Aerospace Group:

Unmanned Systems

GA-ASI Lays Out No Date for Resumption Of YFQ-42A Flights After Mishap

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026

SHARE:

GA-ASI Lays Out No Date for Resumption Of YFQ-42A Flights After Mishap

Pictured is a General Atomics' photo of the company-built YFQ-42A Dark Merlin aircraft.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has paused flight testing of the company's YFQ-42A Dark Merlin prototype drone for the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program after a mishap about 1 p.m. Pacific time on Monday, the company said. GA-ASI said that it "is assessing the condition of the aircraft and investigating to establish the root cause of the incident." "The aircraft is one of several production-representative YFQ-42A CCAs currently in low-rate initial production for the U.S. Air Force," the…

Congress

Trump Wants Second Reconciliation Bill On His Desk By June 1

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass and send a second reconciliation bill to his desk by June 1. The deadline follows congressional Republicans’ backing a pursuit […]

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]