Federal Aviation Administration

The Pentagon named four directed-energy systems for a congressionally mandated homeland counter-drone pilot run by Joint Interagency Task Force 401: AeroVironment's Palletized High-Energy Laser, Epirus' Leonidas high-powered microwave, Kord's Firefly high-energy laser, and Boeing's Compact Laser Weapon System. The systems will be tested at five U.S. bases and in a December shoot-off at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, gathering data on performance, cost, and maintenance over about a year.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Oct 8, 09:04 PM UTC

Boeing identified a software glitch in the 737 MAX that can disable the autopilot navigation feature during landing after a go-around, increasing pilot workload. The FAA stated the issue is not a flight-safety risk but delayed certification of the 737 MAX 10. Boeing is rolling back software to maintain deliveries, while Southwest and United Airlines requested older software versions. A permanent fix is not expected until 2028.

16 reports · 10 sources · Updated Oct 2, 09:29 PM UTC

On September 28, 2026, SpaceX's Starship achieved its first orbital flight, launching 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites from Starbase, Texas. The Super Heavy booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico. One upper-stage engine failed prematurely, but the mission continued. Originally planned for ten hours and six orbits, the flight was cut to about three hours and less than two orbits. Starship deployed all satellites before splashing down north of Hawaii, where it tipped over and caught fire. SpaceX and NASA called the mission a milestone.

28 reports · 13 sources · Updated Sep 29, 02:00 PM UTC

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that his planned 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery will double as a "top grade military complex" to store and deploy drones and snipers, citing a request from the U.S. military and national security. The project, expected to break ground in late 2026, faces opposition from GOP lawmakers over funding, criticism from preservationists, and a federal lawsuit seeking to halt construction.

21 reports · 9 sources · Updated Sep 21, 07:37 PM UTC

U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, a Republican gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin, sustained minor injuries after the small plane he was traveling in made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau due to a mechanical issue. Tiffany and the pilot swam to safety and were rescued by the Wausau Fire Department. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

8 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 13, 08:07 PM UTC