Greg Head

America’s defense community is making significant investments in unmanned ships, envisioning fast and scalable autonomous vessels that could reshape naval capabilities in the next decade. The technology is here. However, a crucial issue remains largely unaddressed: the financing of billion-dollar shipyards and production facilities required for large-scale construction. I discuss these challenges, and why they matter, here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e5vvYA6Y The article examines why early-stage defense startups, despite developing incredible technologies, may be challenged to secure the necessary credit to enter long-term leases and produce meaningful quantities of ships. It also proposes potential solutions for policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to bridge this gap, ranging from federally supported lease guarantees to the establishment of Maritime Prosperity Zones. This is a massive white space with strategic implications not just for defense, but for American industrial competitiveness more broadly. If you are engaged in national security, defense innovation, infrastructure finance, or industrial policy—and encounter similar obstacles—I am eager to connect and discuss ideas for solutions. Let’s not allow the future fleet to stay a paper promise. Let’s work together to ensure it becomes a reality - quickly. #DefenseInnovation #Shipbuilding #NationalSecurity #IndustrialBase #MaritimeIndustrialBase #RealEstate #Navy #DOD #Defense #MaritimeSecurity #Deterrence #CushmanWakefield #OZ #OpportunityZones

69

14 Comments

"Mutual Assured AI Malfunction (MAIM): a deterrence regime resembling nuclear mutual assured destruction (MAD) where any state’s aggressive bid for unilateral AI dominance is met with preventive sabotage by rivals." 'Superintelligence Strategy: Expert Version' from Eric Schmidt, Dan Hendrycks, and Alexandr Wang is worth reading. It goes into the geopolitical implications of the arrival of superintelligence, with many comparisons made to the dawn of the nuclear age. https://lnkd.in/e9B_VTZi

95

11 Comments

Your weekly space news round-up 🌌 Featuring: 📈 Eutelsat Group stock soars 550% in three days, adding more than $3B in market cap, driven by expectations of increased usage and a priority on EU defense. 🌔 Firefly Aerospace succeeded in its first attempt to land on the moon with its uncrewed Blue Ghost spacecraft on Sunday, kicking off a two-week research mission as a handful of private firms compete to reach the frontlines of a global moon race. 🛰️ Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile sign agreement to create European direct to device satellite service - AST SpaceMobile’s newly announced plan to create a jointly owned European satellite operator for direct-to-smartphone services comes at a pivotal moment in the region’s push for greater space autonomy. 📡 AST SpaceMobile, Kayhan Space, and LeoLabs team up to demo capability to reduce Space Force satellite tracking times. 🌎 Spire achieves two-way laser communication between satellites in space https://lnkd.in/enhs34NY

13

Insightful FreightWaves analysis on the US-Israel defense supply chain. This is a symbiotic relationship that projects American power effectively and efficiently. As Craig Fuller puts it: "The U.S.-Israel military supply chain is a masterclass in defense logistics, blending government coordination, private sector expertise, and advanced technology." Now more than ever, supply chains power everything we do - in business, in public policy, and elsewhere. https://lnkd.in/eQANn4Fp

21

5 Comments

Technology is Key to Increasing US Shipbuilding Capacity and Strengthening our Maritime Industrial Base. Rear Admiral Todd Weeks and Matt Sermon argue convincingly in US Naval Institute Proceedings this month that America must tap the country’s vast innovation resources to maintain our country’s position as the world’s leading maritime nation and counter our adversaries, especially China. Tapping private capital to support government budgets also will be important. Excerpts include: “For years, policymakers, journalists, and even casual observers have bemoaned the state of U.S. public and private naval shipyards; it is no surprise to most that shipbuilders are in dire straits. If one compares U.S. shipyards to their peers, such as those of our South Korean and Japanese allies—or worse, to China’s rapidly expanding yards—the shipbuilding crisis only becomes more apparent……. The Navy has seized on the growing pressures of competition and generational demand as the catalyst to inject much-needed technological innovation into the nation’s public and private shipyards…..The Navy’s innovation implementation strategy integrates advanced manufacturing methods as the means to achieve two ends: increasing material availability; and augmenting the human workforce….. Because digital tools and data management are standard practice throughout the private sector, shipyard digitization may sound mundane, but today’s naval shipyards often rely on outdated and disconnected data collection and management practices. If insight-producing data is collected at all it is often done via paper and pencil. The widespread absence of modern tools suggests digitization will have an outsized affect on increasing capacity. The Navy is exploring how to modernize paper-driven processes and increase sensory inputs to provide real-time insights, streamline production, and enhance decision-making by revamping the management of everything from material consumption and machine downtime to parts inventories…….. As the Navy provides funding for innovation, it is incumbent on the nation’s shipyards, traditional defense industrial base partners, and, increasingly, new entrants, such as venture capital–funded, tech-backed, and other nontraditional defense firms, to translate investment into action. Shipbuilding firms must do their part in modernizing outdated processes, systems, and infrastructure.” https://lnkd.in/efzT4Dvi

45

4 Comments

https://lnkd.in/ebzHsNiS The DOD needs a better way of acquiring AI capabilities. An acquisition system optimized for complex platforms with mulit-decade development pipelines will not provide the AI tools we need at speed and scale to address current and near-future challenges. Jags, Bharat, and I argue for a better way of doing things--one that modernizes how we develop and acquire capabilities while better partnering with those who can help. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), NavalX, AFWERX, DoD Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), Justin, Seiko, Michael, Lori, TJ, Doug, Doug, Stuart, Colin, Simon, Jerry

63

10 Comments

Bittium launched Life Cycle Services for Tactical Communications Solutions Life cycle services will maximize the operational life and performance of tactical communications solutions, and enable local servicing and repair capabilities for the customers in the defense sector. #Bittium #Growth #Defense #Trust #Courage #Innovation #Sovereignty #LifeCycleServices #Global #Local https://lnkd.in/dQN5M8gt

62

The 2026 NDAA is rewriting the rules for vendor vetting in the defense industry. With new requirements to root out foreign ownership and hidden influence, U.S. defense contractors must now prove they're free from ties to Chinese intelligence services. Babel Street delivers AI to reveal Foreign Ownership, Control and Influence – before contracts are at risk. Are you ready for this new era of compliance and transparency? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3USqTqT #NationalSecurity #DefenseIndustry #NDAA2026 #VendorVetting #FOCI 

21

Black Hawk mission dominance begins with smarter ammunition. I wanted to share an analyst report I recently received — one that underscores just how significant lightweight technology has become for U.S. and allied forces. By switching to Shell Shock’s advanced NAS3 ammo casings and light weight ammo belt links, a military Black Hawk helicopter can reduce its ammo load weight by 299 lbs. — or use that same weight to carry 4,500+ more rounds into the fight. That’s a game-changing advantage in any combat scenario. I’m proud to say that Shell Shock’s innovation is helping our military partners and allied nations increase their firepower, improve mobility, and shift the balance in fast-moving engagements. This isn’t theoretical — it’s operational. In combat, weight matters. The Black Hawk Helicopter— the workhorse for the U.S. Army and Marines — has a maximum internal payload of 2,600 lbs. (excluding fuel), which must accommodate the crew, gear, and up to 7,000 rounds of 7.62 and 1,200 rounds of .50 cal ammo. Replace it with Shell Shock’s lightweight cased ammo and light weight links, and the total weight drops to 585 lbs. — a 299 lb. reduction without sacrificing a single round. Here’s the breakdown: 7.62: Traditional load (7000 rounds, brass cased + M13 links) = 665 lbs. Shell Shock 7.62 load (7000 rounds NAS3 cases ammo + SST links) = 446 lbs. Savings: 219 lbs. — or 4,200 more rounds carried at the same weight .50 cal: Traditional load (1200 rounds, brass cased and linked)= 357 lbs. Shell Shock NAS3 cased 50 cal and SST link, 1200 round load weight = 277 lbs. Savings: 80 lbs. — or 345 more rounds available without exceeding payload limits Combined, that’s 299 lbs. of weight eliminated, or a total increase of firepower by 24% — while each shot delivers 8–10% more energy than standard brass. in my opinion, that kind of gain can shift the odds — when seconds matter and every round counts. This is what battlefield innovation looks like.

158

13 Comments

NEWS: Raft—a Washington Harbour Partners LP portfolio company—is acquiring N3bula Systems, an impactful team known for advancing modern joint operations that drive mission success for our military. Together, Raft and N3bula Systems create a powerhouse partnership that ensures the decisive advantage our warfighters need to win. With this acquisition, Raft is continuing to help solve the hardest challenges facing our military with a clear eye on the mission. We are proud to continue to support Raft and look forward to working together to ensure our military and warfighters have the capabilities necessary to win. 

71

4 Comments

Honored to share that Terra Innovatum - SOLO signed a strategic alliance with RAIT88 to accelerate the global commercialization of our SOLO™ micro-modular nuclear reactors within NATO and allied nations! This partnership unlocks business development and commercial opportunities across defense, civil energy, and government markets by leveraging RAIT 88’s extensive know-how and network, while also advancing the exploration of interactive training programs for nuclear operations supported by RAIT 88’s expertise in defense systems, AI, and simulation. As mentioned in the press, having led the initiative: “The agreement establishes a broad collaboration designed to drive the global commercialization of SOLO™ as a non-proliferant energy and heat baseload solution for both defense and civilian applications. Leveraging RAIT 88’s extensive network within NATO and allied nations, the partnership aims to position SOLO™ as a scalable, and reliable energy solution for mission-critical environments, humanitarian missions, disaster recovery and civilian use. Thanks to our embedded safeguards by design and a licensed fuel (LEU, with only 4.95% enrichment), this strategic channel is already enabling Terra Innovatum to advance commercial negotiations for projects across Europe and Asia, potentially totaling more than 1 GWe of capacity, with additional discussions underway in other international markets.” Read more on Nasdaq here: https://lnkd.in/d4DwWDXM #TerraInnovatum #SOLOMicroReactor #RAIT88 #NATO #NuclearInnovation #EnergySecurity #SOLO #CleanEnergy #GlobalCommercialDeployment

55

2 Comments