Defense News

Aircraft Carrier Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Policy

Wall Street Journal • Marcus Weisgerber

Trump orders Navy to replace carrier launch system with steam catapults at a cost of billions

President Donald Trump has directed the Navy to remove the complex aircraft-launch system installed on its carriers and return to steam catapults. Navy officials have opposed the change for years, and the retrofit is expected to cost billions of dollars.

Also: Reuters

2 Sources

2026-08-13T14:29:18.361941-07:00

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Boeing

NEW

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker

By The Air Current: When Boeing personnel hoisted a prototype of its MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in June, the high-profile visit revealed a potential expansion of its role that has long been suspected but repeatedly denied by the Pentagon.

1 Source

2026-08-13T16:12:59.291949-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

NEW

Wall Street Journal • Shelby Holliday, Yoko Kubota

U.S. Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran War Strain

By Wall Street Journal: The USS George Washington is set to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, as lawmakers raised concerns about reports of poor conditions aboard the Lincoln after more than 250 days at sea.

Associated Press

New aircraft carrier heads toward Mideast after reports of issues on long-deployed USS Lincoln

al-monitor.com

US sailors hit by strain of long aircraft carrier deployment

Also: Seeking Alpha, NBC News and 3 more

8 Sources

2026-08-13T16:05:16.959957-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Trump Orders US Aircraft Carriers to Go Back to Steam Catapults

By Bloomberg: President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to return to using steam catapults to launch planes off of aircraft carriers, acting on a longtime complaint despite opposition from many naval officers.

Also: Navy Times

2 Sources

2026-08-13T15:36:33.651915-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Jamie Hunter

Meet MORFIUS: The Drone Designed To Zap Other Drones

By The War Zone: Lockheed Martin's new MORFIUS X-Rotor counter-UAS system hunts drones and can knock down dozens of them with its high power microwave payload.

1 Source

2026-08-13T14:49:57.409073-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Accident

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

2 Army Soldiers Dead Following Apache Helicopter Crash in Texas

By Flying Magazine: Officials did not immediately provide a cause for the crash of an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter in central Texas.

1 Source

2026-08-13T14:06:08.549612-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Army gears up to 'engage' enemy surveillance satellites

By Breaking Defense: The Army's space superiority efforts are focused on countering adversary ISR satellites, as well as conducting "stratospheric warfare," Col. Joe Mroszcyck told Breaking Defense.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag

2 Sources

2026-08-13T13:34:47.467249-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters • Phil Stewart

2026-08-13T09:20:50.476674-07:00

Trump orders Navy to replace carrier launch system with steam catapults at a cost of billions

U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker

U.S. Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran War Strain

New aircraft carrier heads toward Mideast after reports of issues on long-deployed USS Lincoln

US sailors hit by strain of long aircraft carrier deployment

Trump Orders US Aircraft Carriers to Go Back to Steam Catapults

Meet MORFIUS: The Drone Designed To Zap Other Drones

2 Army Soldiers Dead Following Apache Helicopter Crash in Texas

Army gears up to 'engage' enemy surveillance satellites

Hegseth says reports about poor conditions aboard carrier are misrepresented

Hegseth Attends Flyover Demonstration

Pete Hegseth dismisses reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln

U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker

U.S. Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran War Strain

Trump Orders US Aircraft Carriers to Go Back to Steam Catapults

Meet MORFIUS: The Drone Designed To Zap Other Drones

Trump Orders Navy to Restore Old Technology in Aircraft Carriers, Costing Billions

2 Army Soldiers Dead Following Apache Helicopter Crash in Texas

GE’s new Black Hawk engine achieves preliminary flight rating

Joby Splits Commercial and Defense VTOL Projects With $500M Acquisition

India launches competition for 60 military transport aircraft

Exclusive: Space Kinetic Awarded $50M for Space Maneuverability

Trump Secretly Switched From Air Force One to Military Jets After Iranian Threat Warning

Golden Dome reaches first operational site as Space Force warns funding gaps could halt the program

Lockheed Martin and partners demonstrate AI-enabled 5G network for detecting drones

Turkish Air Force F-16 crashes during training flight in Yalova; pilot ejects safely

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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