Sign in

Zach Rosenberg

@zachinflight.bsky.social
544 followers 321 following 235 posts

Former defense and aerospace reporter/editor

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
ProPublica @propublica.org · 06/10/2026
NEW: The Trump administration keeps denying and downplaying that immigration agents have been detaining Americans. It’s wrong. We’ve found more than 500 U.S. citizens have been held against their will, including handcuffed or held at gunpoint.
projects.propublica.org
More Than 500 U.S. Citizens Have Been Detained, Including Handcuffed or Held at Gunpoint, in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown — ProPublica
The government doesn’t track how often immigration officers detain U.S. citizens. So ProPublica did. We’ve found more than 500 Americans who were held against their will during this Trump administrati...
6027681579
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Quite surprised by this move, which significantly impacts US combat power in the Persian Gulf. What threat could Iran possibly project into the UK that could threaten these bombers?
010
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I actually don't think AUTOWARCOM is a particularly good idea for the US military. The idea is to integrate these vehicles into existing formations, not separate them.
000
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Boeing now has F-47 for USAF and F/A-XX for Navy. Very big deal to have both US future fighter programs. No link to announcement though?
021
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Paul Voosen @voosen.me · 28/09/2026
New Horizons is now *three days away* from shutting off its two heliophysics instruments, simply because NASA has not provided the $2M in funding it had promised to the mission last year or this year. There is no science basis for shutting these off. Our earlier coverage:
science.org
NASA’s New Horizons mission may shut down two instruments over lack of funding
Decision risks “incalculable loss” of data from the edge of the Sun’s influence, scientists say
17668412
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Awesome as it would be to see a NASA SR-71 fly again, I expect a rapidly prototyped uncrewed air vehicle would be a more cost-effective way to research Mach 3+.
000
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Will Yale @wayale.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It is extremely unfortunate and regrettable that the Department of the Air Force has decided to shutter the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI). CASI, along with its sister institutions the China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), China Landpower Studies Center (CLSC), and…
1637689
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Probably not a great idea for a whole buncha reasons, but given US admin best we all start preparing for the fallout
020
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A very long time coming for Nigeria's purchase. No doubt Bell is thrilled but I am curious abt payment structure. Whether Nigeria truly needs new-build attack helicopters or can reliably operate this capability is not clear to me. Certainly the money is better spent on other things.
000
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Aaron Mehta @aaronmehta.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
SCOOP: Northrop is dropping off its team-up with SNC on its navy trainer jet. breakingdefense.com/2026/09/nort... Yes I went to AFA and somehow came up with a Navy story, I feel dirty.
breakingdefense.com
Northrop drops off SNC-led Navy trainer team - Breaking Defense
SNC will continue moving forward with its Freedom trainer offering for the Undergraduate Jet Training System program.
133
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
That the US has weaponry in space has been an open secret for a long time (though I do not know what category of weapon).
000
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Devon Heinen @devonheinen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
NEW via @washingtonpost.com: "#RFKJr uses military aircraft as he campaigns for GOP in #midterms The White House and Department of Health and Human Services lawyers signed off on the plan to let the health secretary use military jets." www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...
washingtonpost.com
RFK Jr. uses military aircraft as he campaigns for GOP in midterms
The White House and Department of Health and Human Services lawyers signed off on the plan to let the health secretary use military jets, according to people familiar with the plan.
044
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Stephen C. Smith @wordsmithfl.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
#Space #Politics #Trump Eric Berger of #ArsTechnica investigates why the Trump White House pressured US commercial space companies to boycott next week's global space summit in Paris, France. arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
arstechnica.com
Trump White House just tossed a grenade into international space relations
Let me be clear: America is not only welcome—we want you there."
021
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Ramjets are one of those on-the-horizon aerospace technologies that really has transformative potential. It's way premature to discuss ramjet/scramjet-powered passenger craft, but the future moves in fits and spurts vaguely in that direction. aviationweek.com/defense/miss...
aviationweek.com
GE Aerospace Boosts Hypersonic Hopes With HyCAT Win | Aviation Week
GE Aerospace will develop a Mach 5 dual-mode ramjet demonstrator under the Pentagon’s HyCAT hypersonic test program.
110
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Hegseth has purged at least 10 percent of the military’s top brass and shows no signs of slowing. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/u...
nytimes.com
Hegseth Targets 7 More Officers as His Frustrated Army Secretary Quits (Gift Article)
The defense secretary’s cuts, which have hit about 10 percent of the military’s top officers, are dividing the Pentagon, officials said.
34214139
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Defense News @defensenews.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
bit.ly/4yejSDc
bit.ly
US Navy unveils new specs for carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft
The U.S. Navy has submitted a Request for Information that reveals new specifications for its future carrier-based Combat Collaborative Aircraft.
022
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Adios you weird little bird
000
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Yet more secrecy. 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant.'
010
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This is the best use of AI I've ever seen
020
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Geoff Brumfiel @gbrumfiel.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
USCIS proposes a weirdly specific $103,265 fee for every H-1B visa application. The feel would be due at time of filing and (presumably, like other fees from DHS) would be non-refundable if the application were rejected. One wonders how many companies would actually pay this for an H-1B worker.
2124
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Very VERY expensive way to down aircraft. On first glance, a very impressive capability but so resource-intensive that I am kind of struggling to see a viable use-case unless they manage to target Air Force One or something.
010
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
ProPublica @propublica.org · 23/08/2026
Many Pentagon projects face delays, budget increases and performance issues. The causes of these problems are often opaque to the taxpayers who foot the bill. Help point us to the most important stories. You can reach us any time on Signal at 917-512-0201.
propublica.org
Do You Know About U.S. Military Spending? Help ProPublica Understand Where the Money Goes.
Many Pentagon projects face delays, budget increases and performance issues. The causes of these problems are often opaque to the taxpayers who foot the bill. Help point us to the most important stori...
11309128
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I just want to add to the chorus noting that this was an insane list of demands.
000
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
This is the third air-to-air missile the Navy tested in secrecy, depending whether you count AIM-174B (which spotters noticed years ago) and AIM-260 (which I do given how little has publicly emerged on its testing). Kudos to AvWeek's Brian Everstine and Steve Trimble for attending Tailhook.
021
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Scott Nover @scottnover.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Scoop with @liamjscott.bsky.social: The Pentagon fired Stars and Stripes's publisher, editor-in-chief, and a reporter today following criticism of DOD interference. The EIC and reporter were fired for "insubordination" for doing a CBS interview. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes leaders who criticized DOD’s interference
The Defense Department earlier this year railed against the publication, which has long enjoyed editorial independence, as “woke.”
28776284
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
If the US buys a seaplane then Japan's Shinmaywa US-2 is a natural choice over designing its own. But I doubt either USN or USAF want to operate another small, specialized fleet of anything, which is why the C-130-on-floats kind of made sense in the right light.
011
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Steep drop in China's CO2 emissions in July: -power generation from coal&gas -3.5% -coal mine output -10% in July, -3% year-to-date -cement output -12% in July, -9% YTD -crude steel output -4%, -3% -oil refining -16%, -7%
57024
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Mysterious US-flagged English-speakers are hurting and killing random Ecuadorian fishermen www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/w...
nytimes.com
Ecuadorean Fishing Boats Hit by Mystery Attackers
Ecuadorean crews plying the waters of the Pacific have been targeted by a mysterious outfit equipped with drones. Some sailors appear to have lost their lives.
000
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Is this the first time USAF has put a number to the B-21 production rate? Only two flying as far as I know...
100
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Jeremiah Cushman @jdcushman45.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
aviationweek.com
First F-47 Base Selected, But Location Remains Secret | Aviation Week
Contract records show that the U.S. Air Force has selected the first base to operate the Boeing F-47 fighter, but the location remains secret.
112
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
India also has something like a $5T economy while China's is around $20T
100
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The Trump admin shoots the messenger, yet again
010
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, who has publicly raised concerns regarding US military vulnerabilities and critical munition shortages, is being punished by the Pentagon.
56786321
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Point-to-point transportation by rocket has long been discussed -- including by the military, with its Rocket Cargo program. Technically feasible? Sure, it could be done eventually. A good idea? Good lord no.
010
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 07/08/2026
A year in, the National Guard has done nothing to actually improve safety in DC other than walk around the touristy and federal precincts of the city. It's a $1.4 billion (and counting) waste of taxpayer dollars and the everyone should be pissed off about it.
theguardian.com
A year into a national guard deployment, DC residents say they live in ‘a city under siege’
Since Trump deployed troops last August, Washingtonians have banded together to resist and support one another
192
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Steve Saideman @smsaideman.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
As I did last year, when I teach US Foreign Policy this fall, I will tell the students that we can't use most of the older work on USFP focused on processes/institutions. In a personalist dictatorship, that stuff doesn't matter.
1103
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Brian Weeden @brianweeden.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Interesting new work on how China is restructing its space sector tyowards a whole-of-nation system jamestown.org/space-sector...
jamestown.org
Space Sector is Test Bed for New Whole-of-Nation System - Jamestown
Executive Summary: On April 9, when providing an update on the arrival of its next lunar exploration probe to the Wenchang Launch Center, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) China Manned Space…
011
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Brian Weeden @brianweeden.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Job alert! I'm looking for an expert in commercial space regulation and licensing to join The Aerospace Corporation Center for Space Policy & Strategy team in Crystal City, VA. aero.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Extern...
aero.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
Space Policy Analyst
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded researc...
11111
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The US sells Australia a variety of advanced weapons. We share high-profile military programs with them. They're an ally we'd do well to keep a tight relationship with. But I suspect the only reason Trump hasn't alienated the Aussies over some nonsense yet is because he never thinks about them.
000
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Not that Colombia needs many transports, but they have a larger fleet of old C-130s that this order does not replace. Wonder why just two?
001
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Defense News @defensenews.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
bit.ly/4w78yY1
bit.ly
US Air Force jet engine manufacturing plagued by ‘significant challenges’
Jet engine manufacturing is plagued by production delays, quality control issues and material shortages, the U.S. Air Force said.
001
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Josh Sternberg @joshsternberg.com · 03/08/2026
There are 7 PR people for every journalist in the US. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
chart showing 280k pr specialists to 40k 'news analysts, reporters, and journalists'
171823584
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
☀️ Jon Schwarz ☀️ @schwarz.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Last year the NYT reported on how SEAL Team Six stormed into North Korea, accidentally murdered a bunch of fishermen, punctured their lungs so their bodies would sink & then stormed out. Trump is now trying to force one reporter to reveal his sources: www.nytimes.com/2026/08/01/u...
nytimes.com
Justice Dept. Subpoenas Times Freelancer in Effort to Identify Sources (Gift Article)
A previously undisclosed subpoena, involving reporting on a failed SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea, reflects the government’s expanding campaign to investigate leaks of secrets.
2176100
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 01/08/2026
Exclusive: The top U.S. general in Europe privately warned the Pentagon that he lacks sufficient naval forces to continue protecting Israel from incoming ballistic missiles, illustrating how the ongoing Iran war has imposed constraints on the military.
washingtonpost.com
U.S. general warns Pentagon he lacks sufficient forces to protect Israel
A shortage of Navy destroyers, used to defend against Iranian ballistic missile attacks, will force the head of U.S. European Command to prioritize the U.S. homeland instead, officials said.
3114357
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
And so ends yet another week with no routine news briefing at the Pentagon. Despite an active conflict with Iran, there have been zero briefings since May 5.
513748
Zach Rosenberg @zachinflight.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The C-2 has carried everything from people to nuclear weapons to a (small but functional) car. The logistics world always has some fun stories; I even got to write about it once. www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-ma...
smithsonianmag.com
Delivery Service on an Aircraft Carrier
Farewell to the Grumman C-2 Greyhound, which has been running supplies at sea for more than 50 years.
000
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Brian Weeden @brianweeden.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Bleeding edge chip lithography is a great example of the importance of organizations in innovation and why not all knowledge can be easily copied warontherocks.com/cogs-of-war/...
warontherocks.com
ASML's Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography and the Limits of Reverse Engineering in China
In June, the U.S. Department of Commerce informed the Dutch company ASML that it suspects one of its extreme ultraviolet lithography machines has reached
021
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Alex Horton @alexhorton.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
What do you get when you merge the failures of the war on terror and the failures of the war on drugs? A boat strike campaign where the U.S. concedes privately what it won't tell you publicly: it's not accomplishing its goals. In fact, it's sharpening cartel strategies. wapo.st/4yHb0qF
wapo.st
Deadly U.S. boat strikes have failed to curb cocaine supply, Pentagon and DEA officials say
The president says Operation Southern Spear has virtually ended drug trafficking by sea. Pentagon and DEA analysts have concluded otherwise.
0198
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Mark Stout, Ph.D from Miskatonic University @markstout.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
This would be disastrous.
35219
Reposted by Zach Rosenberg
Breaking Defense @breakingdefense.com · 27/07/2026
UK selects Tekever AR5 surveillance drones to succeed Watchkeeper breakingdefense.com/2026/07/uk-sele…
breakingdefense.com
UK selects Tekever AR5 surveillance drones to succeed Watchkeeper
The acquisition is slated to see up to 24 aircraft delivered to the British Army by 2029.
021