defense   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AirForceTimes • J D Simkins

USAF KC-135 Stratotanker crashes in western Iraq during refuelling for Operation Epic Fury

A USAF KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12 during a mid-air refuelling operation supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran. A second Stratotanker was damaged but landed safely; officials say the crash is not believed to be the result of enemy action.

Also: Aviation Week, Aviation24, Simple Flying, Air & Space Forces Mag, marinecorpstimes.com, Army Times, Task & Purpose, news.ssbcrack.com, Business Insider, newsable.asianetnews.com, ANI News Agency, Sky News and 6 more
2026-03-12T15:00:49.321045-07:00
space   China   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions  
SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission moves into spacecraft construction phase

By SpaceNews.com: China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission moves into spacecraft construction phase China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission is entering flight hardware development, targeting a late 2028 launch to seek out biosignatures on the Red Planet.

2026-03-12T16:09:07.996102-07:00
defense   UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Zita Fletcher

US Navy Selects Anduril to Develop XL Autonomous Underwater Vessel for CAMP Program

By DefenseNews.com: Anduril was chosen for the CAMP program after wrapping the longest-ever XL-AUV demonstration.

Also: defence-industry.eu, Navy Times, Military Times, insidedefense.com, c4isrnet.com, Defense Daily and 3 more
2026-03-12T14:38:12.639326-07:00
aviation   eVTOL   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Airlines   Beta Technologies  
Business Wire

Surf Air Mobility and BETA Technologies partner to launch first commercial electric passenger aircraft service and sign purchase agreement

By Business Wire: Surf Air Mobility Inc. (NYSE: SRFM) (“Surf Air Mobility”), a leading air mobility platform, and BETA Technologies (NYSE: BETA) (“BETA”), an electric aerospac...

2026-03-12T04:21:45.340039-07:00
aviation   Routes   Airports   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Policy & Regulation   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Airbus A350   Airlines   Delta Air Lines  
View from the Wing • Gary Leff

Delta seeks daily LAX–Manila A350 service, asks DOT to delay Philippine Airlines’ Chicago flight over Manila slot access

By View from the Wing: Delta has finally disclosed its plan to return to Manila, telling the Department of Transportation that it wants to launch daily Los Angeles service next summer with an Airbus A350-900.

Also: Live and Let's Fly, Aviation A2Z, Simple Flying, One Mile at a Time, enginecowl.com and 3 more
2026-03-11T15:53:32.011014-07:00