Breaking Defense reports, “A US Air Force wingman drone for the first time ‘successfully’ fired a live munition, an AMRAAM air-to-air missile, during a recent test, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach revealed to Breaking Defense.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Tag: aerospace engineering
Framing AI in Aerospace at AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Gregory Roth, incoming chair of AIAA’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Aerospace Applications Working Group and aerospace engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Air Platform Concepts Branch in Ohio, was pleasantly reassured with the approach to AI at AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026. The discussion around AI in Aerospace is now clearly in full swing.
SpaceX to Launch First Starlink V3 Satellites on Starship Test Flight
Spaceflight Now reports the mission will also test out a series of improvements to the launcher to help push it closer to full reusability. “Liftoff from Pad 2 at SpaceX’s Starbase facilities in southern Texas is scheduled during a 90-minute window that opens at 5:45 p.m. CDT (6:45 p.m. EDT / 2245 UTC).”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
AIAA Strengthens Connections with Student Branches
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has more than 270 student branches, including over 60 international student branches, and a total active membership of over 9,000 students worldwide. These branches connect students who share a passion for aerospace while fostering collaboration, professional growth and education development.
Soyuz Carries U.S. Astronaut and Two Cosmonauts to Space Station
Reuters reports, “Russia sent two cosmonauts and an American astronaut to the International Space Station on Tuesday from Kazakhstan, resuming crewed flights from a recently repaired launchpad with a rare joint attendance by the heads of NASA and Russia’s space agency.”
Full Story (Reuters – Subscription Publication)
FAA Clears Certification Path for Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short Aircraft
The Air Current reports the FAA has closed Electra’s G-1 issue paper, confirming Part 23 certification basis for its “Ultra Short” aircraft.
Full Story (The Air Current)
Falcon 9 Carries 27 Starlink Satellites to Orbit From California
Spaceflight Now reports, “The Starlink 15-14 mission will add another 27 broadband internet satellites to the low Earth orbit constellation … Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East happened at 6:28:17 p.m. PDT (9:28:17 p.m. EDT / 0128:17 UTC).”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
Video
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (Launch occurs at the 29:59 mark)
Spaceflight Now; YouTube
B-52 and F-35 Lead High-Profile AirVenture Aircraft Lineup
MSN reports EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will showcase an impressive lineup of military and civilian aircraft, drawing aviation enthusiasts to witness these iconic planes. The B-52, known for its long-range capabilities, and the F-35, a state-of-the-art stealth fighter, highlight the diversity and advancement in aviation technology showcased at the airshow.
Full Story (MSN)
Starship Flight 13 Moves Closer After Super Heavy Engine Test
SPACE reports SpaceX completed an engine test of the next Super Heavy booster slated to launch Starship’s next mission, which could lift off as soon as next week.
Full Story (SPACE)
Air Force Pushes Collaborative Combat Aircraft From Concept to Combat Readiness
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Air Force leaders and industry partners working on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program said at the AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 that the United States can no longer rely on long, linear acquisition timelines if it hopes to keep pace with technologically sophisticated adversaries.