China’s tightened rare‑earth export controls amplify supply‑chain risk amid global aerospace procurements, tests, and major industry funding rounds.
A flurry of procurement, testing and funding moves is shaping the aerospace and defense landscape.
SNC is pitching an open‑architecture, mobile air‑defense system to the U.S. Air Force after recent military evaluations. Denmark agreed to expand its F‑35 fleet by 16 aircraft, bringing its total to 43, while Sweden pledged 1.5 billion krona to raise Gripen availability and enable operations from temporary bases.
China imposed new restrictions on rare‑earth exports and related technologies, heightening strategic supply‑chain risks for high‑performance engines and critical components.
On propulsion and testing fronts, CFM has begun dust‑ingestion trials on RISE small‑core HP turbine hardware, and NASA contracted Momentus to demonstrate a rotating‑detonation rocket engine in orbit in 2026.
Industry funding and product rollouts continue: Joby closed a $513.9 million equity sale, Stoke Space raised $510 million, Planet introduced an “Owl” 1‑meter class imagery satellite concept, and Aerofugia rolled its first AE200‑100 eVTOL from the Chengdu production line.
Weapons and space reports included Rafael’s jet‑powered loitering Spike variant, a postponed U.S. Navy missile briefing due to the government shutdown, and an SDA launch scheduled for Oct. 14.