22 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2025
Enough Talk—Time to Strengthen
America's Microelectronics Industrial
Base ⊲
The problem isn't just about microelectronics
that have shifted offshore over the past several
decades. Rather, it's about failure to act, even as
the path forward is staring us in the face.
Vertical Aerospace Makes Aviation His-
tory with Piloted eVTOL Flight in Open
Airspace ⊲
The landmark flight of the VX4 prototype, piloted
by Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, saw the aircraft
take-off, fly, and land like a conventional aircraft,
with lift generated by the wing.
BAE Systems Awarded $1.2B Contract
for U.S. Space Force Missile Warning and
Tracking Satellite System ⊲
The program will provide resilient, space-based
missile warning and tracking of ballistic missiles
and advanced threats, such as hypersonic glide
vehicles.
RTX's Raytheon Awarded $536 Million
US Navy Contract for SPY-6 Family of
Radars ⊲
"SPY-6 is the most advanced radar in the U.S. naval
fleet, providing ships a new level of defense against
evolving threats," said Barbara Borgonovi, president
of Naval Power at Raytheon. "This contract high-
lights the essential role of this technology."
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—
Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away ⊲
One of the most dramatic developments in the
new space race is the rise of commercial play-
ers. SpaceX, Amazon Kuiper, Planet, and others
are reshaping global access to orbit. On one hand,
they offer the Pentagon low-cost launch, rapid
innovation, and scalable infrastructure. On the
other, they introduce strategic ambiguity.
Redwire Successfully Delivers Onboard
Computer for ESA's Comet Interceptor
Mission to Study Pristine Comet ⊲
ESA's Comet Interceptor will be the first space-
craft to visit a comet coming directly from the outer
reaches of the Sun, carrying material untouched
since the dawn of the Solar System.
Curtiss-Wright Awarded $80M IDIQ
Contract by U.S. Air Force to Provide High-
Speed Data Acquisition Technology ⊲
Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright will provide
its HSDAS aerospace instrumentation technology
including High Speed Data Acquisition, Network,
Recording, Gateway, RF, and Data Analysis Soft-
ware (IADS®) products and services.
AV's Tomahawk Awarded $5.1M Contract
for Human-Machine Integrated Formations
Project by U.S. Army RCCTO ⊲
With its modular architecture and multi-platform
compatibility, the Grip TA5 provides operators
command-and-control of multiple robotic assets
in real-time, enhancing mission adaptability and
response speed.
Airbus Next-Generation Skynet Satellite
Reaches Major Milestone ⊲
The UK's next-generation military communications
satellite—Skynet 6A—has successfully completed the
coupling of its communications and service modules.
Yank Technologies Selected for Prestigious
NASA Phase II Contract for Dust-Tolerant
Resonant Connectors ⊲
Dust-Tolerant Resonant Connectors are extremely
efficient interlocking coils for robust power trans-
mission on the Moon and Mars. They are com-
pletely insulated with no exposed conductive ter-
minals to operate effectively in extremely dusty
and dirty environments, making them ideal for
space exploration.
MIL/AERO007
