🔎 Defense Tech Signal — Thursday

• The U.S. Navy will deploy unmanned surface vessel divisions alongside manned surface forces this year, marking a shift from experimentation to operational integration of unmanned maritime systems.
• The U.S. Space Force awarded Slingshot a $27 million contract to deliver an AI-driven training system for satellite operators, signaling increased reliance on AI to prepare for contested orbital operations.
• Senior defense leaders underscored that domestic manufacturing of critical electronics and missile components is now viewed as a core national security requirement to reduce supply chain risk and foreign dependency.

Sources: 1) Defense News — https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/01/15/us-navy-to-deploy-unmanned-systems-with-surface-forces-this-year/
2) SpaceNews — https://spacenews.com/slingshot-wins-27-million-space-force-contract-for-ai-training-system/
3) Breaking Defense — https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/why-manufacturing-critical-defense-technologies-in-the-us-is-the-linchpin-to-national-security/

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