Washington is buying missiles like it's wartime. Europe isn't.
Top story
Ousted Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov launches new venture with Palantir CEO as first investor. Mykhailo Fedorov, sacked as Ukraine’s defense minister last month, is forming a new defense company with Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp as founding investor. Terms were not disclosed. Fedorov had championed software and AI procurement during his tenure; the new venture is expected to focus on autonomy and data integration for ground forces. Why it matters: Karp is betting Fedorov can export Ukraine’s battlefield software lessons into a commercial product before the rest of the defense-tech pack catches up — and Fedorov gets a Silicon Valley backer with Pentagon access and a track record of turning government relationships into billion-dollar contracts. (Corroborated) Defense News →
The rundown
AUTONOMY — The U.S. Army selected the Georgia Tech Research Institute as weapons integrator for the Collaborative Autonomous Munitions Launch (CAML) program under a $33 million contract. Georgia Tech will coordinate integration of autonomous mobility platforms with modular munitions pallets. The CAML system is designed to deliver fires from unmanned ground vehicles operating ahead of crewed formations. (Corroborated) Breaking Defense → · Army Technology →
DRONES — Tekever, Portugal’s leading UAS manufacturer, acquired Scottish startup Flowcopter to integrate its hydraulic transmission technology into Tekever’s autonomous platforms. Terms were not disclosed. Flowcopter’s system is designed to improve endurance and payload capacity on small tactical drones. The acquisition follows Tekever’s recent unveiling of the AR6 reconnaissance UAV. (Single source) Army Technology → · sUAS News →
DRONES — German authorities formally accused Russia of attempting to strike a Ukrainian-operated Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft with a drone, according to an official statement. The jet was reportedly carrying military supplies when the intercept attempt occurred. The accusation comes as Germany’s power grid also faces separate targeting incidents attributed to Russian sabotage operations. (Single source) The War Zone →
SPACE — Leonardo DRS won an Other Transaction Agreement from the U.S. Space Force to develop sensor technology for detecting, tracking, and targeting fast-moving objects in orbit. The system is intended to support space superiority and space control missions. Terms were not disclosed. Leonardo DRS will continue work on sensors designed to operate in challenging conditions, including contested electromagnetic environments. (Single source) Defence Blog →
NAVAL — Leonardo DRS announced the Maritime-Mission Equipment Package (M-MEP), a naval variant of its ground-based counter-UAS technology. The modular system detects, identifies, tracks, and defeats drones threatening ships. M-MEP is designed to integrate across different vessel classes. The company announced the product via social media; no customer or contract details were disclosed. (Single source) Defence Blog →
By the numbers
6 events in this issue · 2/6 corroborated · 3/6 European · busiest beat: drones
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