Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

USAF Seeks Expendable Target-Drone Family to Replicate Stealth Fighters and UAV Swarms

The U.S. Air Force wants a new family of expendable target drones capable of mimicking a broad range of threats, from stealth fighters to swarms of unmanned aircraft. The effort reflects a requirement to modernize training and test targets as adversaries’ capabilities evolve rapidly worldwide.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:28:11.299461-07:00

Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — A new analysis of the Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 defense budget finds that the proposed surge in Space Force spending is concentrated in missions like moving-target tracking, missile warning, command and control and classified programs.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:10:40.608928-07:00

Israel Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Associated Press • Leer En Español

Israeli strikes hit air base runway in northwest Syria but no casualties, state TV reports

By Associated Press: Israeli airstrikes on an air base in northwest Syria caused material damage but no casualties, according to Syrian state TV.

Reuters

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, US envoy concerned over escalation

tass.com

Syrian Foreign Ministry calls Israeli strike on Idlib airbase 'unjustified aggression'

Also: The Independent, NBC News and tass.com

6 Sources

2026-08-18T02:35:15.806844-07:00

AI FlightSim Defense Policy Airbus

NEW

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

By AeroTime: Airbus said its System Development Lab generated virtual allies and threats inside Timber Express, the German Air Force's annual data link exercise.

1 Source

2026-08-18T06:20:32.873596-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Deals

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

By Air Data News: The photograph shows what appears to be a J-10C/CE during a flight with its landing gear extended. More interestingly, areas where identifying markings would normally be visible appear to have been covered, particularly on the vertical stabilizer.

1 Source

2026-08-18T04:35:11.817227-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Hill • Filip Timotija

Trump’s Aircraft Carrier Design Demands Could Delay U.S. Navy Procurement

By The Hill: President Trump is pushing for major design changes to U.S. aircraft carriers, including returning to steam catapults and moving the island.

1 Source

2026-08-18T03:06:07.860350-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs General Atomics North America Military Aircraft Procurement Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

2026-08-17T22:50:07.512691-07:00

Hypersonic Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Bloomberg • James Mayger

Japan Agrees to Test Hypersonics, Other Missiles in Australia

By Bloomberg: Japan is set to test hypersonics and other missiles in Australia, underscoring the nations’ stepped-up defense cooperation.

Also: thenightly.com.au

2 Sources

2026-08-17T23:07:01.940715-07:00

USAF Seeks Expendable Target-Drone Family to Replicate Stealth Fighters and UAV Swarms

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

Israeli strikes hit air base runway in northwest Syria but no casualties, state TV reports

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, US envoy concerned over escalation

Syrian Foreign Ministry calls Israeli strike on Idlib airbase 'unjustified aggression'

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

Trump’s Aircraft Carrier Design Demands Could Delay U.S. Navy Procurement

India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs From General Atomics

US and Mexico sign declaration of intent for UAS and C-UAS to fight organised crime

India Signs Contract With US’ General Atomics For 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian On Lease For Navy

Japan Agrees to Test Hypersonics, Other Missiles in Australia

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

Air Force Wants Family Of Expendable Target Drones That Can Mimic Everything From Stealth Fighters To UAV Swarms

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

Israeli strikes hit air base runway in northwest Syria but no casualties, state TV reports

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

Trump’s Aircraft Carrier Design Demands Could Delay U.S. Navy Procurement

USS George Washington to Relieve Abraham Lincoln in Middle East, Leaving No U.S. Carriers in Pacific

Russia Is Expanding Its Long-Range Strike Drone Network

US Air Force looks to acquire target drones that can mimic stealth jets

USAF designates GE-Kratos engine as F143 and awards initial production contract

L3Harris ousts CEO Christopher Kubasik after conduct investigation, names space chief Sam Mehta successor

Spanish F-18 shoots down drone over Romania after entry from Moldova

France keeps EMALS for future carrier as Trump orders U.S. Navy back to steam catapults

Reliance and Rolls-Royce join India’s bid for an indigenous AMCA fighter engine

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

First components for Switzerland’s F-35As take shape in Italy

Project Talon Portfolio puts mission autonomy at the center of future CCA operations

Retired colonel knocks Trump order to cut back on ‘critical’ joint exercises with South Korea

L3Harris ousts CEO Kubasik over conduct breach, names insider Mehta as replacement

Japan tests Helsing HX-2 as Rakuten enters defense brokerage

Space Force brings 5 companies on-board Space Data Network

U.S. Navy Reviews Ford-Class Carrier Redesign Amid Trump Aesthetic Concerns

Reliance, Rolls-Royce to explore local engine for India’s AMCA