A partial US government shutdown ended on February 3, as a $1.2 trillion spending package funded most federal agencies through September 30, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration resumed normal operations after furloughing over 10,000 staff members, and air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers returned to work without pay.
The US government shutdown is reviving a debate over air traffic control privatization, with lawmakers questioning the FAA's dependence on annual congressional funding. Advocates argue that an independent corporation could manage air navigation services more efficiently, but general aviation groups remain strongly opposed.
The US government has approved a series of potential Foreign Military Sales cases for Taiwan, totaling an estimated $11 billion-worth of defense equipment. The transactions would reportedly be the largest arms sale to Taiwan in US history, including rocket systems, aerial drones, and howitzers.
The US has launched a new air and missile defense coordination cell at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, amid tensions with Iran. CENTCOM Commander Adm.
A sweeping aviation safety bill has been introduced in the US House, building on the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) year-long investigation into a midair collision near Washington Reagan National Airport. The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act (ALERT Act), as it is titled, would require changes to collision-avoidance technology, helicopter routing, air traffic control training, and FAA oversight practices.
The United States is poised to approve a $3 billion agreement to sustain Saudi Arabia's aging F-15 fighter fleet. Following a request from its Gulf ally, the US State Department has approved a sustainment package for the Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15s.
According to Breaking Defense, US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had launched overnight attacks in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The development comes after Maduro was charged with 'narco-terrorism' by US courts in 2020.
According to congressional aides and US lawmakers, a US Customs and Border Protection drone mistakenly shot down a US military laser-based counter-drone system near Fort Hancock, Texas. This incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to expand flight restrictions along the US-Mexico border.
A US Air Force C-146 Wolfhound aircraft struck a concrete barrier while attempting to take off from a roadway in northern Philippines during a training exercise, injuring five US personnel. The incident occurred on February 24, 2026, as part of an alternate landing zone drill aimed at preparing forces for scenarios with unusable airports and runways.
The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize two anti-submarine warfare mission crew trainers that were intercepted while being shipped from South Africa to China's People's Liberation Army. The trainers, manufactured by the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, were allegedly designed to support training in airborne early warning and ASW missions.
The National Aeronautic Association has announced the finalists for the 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy, recognizing groundbreaking technologies in US aerospace.
The Trump administration's new National Security Strategy emphasizes a Western Hemisphere-focused 'Monroe Doctrine' approach while signaling potential constraints on NATO expansion and raising concerns about Europe's cultural trajectory. The 33-page strategy document prioritizes border security and migration control, calls for strengthened partnerships across the Americas, and seeks diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
A US Navy F-35C fighter jet shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels and a Mohajer drone approaching a US-flagged commercial tanker hours later.
A US Navy-led review has warned of ongoing safety concerns with the V-22 Osprey, citing technical, procedural, and organizational weaknesses that have accumulated over time. The review highlights recent fatal mishaps linked to systemic issues in the joint program, which has resulted in 12 Class A flight mishaps and four aircraft losses.
The US has officially opened a new factory in Camden, Arkansas, to produce Iron Dome interceptors for Israel and future foreign customers. Rafael, in partnership with Raytheon, will manufacture Tamir interceptors under a $1.
The US military conducted a surprise operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, involving over 150 aircraft and non-kinetic effects from US Space Command and US Cyber Command. According to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen.
The US military successfully conducted a surprise operation in Venezuela, taking down Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his security team. The operation was carried out with 150 aerial assets and employed advanced electronic and kinetic assault capabilities.
The United States has reached new trade agreements with Switzerland and South Korea, eliminating tariffs on aircraft and parts. This restores tariff-free access for manufacturers and operators in both countries, following similar zero-tariff arrangements with the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
The US military is quietly reviving airfields first carved out of jungle and coral during World War 2 to counter potential threats from China. The effort, driven by the Agile Combat Employment doctrine, aims to create a network of smaller, far-flung locations where US aircraft can operate from, reducing vulnerability in a war defined by long-range precision weapons.
A US congressional report confirms allegations of China's disinformation campaign targeting the Rafale fighter following the May 2025 India-Pakistan clash. According to the report, Chinese embassy officials and online networks amplified claims that Pakistan had downed multiple Indian Rafale jets using Chinese-built weapons.