F-35 Export Politics: The U.S. State Department cleared a potential $24.3B sale of 48 F-35A jets to Saudi Arabia, including 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, cryptographic and electronic-warfare gear, plus training and logistics—now headed for a 30-day Congressional review that could spark renewed debate over regional balance and Israel’s qualitative edge. Space Deterrence & Acquisition: U.S. leaders moved from hints to open acknowledgment of on-orbit space control weapons, while the Space Force and SDA push missile-warning and tracking priorities tied to Golden Dome. Next-Gen Air Combat Concept: The Air Force highlighted a push toward Massed Modular Aircraft, aiming for 500 by 2032, built around an armed, autonomous long-range kill chain. Missile-Defense Cost Pressure: MDA asked industry for ideas to cut missile-defense target development costs and lead times as testing ramps up. Army Aviation Contracting: The Army advanced an undefinitized contract action with Sikorsky for 16 UH-60M Black Hawks, with options for more via U.S. and foreign military sales. Counter-Drone Mobility: TYTAN integrated its TI-03 Hyperion interceptor onto KNDS THeMIS UGV for a mobile C-UAS launcher aimed at NATO Class II drone threats. Defense Procurement Reform: DOD directed a shift from contractor cost accounting rules toward commercial standards (GAAP), aiming to reduce compliance burden and speed acquisition. Industrial Demand Signal: Germany’s manufacturing order backlog hit an all-time high, driven in part by defense spending. Cyber Readiness Partnership: Easton Utilities sought Maryland National Guard Cyber Force support under the Innovative Readiness Training Program to test and harden operational systems. Missile Parts Production Surge: GM Defense said it is fast-tracking PAC-3 MSE components for Lockheed Martin as demand rises. Defense Industry Compliance: Mack Defense secured CMMC Level 2 certification, clearing a key hurdle for handling U.S. CUI.