Subscription Required

 

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, April 8, 2026 is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership.

Already a member of AWIN or subscribe to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report through your company? Login with your existing email and password.

Not a member?  Learn how you can access the market intelligence and data you need to stay abreast of what's happening in the aerospace and defense community.

LoginLearn How
Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, April 8, 2026

VOL. 296 NO. 6 April 08, 2026
Download PDF

Operations

Credit: NASA
article

NASA’s Artemis II Crew Begins Earth Return

Apr 08, 2026
NASA’s Artemis II astronauts returned into the gravitational sphere of Earth April 7 as they continued a free-return trajectory due to end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Programs

Credit: Capella Space
article

Capella To Build Two Satellites, Test Tactical Waveforms For SDA

Apr 07, 2026
The U.S. Space Development Agency has tapped remote sensing company Capella to build two spacecraft and demonstrate advanced tactical satellite communications capabilities.
Flight School Next
article

Three Proposals Remain In Flight School Next Final Bidding Phase

Apr 07, 2026
Three bidders, including Bell and M1 Support Services, advance to the final phase of the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next program, which aims to overhaul rotary-wing training with a new fleet of single-engine turbine helicopters.
YFQ-42A prototype taking off
article

General Atomics ASI Pauses YFQ-42A Flights After Mishap

Apr 07, 2026
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. said it paused operations with its YFQ-42A prototype following a mishap after takeoff at its airport in California.
Artist depiction of aircraft
article

AFRL Hybrid Satcom Effort Moves Ahead

Apr 07, 2026
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s DEUSCI program advances hybrid satellite communications with industry-provided terminals, enabling seamless network switching for U.S. military operations.
A crew member aboard one HH-60W watches another fly past during an exercise in Arizona in 2023.
article

Aircraft Involved In U.S. Pilot Rescue In Iran Set For New Upgrades

Apr 07, 2026
A survivability upgrade is coming for the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II fleet that rescued the pilot and weapon system officer of a Boeing F-15E that was shot down over Iran on April 2.
puls rocket system
article

Greece Buys Israeli PULS Rocket System

Apr 07, 2026
The Greek government has signed an agreement with Israel for the procurement of Elbit PULS rocket systems valued at NIS2.3 billion ($734 million).

The Debrief

Credit: Quanscient
article

Debrief: Quantum Advantage Beckons For CFD Simulation

Apr 07, 2026
Can quantum computing solve one of the intractable problems in aerospace engineering—numerical simulation of the aerodynamics of a full aircraft in cruise flight with all turbulence resolved?

Funding & Policy

one-way attack drone
article

U.S. Air Force Signals Interest In One-Way Attack Drones

Apr 07, 2026
The U.S. Air Force is exploring the addition of one-way attack drones to its arsenal, seeking domestically sourced designs that comply with U.S. technology policies and avoid reliance on Chinese components.
isaacman and moran
article

NASA Leverages U.S. Industrial Strength For Artemis, Space Program

Apr 07, 2026
Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke to NASA's future on his visit to Wichita on April 6, where he toured local suppliers contributing to the space program.

Business

Starfish Space's Otter Pup spacecraft
article

Starfish Space Announces $100M Series B Funding Round

Apr 07, 2026
On-orbit servicing startup Starfish Space raised more than $100 million in a Series B funding round, buoyed by a satellite deorbiting contract with the U.S.

Air Forces In Focus