Daily Report

Feb. 11, 2026
0126_Editorial

Editorial: Deterring Now Costs Less than Winning Later

America’s ability to execute complex military operations may be second to none, but our capacity to fight a prolonged war is in doubt. Our unique technological advantages are eroding, as rivals strive to counter them and catch up. Worse, our defense in depth—that is, the forces we have at our disposal—is shrinking.

L3Harris Pitches Cruise Missiles for SOCOM’s Air Tractor

When U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force first developed requirements for its Armed Overwatch program, planners envisioned a rugged, lightweight, low-cost combat scout aircraft capable of supporting counterinsurgency missions. Now that they've acquired OA-1K Skyraider II, however, the command and its prime contractor are looking to up-arm their modified Air Tractor cropduster to carry low-cost cruise missiles.

Radar Sweep

Gift link

US Hands Over Some NATO Commands to European Allies

The New York Times

The United States will hand over some NATO commands to European allies, NATO said on Feb. 10, in an effort to show that European allies of NATO are taking more responsibility for conventional war planning.

AFA, USAA Send Wounded Airman to Super Bowl LX with CeeDee Lamb

AFA

The Air & Space Forces Association and USAA coordinated a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send retired Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ferrell and his wife, Lauren, to Super Bowl LX in San Francisco. The experience—USAA’s Official NFL Salute to Service Partners—was made possible through a special partnership with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who personally invited the Ferrells to the game and met them backstage.

One More Thing

NASA Needs a New Vomit Comet

The War Zone

For NASA astronauts, experiencing zero-gravity conditions prior to mission launch is a necessary, if absurdly fun and enviable, part of training and familiarization. ... For the better part of a century, access into this environment has been provided by specialized fixed-wing aircraft that fly parabolic arcs— collectively, and evocatively, dubbed “The Vomit Comet” for the physical side effect of weightlessness they tend to induce. While a single private company has handled these zero-G flights for NASA for years, a new contract solicitation shows the agency is once again inviting competitors to bid for the work.