Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Policy

Unmanned Airspace • Kylie Bielby

US military uses high-energy laser to down three cartel-linked drones along southern border

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

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 Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

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.

1 Source

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

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

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident

NEW

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

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

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

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

By AeroTime: Sweden will send Gripen fighters to patrol areas near Finland's border with Russia after Helsinki requested military support, SVT reports.

aviationnews.eu

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

Air Data News

First Gripen F takes flight with Brazilian Air Force pilot aboard

Also: FlightGlobal, Reuters, Aviation24, India Defense News, The War Zone and aerospaceglobalnews.com

13 Sources

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

SAAB Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

By The Aviationist: The Gripen F, the twin-seater variant of the Gripen E, conducted its first flight from Saab’s airfield in Linköping.

2 Sources

2026-08-28T06:36:41.780027-07:00

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

UAV Development & Drone Programs F-16 MRO Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US military uses high-energy laser to down three cartel-linked drones along 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

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

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

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

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

First Gripen F takes flight with Brazilian Air Force pilot aboard

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

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

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

Lockheed Martin Outlines $1.8 Billion Industrial Package for Peru’s F-16 Block 70 Program

Peru F-16 Deal: Lockheed Martin Unveils US$1.8 Billion Industrial Package

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

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

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

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

Poland weighs A400M acquisition as separate airlift competition continues

MBDA claims Akeron missiles seized from French van in Italy were inert

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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