Daily CSR

Touchstone Advanced Composites Supports Northrop Grumman Talon Blue CCA Program

Debashish Mukherjee — Tue, 19 May 2026 16:52:00 +0200

Touchstone Advanced Composites, a division within the Innovations business unit of Core Natural Resources, is producing advanced structural tooling for Northrop Grumman’s next-generation YFQ-48A Talon Blue Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The company also contributed to the aircraft’s successful autonomous taxi demonstration held in Mojave.

Working closely with Northrop Grumman, Touchstone is supplying its proprietary CFOAM® tooling material while also manufacturing selected aircraft components. Talon Blue is being designed as a modular, affordable, and quickly deployable autonomous wingman, built using cutting-edge manufacturing methods.

Unlike traditional crewed fighter aircraft, programs such as Talon Blue prioritize scalability, flexibility, and production efficiency. Touchstone’s end-to-end manufacturing expertise aligns with these objectives, enabling streamlined production processes that can rapidly transition from prototype development to large-scale manufacturing.

A key part of this effort is Touchstone’s CFOAM technology, which is used to create molds and tooling for composite aerospace structures. The material delivers high dimensional accuracy and thermal stability, while also allowing rapid design modifications during aircraft development and smoother movement into early-stage production. CFOAM is manufactured using domestically sourced bituminous coal.

“Our priority is to close the gap between prototype development and high-volume production while maintaining top-tier performance,” said Dan Connell, president of Core’s Innovations business unit.

“With precise control over thermal characteristics and material performance, we can help accelerate engineering timelines and support evolving aircraft designs. CFOAM demonstrates how Core Natural Resources is unlocking new opportunities for coal-based materials in advanced industries including aerospace and defense manufacturing.”

Click here to know more.

Lunar Outpost Secures $30M Series B for Lunar Mobility Expansion

Debashish Mukherjee — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:13:00 +0200

Industrious Ventures has praised Lunar Outpost following the company’s announcement of a fully subscribed $30 million Series B funding round. The investment round was spearheaded by Industrious Ventures, with additional backing from Type One Ventures, Eniac Ventures, Reliable Equity, and other investors.

The company was established by Justin Cyrus, AJ Gemer, Forrest Meyen, and Julian Cyrus with the goal of creating advanced mobility and autonomous technologies designed for dependable and scalable activity on the Moon and in orbit. The new capital will support faster production of rover platforms, expansion of manufacturing operations, and deployment of systems prepared for missions tied to NASA’s Artemis initiative and U.S. national security projects.

As international interest in establishing a long-term human presence beyond Earth continues to grow, autonomous systems and mobility technologies are becoming essential for maintaining operations in demanding space environments and supporting the expanding space economy. Lunar Outpost has emerged as an important player in this sector, offering multiple rover platforms that have undergone flight validation and environmental testing.

The company is also enhancing autonomous robotics and collaborative software capabilities through its STRATFI-backed MARS platform, which supports coordinated multi-vehicle missions in GPS-denied environments. These technologies are being evaluated for use across lunar, orbital, and Earth-based applications, strengthening Lunar Outpost’s role in defense and autonomous space systems.

According to Taylor Sargent, lunar infrastructure development over the next decade is expected to evolve from initial site preparation to long-term sustainment. He noted that future progress will rely not only on transportation systems but also on autonomous technologies capable of functioning in harsh conditions. He added that Lunar Outpost has already shown strong operational performance while building technologies applicable to lunar missions, cis-lunar activity, and future deep-space operations.

Mason Angel emphasized that as lunar and orbital activity expands, scalable and reliable systems will shape the future of space operations. He highlighted mobility as a fundamental component of future space infrastructure and pointed to the growing importance of autonomy in managing complex operational environments.

Lunar Outpost has already designed and deployed several generations of its Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rovers, supporting missions related to resource identification, infrastructure support, and continuous lunar surface operations. Building on this experience, the company is now developing next-generation lunar terrain vehicles under NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) program for Artemis missions, reflecting the increasing shift toward commercially developed and rapidly deployable space mobility solutions.

Founder and CEO Justin Cyrus stated that the company has consistently focused on creating systems capable of performing reliably in some of the harshest environments while scaling to meet future demand. He explained that the latest funding will help accelerate deployment of the robotic and mobility infrastructure needed for sustained operations beyond Earth and for the continued growth of the space economy.

Industrious Ventures continues to invest in companies developing foundational technologies for the next phase of industrial advancement on Earth and in space. The firm views lunar mobility as a key enabler for infrastructure development, resource extraction, and human exploration. With increasing interest from both commercial and government sectors, Lunar Outpost is well positioned to influence how work and exploration are carried out on the Moon and throughout space in the coming years.

MDA MIDNIGHT: Advanced Space Defense Platform for Satellite Security

Debashish Mukherjee — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:42:00 +0200

MDA Space Ltd, a key partner in the fast-growing global space sector, unveiled its new space control solution, MDA MIDNIGHT, at the 41st Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs. The platform is designed to help defense organizations secure and protect space-based infrastructure.

MDA MIDNIGHT is a maneuverable spacecraft equipped with advanced rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) capabilities. It can identify, track, and respond to threats targeting vital space assets and orbital positions. In addition to defensive roles, the spacecraft can support existing military missions through functions such as orbital surveillance, repositioning of assets, and satellite refueling. Featuring a combination of active and passive payload systems along with cutting-edge robotics, the platform enhances space domain awareness and supports informed decision-making, allowing defense agencies to maintain mission continuity in an increasingly competitive environment.

Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, emphasized the growing need to protect critical space infrastructure amid rising threats. He noted that the company’s four decades of experience in robotics operations, extensive mission planning expertise, advanced digital systems, and scalable manufacturing capabilities have all contributed to the development of MDA MIDNIGHT, enabling it to support both national and international defense efforts in safeguarding space assets.

As global dependence on satellites continues to grow for both security and economic purposes, findings from Secure World Foundation highlight an increasing interest among nations in developing “bodyguard” satellites to counter emerging risks. The strategic importance of space has also been reinforced in Canada, where it has been identified as a critical sovereign capability. In response to these evolving demands, MDA MIDNIGHT offers a mission-ready solution built on proven technologies that can be quickly adapted, manufactured, and deployed to address new challenges.

The first mission for MDA MIDNIGHT™ is planned to operate in low Earth orbit, where it will interact with multiple cooperative assets while performing various protective and defensive tasks, including:

Inspecting satellites and reporting on their operational condition
Detecting, identifying, and countering electronic interference
Conducting rendezvous operations, including capturing and releasing satellites
Safely de-orbiting non-functional customer assets

Ground operations will be managed by an experienced flight control team with a strong track record in robotic space missions, including over 100 free-flying spacecraft captures. For certain clients, operations can also be conducted through MDA Space’s established mission control facilities.

The platform also builds on recent innovations within the company’s product portfolio, including MDA SKYMAKER robotics and the MDA AURORA satellite platform.

Holly Johnson, Vice President of Robotics and Space Operations at MDA Space, highlighted the team’s extensive operational experience and noted that the company is actively seeking partnerships with military organizations for future missions, as well as commercial collaborators to expand onboard capabilities.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes forward-looking statements as defined by applicable securities laws. These statements reflect current expectations regarding future developments, including the capabilities, performance, deployment, and potential applications of MDA MIDNIGHT™, as well as anticipated missions, partnerships, and customer use cases.

Such statements are based on assumptions informed by management’s experience, historical trends, and current conditions, but they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially. These risks are outlined in the “Risk Factors” section of MDA Space’s Annual Information Form dated March 4, 2026.

While the company considers these assumptions reasonable, they may not prove accurate. Additional uncertainties may also impact results, meaning actual developments could vary significantly from those projected. Readers are therefore advised not to place undue reliance on these statements, which are valid only as of the date of this release. Except where required by law, MDA Space does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking information in light of new developments.

Ukraine’s General Cherry and Orqa Partner to Boost European Drone Defense

Debashish Mukherjee — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:06:00 +0200

Ukrainian defence-technology firm General Cherry and Croatian drone company Orqa—one of Europe’s foremost UAV innovators—have entered into a landmark cooperation agreement. This partnership brings together General Cherry’s operational strength and Orqa’s advanced technological capabilities, underscoring the mutual respect shared by the two companies and their countries.

Enabled by Ukraine’s willingness to share its unmatched expertise in counter-UAS interceptor drones, alongside Orqa’s established production capacity, the collaboration aims to enhance NATO resilience. It will support the development of European-made defence systems to safeguard regional airspace without compromising Ukraine’s own operational readiness.

This alliance between prominent Ukrainian and Croatian enterprises is particularly meaningful given their shared commitment to national sovereignty. The initial phase will centre on designing and producing interceptor drones, components, and other counter-UAV solutions. Plans are already in motion to set up joint manufacturing sites in both Croatia and Ukraine, with the first outputs expected soon.

Yaroslav Gryshyn, co-founder of General Cherry, described the agreement as a pivotal moment for both the company and Ukraine’s defence-tech sector. He emphasized that partnering with an experienced UAV leader like Orqa marks the start of an ambitious collaboration aimed at shaping a new global security framework. He noted that Ukraine’s battlefield insights, combined with Orqa’s technological strengths, form a powerful synergy capable of transforming the industry.

Srdjan Kovacevic, co-founder and CEO of Orqa, highlighted that integrating General Cherry’s real-world combat experience with Orqa’s technical expertise creates a highly promising partnership built on an innovative joint manufacturing approach. He added that this step allows General Cherry’s effective interceptor drone technology to be produced beyond Ukraine for the first time, ultimately reinforcing the security infrastructure of allied nations.

Hoverfly Launches Drone Components Division with KRM Partnership

Debashish Mukherjee — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:54:00 +0200

Hoverfly Technologies, a leading provider of tethered unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has announced its strategic move into the drone components sector. Through its new HOVERFLY MOTORS line, the company is introducing a range of advanced propulsion solutions developed in collaboration with Korea Robot Manufacturing (KRM) under the banner “Powered by KRM.” This initiative aims to strengthen the U.S. drone ecosystem by supplying mission-critical components that align with stringent defense standards.

The debut of Hoverfly Motors marks the beginning of a broader strategic division within the company. While propulsion systems are the initial focus, Hoverfly has indicated plans to expand into additional essential drone components. These are expected to be showcased later this year at XPONENTIAL 2026 in Detroit, reinforcing the company’s commitment to bolstering the domestic drone supply chain.

A Strategic Partnership
The announcement follows a senior leadership visit to KRM’s expanded manufacturing facility in Gumi, South Korea, on March 18, 2026. Hoverfly CEO Steve Walters and VP of Products & Services Michael Miranda conducted a detailed evaluation of the site to advance the partnership’s next phase.

This collaboration is evolving beyond a conventional supplier relationship into a more integrated supply chain model. Key discussions focused on localizing production for the U.S. market and establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities to meet “Made in USA” requirements and increasingly strict defense regulations.

Walters emphasized that the partnership reflects a long-term strategy to meet the rising demand for secure, domestically sourced drone components within the U.S. defense sector.

Building Momentum
Interest in Hoverfly Motors was strong at XPONENTIAL Europe, where Michael Miranda highlighted significant engagement from defense and industrial stakeholders worldwide. He noted a clear demand for reliable, high-capacity supply chains that are independent of restricted foreign entities.

Despite this momentum, both Hoverfly and KRM are taking a structured approach to market entry. Efforts are underway to finalize supply chain logistics, distribution networks, and FCC certification processes to ensure the products meet both compliance and performance expectations.

Advanced Propulsion Solutions
The partnership builds on KRM’s $5 million investment in Hoverfly’s Series B funding round in October 2025, establishing KRM as the exclusive manufacturer of key propulsion components.

The Hoverfly Motors lineup includes:

High-performance BLDC motors in three categories: Stratus (large), Atlas (medium), and Pulse (small), with initial models such as BL8950, BL4416, BL4229, and BL2819
Integrated control systems, including All-in-One ESCs and single-channel ESC units
Scalable manufacturing capacity at KRM’s Gumi facility, currently producing up to 300,000 units annually, with the ability to expand to 500,000 units

The inclusion of advanced electronic speed controllers (ESCs), which are critical for flight stability, underscores the system’s compliance with strict cybersecurity and operational standards required by the U.S. military.

Defense-Grade Compliance
Hoverfly brings established credibility to this venture, as the manufacturer of the only tethered UAS approved for the DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List. With more than 600 systems delivered to the U.S. Army and adherence to NDAA requirements via the Green UAS framework, the company offers a trusted alternative to restricted foreign technologies.

KRM CEO Kwang-sik Park highlighted the partnership as a fusion of engineering precision and operational expertise, aimed at delivering secure, next-generation drone technologies to the U.S. defense ecosystem.