Global industry updates: Microsoft, Rolls-Royce, and defense leaders report key developments

Several major industrial and technology companies have reported significant operational and financial updates.

Primary Hydrogen has completed its second phase of soil sampling at the Wicheeda North rare earth project and is awaiting geophysical data. The company's drilling program is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026.

Microsoft is launching a revised Copilot 'super-app' that integrates AI coding tools and autonomous agents. Starting in October 2026, the company will offer discounts of 30% to 50% on Copilot subscriptions for large-scale enterprise customers.

In the defense sector, DroneShield expects to deliver its AI-powered RfRecon reconnaissance system to a Western European military client by the end of 2026. The company reported $251 million in contractually bound revenue for 2026. Rheinmetall is expanding its autonomous systems and secured a $7 million US Marine Corps contract for unmanned ground vehicles. CEO Armin Papperger noted that European missile reserves remain ‘alarmingly low.’

Rolls-Royce reported a roughly 50% increase in its first-half 2026 profit. The company has also been selected to lead the EU's ELEVATED project, which focuses on testing hybrid-electric gas turbine propulsion for aviation.