A decision-grade intelligence brief on aerospace and defense entering 2026, focused on execution risk, industrial constraints, and where authorized budgets do and do not convert into fielded capability.

The U.S. defense technology race is accelerating. The Department of Defense has requested $179 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation in FY2026, marking a major increase in investment aimed at maintaining technological advantage against near-peer competitors. This report provides a clear breakdown of where those dollars are going and what they mean for industry, investors, and government stakeholders. It examines the structure of the FY2026 request, highlights the programs receiving the largest funding increases, and explains how the Department is shifting resources toward technologies that can reach the field faster. The analysis focuses on the signals that matter most. Which services are gaining the largest share of R&D funding. Which technology domains are accelerating. Where execution risk may emerge inside the defense industrial base. For companies working in aerospace, defense technology, or dual-use innovation, this report helps translate

The global autonomous defense market is no longer emerging. It is being fielded at scale. This report breaks down how it grows from ~$69.8B in 2026 to $226.8B by 2035, where funding is actually moving, and how autonomy reshapes force design across every domain. Built for teams that need clarity on what is real, what is funded, and what is coming next.

A defense-grade analysis of the Groups 1–3 unmanned aircraft systems market, covering DoD priorities, Replicator, autonomy trends, key vendors, and market forecasts through 2035.