Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI North America Defense Policy

Unmanned Airspace • Kylie Bielby

U.S. military uses high-energy laser to shoot down three cartel-linked drones near southern border

Joint Task Force–Southern Border, operating under U.S. Northern Command in support of Customs and Border Protection, used directed-energy capabilities to destroy three drones deemed hostile near the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Texas’ Rio Grande Valley this week.

aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

Also: AeroTime and AirForceTimes

4 Sources

2026-08-28T04:36:15.099043-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

By Breaking Defense: The Defense Department anticipates it will spend an additional $51 billion to acquire the stealth fighter, though revised estimates have pulled the program’s total cost beneath $2 trillion, according to a recent Pentagon report.

DefenseNews.com

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

AirForceTimes

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

Also: AviationPros, Military Times and defensehere.com

6 Sources

2026-08-28T07:19:49.963989-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

By AeroTime: Two South Korean attack drones crashed into the sea seconds after launch during their first naval test.

1 Source

2026-08-28T09:05:03.238787-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing Boeing 747

NEW

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

By The War Zone: The investment comes after Spain would not allow the U.S. to use Moron for long-range bomber missions against Iran.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:20:06.893260-07:00

AI Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection) Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Mark Pomerleau

With AI hackers in mind, Air Forces Cyber develops defensive 'campaign plan'

By Breaking Defense: "When people say, ‘Hey, we're at an inflection point,’ we are absolutely at an inflection point,” 16th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley said of AI threats to the network.

1 Source

2026-08-28T08:19:58.441278-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement

NEW

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

By The War Zone: Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club. Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:13:13.501336-07:00

F-16 SAAB Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

2026-08-28T02:50:07.102452-07:00

Leadership L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Wall Street Journal • Jinjoo Lee

The L3Harris Shake-Up Is an Opportunity to Bet on Missile Rearmament

By Wall Street Journal: The abrupt departure of L3Harris’s LHX 0.49%increase; up pointing triangle chief executive officer has landed the defense company’s shares in the discount bin.

1 Source

2026-08-28T05:36:36.900093-07:00

U.S. military uses high-energy laser to shoot down three cartel-linked drones near southern border

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

With AI hackers in mind, Air Forces Cyber develops defensive 'campaign plan'

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

Sweden to send Gripen fighters to patrol Finland’s border with Russia, SVT reports

Saab's Gripen F Two-Seater Takes To The Air For The First Time

Sweden Deploys Gripen Fighters and Warships to Protect Finnish Airspace and Border Territory

The L3Harris Shake-Up Is an Opportunity to Bet on Missile Rearmament

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

With AI hackers in mind, Air Forces Cyber develops defensive 'campaign plan'

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

Poland Rules Out Hosting Nuclear Warheads Despite Push to Join NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft Mission

UK Chancellor Declines to Commit to Previously Endorsed Defense Spending Target

HAL and Safran launch Aravalli turboshaft engine for India’s 13-ton military helicopters

Navy begins F/A-18 Super Hornet testing of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile

China’s J-35A Enters Service as F-35 Program Costs Rise 10%

Boeing Wins Potential $131.2B F-15 Sustainment Contract as Air Force Funds $766M B-52 Radar Upgrade

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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