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Contracts · Hypersonics

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron is undergoes pre-flight procedures at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 8.
Archive photograph · A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron is undergoes pre-flight procedures at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 8. Giancarlo Casem / DVIDS Taken 2020-08-08. public-domain; reuse terms. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Air Force moves ARRW into production with $694 million Lockheed Martin contract

Lockheed Martin is expanding ARRW production space in Alabama. The Air Force is withholding missile quantities and delivery dates.

The Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract for production and fielding of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). Awarded Sept. 29, 2026, the contract marks the boost-glide hypersonic missile program's formal transition from prototyping and flight testing into production. The service announced it Oct. 26.1

Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $694 million contract

Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW)

production and fielding$694 millionactual

Sept. 29, 2026

Building P-20 in Troy, Alabama47,000 square feetplanned

will add 47,000 square feet of production space for ARRW

Quantities and delivery dates will not be released, to protect operational security

Sources: Air Force; Lockheed Martin (planned expansion).

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Lockheed says it invested $67 million in ARRW production facility expansion and equipment before receiving government funding. The company broke ground Oct. 27 on an expansion of Building P-20 in Troy, Alabama. It says the addition will provide 47,000 square feet for ARRW production and triple the facility's production space.2

Defense News reported that the Air Force moved to halt ARRW procurement in 2023 after unsuccessful tests and opted to focus on the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile. Citing budget documents, the outlet reported roughly $387 million in the Air Force's fiscal 2026 procurement request for ARRW. It also reported a $452 million request for the program in fiscal 2027.3

The Air Force is withholding quantities and delivery dates, citing operational security. Its announcement does not specify how much of the $694 million contract value is obligated.1

Carlton Haelig, a fellow in the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, told DefenseScoop that some contract funding could go toward starting the production line. He predicted it will take multiple years to get ARRW to units at scale and said how quickly the missile can be produced remains the big constraint.4

Sources (4)
  1. Air Force: DAF awards ARRW production contract (Oct. 26, 2026) www.af.mil
  2. Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin to Add Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile to the American Arsenal of Freedom (Oct. 27, 2026) news.lockheedmartin.com
  3. Defense News: US Air Force awards Lockheed Martin $694M hypersonic missile production contract www.defensenews.com
  4. DefenseScoop: Air Force launches next phase of hypersonic missile program with $694M contract award for ARRW defensescoop.com
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Contracts · Space

Viasat wins contract for Space Data Network’s mission operations hub

The award includes a $115 million initial task order to design, field and scale the center, under a contract with a $450 million ceiling.

Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded Viasat a competitive indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Space Data Network Backbone’s Mission Operations Center, the command announced Nov. 5, 2026. The contract carries a $450 million maximum ceiling and a $115 million initial task order to design, field and scale the center.1

Viasat, Inc. will serve as the network and mission system integration partner

Mission Operations Center (MOC) for the Space Data Network Backbone

maximum ceiling$450 millionactual

contract to Viasat, Inc., with a maximum ceiling of $450 million

initial task order$115 millionactual

to design, field, and scale the MOC

Source: Space Systems Command, Nov. 5, 2026

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Viasat will serve as the network and mission system integration partner as SSC expands its open-architecture ecosystem across multiple space-segment providers. SSC plans to bring mission integration, network operations and data transport management together through the center.1

The effort builds on the multi-vendor acquisition strategy demonstrated in the Space-Based Sensing and Targeting portfolio’s earlier Delivery Order 2 and Delivery Order 3 work. That work involved Amazon LEO for Government, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and York Space Systems.1

Breaking Defense reported that the center will serve as the network orchestration hub for the backbone, a low Earth orbit constellation being built by SpaceX. The network’s near-term focus will be supporting the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, the outlet reported.2

DefenseScoop reported that earlier this year the Department of War awarded SpaceX a $2.3 billion contract to deliver a fully operational backbone prototype by the end of 2027.3

The center is intended to integrate mission systems across multiple constellations and providers.1 Breaking Defense described network orchestration as autonomously shifting data among satellite constellations and ground stations when congestion or jamming slows transmission.2

Sources (3)
  1. SSC release, Nov. 5, 2026 www.ssc.spaceforce.mil
  2. Breaking Defense breakingdefense.com
  3. DefenseScoop defensescoop.com
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Contracts · Rotorcraft

U.S. approves possible sale of 11 Black Hawks to Mexico

The package carries an estimated $1.075 billion price for helicopters, equipment, training and support, with Sikorsky as principal contractor.

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Mexico of 11 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment, with an estimated price of $1.075 billion. The November 6, 2026, congressional notification announces no contract award or delivery schedule.1

Mexico requested 11 UH-60M helicopters

Foreign Military Sales: Congressional Notification

Estimated sale price$1.075 billioncontingent

possible Foreign Military Sale to Mexico for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment

Principal contractorSikorskycontingent

Principal contractor would be Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company

Source: U.S. Department of State. As of November 6, 2026.

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, would be the principal contractor for a purchase that would expand Mexico's existing UH-60M fleet. The proposed package extends beyond aircraft to engines, navigation systems, radios, personnel training and U.S. Government and contractor support services.1

Implementation would require 15 additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Mexico for an extended period for fielding, system checkout, training and technical and logistics support.1

The State Department says the proposed sale would help modernize Mexico's rotary-wing fleet by consolidating helicopter types and expanding its UH-60M fleet. It also expects the procurement to strengthen Mexico's in-country airlift support for forces engaged in counter-drug operations.1

Sources (1)
  1. State Department, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs: Mexico – UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopters, November 6, 2026 www.state.gov
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