Defense Business Briefing -- July 28, 2020

Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.

This week's top story

Chief of Airbus' U.S. business refocusing company on space, intelligence work

The head of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense says the company has reshaped to focus on pursuing space and intelligence work, bringing on new advisers and expanding its workforce.

News & notes

Raytheon Technologies CEO predicts flat defense spending but says no 'doom and gloom'

The chief executive of Raytheon Technologies said the company is not expecting defense spending growth in the coming years, but it is confident in its backlog and success in classified and cyber work.

New Lockheed CEO says company is preparing for multiple budget scenarios

The new chief executive of Lockheed Martin said the company is preparing for a potential defense budget upturn as well as a downturn.

Aerojet Rocketdyne reports increased sales

Aerojet Rocketdyne said sales in its most recent quarter totaled $512 million, up nearly 6% from the same three-month period a year earlier.

Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in series A round for CalypsoAI

Artificial intelligence company CalypsoAI announced the close of a $13 million series A fundraising round.

Aerospace Corp. announces new facility in Colorado Springs

The Aerospace Corp. said it will spend close to $100 million to establish a second research and development facility in Colorado Springs, CO.

Huntington Ingalls invests in Sea Machines Robotics

Huntington Ingalls Industries said it has made a strategic equity investment in Sea Machines Robotics, a Boston-based company specializing in advanced software for unmanned surface vessels.

Huntington Ingalls realigns TS businesses

Huntington Ingalls Industries said it is realigning businesses within its technical solutions unit "to better serve existing and future customers while achieving support function efficiencies."

Private-equity firm to purchase AM General

Private-equity firm KPS Capital Partners said it has agreed to acquire AM General from an affiliate of MacAndrews & Forbes.

Lockheed directs $725 million to suppliers over last two weeks

Lockheed Martin said it has accelerated more than $725 million to its suppliers over the last two weeks in an effort to blunt the effect of the ongoing pandemic.

What's happening

The week ahead

Many of the largest defense contractors will discuss their respective quarterly earnings this week, while several defense officials will speak at virtual events.

For Inside Defense subscribers

With major awards delayed, Pentagon plods uneven path forward under 'interim' cloud strategy

The Pentagon's enterprise cloud computing ambitions have been stalled by contracting challenges, but Defense Department components are moving forward under an "interim" strategy with a patchwork of cloud technologies to meet pressing needs like software development and teleworking capacity.

Trump signs new policy to bypass informal restrictions on unmanned aerial system exports

The Trump administration is seeking to boost U.S. exports of unmanned aerial systems by reinterpreting how those aircraft are treated under the Missile Technology Control Regime.