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The Hill • Ellen Mitchell

Iran campaign strains U.S. military: mounting casualties, depleted munitions and third carrier deployed

U.S. forces in the Iran campaign are experiencing rising casualties, dwindling munitions stockpiles and multiple downed aircraft, while the Navy sent the USS George H.W. Bush to create a rare three‑carrier presence. Officials say the deployment aims to relieve an exhausted USS Ford and sustain logistics, not escalate.

2026-03-23T15:01:04.791919-07:00

AeroTime

Spain to extend EF-18 Hornet service to 2035–2040 as FCAS delays leave no 5th‑gen alternative

2026-03-23T08:31:12.335474-07:00

SpaceNews.com

York Space rides defense surge but procurement changes cloud near‑term outlook

2026-03-23T07:12:22.751358-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon strikes handshake deal with Lockheed for largest-ever F‑35 procurement

2026-03-19T06:50:19.240545-07:00

News Timeline

The Hill

Iran campaign strains U.S. military: mounting casualties, depleted munitions and third carrier deployed U.S. forces in the Iran campaign are experiencing rising casualties, dwindling munitions stockpiles and multiple downed aircraft, while the Navy sent the USS George H.W. Bush to create a rare three‑carrier presence. Officials say the deployment aims to relieve an exhausted USS Ford and sustain logistics, not escalate.

2026-03-23T15:01:04.791919-07:00

Iran campaign strains U.S. military: mounting casualties, depleted munitions and third carrier deployed

AeroTime

Spain to extend EF-18 Hornet service to 2035–2040 as FCAS delays leave no 5th‑gen alternative Spain will extend the operational life of its EF-18 Hornet fleet to 2035–2040, the government confirmed, after delays to the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and the absence of an available fifth‑generation replacement. The move responds to rising sustainment costs and a widening fighter replacement gap.

2026-03-23T08:31:12.335474-07:00

Spain to extend EF-18 Hornet service to 2035–2040 as FCAS delays leave no 5th‑gen alternative

SpaceNews.com

York Space rides defense surge but procurement changes cloud near‑term outlook York Space is benefiting from rising defence demand that has bolstered its order book and validated its smallsat manufacturing push, but shifts in government procurement and contracting timelines have introduced uncertainty into near‑term revenue and delivery forecasts, clouding the company's short‑term outlook.

2026-03-23T07:12:22.751358-07:00

York Space rides defense surge but procurement changes cloud near‑term outlook

DefenseNews.com

Air Force: F-15 retirement unlikely before late 2020s as threat environment hardens Air Force officials say retirement of the Boeing F-15 fleet is unlikely before the late 2020s, citing the type’s aging airframes and a deteriorating threat environment that sustains demand for its capabilities. The stance will shape transition timing for follow-on fighters and sustainment planning.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.646488-07:00

Air Force: F-15 retirement unlikely before late 2020s as threat environment hardens

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon strikes handshake deal with Lockheed for largest-ever F‑35 procurement The Pentagon reached a handshake agreement with Lockheed Martin for the largest F‑35 procurement to date, marking the biggest single buy in the Joint Strike Fighter program's history. The deal signals continued U.S. investment in expanding and sustaining its fifth‑generation fighter fleet.

2026-03-19T06:50:19.240545-07:00

Pentagon strikes handshake deal with Lockheed for largest-ever F‑35 procurement

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab wins $190M DoD award for 20 HASTE hypersonic test launches Rocket Lab won a $190 million DoD contract for 20 HASTE hypersonic test launches — the largest single launch award in its history. The deal raises Rocket Lab's launch backlog above 70 missions and pushes total backlog across launch and space systems past $2 billion.

2026-03-18T15:12:21.968064-07:00

Rocket Lab wins $190M DoD award for 20 HASTE hypersonic test launches

DefenseNews.com

Biden to nominate Andrew Hunter as Air Force acquisition chief Biden will nominate Andrew Hunter as the Air Force's acquisition chief. Hunter is known in Washington as a low-key professional and a true expert on defense acquisition; the role places him over the service's procurement portfolio and major weapons programs.

2026-03-18T13:05:06.439737-07:00

Biden to nominate Andrew Hunter as Air Force acquisition chief

DefenseNews.com

USAF cuts MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity The U.S. Air Force will reduce MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 in FY2022, reallocating budget to next‑generation fighter development as it scales back forces in the Middle East. The cut lowers available persistent ISR and strike capacity during the transition.

2026-03-18T13:05:06.094289-07:00

USAF cuts MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

Iran campaign strains U.S. military: mounting casualties, depleted munitions and third carrier deployed

Spain to extend EF-18 Hornet service to 2035–2040 as FCAS delays leave no 5th‑gen alternative

York Space rides defense surge but procurement changes cloud near‑term outlook

Pentagon strikes handshake deal with Lockheed for largest-ever F‑35 procurement

News Timeline