• A surprise engine team up was announced at AFA 2026.
• Chief of Space Operations Gen. Doug Schiess gave a funding-focused keynote.
• The Air and Space Forces Association's conference continued with industry collaboration and budget discussions.

This surprise engine team up may signal a shift in industry partnerships, which could impact the competitive landscape of the aerospace sector. The budget warning from Gen. Schiess suggests that funding concerns may be a major challenge for space operations, which could have implications for future programs and investments.