🐝 Palladyne demonstrates heterogeneous drone swarm operations

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🛰️ Starfish Space wins first-ever end-of-life disposal contract for LEO constellation

🐝 Palladyne demonstrates heterogeneous drone swarm operations

🪂 HADIS conducts unmanned glider test for future contested logistics

🔫 U.S. Navy upgrades Mk 38 weapon system for modern surface threats

🛡️ U.S. Army explores drone “armor” tech to boost survivability

🎱 Plus 12 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🛰️ Starfish Space wins first-ever end-of-life disposal contract for LEO constellation — Read More

• Starfish Space secured the first known commercial contract dedicated specifically to end-of-life disposal for a low Earth orbit satellite constellation, marking a milestone in on-orbit servicing and space sustainability. The agreement tasks Starfish with safely deorbiting satellites once they reach the end of their operational life.

• The contract highlights growing concern over orbital debris as commercial constellations scale rapidly. Regulators and operators alike are under pressure to demonstrate credible debris-mitigation plans, and end-of-life disposal is increasingly seen as a competitive differentiator rather than an afterthought.

• Starfish’s Otter servicing vehicle is designed to rendezvous, grapple, and maneuver client spacecraft, showcasing how on-orbit logistics could evolve into a standard service layer for future space architectures supporting both commercial and national security missions.

🐝 Palladyne demonstrates heterogeneous drone swarm operations — Read More

• Palladyne unveiled a drone swarm capability that integrates multiple unmanned platforms with different roles, sensors, and performance characteristics operating cooperatively. The demonstration focused on heterogeneous teaming rather than identical “one-size-fits-all” swarm elements.

• According to NextGen Defense, the system allows aerial, ground, or other unmanned assets to share tasks dynamically, enabling reconnaissance, targeting, and effects delivery to be distributed across the swarm based on mission needs.

• The approach aligns with Pentagon interest in scalable autonomy, where resilience comes from diversity and redundancy. If matured, heterogeneous swarms could complicate adversary defenses while reducing reliance on single exquisite platforms.

🪂 HADIS conducts unmanned glider test for future contested logistics — Read More

• HADIS completed a test of its unmanned glider concept aimed at delivering supplies into contested or denied environments without exposing crewed aircraft. The glider is designed for long-range, low-signature logistics missions.

• The test focused on autonomous navigation, release profiles, and precision landing, highlighting potential use cases in Indo-Pacific scenarios where traditional resupply could be highly contested.

• Defense planners see unmanned logistics platforms as a way to sustain distributed forces while lowering risk and cost. Systems like HADIS could complement larger airlift assets by handling the “last mile” under threat.

🔫 U.S. Navy upgrades Mk 38 weapon system for modern surface threats — Read More

• The U.S. Navy is modernizing its Mk 38 Mod 2/3 weapon systems to better address small boat swarms, unmanned surface threats, and asymmetric maritime challenges. Upgrades include improved sensors, fire control, and integration with combat systems.

• The Mk 38 provides a flexible, close-in defensive option for surface combatants and auxiliaries, filling a gap between crew-served weapons and larger missiles.

• Navy officials emphasize that incremental upgrades to proven systems like the Mk 38 can deliver rapid capability improvements without the cost or timeline of entirely new weapon programs.

🛡️ U.S. Army explores drone “armor” tech to boost survivability — Read More

• The Army is examining new “armor” technologies designed to increase the survivability of drones operating in high-threat environments. Concepts include lightweight shielding, modular protection kits, and design changes to mitigate small-arms and fragmentation damage.

• As drones become ubiquitous on the battlefield, survivability is emerging as a key challenge, particularly for systems expected to operate repeatedly rather than as one-time expendable assets.

• The effort reflects a broader reassessment of drone roles, balancing attritability with the need for persistence, reliability, and reduced logistics burden in sustained operations.

🌏 Other Important News

✈️ Air

• General Atomics, Anduril hint at concepts for new Navy unmanned combat aircraft — Read More

• Eurofighter NETMA awards AMK contract — Read More

• Airbus, DSTA advance H-teaming with Flexrotor and H225 — Read More

• Scenes from the 2026 Singapore Airshow — Read More

• Multi-mission ISR aircraft concepts gain traction — Read More

• IPG unveils “Crossbow” laser defense system — Read More

🌊 Sea

• Funding bill advances Constellation-class frigate money for new FFX program — Read More

• SOUTHCOM strikes suspected drug boat in first action under new commander — Read More

🏭 Industry

• HII CEO says productivity gains need new contracts to sustain momentum — Read More

• GAO urges Pentagon leaders to exert more control over service tech budgets — Read More

• Defense industry gears up for World Defense Show — Read More

• Naval installation rolls out warfighter fitness optimization program — Read More

Thanks for reading today’s Defense Brief. If you found it useful, consider forwarding it to a friend or colleague who'd appreciate staying sharp on defense tech and military news.