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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Bayraktar TB3 conducts live naval strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026

Turkey's Bayraktar TB3 UCAV completed its first overseas operational demonstration during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026, autonomously launching from the short flight deck of TCG Anadolu in the Baltic Sea and executing live naval strikes. The TB3 fired paired MAM‑L salvos, achieving direct hits on surface targets during the exercise.

2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00

AeroTime

UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group and F‑35s to North Atlantic and High North to deter Russia

2026-02-16T02:10:59.343943-08:00

Reuters

U.S. F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down Iranian drone in Arabian Sea

2026-02-03T09:37:19.594125-08:00

DefenseNews.com

US Navy, DIU seek runway‑independent long‑range strike drones for austere sites and any surface warship

2026-02-11T12:49:42.170668-08:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Bayraktar TB3 conducts live naval strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026 Turkey's Bayraktar TB3 UCAV completed its first overseas operational demonstration during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026, autonomously launching from the short flight deck of TCG Anadolu in the Baltic Sea and executing live naval strikes. The TB3 fired paired MAM‑L salvos, achieving direct hits on surface targets during the exercise.

2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00

Bayraktar TB3 conducts live naval strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026

AeroTime

UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group and F‑35s to North Atlantic and High North to deter Russia Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will deploy its Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, to the North Atlantic and High North this year, including embarked F‑35s, as a “powerful show of force” to deter rising Russian aggression in the Arctic.

2026-02-16T02:10:59.343943-08:00

UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group and F‑35s to North Atlantic and High North to deter Russia

Breaking Defense

US Navy to deploy a medium unmanned surface vessel with USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group Vice Adm. Brendan McLane said a medium unmanned surface vessel will deploy alongside the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group during a deployment later this year, testing a tailored force‑pairing concept to integrate surface unmanned platforms into carrier operations.

2026-02-12T14:35:57.259099-08:00

US Navy to deploy a medium unmanned surface vessel with USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group

CNN

Indonesia tests F-16 and Super Tucano landings on toll roads to create emergency runways Indonesia’s air force has trialled F-16 and A-29 Super Tucano landings on a public toll road, testing conversion of highways into emergency runways to enable dispersed operations across the archipelago. The demonstrations aim to provide mobile, carrier-like basing options for combat aircraft.

2026-02-11T21:24:10.989219-08:00

Indonesia tests F-16 and Super Tucano landings on toll roads to create emergency runways

DefenseNews.com

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US Navy, DIU seek runway‑independent long‑range strike drones for austere sites and any surface warship The U.S. Navy, working with the Defense Innovation Unit, has solicited runway‑independent, long‑range armed UAS that can launch from austere shore sites or any surface warship — not just aircraft carriers. The effort prioritizes strike‑capable, shipboard‑compatible systems to support distributed maritime operations and increase at‑sea lethality.

2026-02-11T12:49:42.170668-08:00

US Navy, DIU seek runway‑independent long‑range strike drones for austere sites and any surface warship

Reuters

Trump weighs deploying second aircraft carrier to waters off Iran amid fragile talks President Trump said he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to waters off Iran to raise pressure amid resumed nuclear talks, warning the U.S. may have to do “something very tough” if a deal collapses. Officials identified USS George Washington and USS George H.W. Bush as likely candidates.

2026-02-10T12:23:53.420363-08:00

Trump weighs deploying second aircraft carrier to waters off Iran amid fragile talks

Associated Press

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U.S. Navy CNO pushes shift to smaller, faster assets instead of aircraft carriers Adm. Daryl Caudle, the U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer, is urging commanders to favor smaller, newer ships and other assets rather than defaulting to large aircraft carriers for crisis response. He is pressing a service-wide move toward leaner, more agile force packages for regional contingencies.

2026-02-09T15:52:53.236325-08:00

U.S. Navy CNO pushes shift to smaller, faster assets instead of aircraft carriers

USNI News

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) completes builder's sea trials, returns to Newport News Newport News Shipbuilding completed builder's sea trials for John F. Kennedy (CVN‑79), the second Gerald R. Ford–class nuclear aircraft carrier. The future USS John F. Kennedy spent eight days at sea conducting systems, equipment and operational testing with NNS shipbuilders and the ship's crew before returning to the yard.

2026-02-04T12:36:02.326088-08:00

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) completes builder's sea trials, returns to Newport News

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Aircraft Carrier News

Bayraktar TB3 conducts live naval strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026

UK to deploy Carrier Strike Group and F‑35s to North Atlantic and High North to deter Russia

U.S. F-35C from USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down Iranian drone in Arabian Sea

US Navy, DIU seek runway‑independent long‑range strike drones for austere sites and any surface warship

News Timeline