Aircraft Carrier Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Associated Press • Konstantin Toropin

USS Gerald R. Ford sets post-Vietnam deployment record with 296th day at sea

The Navy’s newest and largest carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), has reached its 296th day of deployment, breaking the post-Vietnam War record. The milestone follows the carrier’s extended forward presence after departing Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025.

Stars and Stripes • Alison Bath

USS Gerald R. Ford breaks post-Vietnam carrier deployment record

news.ssbcrack.com • News Desk

USS Gerald R. Ford Sets Record for Longest Post-Vietnam War Deployment

Also: Military Times and 3 more

2026-04-15T15:15:08.188569-07:00

Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Meink: Space Force must 'execute' as budget set to surge

By SpaceNews.com: Meink: Space Force must 'execute' as budget set to surge Meink: Space Force must “execute” as budget set to surge.

2026-04-15T14:54:33.109525-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Russia cites growing interest in Su-57 exports, but confirmed customers remain unclear

By Air Data News: Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said it signed export agreements involving the Sukhoi Su-57 during the DSA-2026 defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, though it did not disclose the number of aircraft, customers or delivery timelines.

2026-04-15T16:39:17.669330-07:00

Helicopter Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

The Air Current • TAC Staff

Army aviation chief says D.C. crash ‘wasn’t about’ outdated Black Hawk cockpit

By The Air Current: Top Army leader makes rare public comments about D.C. crash.

2026-04-15T12:15:22.286230-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Airbus

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’

By The War Zone: Already known for its agility and small size, dropping the Wiesel from A400M transports gives Germany’s airborne forces a new way of rapidly placing firepower forward.

2026-04-15T13:35:24.407150-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs ATC Aviation Safety & Regulation Policy & Regulation Defense Policy

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

FAA clears anti-drone lasers near commercial flights

By AeroTime: FAA said anti-drone lasers can be used safely near commercial flights along the US southern border after earlier incidents disrupted airspace in Texas.

2026-04-15T13:15:00.602138-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Mark Pomerleau

RTX modifies Growler's next-gen jammer to work from land or sea

By Breaking Defense: Raytheon Surface Electronic Attack System is meant to "generate non-kinetic effects to prevent adversaries from targeting our high-value assets or [to] protect those high-value assets," Raytheon's Chuck Angus told Breaking Defense.

2026-04-15T13:15:16.762358-07:00

Space Force ULA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

Vulcan woes will "absolutely" be a factor in Pentagon's next rocket competition

By Ars Technica: If the spacecraft is ready to go, that's going to give it a priority.".

Also: Aviation Week and Defense Daily

2026-04-15T11:59:28.168812-07:00

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USS Gerald R. Ford sets post-Vietnam deployment record with 296th day at sea

USS Gerald R. Ford breaks post-Vietnam carrier deployment record

USS Gerald R. Ford Sets Record for Longest Post-Vietnam War Deployment

Meink: Space Force must 'execute' as budget set to surge

Russia cites growing interest in Su-57 exports, but confirmed customers remain unclear

Army aviation chief says D.C. crash ‘wasn’t about’ outdated Black Hawk cockpit

Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’

FAA clears anti-drone lasers near commercial flights

RTX modifies Growler's next-gen jammer to work from land or sea

Vulcan woes will "absolutely" be a factor in Pentagon's next rocket competition

Russia cites growing interest in Su-57 exports, but confirmed customers remain unclear

US aircraft carrier breaks record for longest deployment since the Vietnam War

Meink: Space Force must 'execute' as budget set to surge

Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’

FAA clears anti-drone lasers near commercial flights

RTX modifies Growler's next-gen jammer to work from land or sea

Saltzman unveils blueprint for Space Force’s future

CH-47 Chinook Air-Launching Swarms Of Drones Touted As Future Feature

Raytheon secures $3.7B deal with Ukraine for German-funded Patriot interceptors

Army Names Its New MV-75 Tiltrotor Cheyenne II

Rheinmetall and Destinus launch JV to mass-produce cruise missiles and ballistic rocket artillery

Bell FLRAA nears delivery as Collins Aerospace wins contracts for five RTX systems

U.S. Space Command advances space maneuver-warfare concept, plans exercises and “moving satellites” model

GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force to set up an in-country depot for F404-IN20 engine maintenance for HAL Tejas

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

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