Defense News

North America Accident

The Hill • Ryan J. Karlin

Two Air Force Pilots Eject From T-6A Trainer in Texas After Landing Gear Warning

Two Air Force pilots safely ejected from a T-6A training aircraft near San Antonio on Thursday after receiving indications of a potential landing gear problem. The available reports do not identify the aircraft’s damage or provide further details about the incident.

Also: avweb.com

2 Sources

2026-10-23T08:14:43.417246-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon looking past Earth orbit for its next military frontier

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is moving to acquire its first military capabilities designed for the vast reaches between Earth and the moon, setting a goal of fielding an initial system by late 2029 as Pentagon leaders describe cislunar space as a future battlefield.

1 Source

2026-10-23T07:49:03.164448-07:00

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling

By DefenseNews.com: The goal is for AI to automatically analyze refueling operations from cameras mounted on the tankers and provide “hot wash” feedback to the tanker crews.

Also: Military Times

2 Sources

2026-10-23T07:50:39.264810-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

NEW

DefenseNews.com • Katie Livingstone

‘The West can’t stop me’: Space wars heat up as Russia tails a Ukraine-linked US satellite

By DefenseNews.com: Washington blamed Moscow for deliberately moving a Russian military satellite with an undisclosed mission close last week to a U.S.-registered satellite.

1 Source

2026-10-23T09:00:38.689961-07:00

aviation Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Airbus

FlightGlobal • Lizzie Rix

RAF aircraft will be used to fight wildfires for first time

By FlightGlobal: Announcement marks unprecedented use of RAF aircraft, including CH-47 Chinook and Airbus A400M, to combat wildfires, following the hottest summer on record.

1 Source

2026-10-23T08:05:09.013354-07:00

Event UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense

Qatari Barzan unveils aerial drones, unmanned surface vessels at Milipol 2026

By Breaking Defense: “This is a significant achievement, particularly as we continue to expand Qatar’s domestic defence and security capabilities in a year where we have had to rise to a number of regional challenges,” the company said in a statement.

1 Source

2026-10-23T08:25:37.913059-07:00

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Exclusive: DoD Taps Orbital Operations for Cryogenic Spacecraft Demo

By Payload: The startup won up to $35M from the DoD to fly a full-scale, in-orbit demo of Astraeus—its cryogenic-maneuvering vehicle.

1 Source

2026-10-23T06:05:25.474251-07:00

Eurofighter Dassault Aviation Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

2026-10-23T04:34:27.445582-07:00

Two Air Force Pilots Eject From T-6A Trainer in Texas After Landing Gear Warning

Pentagon looking past Earth orbit for its next military frontier

US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling

‘The West can’t stop me’: Space wars heat up as Russia tails a Ukraine-linked US satellite

RAF aircraft will be used to fight wildfires for first time

Qatari Barzan unveils aerial drones, unmanned surface vessels at Milipol 2026

Exclusive: DoD Taps Orbital Operations for Cryogenic Spacecraft Demo

RAF Typhoons and French Rafales train together in first joint nuclear deterrence exercise

France, UK carry out joint airborne nuclear-strike exercise for first time

British jets join French nuclear exercise for first time, France says

‘The West can’t stop me’: Space wars heat up as Russia tails a Ukraine-linked US satellite

2 Air Force pilots eject from training jet in Texas

Qatari Barzan unveils aerial drones, unmanned surface vessels at Milipol 2026

RAF aircraft will be used to fight wildfires for first time

US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling

Pentagon looking past Earth orbit for its next military frontier

China’s first aircraft carrier forms ‘evolving pattern’ of voyages in disputed Asian seas

Lockheed Martin’s Vectis unmanned fighter will have both air-to-air and air-to-ground capability

EXCLUSIVE: Saudi missile plant expansion may produce more powerful missiles, study says

Rocket Report: SpaceX says no thanks to military launches; Spanish rocket nearly ready

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agree to 10-year F-35 framework for at least 850 aircraft, pending congressional approval and fundi

French Mirage 2000D crashes during night training flight, killing one crew member; second remains missing

FAA authorizes BETA’s ALIA A250 eVTOL for market-survey flights with prospective customers

Russian Su-30SM crashes during training in Kaliningrad; both crew members eject

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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