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• Oliver Renick
SpaceX is seeking to raise $40 billion in a financing led by Apollo Global Management to purchase Nvidia chips, according to the Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter. The reported fundraise underscores the scale of computing demand among AI developers.
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Coverage from 2026 aerospace events spans hybrid testing, AI and data at the Aerospace Test & Development Show; Boeing’s view that Middle East traffic will rebound, with widebody demand remaining strong; South Africa’s record company presence at IAC; and Elbit Systems’ planned showcase of unmanned, ISR, precision-fire and electronic-warfare capabilities in Marrakech.
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SpaceX is seeking to raise $40 billion in a financing led by Apollo Global Management to purchase Nvidia chips, according to the Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter. The reported fundraise underscores the scale of computing demand among AI developers.
Northrop Grumman says its YFQ-48A Talon Blue collaborative combat aircraft has completed its first fully autonomous flight, as the U.S. Air Force targets 500 autonomous aircraft in service by 2032. Separate milestones include a Navy–GA-ASI mission-planning demonstration and delivery of a digital autonomy test-range framework to Australia.
Jeppesen has deployed initial AI agents for its ForeFlight Airflow Operations System, with airlines the first intended users. The company plans to extend use cases to business aviation and defense, though the available announcement does not detail the agents’ capabilities or deployment scale.
At DroneX 2026, Ukraine’s Phantom Defense presented a counter-UAV system combining detection, electronic warfare and fixed-wing interception. Separately, the U.S. 7th Air Force sought new capabilities to modernize point defense in South Korea, while the Pentagon selected AeroVironment, Epirus, Kord and Boeing for a directed-energy counter-drone pilot.
Lockheed Martin is incorporating artificial intelligence into Skunk Works, its advanced development unit, as it seeks to modernize defense programs. The unit is described as central to the contractor’s future success, but the available report provides no details on specific AI applications, programs or timelines.
Ukraine’s effort to counter Russian drones is drawing on established weapons and expanding domestic technology: automatic gun turrets have downed jet-powered drones, while Northrop Grumman’s 30mm Chain Gun is being used against uncrewed aircraft. Ukrainian firms are also raising capital for reconnaissance drones and AI tools as the country advances other arms projects.
Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue has flown autonomously for the first time at Mojave Air and Space Port, completing taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing. The milestone advances the company’s effort to secure a position in the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft portfolio.
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