited vulnerabilities for inclusion in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Submissions must include detailed exploitation evidence and can also...
Poland Joins Pentagon’s Counter-Drone Marketplace Amid Unexpected US Deployment Cancellation
Poland has signed a statement of intent to join the Pentagon’s counter‑drone marketplace, a U.S.-run platform that links allies with emerging anti‑drone technologies. The move comes after the Army abruptly cancelled a planned rotational deployment to Poland, even as Washington...
US Arms Sales to Taiwan on 'Pause' Due to Iran War, Acting Navy Chief Says
The acting secretary of the U.S. Navy told a congressional hearing that all pending arms sales to Taiwan are temporarily on hold because of the ongoing war in Iran. The pause affects a multi‑billion‑dollar package that includes F‑16 fighter jets,...
The US Navy Is Full Speed Ahead on Building a Laser Fleet
U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle told Congress that high‑energy laser weapons are essential to free up Vertical Launch System cells for offensive missiles. Current destroyers, even the new Flight III Arleigh Burke class, lack the power and...
ICEYE Secures $327M Revolving Credit Facility to Scale Sovereign Satellite Intelligence
Finnish satellite imaging firm ICEYE announced a €300 million (≈$327 million) three‑year revolving credit facility backed by a seven‑bank syndicate. The facility will provide liquidity, support guarantees for customer contracts, and fund continued growth of its SAR satellite constellation serving defence, intelligence,...
Shastra VC Launches $100M Fund for Deeptech and AI Startups
Shastra VC, formerly Veda VC, announced the launch of its third fund, a $100 million vehicle aimed at early‑stage deeptech startups with a focus on AI, space, defence, climate tech, and renewable sciences. The fund will invest $500,000 to $3...