News

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Operation Epic Fury: U.S. employs B-1s, fighters, missiles and one‑way drones as satellite tracking draws scrutiny

U.S. Central Command says Operation Epic Fury assembled the largest concentration of American firepower 'in a generation,' using fighters, B-1 bombers, ships, missiles and—reportedly for the first time—one‑way drones to hit Iranian ballistic‑missile sites. Satellite imagery firms tracking U.S. movements drew scrutiny after some tracked locations were subsequently struck.

2026-03-02T12:36:11.222805-08:00

SpaceNews.com

CAS Space targets late‑March maiden flight of reusable Kinetica‑2 to carry prototype cargo spacecraft

2026-03-01T01:02:21.464053-08:00

Euronews

China to order up to 120 Airbus aircraft, German chancellor Friedrich Merz says

2026-02-25T07:06:23.116115-08:00

The War Zone

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation

2026-02-26T11:35:54.265124-08:00

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

October 3, 2024 - China's aviation industry in September 2024 expanded international routes, advanced the COMAC C919, and navigated competitive pressures. Read More.

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

❗️

Operation Epic Fury: U.S. employs B-1s, fighters, missiles and one‑way drones as satellite tracking draws scrutiny U.S. Central Command says Operation Epic Fury assembled the largest concentration of American firepower 'in a generation,' using fighters, B-1 bombers, ships, missiles and—reportedly for the first time—one‑way drones to hit Iranian ballistic‑missile sites. Satellite imagery firms tracking U.S. movements drew scrutiny after some tracked locations were subsequently struck.

2026-03-02T12:36:11.222805-08:00

Operation Epic Fury: U.S. employs B-1s, fighters, missiles and one‑way drones as satellite tracking draws scrutiny

SpaceNews.com

CAS Space targets late‑March maiden flight of reusable Kinetica‑2 to carry prototype cargo spacecraft CAS Space is preparing the inaugural late‑March flight of its reusable Kinetica‑2 liquid rocket, carrying a prototype cargo spacecraft. The mission will serve as the first flight test of the Kinetica‑2 system and an early in‑flight validation of a Chinese cargo‑vehicle concept.

2026-03-01T01:02:21.464053-08:00

CAS Space targets late‑March maiden flight of reusable Kinetica‑2 to carry prototype cargo spacecraft

SpaceNews.com

China schedules first one‑year Taikonaut mission to Tiangong; international visits and 2026 crew/cargo manifest announced China will launch its first one‑year human spaceflight to the Tiangong space station this year, and host short‑duration international visitors including a Pakistani astronaut and an expected Hong Kong/Macao taikonaut. The China Manned Space Agency also announced two crewed missions and one cargo flight planned for 2026.

2026-02-27T02:16:53.153226-08:00

China schedules first one‑year Taikonaut mission to Tiangong; international visits and 2026 crew/cargo manifest announced

The War Zone

❗️

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation The head of Space Force Combat Forces warned the U.S. “can’t run away from a bully forever,” signaling a more offensive posture in response to China’s rapidly expanding spy-satellite fleet. The remark underscores a shift toward contesting adversary capabilities in orbit and preparing for more assertive space operations and doctrine.

2026-02-26T11:35:54.265124-08:00

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation

SpaceNews.com

China confirms Tianwen-2 healthy en route to near‑Earth asteroid ahead of sample‑return mission China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft is operating normally as it closes on a near‑Earth asteroid ahead of planned sample collection and return later this year, per a rare official update; the announcement highlights Beijing's advancing robotic deep‑space and mission operations.

2026-02-26T03:34:10.750805-08:00

China confirms Tianwen-2 healthy en route to near‑Earth asteroid ahead of sample‑return mission

Bloomberg

Chinese commercial satellite imagery reveals U.S. military buildup near Iran, undermining claims of an 'easy' U.S. victory A Chinese commercial space company has released high‑resolution satellite imagery showing detailed U.S. force deployments across the Middle East near Iran. The images highlight complex targets, rugged terrain and dispersed assets, challenging narratives of a quick U.S. victory and raising intelligence and operational transparency questions.

2026-02-26T00:07:20.423548-08:00

Chinese commercial satellite imagery reveals U.S. military buildup near Iran, undermining claims of an 'easy' U.S. victory

Bloomberg

Pentagon to spend $12.6B to boost surveillance of China’s submarines and satellites The Pentagon plans to spend an additional $12.6 billion to boost surveillance of China’s military maneuvers, focusing on tracking submarines, maritime activity and satellites. The funding, outlined in a budget document sent to Congress, is framed as a response to an 'unprecedented Chinese military buildup' in Asia.

2026-02-25T09:13:32.750103-08:00

Pentagon to spend $12.6B to boost surveillance of China’s submarines and satellites

Euronews

❗️

China to order up to 120 Airbus aircraft, German chancellor Friedrich Merz says During his inaugural visit to Beijing, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said China plans to order up to 120 additional aircraft from Airbus following talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The announcement underscores a potential material boost for the European planemaker and closer economic ties.

2026-02-25T07:06:23.116115-08:00

China to order up to 120 Airbus aircraft, German chancellor Friedrich Merz says

Menu

China News

Operation Epic Fury: U.S. employs B-1s, fighters, missiles and one‑way drones as satellite tracking draws scrutiny

CAS Space targets late‑March maiden flight of reusable Kinetica‑2 to carry prototype cargo spacecraft

China to order up to 120 Airbus aircraft, German chancellor Friedrich Merz says

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

News Timeline