U.S. Air Force Taps Rocket Lab to Sell It 12 Hypersonic Missiles for $266 Million. Here's What Investors Need to Know.

Rocket Lab has been awarded a $266 million contract by the Space Force to conduct 12 to 18 hypersonic missile test launches under the Rocket Systems Launch Program. This contract, combined with previous missile defense satellite contracts totaling over $1 billion, signals Rocket Lab's transition from a commercial space launch company to a defense contractor focused on developing hypersonic missile defense capabilities against Russian and Chinese threats.

08/02/2026, 5:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Want Exposure to the Fast-Growing Drone Market? Buy These 2 Stocks.

The global drone market is projected to double from $69 billion to $148 billion by 2036, driven by geopolitical conflicts and U.S. military investments. The Pentagon's $1.1 billion 'Unleash American Drone Dominance' program is testing commercial drone manufacturers through competitive gauntlets. Red Cat Holdings' subsidiary Teal Drones advanced to the next phase as the only publicly traded pure-play drone stock remaining, while Kratos Defense was eliminated but remains competitive through its high-end autonomous aircraft division.

07/23/2026, 9:05 AM • The Motley Fool

AI Expectations Hit a Fever Pitch

Despite posting record profits, semiconductor and AI-related stocks are experiencing significant selloffs as investors question whether expectations have gotten ahead of fundamentals. Samsung's 19x profit increase triggered a Korean market circuit breaker, while hyperscalers like Amazon and Alphabet continue massive capital spending on AI infrastructure. The defense sector is shifting toward smaller, cheaper drones and digitalization, with Lockheed Martin acquiring Ultra Maritime for sonar capabilities.

07/19/2026, 6:26 PM • The Motley Fool

SpaceX Going Public Is Not a Reason to Abandon Rocket Lab

While SpaceX's IPO has drawn investor attention to space stocks, Rocket Lab offers distinct investment merits through its growing backlog, defense contracts, and planned Iridium acquisition. However, investors should monitor execution risks including Neutron rocket delays, unprofitability, and high customer concentration.

07/09/2026, 9:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Drone Stocks Are Down, But Defense Backlogs Tell a Different Story

Despite significant stock price declines in 2026, drone and defense companies AeroVironment, Red Cat Holdings, and Kratos Defense are positioned for growth due to record backlogs, funded contracts, and strong tailwinds from Pentagon's shift to unmanned systems and Western de-risking from Chinese defense technology. The 2027 defense budget includes nearly $75 billion for unmanned systems, supporting long-term revenue and earnings strength.

07/08/2026, 8:09 AM • Investing

Why Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Stock Is Soaring Today

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock surged 4.83% today due to two catalysts: Ark Invest's purchase of 138,735 shares for its Innovation ETF, and the U.K.'s announcement of a £5 billion ($6.6 billion) drone investment over four years for its military. The developments highlight growing demand for drone technology in defense.

06/30/2026, 1:17 PM • The Motley Fool

Why Kratos Defense Stock Dropped Today

Kratos Defense stock fell 4.4% after President Trump announced a U.S.-Iran peace deal. Investors sold defense stocks fearing reduced demand for defense products. However, the article argues this concern may be overblown since Kratos primarily makes target-practice drones and its advanced Valkyrie drone wasn't used in the Iran conflict, so the company likely made no sales during the war anyway.

06/18/2026, 12:20 PM • The Motley Fool

5 Stocks Poised to Benefit Now That SpaceX Is Public

SpaceX's record $75 billion IPO creates opportunities for suppliers and partners in the commercial space economy. Alphabet holds a $122 billion stake in SpaceX that is now marked to market. Rocket Lab, Kratos Defense, Intuitive Machines, and AST SpaceMobile are positioned to benefit from increased spending on space infrastructure and satellite deployment.

06/18/2026, 11:15 AM • The Motley Fool

SpaceX Just Went Public. These 5 Other Publicly Traded Companies Could Be the Biggest Winners.

SpaceX's record-breaking $75 billion IPO at a $1.8 trillion valuation positions several publicly traded companies as major beneficiaries. The newly public company's substantial capital infusion will drive demand for AI computing hardware, satellite components, and defense systems, creating opportunities for its suppliers and partners.

06/13/2026, 8:08 AM • The Motley Fool

3 Drone Stocks to Watch as the Sector Surges on Trump-Era Funding Hopes

The US drone sector is experiencing renewed momentum as the Trump administration considers direct financial support for domestic drone makers. Three standout companies—Kratos Defense, Ondas Holdings, and Red Cat Holdings—are positioned to benefit from increased government contracts and defense spending, with analysts projecting significant upside potential ranging from 50-73%.

05/29/2026, 1:19 PM • Investing

3 Drone Stocks to Watch as the Sector Surges on Trump-Era Funding Hopes

The US drone sector is experiencing renewed momentum as the Trump administration considers direct financial support for domestic drone makers. Three standout companies—Kratos Defense, Ondas Holdings, and Red Cat Holdings—are positioned to benefit from increased government contracts and defense spending priorities, with analysts projecting significant upside potential ranging from 50-73%.

05/29/2026, 10:25 AM • Investing

Trump's Drone Dominance Play: US Government May Soon Own Stakes In These Stocks

The Trump administration is in active talks to take equity stakes in domestic drone manufacturers through the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital. This follows the June 2025 'Drone Dominance' executive order and FY2027 defense budget allocating tens of billions for drone production, targeting 300,000 low-cost attack drones by 2027. The $1 billion Drone Dominance Program is actively running with 49 companies competing in Phase II qualifying events.

05/28/2026, 10:57 AM • Benzinga

Why Kratos Defense Stock Popped Today

Kratos Defense stock surged 13.8% after reports that the Trump Administration may invest in U.S. drone manufacturers. However, the proposed subsidies target low-cost disposable FPV drones rather than Kratos's advanced XQ-58 Valkyrie product. Other companies like Unusual Machines and privately held firms are reportedly in the running for government funding, while negotiations remain ongoing and Kratos's inclusion is uncertain.

05/28/2026, 10:25 AM • The Motley Fool

Counter-Drone Procurement Goes Generational

The U.S. defense procurement environment is experiencing a significant shift toward counter-drone systems as a critical capability. The global counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) market is projected to grow from $6.64 billion in 2025 to $20.31 billion by 2030 at a 25.1% CAGR. Section 1709 of the FY25 NDAA has effectively banned foreign-manufactured drones from the U.S. defense supply chain, creating opportunities for domestic defense contractors. Several companies are positioning themselves to capitalize on this trend through vertically integrated platforms combining RF sensing, computer vision, and AI analytics.

05/28/2026, 8:35 AM • Benzinga

Investors Abandoned These 3 AI Stocks Too Early

Jeff Clark of TradeSmith argues that while AI and semiconductor stocks dominate headlines, a market rotation is coming. He identifies three undervalued stocks that have been abandoned despite strong fundamentals: Figma (design platform integrating AI), Kratos Defense (unmanned aerial systems with 45%+ earnings growth), and SoundHound AI (conversational voice AI). These stocks have retreated from peaks but offer better entry points than when they were making headlines.

05/21/2026, 12:02 PM • Investing