The Air Force lost an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted vehicle when it crashed upon takeoff in eastern Afghanistan at about 1:50 a.m. local time Feb. 9, reported Air Forces Central Command the same day. AFCENT said the crash was not due to hostile fire and there were no reports of personal injury or property damage. An accident investigation board will investigate the incident.
President Donald Trump is proposing a 13 percent increase in defense spending for fiscal 2026, growth that could mean the first ever $1 trillion defense budget, according to a document obtained by Air & Space Forces Magazine.