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(bright music)

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- [Narrator] Defense
News is proudly sponsored

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by Navy Federal Credit Union.

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If you're a member of our
Nation's Armed Forces,

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the Department of Defense,
or if your family is,

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we'd be proud to serve you too.

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On this episode of Defense News Weekly,

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more highlights from the
world's biggest Firearms

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and Gear conference,
Shot Show in Las Vegas.

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On tap, a roundup of
new optics at the show.

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See how you can see better
on the firing range.

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Also, we hear from Air Force
leadership on lessons learned

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from recent US strikes on Iran.

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Finally, who moved the market

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in the defense industry this week,

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Defense Dollars brings you the headlines.

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It's the latest in news and analysis

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from the Pentagon to the platoon,

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here on Defense News Weekly.

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(bright music)

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Welcome back to Defense News Weekly.

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When it comes to firearms,
one thing is always true.

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It always pays to be able to
see what you're shooting at.

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At Shot Show 2026, we
canvassed the conference floor

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for the latest in optics

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from some of the biggest
players in the space.

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Here's what we found.

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- Hi, my name's Chris and
I'm the product manager

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for Trijicon Optics and I'm
gonna tell you a little bit

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about our 50,000 round
torture test on the RCR.

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So during our development
of any of our optics,

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we put them through a
strenuous series of testing

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we call the science of brilliance.

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So that involves environmental
testing, recoil, drop

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and general, just torture
testing of our optics.

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And we wanted to show the public

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how our optics perform
in the worst conditions.

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So we did the 50,000 round torture test.

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So during this test we not
only dropped it, we baked it,

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we froze it, we dunked it
into water, sand, dirt,

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anything imaginable, we did
to this optic during this test

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and we reconfirmed zero
every 10,000 rounds

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just to make sure that the
optic was still performing

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as it should and it did.

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So for our full 50,000 rounds,

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this optic not only held zero,

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but maintained full functionality

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throughout the entire
50,000 rounds of testing.

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So this case not only displays the optic

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with the pistol it was tested on,

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but it also has the
full 50,000 rounds in it

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just to kind of give
you the amount of volume

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that this optic has been shot.

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One of the reasons we test to
the high standard that we do

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is because we know that
our optics are being used

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by professionals in the real world,

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that their lives are depending

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on the functionality of that optic.

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So we test to a high standard

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and we wanted to demonstrate
that high standard

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with the 50K torture test.

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- Hey guys, Adam here at
Holosun Shot Show 2026

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and I'm gonna run you through
what's new for Holosun.

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So start with this guy right here

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and this is the new AEMS EVO

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and this guy has about 30%
larger screen field of view

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than the AEMS PRO X2,

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but a little bit smaller than the AEMS MAX

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gives you nice middle ground to be on.

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Now for those of you like
the finer things in life,

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maybe a little bit of night vision.

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We have the AMES EVO Dual,
which is this guy right here,

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and this gives you a IR laser
and a visible laser built in.

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It also runs off a CR123A
battery in the side here

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and gives you a couple different options

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in terms of that night
vision compatibility

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or if you're doing something else,

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gives you net visible laser
for other applications.

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Now, again like those finer things in life

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and you prefer those T1, T2 footprints,

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that's this guy right here,

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and this is going to be our ARO-EVO-DUAL.

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Again visible laser and IR
laser CR123A mounted on the side

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and a T1, T2 footprint.

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Now both the AMES-EVO-DUAL
and the ARO-EVO-DUAL

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do offer the solar panel
for solar fail safe.

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They also have crane switches
and crane ports in the back

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so you can activate
those lasers doing that.

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Lots of different options here guys,

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in terms of that night vision stuff.

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Now you may be thinking,

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all right, so I've got a
visible laser or an IR laser.

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I don't have an illuminator.

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We already had that covered guys,

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and that is our new IRIS-ARC.

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This guy's an IR illuminator only.

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It has a throw of a three
degree to a 40 degree.

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So pretty much you have a
narrow beam or a wide open.

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Has a industry scout mount,
so you're used to that.

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A push pad in the back, pressure switch,

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as well as a crane port.

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Nice compact size, great for handheld,

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not on your rifle or
on your helmet as well.

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Then we've got our new 3X magnifier.

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This is a shrunk down version.

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Those with PWs, maybe like
me doing some bull pop stuff.

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This gives you that compact
package on those shorter rails

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that can be closer up to
your face to the eye release.

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Moving into our pistols.
Very excited for these.

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We have our new 507 Pro Max.

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Really cool package here guys.

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Giant field of view, still
has the RMR footprint,

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our performance Reticle system,

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and then we've also added
the solar panels back on top.

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We do listen guys, and
we wanted to come back

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with those solar panels
for solar fail safe.

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Comparing it to that 507 comp,

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that's about that size difference.

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It's a very, very large optic you guys,

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but it'd be great for
you need to use it for.

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Now, in line with that 507 comp,

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this is actually a 407 comp.

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Same optic except now it's a 6MOA do only.

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Both of these are gonna
come in red, green or gold,

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as well as all the new
rifle optics as well

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for those that maybe are colorblind

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and need that extra help
with that gold reticle.

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Our 507 and 407C now has a redesign

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with the 507 or 407CX3,

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and it has that canted
forward lip at the top,

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solar panels up on top, subdue lettering.

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And guys, just a great
optic to keep you going.

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Now again, those finer things in life,

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you want that enclosed optic,
we do have the EPS CORE.

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This is new. We do listen, guys, again.

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And a lot of you guys like the EPS carry

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from the slim line mounting
that did not hang over your,

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your Glock 43, your Masada
Slims, things like that,

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but you wanted bigger glass.

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We have, in essence, to
put the EPS glass up on top

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with EPS carry in terms
of the slim line mount.

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Still gonna fit RMSc that
modified that K footprint,

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but again, giant field
of view out of that glass

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with that real small footprint.

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Red, green or gold,

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it's also gonna have a
3-MOA version only as well

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for those like that.

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Next one that I'm really
excited about, guys,

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this is the new AMES MACRO.

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So this guy is a 509T footprint,

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zero magnification glass,
zero distortion glass.

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This is gonna be great for those of you

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that want that fully enclosed
optic for competition,

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for self-defense, whatever
you're looking for.

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And there's a great
offset on a rifle as well.

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Now, one of the things that a
lot of you guys are gonna like

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is I put up with a lot on
the internet from some of you

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is an Acro footprint.

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This is the AMES MICRO.

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The AMES Micro is compatible
with Acro footprints.

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Again, it's gonna have
that zero distortion glass,

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zero magnification, solar panels on top,

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red, green or gold, multi reticle system.

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It has its own footprint,
but again, it is compatible

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with that Acro footprint.

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Now, real quick guys, the AMES
MICRO does come with an RMSc

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to AMES MICRO plate.

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The AMES Macro comes
with a RMR to 509T plate.

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So you have options to
mount either one of those

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straight out of box those plate systems.

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Guys, that's Holosun
2026 Shot Show coverage.

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Hope viewers liked it.

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- [Narrator] When we come back,

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Air Force leaders explore
ways to improve readiness.

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Stay tuned.

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(bright music)

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Welcome back to the Defense News Weekly.

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The Air Force in recent years

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has been looking to improve
its readiness to fight.

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It wants more planes
prepared to go into battle

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at any given moment.

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At a recent conference
sponsored by the Air

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and Space Forces Association's
Mitchell Institute,

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top leaders said surprise inspections

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and better procurement practices
were part of the solution.

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Have a look.

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(bright music)

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- [Stephen] At the Mitchell
Institute for Aerospace Studies

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recent forum near the Pentagon,

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one big topic was on leaders' minds

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making the Air Force more
prepared for future conflicts.

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- They have given us a focus
that I frankly don't think

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we've seen inside of the
Pentagon for a while.

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And that focus allows us to worry about

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what we need to worry about,

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which is flying and fixing airplanes.

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- [Stephen] Taking lessons
from recent real world events,

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Air Force leaders used the
midnight hammer strikes

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on Iran's nuclear facilities

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as an example of where the
force stands to improve.

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Specifically Lieutenant
General Jason R. Armagost,

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Deputy Commander of Air
Force Global Strike Command

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said the service must
improve communications

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with bombers and other
aircraft flying into battle.

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That includes making
sure Mission Commanders

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can transmit their go
orders to other aircraft

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or the status of their forces.

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- It's really important as we
kind of decide the strategic

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nature of our stand in
standoff and our command,

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our kill chains, and
our command and control.

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If we do not architect our
comms better going forward,

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that is a foul on us big time.

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Because if that package is not able to

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in a low probability detect

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and/or low probability intercept way

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able to communicate the
status of their forces

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and the go from the mission commander,

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then that is bad on all of us.

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- [Stephen] Major Claire Randolph,

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Chief of Weapons and Tactics

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00:10:02,190 --> 00:10:05,130
for US Air Force's Central Command agreed,

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but cautioned that shouldn't
mean combatant commanders

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start making cockpit
decisions for air crews.

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- I think it's really
interesting as we talk about,

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you know, what if we had this network

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where everybody was able to
talk to everybody all the time.

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There are a couple of
effects that we care about.

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You care about getting
intelligence into the cockpit.

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You care about getting
targets into the cockpit,

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orders, authorizations into the cockpit.

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But the problem is once you can connect,

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like let's imagine you have a wire direct

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from the CENTCOM commander
to the cockpit of every B2

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or the cockpit of every F16,

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there's liability there to add latency

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and maybe decision making authority

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without all the awareness.

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And so I think as we tread
into 100% (indistinct)

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we have to improve our
communications capabilities,

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but we also have to be very careful

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to bound the authority that
ends up touching the cockpit

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because otherwise we're at
risk for involving folks

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in the decision making process

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that frankly have no business being there.

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- [Stephen] Armagost also
talked about the role

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00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,790
for the Air Force's upcoming
stealth bomber, the B21 Raider

247
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in future penetrating strike missions.

248
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The Northrop Grumman B21, the
first sixth generation bomber

249
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is slated to have cutting edge
data sharing capabilities.

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Armagost said the Air Force
wants to take advantage

251
00:11:19,380 --> 00:11:22,140
of those capabilities to
improve command and control.

252
00:11:22,140 --> 00:11:24,630
And with the B21 in the
Air Force's arsenal,

253
00:11:24,630 --> 00:11:26,760
Armagost said a mission
like Midnight Hammer

254
00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:30,840
will be very different and in
some ways easier than today.

255
00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:34,500
- Now we have the opportunity
with B21 and family systems

256
00:11:34,500 --> 00:11:37,950
to be different again, but it
is gonna require us to think

257
00:11:37,950 --> 00:11:39,660
about the right numbers of aircraft

258
00:11:39,660 --> 00:11:43,710
because if you want to
campaign, if you want to deter,

259
00:11:43,710 --> 00:11:45,990
actually you're gonna
have to have the ability

260
00:11:45,990 --> 00:11:48,930
to not just have capability,
but a capability presence

261
00:11:48,930 --> 00:11:51,510
that comes from just sheer numbers.

262
00:11:51,510 --> 00:11:52,650
- [Stephen] Another hot topic

263
00:11:52,650 --> 00:11:54,900
from the Mitchell Institute Forum,

264
00:11:54,900 --> 00:11:58,110
the urgent need to ensure
the Air Force is battle ready

265
00:11:58,110 --> 00:12:00,360
through inspections and improve logistics

266
00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:04,290
for critical spare parts
for planes like the F35.

267
00:12:04,290 --> 00:12:06,210
Lieutenant General Scott Pleus,

268
00:12:06,210 --> 00:12:08,640
acting Vice Chief of
Staff for the Air Force

269
00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:10,920
said no notice inspections are key

270
00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:13,200
and failed inspections will bring scrutiny

271
00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:14,880
on commanders in charge.

272
00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:18,870
- Under Chief Wilsbach
and Secretary Meink,

273
00:12:18,870 --> 00:12:22,770
they have reinstituted
combat readiness inspections.

274
00:12:22,770 --> 00:12:24,480
They are no notice.

275
00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:26,763
It is not the, you know, hey, there's a,

276
00:12:28,890 --> 00:12:31,860
you know, KC135 on short
final and that's containing,

277
00:12:31,860 --> 00:12:34,110
you know, a hundred
people from the IG team.

278
00:12:34,110 --> 00:12:35,940
I remember those days.

279
00:12:35,940 --> 00:12:38,640
It's not that, but it's no notice.

280
00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:40,740
It's still a group of
inspectors that come in

281
00:12:40,740 --> 00:12:43,440
and they're going to evaluate readiness.

282
00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:45,270
The second thing I go back to,

283
00:12:45,270 --> 00:12:46,500
I'm sorry I keep parking on this.

284
00:12:46,500 --> 00:12:48,630
This is commander's business.

285
00:12:48,630 --> 00:12:51,600
And we're gonna hold
commanders responsible for that

286
00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,400
because that is 100% in their
will, in their wheelhouse.

287
00:12:55,620 --> 00:12:58,370
If they fail an inspection,
that is a commander's fault

288
00:12:59,727 --> 00:13:02,790
and we will hold them
accountable as we move forward.

289
00:13:02,790 --> 00:13:04,620
- [Stephen] The Air Force
has struggled for years

290
00:13:04,620 --> 00:13:06,480
with declining readiness rates,

291
00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:08,940
even as the aircraft fleet has shrunk.

292
00:13:08,940 --> 00:13:11,130
Previous administrations have concentrated

293
00:13:11,130 --> 00:13:13,560
on modernizing the fleet, Pleus said,

294
00:13:13,560 --> 00:13:17,490
sometimes at the expense of
existing aircraft's readiness.

295
00:13:17,490 --> 00:13:19,560
But Air Force Secretary Troy Meink

296
00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:21,960
and Chief of Staff
General Kenneth Wilsbach

297
00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,000
are changing that, Pleus said.

298
00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:28,770
- Frankly, we have at the
expense of monetization,

299
00:13:28,770 --> 00:13:30,063
we took risk in a way.

300
00:13:30,930 --> 00:13:34,290
And so what we did was,
you know, with the budget

301
00:13:34,290 --> 00:13:39,060
arguably fairly flat,
starting in the mid 2000s,

302
00:13:39,060 --> 00:13:42,153
small increase for inflation,

303
00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:45,754
you know, you have to make a decision.

304
00:13:45,754 --> 00:13:47,430
You could spend it on brand new things

305
00:13:47,430 --> 00:13:49,830
like new modernization of airplanes

306
00:13:49,830 --> 00:13:52,020
or you spend it on readiness.

307
00:13:52,020 --> 00:13:54,720
And the leadership at the time
said we were gonna spend it

308
00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:57,630
on modernization and we're
gonna take risk with readiness.

309
00:13:57,630 --> 00:14:02,630
The Secretary Meink and Chief
Wilsbach are explicitly clear

310
00:14:03,450 --> 00:14:06,000
readiness is our focus right now.

311
00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,370
- [Stephen] Many times Air
Force planes are grounded

312
00:14:08,370 --> 00:14:10,860
because maintainers simply
don't have the spare parts

313
00:14:10,860 --> 00:14:12,240
on hand to fix them.

314
00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,220
Pleus said that needs to change

315
00:14:14,220 --> 00:14:15,870
and the service is talking to Congress

316
00:14:15,870 --> 00:14:18,870
to ensure it has money to buy spare parts.

317
00:14:18,870 --> 00:14:21,450
- What we are doing right
now is we are now saying

318
00:14:21,450 --> 00:14:23,190
we've got to buy parts.

319
00:14:23,190 --> 00:14:25,590
We've got to have the parts available

320
00:14:25,590 --> 00:14:29,640
so that General Bell's maintenance
folks that are out there

321
00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,370
wrenching on the flight
each and every day,

322
00:14:32,370 --> 00:14:34,920
in the cold, in the rain, in the heat,

323
00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:38,010
have the parts they needs so
they can fix those airplanes

324
00:14:38,010 --> 00:14:39,930
and then we can get them airborne in them.

325
00:14:39,930 --> 00:14:43,300
What we are doing right now is we are

326
00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:46,200
still focusing on modernization

327
00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,360
but not in the expense of readiness.

328
00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:51,900
And so we are dumping a bunch
of our money from budgets,

329
00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:53,820
working with Congress,

330
00:14:53,820 --> 00:14:57,030
working with inside of
our own institution,

331
00:14:57,030 --> 00:14:59,913
and also working with
Department of War to make sure

332
00:14:59,913 --> 00:15:02,280
that we have the parts in place

333
00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:04,920
and we have the skills necessary

334
00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,773
that we can execute to
Flying Hour program.

335
00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:10,950
- [Stephen] For Defense
News and Air Force Times,

336
00:15:10,950 --> 00:15:12,188
I'm Stephen Losey.

337
00:15:12,188 --> 00:15:14,771
(bright music)

338
00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:19,410
- [Narrator] When we come back,

339
00:15:19,410 --> 00:15:21,270
tips to prepare your finances

340
00:15:21,270 --> 00:15:23,940
before you head out on
deployment and later,

341
00:15:23,940 --> 00:15:27,210
the latest in financial news
from the defense industry.

342
00:15:27,210 --> 00:15:28,950
Stay with us.

343
00:15:28,950 --> 00:15:31,533
(bright music)

344
00:15:36,210 --> 00:15:37,260
Welcome back.

345
00:15:37,260 --> 00:15:39,150
There are a lot of things to think about

346
00:15:39,150 --> 00:15:41,130
before you head out on deployment.

347
00:15:41,130 --> 00:15:42,900
On this episode of Money Minute,

348
00:15:42,900 --> 00:15:46,140
Jeanette Mack from Navy Federal
Credit Union gives you tips

349
00:15:46,140 --> 00:15:47,820
for organizing your finances

350
00:15:47,820 --> 00:15:49,773
before leaving for a long mission.

351
00:15:50,610 --> 00:15:52,800
- Being deployment ready is a must,

352
00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:54,480
but before you pack your duffle bag,

353
00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,000
let's make sure your money's good to go.

354
00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,590
First up, your paycheck.

355
00:15:58,590 --> 00:16:01,470
Hopefully you're in the know
about your possible extra pay

356
00:16:01,470 --> 00:16:03,360
or allowances while you're deployed.

357
00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:05,340
They could mean more money in your pocket,

358
00:16:05,340 --> 00:16:08,370
so review your LES or leave
and earning statements

359
00:16:08,370 --> 00:16:11,100
and think about using
extra funds to pay off debt

360
00:16:11,100 --> 00:16:12,690
or stash in savings.

361
00:16:12,690 --> 00:16:14,880
Next, make bill paying a breeze.

362
00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,370
Set up auto payments for
regular bills like rent,

363
00:16:17,370 --> 00:16:19,530
utilities, even streaming services,

364
00:16:19,530 --> 00:16:22,230
so nothing slips through the
cracks while you're away.

365
00:16:22,230 --> 00:16:24,330
Make sure you've downloaded
mobile banking apps

366
00:16:24,330 --> 00:16:25,860
for quick access to your accounts

367
00:16:25,860 --> 00:16:27,330
no matter where you're stationed.

368
00:16:27,330 --> 00:16:30,150
And finally, know your
rights and safeguards.

369
00:16:30,150 --> 00:16:32,760
Setting up active duty alerts
with the credit bureaus

370
00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:34,860
helps shield you from identity theft.

371
00:16:34,860 --> 00:16:37,800
And federal laws like the
Service Member Civil Relief Act

372
00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,610
or SCRA offer, lower interest
rates and other protections

373
00:16:41,610 --> 00:16:44,460
so you can focus on the
mission, not your credit.

374
00:16:44,460 --> 00:16:47,280
With just a few smart
moves, taps and clicks,

375
00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:49,890
you can keep your finances in formation,

376
00:16:49,890 --> 00:16:53,040
review your pay, automate your
bills, use your protections,

377
00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:56,850
and you'll be ready for
takeoff wherever duty calls.

378
00:16:56,850 --> 00:16:58,650
- [Narrator] To get more
coverage of military

379
00:16:58,650 --> 00:17:00,600
and defense topics, take command

380
00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:04,007
and aim your heads up
display at militarytimes.com

381
00:17:04,007 --> 00:17:07,320
and defensenews.com for more headlines.

382
00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,530
And to be the most knowledgeable
fighter pilot in the skies,

383
00:17:10,530 --> 00:17:13,890
sign up for our early bird
brief compiled each morning

384
00:17:13,890 --> 00:17:16,170
to bring you the most recent news.

385
00:17:16,170 --> 00:17:17,820
Finally, if social media

386
00:17:17,820 --> 00:17:20,280
is where you collect
open source intelligence,

387
00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:24,207
follow us on YouTube,
Facebook, Instagram, and X.

388
00:17:24,207 --> 00:17:27,300
And for you junior
troops, we're on TikTok,

389
00:17:27,300 --> 00:17:29,880
so go follow us there as well.

390
00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:32,520
When we return, Defense Dollars is back

391
00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:36,150
to break down the latest in
defense industry financial news.

392
00:17:36,150 --> 00:17:37,814
Stay tuned.

393
00:17:37,814 --> 00:17:40,397
(bright music)

394
00:17:44,910 --> 00:17:45,840
Welcome back.

395
00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:48,630
With major initiatives
such as the Golden Dome

396
00:17:48,630 --> 00:17:49,950
and increased defense spending

397
00:17:49,950 --> 00:17:52,200
making for hot topics in Washington,

398
00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,390
there's a lot of business news to cover.

399
00:17:54,390 --> 00:17:57,030
Defense Dollars returns with the latest.

400
00:17:57,030 --> 00:17:58,650
Have a look.

401
00:17:58,650 --> 00:18:01,140
- Welcome to Defense Dollars,
your update on the defense

402
00:18:01,140 --> 00:18:02,970
and aerospace markets around the world,

403
00:18:02,970 --> 00:18:05,340
and what is making the numbers move.

404
00:18:05,340 --> 00:18:06,660
Let's dive in.

405
00:18:06,660 --> 00:18:09,090
Lockheed Martin is significantly
expanding production

406
00:18:09,090 --> 00:18:12,240
of its terminal high
altitude area defense system,

407
00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:13,620
better known as THAAD,

408
00:18:13,620 --> 00:18:16,890
following a new agreement with
the US Department of Defense.

409
00:18:16,890 --> 00:18:18,690
The deal calls for a major scale up

410
00:18:18,690 --> 00:18:21,720
in interceptor manufacturing
with annual output

411
00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,570
expected to grow from under 100 today

412
00:18:24,570 --> 00:18:27,810
to as many as 400 per
year in the coming years,

413
00:18:27,810 --> 00:18:30,840
a move aimed at strengthening
missile defense capabilities

414
00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:33,840
for the United States
as well as its allies.

415
00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:37,110
The expansion comes as global
security concerns drive demand

416
00:18:37,110 --> 00:18:40,260
for advanced air and
missile defense systems.

417
00:18:40,260 --> 00:18:43,110
According to company as
well as industry reports,

418
00:18:43,110 --> 00:18:44,970
the Pentagon is accelerating procurement

419
00:18:44,970 --> 00:18:47,310
to rebuild inventories and prepare

420
00:18:47,310 --> 00:18:49,560
for higher operational tempos.

421
00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:50,580
For Lockheed Martin,

422
00:18:50,580 --> 00:18:52,860
that means multi-billion
dollar investments

423
00:18:52,860 --> 00:18:56,670
into manufacturing, supply
chains as well as workforce,

424
00:18:56,670 --> 00:18:59,850
as the company moves to meet
long-term defense requirements

425
00:18:59,850 --> 00:19:02,550
and maintain production at scale.

426
00:19:02,550 --> 00:19:04,980
Supporting that effort, Lockheed
Martin has broken ground

427
00:19:04,980 --> 00:19:08,400
on a new manufacturing
facility in Camden, Arkansas.

428
00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,290
The site is designed to increase output

429
00:19:10,290 --> 00:19:11,610
of THAAD interceptors

430
00:19:11,610 --> 00:19:14,250
and other precision guided missile systems

431
00:19:14,250 --> 00:19:17,970
using advanced automation
and digital production tools.

432
00:19:17,970 --> 00:19:20,820
Company leaders say the
facility will play a key role

433
00:19:20,820 --> 00:19:23,670
in expanding the US
defense industrial base,

434
00:19:23,670 --> 00:19:25,140
while also bringing new jobs

435
00:19:25,140 --> 00:19:28,230
and economic activity to the region.

436
00:19:28,230 --> 00:19:30,360
Meanwhile, in market
and defense sector news,

437
00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:32,880
York Space Systems made a strong debut

438
00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:34,860
on the New York Stock Exchange recently

439
00:19:34,860 --> 00:19:39,780
opening at $38 a share, about
12% above its IPO price,

440
00:19:39,780 --> 00:19:44,010
valuing the company at
nearly $4.75 billion.

441
00:19:44,010 --> 00:19:45,570
Investor interest has been driven

442
00:19:45,570 --> 00:19:47,550
by the company's positioning in the space

443
00:19:47,550 --> 00:19:50,310
and defense sector,
including its potential role

444
00:19:50,310 --> 00:19:52,470
in President Donald Trump's Golden Dome

445
00:19:52,470 --> 00:19:54,180
Missile Defense Initiative.

446
00:19:54,180 --> 00:19:56,730
CEO Dirk Wallinger told CNBC

447
00:19:56,730 --> 00:19:59,070
the company could provide
satellite infrastructure

448
00:19:59,070 --> 00:20:02,190
and systems in support of the program.

449
00:20:02,190 --> 00:20:04,410
Meanwhile, space
infrastructure firm, Redwire

450
00:20:04,410 --> 00:20:08,610
saw its stock jump roughly
28% after being named

451
00:20:08,610 --> 00:20:11,070
as a vendor on a massive defense contract

452
00:20:11,070 --> 00:20:15,750
worth up to $151 billion
tied to the Golden Dome.

453
00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:18,360
The company specializes
in space systems, drones,

454
00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:19,980
as well as advanced sensors.

455
00:20:19,980 --> 00:20:21,990
And while the designation
does not guarantee

456
00:20:21,990 --> 00:20:24,690
immediate revenue, investors
appear to be betting

457
00:20:24,690 --> 00:20:27,780
on expanded government
spending in the years ahead.

458
00:20:27,780 --> 00:20:30,570
Analysts say the market moves
reflect broader momentum

459
00:20:30,570 --> 00:20:32,820
around US missile defense investment

460
00:20:32,820 --> 00:20:36,000
as the Golden Dome concept
gains policy traction.

461
00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:37,200
At the same time,

462
00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,170
experts caution the program
remains in early stages

463
00:20:40,170 --> 00:20:44,010
and faces significant technical
as well as cost challenges,

464
00:20:44,010 --> 00:20:46,530
even as defense and
space companies position

465
00:20:46,530 --> 00:20:49,020
for future contract opportunities.

466
00:20:49,020 --> 00:20:50,850
And one more before you go.

467
00:20:50,850 --> 00:20:53,190
RTX's Raytheon business has been selected

468
00:20:53,190 --> 00:20:57,570
by the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency or DARPA

469
00:20:57,570 --> 00:20:59,550
to develop a maritime defense system

470
00:20:59,550 --> 00:21:02,070
under the Pulling Guard program.

471
00:21:02,070 --> 00:21:04,650
The project centers on a
tethered drone based sensor

472
00:21:04,650 --> 00:21:05,760
and targeting platform

473
00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:08,100
designed to help protect
commercial shipping

474
00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:10,140
and naval logistics vessels

475
00:21:10,140 --> 00:21:12,750
from emerging unmanned surface threats

476
00:21:12,750 --> 00:21:15,420
using advanced EO and infrared sensors

477
00:21:15,420 --> 00:21:18,810
along with real-time command
and control technology.

478
00:21:18,810 --> 00:21:21,000
In related news, Raytheon also announced

479
00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,820
a successful ballistic
test of its contender

480
00:21:23,820 --> 00:21:27,780
for the US Army's Next Generation
short range interceptor

481
00:21:27,780 --> 00:21:32,010
or NGSRI, a shoulder launched
missile designed to track

482
00:21:32,010 --> 00:21:34,290
as well as engaged drone threats.

483
00:21:34,290 --> 00:21:36,780
The company funded the test
to validate performance

484
00:21:36,780 --> 00:21:40,710
and support future flight
demonstrations for ground forces.

485
00:21:40,710 --> 00:21:43,830
The NGSRI is intended as
a potential replacement

486
00:21:43,830 --> 00:21:46,440
for the Army's Aging
Stinger missile system.

487
00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,260
Lockheed Martin also
successfully tested their design

488
00:21:49,260 --> 00:21:51,570
for the program just last month.

489
00:21:51,570 --> 00:21:53,430
Analysts say these developments highlight

490
00:21:53,430 --> 00:21:58,430
RTX's broad defense portfolio
across land, sea, and air

491
00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,290
as the Pentagon pushes to
field next gen sensing,

492
00:22:01,290 --> 00:22:04,260
interceptor and unmanned systems.

493
00:22:04,260 --> 00:22:06,480
And then I'll wrap up your
Defense Dollars for this week.

494
00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,480
Join us on cheddar.com and defensenews.com

495
00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:11,313
for more stories like those.

496
00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:13,650
- [Narrator] Well, that's
all the time we have

497
00:22:13,650 --> 00:22:14,640
in this episode.

498
00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:17,140
Thanks for joining us and
we'll see you next week.

499
00:22:18,039 --> 00:22:21,122
(upbeat tense music)