Sea Air Space 2026

Latest in Sea Air Space 2026

Saildrone specter launching a missile.
Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)

Saildrone’s Missile-Toting Spectre Enters Navy’s Medium-Sized Unmanned Ship Competition

By Hope Hodge Seck

Updated on Apr 23, 2026

The U.S. Navy has shared details about what looks to be a previously undisclosed effort to rapidly arm ships in two carrier strike groups with radar-guided Longbow Hellfire missiles to protect against drones.
U.S. Navy

Navy Rushing To Arm Carrier Strike Groups With Hellfire Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

191028-N-LQ653-1278 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 28, 2019) Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO-202, front, makes its approach to commercial tanker MT Empire State as the two ships prepare to conduct a consolidated loading. The evolution provided the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Pacific Commander the opportunity to exercise a training opportunity at sea with the two ships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patrick W. Menah Jr./Released)
U.S. Navy

Iranian Attacks Change Way Navy Refuels Its Ships In Middle East

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

The Navy's top leadership says they are working hard to avoid serious issues that have plagued previous shipbuilding efforts when it comes to the Trump class "battleship" program.
U.S. Navy

Everything New We Just Learned About The Trump Class Battleship Program

By Joseph Trevithick, Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

A new, longer-range version of the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) has been unveiled by CoAspire at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 exposition near Washington, D.C. The development comes just days after the U.S. Air Force launched market research for its Family of Affordable Mass Missiles — Beyond Adversary’s Reach (FAMM-BAR), reflecting the service’s interest in low-cost, long-range strike weapons.
Air-To-Ground

New Low-Cost Cruise Missile Features Tomahawk-Like Range

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 22, 2026

MH-60S pilot gives tour of his Seahawk helicopter.

U.S. Navy MH-60S Pilot Talks Multi-Mission Roles During Tour Of The Seahawk

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

The Navy has been taking a deep look at the design and capabilities, and associated costs, of the Ford class as compared to the older Nimitz class.
U.S. Navy

Ford Class Review Puts Navy’s Future Carrier Plans Into Question

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

Leonardo DRS’s Plan To Counter Drones For The U.S. Navy

Leonardo DRS’s Plan To Counter Drones For The U.S. Navy

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

When the USS Spruance fired its 5-inch deck gun at an Iranian cargo ship, it was the first time a Navy ship used its deck gun on another vessel since 1988.
Iran

USS Spruance Blasting A Ship With Its Deck Gun Is A First In Nearly Four Decades

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

X-Bat's new design at sea air space 2026.
UCAVs

X-BAT Autonomous VTOL ‘Fighter’ Looks Dramatically Different

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Patriot PAC-3 Missiles To Arm Navy Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers
MIM-104 Patriot

Patriot PAC-3 Missiles To Arm Navy Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Sea Guardian can carry many payloads and fly at low altitudes in most any weather.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian Ready For Teaming With P-8 Poseidon

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden says she is confident in her company's ability to deliver next-generation carrier-based fighters to the U.S. Navy if it is selected as the winner of the F/A-XX competition.
F-47

Northrop Defends Ability To Build F/A-XX 6th Gen Naval Fighters If Selected

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

The U.S. Navy has disclosed the test of an AeroVironment LOCUST laser counter-drone system aboard the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
Lasers

Navy Fires Drone-Frying LOCUST Laser From Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

F/A-XX Northrop Grumman
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Next Gen Naval Fighter Concept Video Emerges From Northrop Grumman

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 20, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)
XQ-58

F-35s Quarterbacking Drones Seen As Gateway To USMC’s 6th Gen Fighter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026