📦 DIU to Use Third-Party Vendors to Overhaul Blue UAS Compliance

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🛰️ NGA, Space Force Finalize ISR Acquisition Roles Amid Growing Demand LINK

🤖 Saudi Arabia in Talks to Buy 200 MQ-9 Drones, GA Says LINK

🛩️ Boeing On Track to Deliver KC-46A Tankers to Japan in 2025 LINK

🚨 DoD Accepts Qatari Jet as Air Force One Replacement Option LINK

📦 DIU to Use Third-Party Vendors to Overhaul Blue UAS Compliance LINK

🎱 Plus 11 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🛰️ NGA, Space Force Finalize ISR Acquisition Roles Amid Growing Demand LINK

• The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and U.S. Space Force have formalized how they’ll divide responsibilities for commercial ISR acquisitions.

• NGA will lead on imagery analysis and mapping tools; Space Force will focus on space systems procurement.

• The agreement aims to streamline operations amid surging demand for commercial satellite intelligence.

🤖 Saudi Arabia in Talks to Buy 200 MQ-9 Drones, GA Says LINK

• General Atomics officials confirmed that Saudi Arabia is in discussions to purchase up to 200 MQ-9 Reaper drones.

• The deal would represent one of the largest drone acquisitions in history, pending U.S. government approval.

• Officials say the drones would support border security, ISR, and counterterrorism operations.

🛩️ Boeing On Track to Deliver KC-46A Tankers to Japan in 2025 LINK

• Boeing is on schedule to deliver two more KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelers to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force this year.

• Japan is the only international customer for the Pegasus, which has faced delays in its U.S. rollout.

• The tankers will boost Japan’s regional power projection and allied interoperability with the U.S. Air Force.

🚨 DoD Accepts Qatari Jet as Air Force One Replacement Option LINK

• The Pentagon has approved a Qatari Boeing 747 variant as an acceptable fallback for the next Air Force One.

• The decision comes amid cost overruns and political pressure surrounding the current replacement program.

• Officials say the jet will undergo major upgrades to meet U.S. communications, security, and refueling standards.

📦 DIU to Use Third-Party Vendors to Overhaul Blue UAS Compliance LINK

• The Defense Innovation Unit will shift Blue UAS drone compliance checks to third-party vendors starting in 2026.

• The new model is intended to improve speed, reduce bottlenecks, and accommodate a broader commercial ecosystem.

• DIU says the update will help scale trusted drone options across all military branches.

🌏 Other Important News

• NNSA: Savannah River Pit Facility Design Will Hit 90% by 2026 LINK

• Atlantic Council: Golden Dome Rewrites Missile Defense Model LINK

• Ultra, GA-ASI Demo Uncrewed Airborne ASW Platform LINK

• Space Force to Lose 14% of Civilian Workforce LINK

• Adm. Kevin Lunday Tapped as Next Coast Guard Commandant LINK

• Littoral Combat Ship USS Charleston Sent to Southern Border LINK

• Army Reorganization Could Save $4.8B Over Five Years LINK

• Air Force Conducts Minuteman III Missile Test Launch LINK

• Lunday Unveils Coast Guard Modernization Plans LINK

• Pentagon Tech Agency Braces for 10% Workforce Reduction LINK

• House Narrowly Passes $150B Defense Reconciliation Bill LINK

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