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Firefly Aerospace Files for Nasdaq IPO Under “FLY” After Landmark Moon Landing
July 11, 2025 - Firefly Aerospace submitted its S 1 registration to the SEC for an IPO on the Nasdaq under ticker FLY, revealing Q1 2025 revenue at $55.8 million (up from $8.3 million YoY), with $176.9 million in cash and $173.6 million in debt—proceeds expected to go toward repaying a $136.1 million high-interest term loan. The Austin-area company, backed by AE Industrial Partners and led by CEO Jason Kim, highlighted key achievements: the commercial lunar lander Blue Ghost’s March touchdown, a $1.1 billion backlog, a Northrop Grumman partnership on the medium lift Eclipse rocket, and a 25-launch agreement with Lockheed Martin. (Reuters)
July 10, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Defense is investing $400 million in MP Materials via convertible preferred shares and warrants—securing roughly 15% ownership and making the Pentagon its largest shareholder—to scale up rare-earth magnet production and reduce reliance on China. The deal includes a 10 year purchase agreement for 100% of magnets from a planned “10X Facility” along with a price floor of $110/kg for neodymium praseodymium (NdPr) and a $150 million DoD loan to expand Mountain Pass separation capacity. (Washington Technology)
July 10, 2025 - France has informed Germany it wants to control 80% of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) development work—primarily on the fighter airframe, engine, and sensors—upsetting previously agreed one third shares among France’s Dassault, Germany’s Airbus, and Spain’s Indra. The €100 billion program, aimed at fielding a sixth generation fighter jet by 2040 and integrated drone systems via a "combat cloud", now faces delays as Germany reaffirms the intergovernmental accord and Airbus and Boeing threaten to explore alternative partnerships. (The Defense Post)
Denmark to Acquire at Least 10 More Lockheed Martin F-35As, Bringing Fleet to ~40 Jets
July 9, 2025 - Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed plans to sign a deal by October for at least 10 additional U.S.-made F-35A fighters—boosting the Royal Danish Air Force’s total fleet to roughly 40 jets and aligning with NATO’s 5% GDP defence-spending targets. While the minister didn’t disclose exact costs, he described the outlay as “a very large amount of billions,” and signaled expedited procurement to secure delivery slots and accelerate the phase-in of stealth jets. The announcement follows Denmark’s transition of air policing duties to F-35s and supports NATO’s readiness objectives, as the nation replaces its legacy F-16 fleet by the late 2020s. (Defence Industry Europe)
DoD Awards CFM International $2.85 B Contract for F108 Turbofan Engines
July 8, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded CFM International, a GE Aerospace/Safran JV, a $2.85 billion firm-fixed-price contract to supply F108 (military designation for CFM56) high-bypass turbofan engine components for U.S. Air Force tankers through October 2029, including a five-year extension option. Under the deal, GE is responsible for high-pressure compressor, combustor, and turbine modules, while Safran supplies the fan, gearbox, exhaust, and low-pressure turbine; final engine assemblies are done separately by each partner. The engines power legacy platforms such as the Boeing KC 135 refueling aircraft, which will remain in service alongside newer KC 46s well into the late 2020s. (American Machinist)
Australia Signs A$2.12 B Deal for Up to 400 Advanced AMRAAM Missiles
July 7, 2025 - The Australian government will invest A$2.12 billion (US $1.39 billion) through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to acquire up to 200 AIM 120C 8 and 200 AIM 120D 3 AMRAAM air to air missiles for enhanced air defense and strike capabilities. The AIM 120D 3, with a range near 160 km, will arm F/A 18F Super Hornet, EA 18G Growler, and F 35A jets, while the AIM 120C 8 variant is slated for the Army’s new NASAMS ground based systems. (The Defense Post)
