Defense News

Viasat Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

PlanetiQ wins $2.73 million NOAA data contract as Viasat selects Rocket Lab for PTS-G GEO satellite

PlanetiQ completed a milestone with a $2.73 million NOAA award to provide commercial GNSS radio occultation and total electron content data. Separately, Viasat selected Rocket Lab to build a geostationary satellite supporting the Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program, underscoring demand for commercial space capabilities across civil and defense missions.

2 Sources

2026-08-18T12:53:25.280246-07:00

Airports Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Japanese F-15 suffers landing gear collapse during touchdown in Okinawa

By FlightGlobal: The incident temporarily closed one of the two runways servicing commercial traffic at the island's Naha airport. A Boeing F-15J fighter jet operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) experienced a landing gear collapse while landing on the island prefecture of Okinawa.

Also: The Aviationist and defence-blog.com

3 Sources

2026-08-18T14:05:08.101740-07:00

Israel Helicopter Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Israel Moves AH-64 Apaches Closer To Critical Northern Front

By The War Zone: An AH-64 squadron is moving from Ramon to Ramat David as Israel shifts more attack helicopter capacity toward the northern front. An AH-64 squadron is moving from Ramon to Ramat David as Israel shifts more attack helicopter capacity toward the northern front.

1 Source

2026-08-18T12:36:16.900249-07:00

North America Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

DefenseNews.com

F/A-18 pilot injured after crashing during low-level training flight in Washington state

By DefenseNews.com: Video from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office showed a bloodied F/A-18 Hornet pilot after he hit trees on a low-level training operation and had to eject.

AirForceTimes

F/A-18 Pilot Injured After Crashing Into Trees During Low-Level Training Flight

marinecorpstimes.com

‘As close as it gets’: Bodycam footage shows Marine pilot walking away from crashed F/A-18 Hornet

5 Sources

2026-08-18T11:50:11.789265-07:00

eVTOL UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Regent demonstrates Squire autonomous seaglider at US Navy drone event

By FlightGlobal: The ground-effect vehicle can reach speeds of 70kt with a range exceeding 100nm and a 22kg payload, start-up says. American start-up Regent Craft demonstrated an uncrewed military variant of the company's seaglider vehicle in recent Pentagon drone exercises.

1 Source

2026-08-18T12:36:20.281425-07:00

Israel Military Aircraft Procurement Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Israeli media says country is seeking information on Boeing F-47

By Air Data News: Israel intends to seek information from the United States about Boeing's F-47, according to Israeli media, in what would be a very early attempt to determine whether the country's next air-superiority fighter could eventually be made available to the Israeli Air Force.

1 Source

2026-08-18T12:33:59.081619-07:00

Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

U.S. Space Force FY27 Budget Request Reaches Record $71.3 Billion

By Payload: The Space Force's FY27 budget request made headlines earlier this year at a record-breaking $71.3B.

Also: Via Satellite

2 Sources

2026-08-18T10:50:03.401438-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

Robinson R66 Chosen as New U.S. Army Flight School Next Trainer

By AINonline: M1 Support Services selected to provide $10 billion contract.

Also: Aviation Week and DVIDS / U.S. DoD

3 Sources

2026-08-18T10:06:12.342805-07:00

PlanetiQ wins $2.73 million NOAA data contract as Viasat selects Rocket Lab for PTS-G GEO satellite

Japanese F-15 suffers landing gear collapse during touchdown in Okinawa

Israel Moves AH-64 Apaches Closer To Critical Northern Front

F/A-18 pilot injured after crashing during low-level training flight in Washington state

F/A-18 Pilot Injured After Crashing Into Trees During Low-Level Training Flight

‘As close as it gets’: Bodycam footage shows Marine pilot walking away from crashed F/A-18 Hornet

Regent demonstrates Squire autonomous seaglider at US Navy drone event

Israeli media says country is seeking information on Boeing F-47

U.S. Space Force FY27 Budget Request Reaches Record $71.3 Billion

Robinson R66 Chosen as New U.S. Army Flight School Next Trainer

Japanese F-15 suffers landing gear collapse during touchdown in Okinawa

Viasat Taps Rocket Lab to Build Small GEO for PTS-G Program

Israel Moves AH-64 Apaches Closer To Critical Northern Front

Regent demonstrates Squire autonomous seaglider at US Navy drone event

Israeli media says country is seeking information on Boeing F-47

F/A-18 pilot injured after crashing during low-level training flight in Washington state

Families Raise Concerns Over USS Lincoln’s 270-Day Middle East Deployment

Israeli strikes hit an air base in northwest Syria, but no casualties are reported

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

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

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

U.S.-linked infrastructure push spans Indo-Pacific space surveillance and FAA air traffic control overhaul

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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