Overview

• A Sept. 3 memo from Secretary of the Navy John Phelan creates a new DASN for robotic and autonomous systems, an RAS program executive office, and a portfolio acquisition executive to align and accelerate RAS procurement.
• Anduril confirmed selection to develop designs for a carrier-capable Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and reporting says Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics also received conceptual design awards.
• Boeing said recent demonstrations with the Royal Australian Air Force concluded in June and proved the MQ-28’s operational viability through multi-ship missions and validated autonomous behaviors.
• AEVEX Aerospace acquired select RapidFlight assets and intellectual property, including a containerized Mobile Production System that uses additive manufacturing to 3D print and repair drones at the tactical edge.
• Further signals of a cross-domain push include Overland AI using its SPARK upfit kit on the Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle autonomy effort, Leidos unveiling its Sea Dagger commando craft concept for the U.K., and Congress allocating $187 million to accelerate IVEWS installs on F-16s with an additional FY2026 add reported as possible.