💰 U.S. Secures Record $142B Defense Deal with Saudi Arabia

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

💰 U.S. Secures Record $142B Defense Deal with Saudi Arabia LINK

🛰️ DIU Expands Hybrid Space Architecture Vendor Pool Ahead of 2026 Pilot LINK

🤖 Pentagon Leverages AI to Accelerate Targeting and Threat Prediction LINK

✈️ F-47 to Nearly Double F-22’s Combat Radius, USAF Says LINK

🚢 Saildrone Secures $60M to Expand into European Naval Defense LINK

🎱 Plus 11 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

💰 U.S. Secures Record $142B Defense Deal with Saudi Arabia LINK

• The White House announced a $141.7 billion defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, calling it the largest arms deal in U.S. history.

• The deal includes air defense systems, munitions, and advanced aircraft as part of long-term regional security cooperation.

• Officials say it reinforces U.S. strategic alignment in the Middle East and bolsters American defense manufacturing.

🛰️ DIU Expands Hybrid Space Architecture Vendor Pool Ahead of 2026 Pilot LINK

• The Defense Innovation Unit has added more commercial firms to its Hybrid Space Architecture program in preparation for a 2026 pilot.

• The effort aims to integrate military and commercial satellite networks for resilient, global communications.

• DIU’s goal is to enable secure, interoperable space comms that bypass traditional DoD infrastructure bottlenecks.

🤖 Pentagon Leverages AI to Accelerate Targeting and Threat Prediction LINK

• The Department of Defense is deploying artificial intelligence tools to improve target identification and threat forecasting.

• Applications range from ISR data processing to modeling adversary behavior in complex theaters.

• Officials stress the goal is not autonomous weapons, but faster, smarter decision support for commanders.

✈️ F-47 to Nearly Double F-22’s Combat Radius, USAF Says LINK

• The F-47 will reportedly offer nearly twice the combat range of the F-22, according to Air Force leadership.

• Designed with fuel efficiency and extended reach in mind, the jet is central to the Next Generation Air Dominance program.

• Officials cite its range advantage as key to deterring peer adversaries in vast Indo-Pacific theaters.

🚢 Saildrone Secures $60M to Expand into European Naval Defense LINK

• U.S.-based Saildrone has raised $60 million to accelerate its push into European maritime defense.

• The company develops uncrewed surface vessels used for ISR, MDA, and maritime domain awareness.

• Its expansion comes amid growing European interest in cost-effective autonomous systems for naval surveillance.

🌏 Other Important News

• VTG Acquires Byte Systems, IOTA-IT, and Tunuva Technologies LINK

• U.S. Approves Sale of CH-47F Chinooks and F-16 Munitions to UAE LINK

• Space Force Advocates Larger Share of DoD Budget to Counter China LINK

• BlackSky Signs Early Access Deals for Gen-3 Satellite Services LINK

• U.K. and Italy Conclude NATO Drills; France Begins Polaris 25 LINK

• Trump’s Qatari “Air Force One” Plan Raises Security Concerns LINK

• SecAF Nominee Troy Meink Faces Scrutiny Ahead of Confirmation LINK

• SNC RAPCON-X Completes Initial Flight Testing LINK

• U.S. Reaffirms Alliances and Collective Defense Priorities in Asia LINK

• JSOC Commander Tapped as Likely Next Head of SOCOM LINK

• Leonardo Launches AI Partnership with UK Academic & SME Consortium LINK

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