Northrop Grumman Corporation

Issued on behalf of VisionWave Holdings, Inc.

NEW YORK, March 11, 2026 /CNW/ -- Equity-Insider.com News Commentary -- The Pentagon's FY2026 budget commits $66.1 billion to IT and cyberspace activities, channeling a 2.8% year-over-year increase directly into AI integration, electronic warfare modernization, and hardened networking infrastructure across every military branch.^[1] The spending surge sits within a broader global rearmament cycle, with worldwide defense expenditure projected to surpass $2.6 trillion in 2026 as allied nations compress procurement timelines under escalating geopolitical pressure.^[2] Companies potentially positioned in this space include VisionWave Holdings (NASDAQ: VWAV), BWX Technologies (NYSE: BWXT), CACI International (NYSE: CACI), Mercury Systems (NASDAQ: MRCY), and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC).

The defense electronics segment alone is forecast to reach $317 billion by 2030, growing at 5.4% annually as demand for radiation-hardened computing, secure signal processing, and AI-enabled sensor fusion accelerates across air, space, and maritime domains.^[3] NATO allies have committed to investing 3.5% of GDP in defense by 2035, locking in multi-year procurement cycles for the mission-critical hardware and electronic warfare systems that underpin modern force projection.^[4]

VisionWave Holdings (NASDAQ: VWAV) released a corporate update highlighting strategic progress since completing its business combination and becoming publicly traded. Back in February, the company entered into a $10 million Statement of Work supporting development of the QuantumSpeed computational acceleration platform, designed to support high-performance computing environments required for advanced AI workloads.

VisionWave also formed a joint venture with Boca Jom Ltd. in Israel to advance automated semiconductor design technologies and established collaborations with PVML for secure AI infrastructure and Aiphex for technology ecosystem expansion.

VisionWave introduced the VARAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle platform, designed for surveillance, logistics, and security missions, and announced the PS500000 autonomous ground vehicle program. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Solar Drone Ltd., the company advanced multiple UAV initiatives including international discussions regarding wildfire mitigation, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental protection. Solar Drone was selected to participate in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.

The company unveiled its ARGUS AI-driven counter-drone system designed to detect and analyze aerial threats using RF-based sensing technologies. VisionWave conducted pilot programs and live demonstrations with defense partners and announced collaboration with SaverOne to integrate RF-based detection into defense systems. The company also announced its intention to pursue a multi-patent portfolio associated with the ARGUS counter-drone initiative.

VisionWave entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 51% controlling stake in C.M. Composite Materials, a certified Israeli manufacturer specializing in aerospace-grade composite materials whose structural assemblies are embedded in Israel's multi-layer missile defense architecture including Iron Dome and the Barak 8 long-range air defense system developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries and India's Defense Research and Development Organization. C.M. signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the German defense market through the Bundeswehr and is advancing joint venture discussions in India through FBM Technologies.

CONTINUED… Read this and more on VisionWave at: https://equity-insider.com/2025/09/25/the-ai-defense-technology-developments-on-the-rise-in-2025-26/

In other industry developments and happenings in the market include:

BWX Technologies (NYSE: BWXT) reported full-year 2025 results including diluted non-GAAP EPS of $4.01 and adjusted EBITDA of $574.3 million, while ending the year with backlog of $7.3 billion, up 50% year-over-year. The growth was driven by large multi-year awards across naval propulsion, special materials, and commercial nuclear power programs.

"We delivered a strong fourth quarter, and a record year for BWXT," said Rex D. Geveden, president and chief executive officer. "In our tenth year as a standalone public company, 2025 was monumental for BWXT as we expanded our service and product offerings with two acquisitions and captured significant high-value awards across both Government and Commercial segments, driving 50% backlog growth."

Geveden noted that BWXT "operates at the intersection of national security and commercial nuclear power markets, where demand for both remains exceptionally strong." The company initiated 2026 guidance calling for non-GAAP EPS of $4.55-$4.70, adjusted EBITDA of $645-$660 million, and free cash flow of $305-$320 million.

CACI International (NYSE: CACI) completed its acquisition of ARKA Group in an all-cash transaction for $2.6 billion. ARKA provides industry-leading electro-optical/infrared and hyperspectral imaging capabilities alongside Agentic AI-based software, delivering geospatial intelligence for critical national security missions. The acquisition expands CACI's portfolio of national security space programs and strengthens its position in a domain traditionally defined by high technical barriers to entry.

"Today, more than 1,100 ARKA employees join us as we continue to expand to the limits of national security," said John Mengucci, CACI President and Chief Executive Officer. "ARKA purposefully accelerates our space market strategy while adding technologies that strengthen and expand our position in this rapidly growing domain."

ARKA's space-based sensors expand CACI's existing portfolio across land, sea, and air domains, while its geospatial intelligence complements CACI's established signals intelligence capabilities. Combined with operationally proven Agentic AI-based software, the combined entity is positioned to deliver multi-source intelligence to the Intelligence Community, the U.S. Space Force, and the Department of War.

Mercury Systems (NASDAQ: MRCY) reported record backlog exceeding $1.5 billion with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.23, reflecting sustained demand for the company's mission-critical processing subsystems, sensors, and safety-critical electronics across major defense program portfolios.

"Our ability to accelerate progress on a number of our customers' high-priority programs once again contributed to strong results this quarter, including record first-half revenue," said Bill Ballhaus, Chairman and CEO of Mercury. "In the second quarter we secured bookings of $288 million, with a 1.23 book-to-bill, resulting in a record backlog approaching $1.5 billion. Revenue for the second quarter was $233 million, resulting in a 7.1% year-over-year increase in the first half."

The company's secure processing solutions span airborne ISR platforms, missile defense systems, and electronic warfare applications requiring radiation-hardened computing capable of sustained operation in extreme thermal, vibration, and electromagnetic environments. Mercury's high-speed signal processing systems and ruggedized electronics are embedded within supply chains for advanced defense programs including next-generation AESA radar systems, precision-guided munitions guidance packages, and electronic countermeasure platforms where processing latency, thermal management, and fault tolerance directly determine mission outcomes in contested electromagnetic environments.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) recently secured a $225 million contract for U.S. Navy E-130J training systems, supporting the service's ongoing modernization of aircrew training infrastructure for next-generation maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations across Atlantic and Pacific fleet commands. The award covers advanced simulation technology, synthetic training environment development, and integrated mission rehearsal systems for naval aviation programs across multiple fleet readiness centers supporting both initial qualification and advanced tactical training requirements.

The company maintains substantial positions in strategic programs including the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and Global Hawk high-altitude reconnaissance systems, with mission systems integration, autonomous platforms, and AI-enabled training capabilities spanning air, space, and cyber domains. Northrop Grumman's defense electronics and computing infrastructure serve both U.S. and allied requirements for interoperable command, control, communications, and intelligence systems, with particular emphasis on secure data fusion across distributed sensor networks and multi-domain battle management architectures supporting joint all-domain and coalition operations across contested electromagnetic environments.

SOURCE: https://equity-insider.com/2025/09/25/the-ai-defense-technology-developments-on-the-rise-in-2025-26/

CONTACT:

EQUITY INSIDER

info@equity-insider.com

(604) 265-2873

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an ofer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Equity Insider is owned by Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). This article is being distributed for MIQ, who has been paid a fee for VisionWave Holdings, Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares VisionWave Holdings, Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ owns shares of VisionWave Holdings, Inc. which were purchased in the open market. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of VisionWave Holdings, Inc. at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by VisionWave Holdings, Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment. This publication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Forward-looking statements in this document are subject to risks and uncertainties, including technological, regulatory, market, and geopolitical factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially. VisionWave Holdings, Inc. makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of third-party projections or market data cited herein.

SOURCES:

1. https://www.washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2026/02/dods-66b-it-budget-pivots-ai-and-efficiency/411370/
2. https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2026/1/29/global-defense-spending-to-top-2-6-trillion-in-2026
3. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/defense-electronics-market
4. https://gabelli.com/research/nato-spending-overview-a-structural-change-to-the-defense-industry/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2840019/Equity_Insider_Logo.jpg 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equity-insider-66-billion-it-overhaul-signals-pentagons-bet-on-ai-driven-defense-electronics-302711101.html

OilPrice.com Market Commentary

NEW YORK, March 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Pentagon has taken a step toward rebuilding one of the most fragile links in the U.S. defense supply chain: the industrial capability to turn rare earth minerals into the metals that power most modern weapons systems. Companies mentioned in this release include: REalloys Inc. (ALOY), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Boeing (NYSE: BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

REAlloys (ALOY) announced this week that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has awarded a contract to Terves LLC–now part of the REalloys platform–to advance next-generation metallothermal production of samarium and gadolinium, two rare earth metals embedded in some of the military's most demanding systems.

The contract does more than fund laboratory research. Its core deliverable is the engineering design of a modular production facility capable of producing roughly 300 tons per year of these metals, a capacity designed to be deployed and replicated quickly as demand grows.

The deal forms part of a broader shift now underway in Washington's rare earth strategy, as new defense procurement rules banning Chinese-origin rare earth materials take effect next year.

For more than a decade, policymakers treated rare earth dependence primarily as a mining problem. The new DLA contract targets a different layer of the supply chain: the industrial step where rare earth oxides are converted into metal and alloy forms that manufacturers can actually use. This step–known as metallization–is where the West's supply chain largely disappeared over the past several decades. And it is also where China retains overwhelming control.

THE PROCESSING GAP

Rare earth elements are not actually rare. Deposits exist across North America, Europe, and Australia. The problem lies further downstream.

"Rare earth elements are relatively widespread geologically; what is scarce is the industrial capability to economically separate them into high-purity oxides and then convert them into metals and alloys at scale," REalloys co-founder Tim Johnston explained in an interview with Oilprice.

That missing capability is now widely recognized as the real strategic vulnerability in the supply chain. China controls the vast majority of global rare earth processing and metallization capacity. While mining operations exist around the world, the conversion of those materials into finished metals and magnets has remained heavily concentrated inside China's industrial ecosystem. That concentration creates a structural chokepoint for Western manufacturers.

"If China said we're not going to give you rare earths," said Saskatchewan Research Council CEO Mike Crabtree in a separate interview, "that means no F-35s, no missiles."

For defense planners, the issue is not simply access to raw material. It is the ability to produce consistent, high-purity metal that meets strict industrial specifications.

"Defense customers need consistency," said metallurgist Andy Sherman, head of research and development at REAlloys. "You have to produce metals to the exact specifications real customers require." In industrial terms, that consistency determines whether supply chains function at all.

MISSILE SYSTEMS, JET ENGINES, AND EXTREME HEAT

The metals targeted by the new DLA contract illustrate the stakes. Samarium is a key ingredient in samarium-cobalt permanent magnets, which are used in systems that must operate at extremely high temperatures. Unlike conventional rare earth magnets, samarium-cobalt magnets maintain performance under the heat and stress conditions found in jet engines, missile systems, and aerospace applications.

Gadolinium plays a different but equally strategic role. The metal is used in specialized radar systems, advanced optics, and nuclear technologies where its neutron-absorbing properties are critical.

Both materials are considered essential inputs for defense and high-performance industrial systems. Yet the United States has long relied on overseas supply for the separated metal forms of these elements. The DLA contract could change that.

By funding the scale-up of metallothermal processing for samarium and gadolinium, the Pentagon is effectively backing the reconstruction of a domestic production capability that disappeared from North America decades ago.

A MODULAR APPROACH

One of the most notable aspects of the REAlloys project is its modular design. Traditional rare earth processing plants are large, capital-intensive facilities built around solvent extraction systems that require enormous infrastructure investments. REalloys (ALOY) says its platform takes a different approach.

Instead of relying on massive centralized plants, the company is developing a modular architecture capable of directly converting Samarium-Europium-Gadolinium feedstocks into high-purity metals.

The company says the design allows reactors to be deployed and replicated more quickly than conventional facilities while reducing both capital intensity and operating costs. The approach also aligns with the Pentagon's critical supply chain strategy: building distributed capacity rather than relying on a handful of large processing centers.

A BROADER SUPPLY CHAIN BUILDOUT

The contract forms part of a broader effort to rebuild rare earth processing capacity inside North America after decades of industrial drift toward China. REAlloys has been positioning itself within that effort as a vertically integrated platform linking multiple stages of the value chain.

Upstream resources include the company's Hoidas Lake rare earth project in Saskatchewan, along with non-binding feedstock agreements and partnerships with suppliers in North and South America. Midstream processing is being developed in partnership with the Saskatchewan Research Council, which is building one of North America's first vertically integrated rare earth processing facilities. SRC expects that facility to begin full operations later this decade. Downstream metallization and alloy production are centered at REAlloys' operations in Euclid, Ohio, where the company says it has already delivered specialty metals and alloys under U.S. government contracts. That facility is expected to play a central role as the broader supply chain comes online.

THE 2027 SUPPLY CHAIN DEADLINE

The urgency behind these projects is not purely economic. Beginning in 2027, U.S. defense procurement rules will significantly tighten restrictions on the use of materials sourced from certain foreign supply chains, particularly those linked to China. Those rules are expected to ripple across the defense industrial base.

"Policy timing adds pressure," Johnston said. "Moving from a project to commercial heavy rare earth metallization can take multiple years."

That timeline means companies that already possess operational expertise may hold a significant advantage. "Metallization is one of the least developed parts of the value chain outside China," Johnston noted. "Even with strong execution and capital, you're looking at a multi-year timeline to build that capability."

In other words, the race is no longer about who can identify rare earth deposits. It's about who can rebuild the industrial machinery required to turn those materials into functioning components of the modern economy. And that machinery is only now beginning to return to North American soil.

Other companies to keep an eye on in the defense supply chain space:

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) stands as perhaps the single largest end-user of rare earth materials in the U.S. defense industrial base. Every F-35 Lightning II rolling off the production line depends on samarium-cobalt magnets, rare earth alloys, and specialized components that trace back to the very supply chain the Pentagon is now racing to rebuild. With thousands of aircraft on order across allied nations, Lockheed's exposure to rare earth sourcing risk is enormous -- and growing.

Beyond the F-35, Lockheed's THAAD and PAC-3 missile interceptor programs rely on guidance systems and propulsion components built with rare earth inputs. Rising demand for missile replenishment across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific has only amplified the volume of critical materials flowing through its production lines. Any disruption at the metallization stage would ripple directly into delivery timelines. As the 2027 procurement restrictions approach, Lockheed's ability to maintain production rates will depend heavily on whether domestic rare earth processing capacity can scale fast enough.

RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX) operates at the intersection of missile defense and advanced sensor systems -- two domains where rare earth dependency runs deep. Its Patriot missile platform, one of the most widely fielded air defense systems on the planet, relies on rare earth permanent magnets and precision electronics that currently trace back through processing chains dominated by China.

The company's radar and electronic warfare portfolio adds another layer of exposure. Advanced phased-array radars and multi-domain sensor systems require high-purity rare earth inputs for performance at the tolerances military customers demand. As allied governments rush to strengthen layered missile defense, RTX's order book is swelling -- and so is its appetite for secure material supply.

RTX's Collins Aerospace division further extends that dependency across both military and commercial aviation platforms. With aftermarket demand surging and new interceptor contracts stacking up, RTX's business trajectory is increasingly linked to whether the West can stand up reliable rare earth metallization capacity outside of Chinese control.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) may be best known for commercial aircraft, but its defense division consumes rare earth materials across a surprisingly broad portfolio. From the P-8 Poseidon's surveillance electronics to the Apache helicopter's targeting systems, rare earth magnets and specialty alloys are embedded throughout Boeing's military platforms.

The KC-46 tanker program and Boeing's satellite production lines add further demand for materials that currently flow through vulnerable supply chains. As the Pentagon pushes to restock and modernize simultaneously, Boeing's defense backlog depends on consistent access to the processed metals and magnet alloys that make these systems function.

With maritime surveillance and aerial refueling capacity becoming higher priorities amid Indo-Pacific tensions, Boeing's defense segment faces a paradox: growing demand paired with an unresolved dependency on foreign-processed rare earth materials.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) sits at the highest-classification tier of rare earth dependency in American defense. The B-21 Raider stealth bomber -- the most strategically significant aircraft program in a generation -- demands rare earth materials for its propulsion, avionics, and low-observable technologies, all manufactured to specifications that allow zero room for inconsistency.

Northrop's leadership in space-based sensor networks and missile tracking systems adds another critical layer. Satellite constellations and advanced ISR platforms depend on rare earth components engineered for extreme operating environments, from deep space thermal cycling to high-radiation exposure.

As the Pentagon doubles down on strategic deterrence and space modernization, Northrop's programs sit squarely in the path of the 2027 procurement restrictions. The company's production timelines for classified and unclassified programs alike will be shaped by whether secure, non-Chinese sources of high-purity rare earth metals materialize on schedule.

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) anchors U.S. naval deterrence through programs that consume rare earth materials in ways rarely discussed publicly. The Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarine programs depend on rare earth permanent magnets for propulsion systems, sonar arrays, and navigation electronics -- components where material purity is not optional but existential.

The company's combat vehicle division extends that exposure on land. Abrams tank modernization and next-generation armored vehicle programs incorporate rare earth alloys in targeting systems, communications equipment, and electronic countermeasures. Each replenishment and upgrade cycle pulls additional processed rare earth material through a supply chain that remains dangerously concentrated.

With submarine production visibility stretching well into the next decade and land vehicle modernization accelerating, General Dynamics faces sustained long-term demand for the very metals the Pentagon is now funding companies to produce domestically.



By. Josh Owens

Oilprice Intelligence brings you the inside view on where the next gains will come from, breaking down the market's biggest growth driver with analysis from veteran oilmen and experts. Click here to get this crucial intel for free

Important Disclosure: The owner of Oilprice.com owns shares and/or stock options of the company and therefore has an incentive to see the company's stock perform well. We encourage you to conduct your own due diligence and seek the advice of your financial advisor or broker before investing.



FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This publication contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding expected continual growth of the featured companies and/or industry. The Publisher notes that statements contained herein that look forward in time, which include everything other than historical information, involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the companies' actual results of operations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, changing governmental laws and policies concerning, among other things, recreational and medical cannabis sales, success of the company's proprietary technology, the size and growth of the market for the company's products and services, the company's ability to fund its capital requirements in the near term and long term, pricing pressures, etc. 



IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

Neither the author nor the publisher, Oilprice.com, was paid to publish this communication concerning REalloys (ALOY). The owner of Oilprice.com owns shares and/or stock options of the featured company and therefore has an incentive to see the featured company's stock perform well. The owner of Oilprice.com may buy or sell shares of the featured company at any time including at or near the time you receive this communication. This share ownership should be viewed as a major conflict with our ability to be unbiased. This is why we stress that you conduct extensive due diligence as well as seek the advice of your financial advisor or a registered broker-dealer before investing in any securities.



This communication is not, and should not be construed to be, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Neither this communication nor the Publisher purport to provide a complete analysis of any company or its financial position. The Publisher is not, and does not purport to be, a broker-dealer or registered investment adviser. This communication is not, and should not be construed to be, personalized investment advice directed to or appropriate for any particular investor. Any investment should be made only after consulting a professional investment advisor and only after reviewing the financial statements and other pertinent corporate information about the company. Further, readers are advised to read and carefully consider the Risk Factors identified and discussed in the advertised company's SEC, SEDAR and/or other government filings. Investing in securities is speculative and carries a high degree of risk. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This communication is based on information generally available to the public and does not contain any material, non-public information. The information on which it is based is believed to be reliable. Nevertheless, the Publisher cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.



INDEMNIFICATION/RELEASE OF LIABILITY

By reading this communication, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclaimer, and further that to the greatest extent permitted under law, you release the Publisher, its affiliates, assigns and successors from any and all liability, damages, and injury from this communication. You further warrant that you are solely responsible for any financial outcome that may come from your investment decisions.



TERMS OF USE

By reading this communication you agree that you have reviewed and fully agree to the Terms of Use found here http://oilprice.com/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use http://oilprice.com/terms-and-conditions, please contact Oilprice.com to discontinue receiving future communications.



INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Oilprice.com is the Publisher's trademark. All other trademarks used in this communication are the property of their respective trademark holders. The Publisher is not affiliated, connected, or associated with, and is not sponsored, approved, or originated by, the trademark holders unless otherwise stated. No claim is made by the Publisher to any rights in any third-party trademarks.

OilPrice.com

+44 203 239 4080 

info@oilprice.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pentagon-moves-to-secure-rare-earth-metals-for-next-gen-weapons-302708653.html

SOURCE OilPrice.com