🤖 Picogrid wins $9M Air Force contract for AI-written counter-drone software

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🚀 RTX to ramp up production of five weapons in new Pentagon deal

🛡️ RADICL raises $31M to expand autonomous virtual SOC supporting U.S. critical infrastructure

🎯 Pentagon picks 25 vendors to demo one-way attack drones in “Gauntlet” competition

🤖 Picogrid wins $9M Air Force contract for AI-written counter-drone software

🚨 U.S. military shoots down Iranian drone approaching USS Abraham Lincoln

🎱 Plus 14 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🚀 RTX to ramp up production of five weapons in new Pentagon deal — Read More

• RTX reached a new agreement with the Pentagon to significantly increase production of five key munitions, reflecting sustained demand driven by Ukraine aid, Middle East operations, and Indo-Pacific contingency planning. Defense officials framed the deal as part of a long-term shift away from surge manufacturing toward steady, scalable output.

• The weapons include air- and missile-defense interceptors and precision munitions viewed as critical to layered defense. RTX executives said predictable demand signals will allow suppliers to hire, invest in tooling, and stabilize second- and third-tier vendors that have struggled to expand capacity.

• Pentagon leaders described the deal as a recognition that current consumption rates are no longer temporary. The agreement is intended to lock in higher production as a baseline, reinforcing the munitions industrial base for prolonged competition and potential high-intensity conflict.

🛡️ RADICL raises $31M to expand autonomous virtual SOC supporting U.S. critical infrastructure — Read More

• RADICL secured $31 million in funding to scale its autonomous, AI-driven virtual security operations center aimed at small and mid-sized organizations supporting U.S. critical infrastructure. The company positions its platform as a way to deliver enterprise-grade cyber defense without dedicated in-house teams.

• The virtual SOC automates threat detection, investigation, and response across cloud, endpoint, and network environments. RADICL argues autonomy reduces response times while easing dependence on scarce cybersecurity labor, a growing concern for infrastructure-adjacent businesses.

• Investors described the round as a bet on automation-first cyber defense as attacks on infrastructure grow more frequent and sophisticated. The funding will support product expansion, hiring, and deeper engagement with defense-adjacent customers.

🎯 Pentagon picks 25 vendors to demo one-way attack drones in “Gauntlet” competition — Read More

• The Pentagon selected 25 vendors to participate in its “Gauntlet” competition, where companies will demonstrate one-way attack drones focused on affordability, scale, and rapid production. Breaking Defense reports the effort is designed to bypass slow acquisition cycles.

• Vendors will be evaluated on real-world performance, manufacturability, navigation, payload, and resilience against electronic warfare. The emphasis reflects lessons from Ukraine, where attritable systems proved decisive when fielded at scale.

• Defense officials say the Gauntlet is intended to identify systems that can be produced quickly and replenished cheaply, treating expendability as a feature rather than a flaw. The competition reinforces DoD’s broader pivot toward mass and speed in unmanned strike capabilities.

🤖 Picogrid wins $9M Air Force contract for AI-written counter-drone software — Read More

• Picogrid won a $9 million Air Force contract to deliver counter-drone software largely written using artificial intelligence tools. The company said AI-assisted development dramatically shortened timelines from concept to deployable code.

• The software fuses data from multiple sensors to detect, track, and classify small drones, supporting base defense and force protection missions. Air Force officials are testing whether AI-generated code can meet reliability, security, and sustainment standards.

• The award highlights growing Pentagon interest in AI-native software development as a strategic advantage. Leaders see speed and adaptability as critical in counter-UAS missions where threats evolve faster than traditional acquisition cycles.

🚨 U.S. military shoots down Iranian drone approaching USS Abraham Lincoln — Read More

• U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, according to a U.S. official cited by Fox News. The drone was assessed as posing a potential threat to the carrier strike group.

• The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with U.S. naval forces operating under increased force-protection postures due to Iranian and proxy drone activity. Officials emphasized the shoot-down was defensive in nature.

• The event underscores the persistent drone threat facing naval forces in the Middle East and the growing operational tempo of counter-UAS engagements in contested maritime environments.

🌏 Other Important News

✈️ Air

• Korea explores Embraer C-390 transport aircraft — Read More

• Boeing abandons Indonesia F-15 bid — Read More

• Leonardo unveils “Michelangelo” drone-killer system — Read More

• Ukraine employs UGVs for grenade strikes — Read More

• Germany explores robots and drones for radioactive environments — Read More

• Australian firm advances quantum navigation — Read More

🛡️ Land

• Singapore’s ST Engineering unveils Terrex S5 with hybrid-electric drive — Read More

• Army seeks to award self-propelled howitzer contract by July — Read More

• Army official warns industry not to politicize NGC2 — Read More

🌊 Sea

• Turkish shipbuilder to launch Ares Naval operations in Saudi Arabia — Read More

• NightTrain autonomous vessel reaches keel-laying milestone — Read More

🏛️ Policy

• Pakistan’s arms industry seen as strategic opportunity for U.S. — Read More

• Partial government shutdown ends after less than four days — Read More

• Raytheon completes ballistic test for next-gen Army interceptor — Read More

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