US-Iran Munitions Crunch: Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the U.S. is running “considerably low” on Patriot and THAAD interceptors after months of war-related expending, warning the shortage could weaken deterrence. Pentagon Industrial Push: Multiple reports highlight the Pentagon pressing defense firms to dramatically accelerate weapons and interceptor production as stockpiles shrink. Air Defense Hardware: L3Harris completed a hot-fire test of NGI interceptor stage-two solid rocket motor work for the Missile Defense Agency, validating design integrity ahead of later testing. Missile/Drone Supply Chain: A new analysis claims NATO standards and European defense manufacturers are increasingly embedded in Ukraine’s war effort, expanding beyond simple weapons supply. Defense Procurement Platforms: The U.S. Army plans to expand its drone and counter-drone marketplaces, onboarding 1,000-plus products and adding more allied buyers. Corporate Defense Deals: Archer Aviation agreed to buy Boeing’s Wisk, SkyGrid and Insitu in an all-stock deal, with Insitu’s military drone revenue positioned as a cash-flow boost. Cybersecurity for Defense: California launched a statewide AI Cyber Defense Program, directing agencies to appoint AI cybersecurity officers and expand AI-enabled defenses. Export Controls: A Chinese national pleaded guilty in the U.S. for trying to buy military-grade satellite modems and radios for export to China.