HTML Version Reconciliation Moves Forward, with Billions for Air Force on the LinePLUS Airman Takes Over EUCOM and Delayed Launch for Missile Warning SatellitesJuly 2, 2025Edited by Greg Hadley with Rachel S. Cohen, Chris Gordon and David RozaView In BrowserSenators passed a one-time partisan spending package that includes $150 billion for defense on July 1, 2025. Architect of the CapitolSenate Passes Reconciliation Bill with Billions for Air Force and Space ForceBy Rachel S. CohenThe Senate passed Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package July 1 in a 51-50 vote, the culmination of a 27-hour marathon legislative session. The package—often called the reconciliation bill—includes a $150 billion package of defense funds that accounts for a significant portion of the money the Air Force and Space Force want for their top priorities next year.Grynkewich Takes Over EUCOM and Warns: ‘Our Adversaries Are Aligning’By Chris GordonAir Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.First Missile Warning Satellite Launch to MEO Slips, But More to ComeBy Greg HadleyThe Space Force's first planned satellite launch to begin a new missile warning constellation in medium-Earth orbit has slipped from late 2026 to spring 2027 as a key component remains unproven. But the service is making progress and moving forward with plans for new batches of satellites, the Guardian in charge of the effort said July 1. Space Force Boosting an Ecosystem of GPS Alternatives in Low-Earth OrbitBy Shaun WatermanThe Space Force is playing midwife to a new ecosystem of commercial satellite constellations providing alternatives to the service’s own Global Positioning Service from much closer to the Earth, making their signals more accurate and harder to jam. Radar Sweep Pentagon Halting Some Promised Munitions for Ukraine POLITICO The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine due to worries that U.S. weapons stockpiles have fallen too low. 150 Guard Troops Pulled Off LA mission for Wildfire Fighting Duties The Hill Some of the California National Guard troops deployed by President Trump to Los Angeles last month will be released from the deployment to fight wildfires as the state prepares for another fire season. In a statement released July 1, U.S. Northern Command said that approximately 150 Guardsmen were released from their federal mission protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Los Angeles, known as Task Force 51. Boeing Names Parker Permanent CEO of Defense, Space & Security The Wall Street Journal (Gift Link)Boeing has named Stephen Parker president and chief executive of its defense, space and security business, removing the interim tag he has carried since last September. Boeing on July 1 said Parker will oversee all aspects of the unit, which has recently been plagued by losses, production delays, and cost overruns, as well as the Starliner spacecraft program that left a pair of astronauts stuck in space for more than nine months. Cyber Command Significantly Increases Funding Request for Defense in Indo-Pacific Region DefenseScoop U.S. Cyber Command is requesting a hefty increase of funds compared to previous plans to support Indo-Pacific Command’s network sensing and defense, data feeds, and analytic resources, among other capabilities, according to newly released fiscal 2026 budget documents. What SDA’s Latest Win Signals for Military SpaceDefense One The Space Development Agency’s experimental satellite program just kicked off with a record-fast shift into full operating mode, offering what officials see as a promising start for an ambitious military space strategy. New Missile Defenses, EW Tactics Aided Israel During 12-Day Iran Conflict Breaking Defense During the recent twelve-day conflict with Iran, Israel broke out new defense technologies, including the first Israeli operational use of the Barak air defense systems as well as the first public disclosure about an Israeli Defense Forces unit that uses electromagnetic spectrum defenses to counter drones. Air Force Again Changes Course on Tankers, Plans New ‘Production Extension’ Program Breaking Defense Just two years after unveiling a new tanker strategy that would involve the development of a futuristic stealthy tanker, the Air Force is yet again shifting course for its air refueling fleet, and is now eyeing a novel program to extend tanker production—a move that could favor Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus. 2 Chinese Nationals Charged with Spying Inside the US for Beijing, Justice Department Says The Associated Press Two Chinese nationals have been charged with spying inside the United States on behalf of Beijing, including by taking photographs of a naval base, coordinating a cash dead-drop and participating in efforts to recruit members of the military who they thought might be open to working for Chinese intelligence. LeoLabs Secures US Military Funding for Missile-Tracking Mobile Radar SpaceNews LeoLabs, a California-based operator of ground-based radars for tracking objects in low Earth orbit, has secured $4 million in funding under a U.S. military program to upgrade its mobile surveillance radar, the company said. KC-135 Tankers Set to Get Drone Launchers The War Zone The U.S. Air Force has developed a means to launch small drones from its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and is now looking at adding that capability to the fleet. The service says the tankers could send out uncrewed aerial systems to help defend themselves from incoming threats and just provide useful additional situational awareness, as well as to potentially perform other missions in the future. JetZero Faces Deep US Air Force Funding Cut in Fiscal 2026 Aviation Week About one-third of the overall funding from the U.S. Air Force for JetZero’s Z4 blended wing body demonstrator is at risk of being cut in the fiscal 2026 budget request. One More ThingPilots Who Flew Iran Mission Will Be at the White House with Trump for July 4 Event CBS News The U.S. pilots who flew in a bombing mission targeting Iranian nuclear facilities will attend the White House's July 4 celebration this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said June 30. The event is also expected to feature a flyover by B-2 Spirit bombers, the jets that were used to strike Iran's uranium enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz earlier this month in an operation ordered by President Trump. 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July 2, 2025
Edited by Greg Hadley with Rachel S. Cohen, Chris Gordon and David Roza
By Rachel S. Cohen
The Senate passed Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package July 1 in a 51-50 vote, the culmination of a 27-hour marathon legislative session. The package—often called the reconciliation bill—includes a $150 billion package of defense funds that accounts for a significant portion of the money the Air Force and Space Force want for their top priorities next year.
By Chris Gordon
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
By Greg Hadley
The Space Force's first planned satellite launch to begin a new missile warning constellation in medium-Earth orbit has slipped from late 2026 to spring 2027 as a key component remains unproven. But the service is making progress and moving forward with plans for new batches of satellites, the Guardian in charge of the effort said July 1.
By Shaun Waterman
The Space Force is playing midwife to a new ecosystem of commercial satellite constellations providing alternatives to the service’s own Global Positioning Service from much closer to the Earth, making their signals more accurate and harder to jam.
POLITICO
The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine due to worries that U.S. weapons stockpiles have fallen too low.
The Hill
Some of the California National Guard troops deployed by President Trump to Los Angeles last month will be released from the deployment to fight wildfires as the state prepares for another fire season. In a statement released July 1, U.S. Northern Command said that approximately 150 Guardsmen were released from their federal mission protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Los Angeles, known as Task Force 51.
The Wall Street Journal (Gift Link)
Boeing has named Stephen Parker president and chief executive of its defense, space and security business, removing the interim tag he has carried since last September. Boeing on July 1 said Parker will oversee all aspects of the unit, which has recently been plagued by losses, production delays, and cost overruns, as well as the Starliner spacecraft program that left a pair of astronauts stuck in space for more than nine months.
DefenseScoop
U.S. Cyber Command is requesting a hefty increase of funds compared to previous plans to support Indo-Pacific Command’s network sensing and defense, data feeds, and analytic resources, among other capabilities, according to newly released fiscal 2026 budget documents.
Defense One
The Space Development Agency’s experimental satellite program just kicked off with a record-fast shift into full operating mode, offering what officials see as a promising start for an ambitious military space strategy.
Breaking Defense
During the recent twelve-day conflict with Iran, Israel broke out new defense technologies, including the first Israeli operational use of the Barak air defense systems as well as the first public disclosure about an Israeli Defense Forces unit that uses electromagnetic spectrum defenses to counter drones.
Just two years after unveiling a new tanker strategy that would involve the development of a futuristic stealthy tanker, the Air Force is yet again shifting course for its air refueling fleet, and is now eyeing a novel program to extend tanker production—a move that could favor Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus.
The Associated Press
Two Chinese nationals have been charged with spying inside the United States on behalf of Beijing, including by taking photographs of a naval base, coordinating a cash dead-drop and participating in efforts to recruit members of the military who they thought might be open to working for Chinese intelligence.
SpaceNews
LeoLabs, a California-based operator of ground-based radars for tracking objects in low Earth orbit, has secured $4 million in funding under a U.S. military program to upgrade its mobile surveillance radar, the company said.
The War Zone
The U.S. Air Force has developed a means to launch small drones from its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and is now looking at adding that capability to the fleet. The service says the tankers could send out uncrewed aerial systems to help defend themselves from incoming threats and just provide useful additional situational awareness, as well as to potentially perform other missions in the future.
Aviation Week
About one-third of the overall funding from the U.S. Air Force for JetZero’s Z4 blended wing body demonstrator is at risk of being cut in the fiscal 2026 budget request.
CBS News
The U.S. pilots who flew in a bombing mission targeting Iranian nuclear facilities will attend the White House's July 4 celebration this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said June 30. The event is also expected to feature a flyover by B-2 Spirit bombers, the jets that were used to strike Iran's uranium enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz earlier this month in an operation ordered by President Trump.
Published by the Air & Space Forces Association.airandspaceforces.com material is under copyright by the Air & Space Forces Association. All rights reserved.The Air & Space Forces Association, 1201 S. Joyce Street, C6, Arlington, VA 22202To unsubscribe or change your preferences, please visit options.
Plaintext Version Air & Space Forces Magazine Daily Report for July 2, 2025 View in your Web Browser: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/20250702/?src=dr Edited by Greg Hadley with Rachel S. Cohen, Chris Gordon and David Roza -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://innovate.rise8.us/nist-continuous-ato -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate Passes Reconciliation Bill with Billions for Air Force and Space Force By Rachel S. Cohen The Senate passed Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package July 1 in a 51-50 vote, the culmination of a 27-hour marathon legislative session. The package—often called the reconciliation bill—includes a $150 billion package of defense funds that accounts for a significant portion of the money the Air Force and Space Force want for their top priorities next year. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/senate-reconciliation-bill-billions-air-space-force/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grynkewich Takes Over EUCOM and Warns: ‘Our Adversaries Are Aligning’ By Chris Gordon Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/grynkewich-eucom-nato-saceur/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Missile Warning Satellite Launch to MEO Slips, But More to Come By Greg Hadley The Space Force's first planned satellite launch to begin a new missile warning constellation in medium-Earth orbit has slipped from late 2026 to spring 2027 as a key component remains unproven. But the service is making progress and moving forward with plans for new batches of satellites, the Guardian in charge of the effort said July 1. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-satellites-for-missile-warning-meo-challenges/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.marvintest.com/landing/smartcan1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Space Force Boosting an Ecosystem of GPS Alternatives in Low-Earth Orbit By Shaun Waterman The Space Force is playing midwife to a new ecosystem of commercial satellite constellations providing alternatives to the service’s own Global Positioning Service from much closer to the Earth, making their signals more accurate and harder to jam. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-ecosystem-gps-alternatives-leo/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.usaa.com/join?txid=OTH:TX1:5WHRNU5YHL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radar Sweep -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pentagon Halting Some Promised Munitions for Ukraine The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine due to worries that U.S. weapons stockpiles have fallen too low. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/pentagon-munitions-ukraine-halt-00436048 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 150 Guard Troops Pulled Off LA mission for Wildfire Fighting Duties Some of the California National Guard troops deployed by President Trump to Los Angeles last month will be released from the deployment to fight wildfires as the state prepares for another fire season. In a statement released July 1, U.S. Northern Command said that approximately 150 Guardsmen were released from their federal mission protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Los Angeles, known as Task Force 51. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5380560-150-guard-troops-pulled-off-la-mission-for-wildfire-fighting-duties/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boeing Names Parker Permanent CEO of Defense, Space & Security Boeing has named Stephen Parker president and chief executive of its defense, space and security business, removing the interim tag he has carried since last September. Boeing on July 1 said Parker will oversee all aspects of the unit, which has recently been plagued by losses, production delays, and cost overruns, as well as the Starliner spacecraft program that left a pair of astronauts stuck in space for more than nine months. https://www.wsj.com/business/boeing-names-parker-permanent-ceo-of-defense-space-security-eef8774b?st=QaKs2u&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (Gift Link) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cyber Command Significantly Increases Funding Request for Defense in Indo-Pacific Region U.S. Cyber Command is requesting a hefty increase of funds compared to previous plans to support Indo-Pacific Command’s network sensing and defense, data feeds, and analytic resources, among other capabilities, according to newly released fiscal 2026 budget documents. https://defensescoop.com/2025/07/01/cyber-command-2026-budget-request-increase-funding-indo-pacific-defense/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What SDA’s Latest Win Signals for Military Space The Space Development Agency’s experimental satellite program just kicked off with a record-fast shift into full operating mode, offering what officials see as a promising start for an ambitious military space strategy. https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/07/what-sdas-latest-win-signals-military-space/406442/?oref=d1-featured-river-secondary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Missile Defenses, EW Tactics Aided Israel During 12-Day Iran Conflict During the recent twelve-day conflict with Iran, Israel broke out new defense technologies, including the first Israeli operational use of the Barak air defense systems as well as the first public disclosure about an Israeli Defense Forces unit that uses electromagnetic spectrum defenses to counter drones. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/new-missile-defenses-ew-tactics-aided-israel-during-12-day-iran-conflict/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.ga-asi.com/ga-asi-welcomes-usaf-designation-for-new-cca-yfq-42a -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air Force Again Changes Course on Tankers, Plans New ‘Production Extension’ Program Just two years after unveiling a new tanker strategy that would involve the development of a futuristic stealthy tanker, the Air Force is yet again shifting course for its air refueling fleet, and is now eyeing a novel program to extend tanker production—a move that could favor Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/air-force-again-changes-course-on-tankers-plans-new-production-extension-program/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Chinese Nationals Charged with Spying Inside the US for Beijing, Justice Department Says Two Chinese nationals have been charged with spying inside the United States on behalf of Beijing, including by taking photographs of a naval base, coordinating a cash dead-drop and participating in efforts to recruit members of the military who they thought might be open to working for Chinese intelligence. https://apnews.com/article/fbi-china-espionage-navy-5514ba4d565f19f52dac1820b04ca343 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LeoLabs Secures US Military Funding for Missile-Tracking Mobile Radar LeoLabs, a California-based operator of ground-based radars for tracking objects in low Earth orbit, has secured $4 million in funding under a U.S. military program to upgrade its mobile surveillance radar, the company said. https://spacenews.com/leolabs-secures-u-s-military-funding-for-missile-tracking-mobile-radar/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KC-135 Tankers Set to Get Drone Launchers The U.S. Air Force has developed a means to launch small drones from its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and is now looking at adding that capability to the fleet. The service says the tankers could send out uncrewed aerial systems to help defend themselves from incoming threats and just provide useful additional situational awareness, as well as to potentially perform other missions in the future. https://www.twz.com/air/kc-135-tankers-set-to-get-drone-launchers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JetZero Faces Deep US Air Force Funding Cut in Fiscal 2026 About one-third of the overall funding from the U.S. Air Force for JetZero’s Z4 blended wing body demonstrator is at risk of being cut in the fiscal 2026 budget request. https://aviationweek.com/defense/budget-policy-operations/jetzero-faces-deep-us-air-force-funding-cut-fiscal-2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One More Thing... Pilots Who Flew Iran Mission Will Be at the White House with Trump for July 4 Event The U.S. pilots who flew in a bombing mission targeting Iranian nuclear facilities will attend the White House's July 4 celebration this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said June 30. The event is also expected to feature a flyover by B-2 Spirit bombers, the jets that were used to strike Iran's uranium enrichment sites at Fordo and Natanz earlier this month in an operation ordered by President Trump. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-mission-pilots-trump-white-house-july-4/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.afa.org/air-space-cyber-conference/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Daily Report: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/ - Contact Us: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/contact-us/ - Advertise With Us: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/advertise/ - Purchase/Reprint: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/reprint-permission/ - Air & Space Forces Assoc.: https://www.afa.org - Join AFA: https://www.afa.org/join/ - A&SF Mag on Facebook: https://facebook.com/ASForcesMag - A&SF Mag on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASForcesMag -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published by the Air & Space Forces Association All airandspaceforces.com material is under copyright of the Air & Space Forces Association. 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