U.K. buys stratospheric UAVs; MIT’s Hyperloop pod design wins; Airlander taking shape for flight; microwave-powered spaceplane abandoned; insurers assess damage using UAVs

Days before the Pentagon details its request for spending $582.7 billion, Bill Sweetman provides his thoughts on how an “arsenal plane” might work. And Michael Fabey explains why the Littoral Combat Ship might not experience the budget cuts others have predicted.

X-planes, UAVs and a Cold War footing, this year’s budget request has it all. And Aviation Week’s Graham Warwick and Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s Dan Katz analyze President Barack Obama’s last chance to make change.

After a nearly two-decade decline in European defense budgets, an increase seems likely, driven in large part by Russian aggression and the so-called Islamic State.

Robotic systems must operate using the same actions we would expect from the judgment and, ultimately, the ethics of a pilot.

Bill to overhaul the FAA wins Natca endorsement; Defense experts outline the next president’s national security choices; and NASA official urges space companies to respond faster to consumer demands.

Anglo-French UCAV study enjoys political support as milestones approach.

F-35s fly with speed and G force restrictions—and most weapon tests needed special treatment to hit the target, according to Pentagon test report.