📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🪽 Air Force Activates ‘Doomsday Wing’ for Nuclear Command and Control LINK

🫰 Senate Keeps $150 Billion Defense Topline in Updated Budget Blueprint LINK

💥 DoD Floats 2035 as Goal for Zero Trust in Weapons Systems LINK

🌌 Space Force Awards Northrop Grumman Two In-Space Refueling Contracts LINK

🛰️ Portal Space Systems Raises $17.5M for Orbital Spacecraft Powered by Solar Heating LINK

🎱 Plus 13 other stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🪽 Air Force Activates ‘Doomsday Wing’ for Nuclear Command and Control LINK

  • The Air Force has stood up the 595th Command and Control Group as a dedicated “Doomsday Wing” to oversee nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) operations.

  • Based at Offutt Air Force Base, the unit is tasked with managing airborne command posts that would operate in the event of a nuclear conflict or strategic crisis.

  • Officials say the move centralizes critical NC3 capabilities and enhances readiness for nuclear scenarios amid rising global tensions.

🫰 Senate Keeps $150 Billion Defense Topline in Updated Budget Blueprint LINK

  • Senate Republicans’ new budget reconciliation framework retains a $150 billion defense discretionary increase, maintaining levels proposed in the earlier Trump budget.

  • The topline increase would support procurement, R&D, and readiness priorities as the Pentagon ramps up for a potential long-term competition with China.

  • GOP leadership framed the boost as a necessary hedge against peer threats and ongoing modernization needs, even as budget hawks continue to raise debt concerns.

💥 DoD Floats 2035 as Goal for Zero Trust in Weapons Systems LINK

  • The Pentagon is considering 2035 as its target date for implementing zero trust architecture across all major weapons systems.

  • The shift reflects growing concern about cyber vulnerabilities in platforms that were not designed with modern network defense principles in mind.

  • Officials say retrofitting legacy systems will be a major challenge, requiring new tooling, standards, and cooperation across acquisition and cyber communities.

🌌 Space Force Awards Northrop Grumman Two In-Space Refueling Contracts LINK

  • Northrop Grumman won two contracts from the U.S. Space Force to develop in-orbit refueling capabilities for future satellite and space-based assets.

  • The projects fall under the Space Force’s push for more resilient, maneuverable systems that can stay operational longer and adapt to changing mission demands.

  • In-space refueling could be a game-changer for extending satellite life and reducing launch frequency, supporting long-term strategic advantage in orbit.

🛰️ Portal Space Systems Raises $17.5M for Orbital Spacecraft Powered by Solar Heating LINK

  • Colorado-based Portal Space Systems has raised $17.5 million in seed funding to develop orbital spacecraft that use concentrated solar power to generate thermal energy.

  • The startup's technology enables in-space manufacturing and payload delivery without relying on traditional chemical propulsion or electric thrusters.

  • Investors see the platform as a novel way to unlock long-term operations in orbit, supporting both commercial and national security applications as demand grows for persistent space infrastructure.

🌏 Other Important News

  • L3Harris Passive Detection System to Field First on Navy Destroyer in 2027 LINK

  • Russian Tu-22M Bomber Crashes, Fifth Loss Since 2022 LINK

  • USMC Plans to Deploy Anduril’s Small Drone Defeat System to 34+ Locations by FY34 LINK

  • Russian Jet Bombs Russian Dam with Thermobaric Munition in Apparent Accident LINK

  • Philippine Armed Forces Chief Tells Troops to Prepare for Taiwan Scenario LINK

  • Chinese Military Wraps Taiwan Intimidation Drills LINK

  • HII Shifting Shipbuilding Hiring Focus from Green Labor to Experienced Workers LINK

  • Denmark’s Naval Modernization Reflects Russia Threat, Emphasis on US Ties LINK

  • U.S. Army Targets December for Next Hypersonic Missile Test LINK

  • India to Double Hanwha Howitzer Buy, Manufacture Locally LINK

  • Sweden Moves Forward with Embraer C-390 Acquisition LINK

  • HII to Provide Maintenance Support to Air National Guard LINK

  • Colombia Selects Saab Gripen as Next-Gen Fighter Jet LINK

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