Desert of the U.S. southwest; smallest of North American deserts, site of Death Valley
A B-52 Stratofortress has crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, killing all eight people aboard. The aircraft was on a routine test mission supporting a radar modernization program. Military officials have opened an investigation that could take up to six months.
NATO and allied nations are accelerating development and deployment of cheaper, scalable defenses in response to drone threats and rapid battlefield innovation. Ukraine’s front-line feedback is driving faster iteration, with manufacturers delivering updates within days or weeks as the war reshapes planning for 2030-era air defense.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa and NATO’s Allied Land Command, is relinquishing his post on July 2 as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s drive to trim senior ranks. His deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will oversee duties in the interim. Donahue’s departure follows praise for his Afghanistan evacuation leadership and comes as the Army weighs downgrading Europe/Africa from four-star to three-star command.
The conflict involving US and Iranian-aligned forces has escalated, with retaliatory strikes hitting US bases and a pledge from officials to reassess basing and defense spending. Multiple servicemembers have been injured or killed in recent attacks, and the US is considering relocation and cost-cutting measures as negotiations continue.
The FAA has moved to replace its 1973 ban on overland supersonic flights with new, noise-based standards. Initial proposals could allow faster cross-country travel and reduce flight times, while NASA tests aim to refine how sonic booms are perceived. Final rules are targeted for mid-2027.
At Farnborough, Boeing’s Ghost Bat leads a pack of rival autonomous combat aircraft, with General Atomics, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin unveiling or showcasing models. The U.S. Air Force aims for a price well under $80 million per jet and expects hundreds of aircraft annually by the mid-2030s, as world powers invest in crewed-uncrewed teaming and next‑generation combat air power.
The crash near Miramar Air Base has prompted an ongoing investigation. The pilot has ejected and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. An aerial plume of smoke and ground debris are visible as responders contain a vegetation fire at the site. Officials say the F-35B costs about $109 million and the broader program carries a multi-trillion price tag.
Drones and satellite tech are reshaping Ukraine’s battlefield, enabling near real-time targeting and broader Western manufacturing lessons. The U.S. and NATO are intensifying drone programs as Ukraine expands its own industry and deepens reliance on Western systems.
The Army has been testing small uncrewed aerial systems at Fort Irwin. Operators have shown how drones extend sight, enable rapid reconnaissance, and could be chosen for future missions. Soldiers are training to integrate drones with traditional infantry roles as part of a broader transformation effort.
68-year-old Pierre Michel Formosa has died after his car became stuck in mud in Death Valley National Park. He and a French travelling companion walked across salt flats in extreme heat to seek help; the survivor was rescued later the same day. The coroner will determine the cause of death as search teams warn of dangerous conditions in the park.