Defense News

Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

Space Force’s FY27 Budget Request Reaches Record $71.3B

The Space Force’s fiscal 2027 budget request drew attention earlier this year after reaching a record $71.3 billion. The proposed funding level underscores the expanding scale of U.S. investment in military space capabilities and provides an important baseline for congressional consideration and future program priorities.

Also: Via Satellite

2 Sources

2026-08-18T10:50:03.401438-07:00

North America Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

DefenseNews.com

F/A-18 pilot injured after crashing during low-level training flight in Washington state

By DefenseNews.com: Video from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office showed a bloodied F/A-18 Hornet pilot after he hit trees on a low-level training operation and had to eject.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-08-18T11:50:11.789265-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

Robinson R66 Chosen as New U.S. Army Flight School Next Trainer

By AINonline: M1 Support Services selected to provide $10 billion contract.

Also: Aviation Week

2 Sources

2026-08-18T10:06:12.342805-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

New York Times • Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, John Ismay, Lexie Diao, Marion Lozano, Mike Benoist, MJ Davis Lin, Pat McCusker, Rachel Abrams, Shannon Lin

Families Raise Concerns Over USS Lincoln’s 270-Day Middle East Deployment

By New York Times: Families of soldiers aboard the aircraft carrier — deployed in the Middle East without a break for 270 days — have raised the alarm.

1 Source

2026-08-18T07:30:39.511004-07:00

eVTOL UAV Development & Drone Programs AI

AeroTime • Miquel Ros

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

By AeroTime: REGENT has showcased Squire, its wing-in-ground autonomous seaglider during an exercise with the US military.

1 Source

2026-08-18T07:05:13.622757-07:00

Israel Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Associated Press • Leer En Español

Israeli strikes hit an air base in northwest Syria, but no casualties are reported

By Associated Press: Israeli airstrikes on an air base in northwest Syria caused material damage but no casualties, according to Syrian state TV and the Foreign Ministry.

Reuters

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, drawing Turkish condemnation

Reuters

US working on deconfliction mechanism among Turkey, Israel and Syria, US envoy says

Also: ANI News Agency, CBS News, The Independent, NBC News and 5 more

12 Sources

2026-08-18T02:35:15.806844-07:00

AI FlightSim Defense Policy Airbus

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

By AeroTime: Airbus said its System Development Lab generated virtual allies and threats inside Timber Express, the German Air Force's annual data link exercise.

1 Source

2026-08-18T06:20:32.873596-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Air Force Wants Family Of Expendable Target Drones That Can Mimic Everything From Stealth Fighters To UAV Swarms

By The War Zone: With rapidly evolving threats around the globe, the USAF's target drones need to start making leaps to catch up and a new family of systems is wanted for this.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:28:11.299461-07:00

Space Force’s FY27 Budget Request Reaches Record $71.3B

F/A-18 pilot injured after crashing during low-level training flight in Washington state

Robinson R66 Chosen as New U.S. Army Flight School Next Trainer

Families Raise Concerns Over USS Lincoln’s 270-Day Middle East Deployment

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

Israeli strikes hit an air base in northwest Syria, but no casualties are reported

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, drawing Turkish condemnation

US working on deconfliction mechanism among Turkey, Israel and Syria, US envoy says

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

Air Force Wants Family Of Expendable Target Drones That Can Mimic Everything From Stealth Fighters To UAV Swarms

F/A-18 pilot injured after crashing during low-level training flight in Washington state

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

Robinson R66 Chosen as New U.S. Army Flight School Next Trainer

Families Raise Concerns Over USS Lincoln’s 270-Day Middle East Deployment

REGENT’s Squire seaglider completes wing-in-ground exercise with US military

Airbus puts synthetic aircraft into live German Air Force exercise

New report takes closer look at the Space Force spending surge

Trump’s Aircraft Carrier Design Demands Could Delay U.S. Navy Procurement

New image adds to claims of Uzbek J-10CE order, but questions remain

India Leases Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs From General Atomics

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

Spanish F-18 shoots down drone over Romania after entry from Moldova

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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