Thursday, October 8, 2026
Hegseth Unveils New Autonomous Warfare Command in ‘State of the Force’ Address
Aviation

Hegseth Unveils New Autonomous Warfare Command in ‘State of the Force’ Address

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans for a new four-star command to lead the military-wide drive to field autonomous systems, as the Pentagon’s pursues a bullish approach towards artificial intelligence and drone warfare, and unveiled five other initiatives during what he promised will become an annual “State of the Force”…

Air Force Names 7 to Vie for New MMA Drone Program
Aviation

Air Force Names 7 to Vie for New MMA Drone Program

The Air Force and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit have narrowed the field to seven companies which will be invited to compete to develop low-cost, semi-autonomous drones to succeed the MQ-9A Reaper, multiple sources confirmed to Air & Space Forces Magazine. Anduril, Chaos Industries, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Grid Aero, Otto Aerospace, Shield AI, and…

White House Taps Miller to Lead US Space Command

The White House has nominated Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr. to lead U.S. Space Command, succeeding Gen. Stephen Whiting, who is expected to retire by January 2027.  A notice of Miller’s nomination for promotion to general appeared in the Congressional Record on Sept. 29, but the notice did not include an assignment. U.S. Space…

Air Force Inks Deal for 22 More Boeing F-15EX Fighters

The Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 F-15EX Eagle II fighters on Sept. 29, narrowly meeting a deadline to use funds from last summer’s reconciliation bill or face cuts. The deal, Lot 7 of the program, brings to 120 the total number of F-15EXs under contract. The Air Force had planned…

CCAs and Autonomy Gain Momentum as Focus of Future Force
Aviation

CCAs and Autonomy Gain Momentum as Focus of Future Force

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—For the past four years, the idea of autonomous drone warfare like Collaborative Combat Aircraft has been discussed as a future concept, rather than near-term reality.  But now that promised vision appears imminent, with the Air Force promising at least 1,000 such drones by 2032. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink kicked off AFA’s…