Cambridge Aerospace raises $300M at a $3.4bn valuation
Cambridge Aerospace closed a $300 million Series C led by DFJ Growth that values the UK air-defense startup at $3.4 billion. The company’s Skyhammer tube-launched interceptor is meant to kill cheap Shahed-class drones at a unit cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, and the UK Ministry of Defence has already contracted deliveries plus a LEAP program award with France, Germany, Italy and Poland.
Why it matters: Europe’s C-UAS problem is a cost curve; a two-year-old firm priced like a prime only works if Skyhammer actually ships at that price.
Norway outlines acquisition model for up to 20 P1118 standardized vessels across two parallel contracts
Norway has revealed the procurement strategy for Project P1118, which will acquire up to 20 ocean-going standardized vessels for Norway, the UK and Lithuania through two parallel contracts. Naval News reports the vessels will share a common design to reduce costs and speed delivery. The P1118 programme is intended to provide multi-role platforms for patrol, surveillance and logistics missions.
Why it matters: Three NATO navies just bet on plug-and-play hulls to scale faster than bespoke designs — if it works, expect more allies to join the production run.
UK startup Skyfly raises $10 million to develop Longbow hybrid-electric cargo drone with 400-mile range
British aircraft maker Skyfly Technologies raised $10 million to develop Longbow, a hybrid-electric cargo drone designed to carry 200 kg (440 pounds) over 640 km (400 miles) and operate from ships, fields or forward bases without a runway. The unmanned variant derives from Skyfly's two-seat electric vertical takeoff aircraft. Defence Blog reports the seed round closed on October 20.
UK Ministry of Defence publishes operational update on military support to Saudi Arabia
The UK Ministry of Defence published an operational update on British military support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. No details were provided in the public announcement.
UK and Germany strengthen defence ties in London talks
UK and German officials held defence talks in London, the UK Ministry of Defence announced 16 October. No details on topics or outcomes were disclosed.