US defense tech advances F-35 missile capacity and satellite tracking

The United States is advancing several technological upgrades for its advanced combat aircraft. Ursa Major has received a $91 million contract from the Department of Defense to develop and test a new generation of solid-fuel rocket motors. These engines are intended for the Compact Air-to-Air Missile (CAAM), a project designed to allow the F-35 fighter to carry a higher volume of munitions. The development focuses on mass-production capabilities to address supply chain bottlenecks in precision weaponry.

Simultaneously, L3Harris is developing a network of 18 satellites for the Space Development Agency to enhance situational awareness for the F-35 and B-21 bomber. This tracking layer, known as TRKT3, will utilize infrared sensors in low Earth orbit to detect the thermal signatures of rocket engines and hypersonic weapons. The system aims to provide pilots with precise trajectory, speed, and interception data via secure satellite links, reducing the need for onboard radar emissions and allowing aircraft to maintain electronic silence while receiving targeting information.