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, The Independent and Navy Times

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

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Army aviation chief says D.C. crash ‘wasn’t about’ outdated Black Hawk cockpit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

UAV Development & Drone Programs Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

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

By The War Zone: Boeing also identifies growing interest in an optimally crewed version of the Chinook. Boeing also identifies growing interest in an optimally crewed version of the Chinook.

Also: Defense Daily

2026-04-15T11:35:11.644276-07:00