dominated by massive U.S. defense spending — Raytheon landed roughly $45 billion in Pentagon missile contracts including a $24.4 billion Navy SM-6 deal, and Anduril launched “Arsenal-2,” a $6.6 billion submarine shipyard push in Maryland backed by President Trump. Meanwhile, high gasoline and diesel prices are reshaping civilian vehicle demand: U.S. Q3 sales show hybrids and some EVs surging while big pickups soften, GM reconfirmed hybrids plus a new Duramax diesel, and Boeing’s 737 Max 10 certification path cleared even as SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit but still faces lunar milestones.
News Highlights — October 7, 2026:
- RTX / Raytheon – The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon a $24.4 billion, five-year SM-6 missile contract amid stockpile concerns , and the Pentagon awarded about $45.1 billion in agreements to ramp up missile production.
- Anduril – Announced the “Arsenal-2” software-defined shipyard at Sparrows Point, Maryland, with $2.9 billion Navy contract and $6.6 billion total investment to build Virginia-class submarine components.
- Boeing – Disclosed new Link-16 software teaming tests between the F/A-18 Super Hornet and MQ-25A unmanned tanker ; its 737 Max 10 certification path appears back on track.
- Lockheed Martin – The U.S. delivered newly built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets to Taiwan as part of an $8 billion, 66-jet deal .
- General Motors – Reconfirmed plans for hybrid vehicles amid customer demand and launched its new 8.3-liter Duramax “Mongoose” V8 diesel for heavy-duty haulage.
- Ford – Reported a short-term supplier issue briefly affected F-150 production, but full-size pickup demand remains solid ; it is preparing a “universal EV” platform starting with the Fathom electric pickup.
- Toyota – Its new EVs are selling surprisingly well even as many rivals posted weaker Q3 EV sales.
- Tesla – The long-delayed second-generation Roadster is set to be re-revealed October 15.
- SpaceX – Starship reached orbit for the first time, but orbital refueling, life-support, and lunar landing tests remain before crewed Artemis flights; NASA and SpaceX prepare the next crewed ISS mission on Falcon 9.
- Airbus – Workers in Spain ended months of strikes, approving new proposals by 76%
- Harley-Davidson – Officially exiting MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers to focus on the FIM Bagger World Cup; Citi upgraded the stock to buy.
- U.S. shipbuilding broadly – The Navy is shifting module construction to smaller yards like Austal, Eastern, and Rhoads to speed up ship and submarine production.
- Kia / Genesis – Q3 EV sales slumped sharply (EV6 down 57% in Q3, GV60 down 53% YTD) as automakers cull uncompetitive models.
- U.S. market overall – September new-vehicle sales rose 4.4%, driven by strong hybrid demand; higher pump prices are pushing buyers toward fuel-efficient models
