Defense and Space News — 2026-05-23

Headlines at a Glance

• Northrop Grumman wins $697M Navy contract: The Baltimore-based firm landed a major hybrid fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for naval aviation support.

• SpaceX Starship V3 launch scrubbed: A launch pad issue halted the May 22, 2026, attempt. According to NPR, a retry is imminent. Success is vital for NASA's Artemis human lunar missions.

• Lockheed Martin breaks ground on new THAAD plant: CEO Jim Taiclet confirmed the start of a new interceptor facility, responding to Pentagon pressure for increased weapons production.

• Navy approves 7 firms for MUSV prototypes: The U.S. Navy has moved seven companies into the prototype phase for its Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV) marketplace.

• F-35B completes first flight with UK SPEAR missile: Despite being four years behind schedule, the F-35B successfully integrated and flew with MBDA's SPEAR mini-cruise missile.

• Norway FM warns of Russian nuclear threat: The foreign minister highlighted NATO's strategic importance, warning that Russian nuclear capabilities pose a direct threat to nearly every U.S. city.

Key Defense Contracts & Programs

Northrop Grumman Navy Contract ($697M)

• Client/Contractor: U.S. Navy → Northrop Grumman Systems (Baltimore, MD)
• Value: Up to $697 million (hybrid FFP/CPFF)
• Details: A baseline order for naval aviation support; specific deliverables will be defined per task order.
• Strategic Impact: Solidifies Northrop Grumman’s role as a key supplier for the modernization and maintenance of the Navy’s manned and unmanned aviation assets.

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aerotechnews.com

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Lockheed Martin THAAD expansion

• Client/Contractor: Pentagon → Lockheed Martin
• Value: Undisclosed (New facility/production capacity expansion)
• Details: New THAAD interceptor production is underway. CEO Jim Taiclet stated, "This is not just a plan on paper. We know it will happen."
• Strategic Impact: Physically expands the U.S. ballistic missile defense industrial base, aligning with the Pentagon’s "Golden Dome" initiative.

F-35B and UK SPEAR missile testing

• Client/Contractor: UK MoD / BAE Systems & MBDA → Lockheed Martin (F-35B platform)
• Value: Undisclosed
• Details: The F-35B completed its first flight test carrying the MBDA SPEAR small cruise missile, a milestone achieved four years late.
• Strategic Impact: Enhances interoperability between U.S. and UK carrier strike groups, signaling tighter integration of precision strike capabilities among NATO allies.

Space Industry Trends

SpaceX Starship V3 retry imminent

• Entity: SpaceX
• Vehicle/Payload: Starship V3 (Super Heavy + Starship), uncrewed test, Boca Chica, TX.
• Status: The May 22, 2026, attempt was scrubbed due to a pad issue. According to NPR and USA Today, a retry is expected soon.
• Impact: As a new model with upgraded engines and heat shielding, V3’s performance is critical for fulfilling SpaceX’s NASA Human Landing System (HLS) contract.

U.S. Navy MUSV prototype phase

• Entity: U.S. Navy / 7 defense firms
• Platform: Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV)
• Status: Advanced from marketplace proposal to prototype development.
• Impact: Crucial for "Distributed Maritime Operations." The marketplace model fosters more innovation and competition than traditional single-source contracts.

General Atomics CCA drone returns to flight

• Entity: General Atomics
• Platform: CCA (Collaborative Combat Aircraft) drone
• Status: Resumed flights after an April 6, 2026, crash.
• Impact: The rapid return demonstrates the Air Force's commitment to the CCA program, a key pillar for AI-enabled "wingman" drones.

Geopolitics & Policy

U.S. and Asian Allies

The 2026 fiscal year defense budget is at an all-time high of $901 billion under the FY2026 NDAA. Recent export deals, such as Boeing’s P-8A training equipment to allies, underline a push for interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.

Europe & NATO

The Norwegian FM's comments on the Russian nuclear threat are fueling debates over NATO’s nuclear deterrent, pushing European allies to increase defense spending—creating opportunities for Lockheed, MBDA, and Leonardo.

Emerging Conflicts

Per Breaking Defense, the Pentagon is seeing an "insatiable" demand for AI-driven systems, with the use of the MAVEN AI system surging in recent Iranian airstrikes, setting new benchmarks for AI investment.

Analysis: SpaceX vs. Navy Unmanned Platforms

Insight: While Starship represents a critical "single point" failure risk for NASA’s schedule, the Navy's MUSV marketplace is a more sustainable acquisition model that distributes risk among multiple contractors.

Upcoming Watchlist

• Starship V3 retry: Testing V3’s reliability is key for the Artemis HLS contract.
• MUSV contract announcements: Expected reveal of the 7 selected firms and individual award values.
• SOF Week 2026 follow-ups: Potential new contracts for loitering munitions following industry demonstrations.

Reader’s Guide

• Investors: Watch for defense AI and unmanned system revenue growth in upcoming earnings, particularly for Lockheed Martin (LMT).
• Policy/Strategy: The surge in MAVEN usage creates new complexities for international norms on AI weaponry.
• Supply Chain: New opportunities for small/medium enterprises specializing in autonomous navigation and rugged materials as MUSV programs accelerate.