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The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Pentagon: EA-18G Growlers Use Mix of New and Legacy Jamming Pods Amid 'Significant' Teething Issues in Strikes on Iran

A Pentagon report says US Navy EA-18G Growlers conducting strikes on Iran are operating with a mix of newly fielded and legacy jamming pods; the new electronic-attack pods continue to suffer "significant" teething problems despite being used in active combat missions.

2026-03-16T14:54:10.685792-07:00

Reuters

AeroVironment to buy Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, AAM and loitering‑munition production

2026-03-16T13:25:02.896733-07:00

Via Satellite

CesiumAstro CEO: Ramping U.S. Manufacturing to Strengthen Commercial Competition and Defense Readiness

2026-03-16T11:01:58.259448-07:00

Space Intel Report

Spain tentatively selects Airbus to build SpainSat NG2 replacement, seeks ITU approval for 2030 launch

2026-03-16T10:19:32.428580-07:00

News Timeline

The War Zone

Pentagon: EA-18G Growlers Use Mix of New and Legacy Jamming Pods Amid 'Significant' Teething Issues in Strikes on Iran A Pentagon report says US Navy EA-18G Growlers conducting strikes on Iran are operating with a mix of newly fielded and legacy jamming pods; the new electronic-attack pods continue to suffer "significant" teething problems despite being used in active combat missions.

2026-03-16T14:54:10.685792-07:00

Pentagon: EA-18G Growlers Use Mix of New and Legacy Jamming Pods Amid 'Significant' Teething Issues in Strikes on Iran

Reuters

AeroVironment to buy Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, AAM and loitering‑munition production AeroVironment has agreed to acquire Empirical Systems Aerospace in a cash‑and‑stock transaction valued at roughly $200 million, adding ESAero’s design and manufacturing capabilities for uncrewed aircraft systems and Advanced Air Mobility platforms. The deal is expected to expand production, deepen the product portfolio and boost EBITDA.

2026-03-16T13:25:02.896733-07:00

AeroVironment to buy Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, AAM and loitering‑munition production

Via Satellite

CesiumAstro CEO: Ramping U.S. Manufacturing to Strengthen Commercial Competition and Defense Readiness CesiumAstro CEO Shey Sabripour frames the company’s U.S. ramp‑up as an explicit investment in American manufacturing, arguing that robust domestic production underpins commercial competition, resilient supply chains and national defense readiness. He presents U.S. fabrication and industrial scale‑up as strategic to space and defense satcom capability.

2026-03-16T11:01:58.259448-07:00

CesiumAstro CEO: Ramping U.S. Manufacturing to Strengthen Commercial Competition and Defense Readiness

Space Intel Report

Spain tentatively selects Airbus to build SpainSat NG2 replacement, seeks ITU approval for 2030 launch The Spanish government and operator Hisdesat have tentatively selected Airbus to build a replacement for SpainSat NG2 and are pursuing ITU frequency coordination to enable a planned 2030 launch, advancing steps to restore national military satellite communications capability.

2026-03-16T10:19:32.428580-07:00

Spain tentatively selects Airbus to build SpainSat NG2 replacement, seeks ITU approval for 2030 launch

Reuters

Greece approves €4–4.6B defence modernisation package including €3B air/drone shield and upgrade of 38 F‑16s A Greek parliamentary committee has approved a roughly €4–4.6 billion defence package that includes a €3 billion multi‑layer air-and-drone defence system (Achilles Shield), upgrades for 38 F‑16 fighters to Viper/Block standards, frigate refits and C‑27 sustainment. Committee approval moves the programmes toward contract awards and full parliamentary ratification.

2026-03-16T09:00:47.534622-07:00

Greece approves €4–4.6B defence modernisation package including €3B air/drone shield and upgrade of 38 F‑16s

AeroTime

Top Aces wins $33M multi-year contract to train Argentine F-16 pilots Buenos Aires has awarded Top Aces a $33 million multi-year contract to provide the full F-16 training pipeline — from basic conversion to advanced qualifications — using Denmark-acquired jets at Argentine Air Force bases, with Top Aces instructors deployed in-country to conduct instruction and support.

2026-03-16T06:54:32.457138-07:00

Top Aces wins $33M multi-year contract to train Argentine F-16 pilots

Business Wire

Redwire and Aerospacelab to build Belgium's first national security satellite, MATTEO Redwire has been awarded a prime contract by Belgian Defence to build MATTEO, Belgium’s first national security satellite, in partnership with Aerospacelab. The demonstrator will assess the Belgian defence industrial base’s ability to design, produce and operate sovereign military space capabilities.

2026-03-16T05:33:21.292646-07:00

Redwire and Aerospacelab to build Belgium's first national security satellite, MATTEO

defence-industry.eu

EDA awards €15.65m VLEO‑DEF contract to design Europe’s first military VLEO satellite concept The European Defence Agency has signed a €15.65 million, 36‑month VLEO‑DEF contract with a Sener‑led consortium to design Europe’s first military satellite concept optimised for Very Low Earth Orbit. The project will assess operational, platform and industrial implications for military missions in VLEO, with notable Luxembourg industry participation.

2026-03-16T05:14:05.472987-07:00

EDA awards €15.65m VLEO‑DEF contract to design Europe’s first military VLEO satellite concept

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Pentagon: EA-18G Growlers Use Mix of New and Legacy Jamming Pods Amid 'Significant' Teething Issues in Strikes on Iran

AeroVironment to buy Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, AAM and loitering‑munition production

CesiumAstro CEO: Ramping U.S. Manufacturing to Strengthen Commercial Competition and Defense Readiness

Spain tentatively selects Airbus to build SpainSat NG2 replacement, seeks ITU approval for 2030 launch

News Timeline