Defense News

eVTOL UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement

AINonline • Hanneke Weitering

U.S. Army Awards Elroy Air $46 Million Contract for Autonomous Chaparral Cargo Drone

The contract funds Elroy Air’s development of the Chaparral, an autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft, with work focused on jam-resistant navigation and hardened communications links. The award signals continued Army investment in resilient, unmanned logistics capabilities for contested operating environments.

2 Sources

2026-08-19T15:50:28.172144-07:00

Leadership L3Harris Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Wall Street Journal • Cara Lombardo, Drew Fitzgerald, Marcus Weisgerber

Women at L3Harris Shared Concerns About CEO’s Behavior Years Before Ouster

By Wall Street Journal: Chris Kubasik was ousted after investigation into conduct with subordinate; years earlier another employee had made a harassment complaint.

1 Source

2026-08-19T13:29:35.451497-07:00

Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AINonline

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance For Future Helicopters

By AINonline: Originally developed for the U.S. Military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

1 Source

2026-08-19T11:35:48.040984-07:00

F-16 North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Taiwan’s first F-16 Block 70 fighters seen departing Lockheed factory

By FlightGlobal: Two of the jets were sighted by a planespotter in Fort Worth, Texas, landing at Lockheed's F-35 production facility. The first new-build Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets bound for Taiwan have been seen en route to Asia from the US.

1 Source

2026-08-19T10:35:00.403987-07:00

Aviation Safety & Regulation Space Debris & Traffic Management

Space.com • Brett Tingley

Possible space-debris hazard prompts U.S. Air Force aircraft to turn back over the South Pacific

By Space.com: A mysterious incident over the South Pacific forced a U.S. Air Force aircraft to turn around on Aug. 18, due to a possible space debris hazard.

Also: Aviation A2Z

2 Sources

2026-08-19T09:05:15.239368-07:00

Satellite Leadership Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Vantor names new head of U.S. government business

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Vantor has named Will Cocos to lead its U.S. government business and oversee the Earth intelligence company’s work with U.S. defense, intelligence and civilian agencies.

Also: Via Satellite

2 Sources

2026-08-19T05:40:40.812106-07:00

Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Chinese national jailed for filming B-2 base under 1950 Truman order

By AeroTime: Qilin Wu received six months in federal custody after returning to film Whiteman AFB, home of the B-2 fleet, despite a security warning.

1 Source

2026-08-19T02:49:58.979552-07:00

Israel Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Israel strikes Syrian airbase days after restored Su-22s return to the air

By Air Data News: Israel has attacked Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria, just days after two restored Sukhoi Su-22 fighter-bombers were filmed flying over the region in one of the clearest signs yet that the country's new government is attempting to rebuild a military aviation capability.

4 Sources

2026-08-19T01:00:36.113291-07:00

U.S. Army Awards Elroy Air $46 Million Contract for Autonomous Chaparral Cargo Drone

Women at L3Harris Shared Concerns About CEO’s Behavior Years Before Ouster

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance For Future Helicopters

Taiwan’s first F-16 Block 70 fighters seen departing Lockheed factory

Possible space-debris hazard prompts U.S. Air Force aircraft to turn back over the South Pacific

Vantor names new head of U.S. government business

Chinese national jailed for filming B-2 base under 1950 Truman order

Israel strikes Syrian airbase days after restored Su-22s return to the air

Elroy Air Wins $46 Million Army Contract for Chaparral Cargo Drone

Women at L3Harris Shared Concerns About CEO’s Behavior Years Before Ouster

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance For Future Helicopters

Taiwan’s first F-16 Block 70 fighters seen departing Lockheed factory

Possible space-debris hazard prompts U.S. Air Force aircraft to turn back over the South Pacific

Vantor names new head of U.S. government business

Germany Launches Drone Security Centre Using Space-Based Systems

GMF AeroAsia hands over upgraded C-130H to Indonesian air force

U.S. Army Selects Hanwha Defense USA to Supply Mobile Artillery Prototypes

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

L3Harris ousts CEO Christopher Kubasik after conduct investigation, names space chief Sam Mehta successor

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

Reliance and Rolls-Royce join India’s bid for an indigenous AMCA fighter engine

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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