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UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Aaron Eglitis

NATO Jets Shoot Down Drone That Entered Latvian Airspace, Second Incident in Two Months

NATO fighter jets shot down a drone after it entered Latvia’s eastern airspace, according to the Latvian Ministry of Defense. The action marks the second time in two months that the military alliance has responded by destroying an aerial threat over or near Latvian territory.

2026-08-13T23:36:12.597323-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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Reuters

Latvia shoots down drone in its airspace, Finland restricts parts of Baltic Sea

By Reuters: Countries neighbouring Russia and Ukraine issue ​air threat alerts and down drones from time to time as ‌Moscow ⁠and Kyiv continue to exchange attacks.

Also: Kyiv Independent, lemonde.fr, The Independent and tass.com
2026-08-13T19:35:33.780041-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Policy  
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Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Trump Orders US Aircraft Carriers to Go Back to Steam Catapults

By Bloomberg: President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to return to using steam catapults to launch planes off of aircraft carriers, acting on a longtime complaint despite opposition from many naval officers.

Also: Navy Times, The Independent, aerospaceglobalnews.com, news.ssbcrack.com, The Guardian, CNA, USNI News, The Independent and pilotonline.com
2026-08-13T15:36:33.651915-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Policy  
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Wall Street Journal • Marcus Weisgerber

Trump Orders Navy to Restore Older Tech on Aircraft Carriers, Costing Billions

By Wall Street Journal: President Trump has directed the Navy to tear out a complex system for launching jet fighters from its aircraft carriers and instead go back to using steam catapults, a move Navy officials have fought for years and will likely cost billions of dollars.

Also: Reuters
2026-08-13T14:29:18.361941-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Boeing  
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The Air Current • Carter Johnston

U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker

By The Air Current: When Boeing personnel hoisted a prototype of its MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in June, the high-profile visit revealed a potential expansion of its role that has long been suspected but repeatedly denied by the Pentagon.

2026-08-13T16:12:59.291949-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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Wall Street Journal • Shelby Holliday, Yoko Kubota

U.S. Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran War Strain

By Wall Street Journal: military is preparing to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln with the USS George Washington as part of a scheduled Middle East deployment, U.S. officials said, amid growing concerns over living conditions aboard the Lincoln and the strain on troops during the Iran war.

Also: Seeking Alpha, CBS News, NBC News and 5 more
2026-08-13T16:05:16.959957-07:00