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politico.eu • Milena Wälde

Austria blocks U.S. military flights over its airspace, cites constitutional neutrality amid Iran conflict

Austria has denied U.S. requests to use its airspace for military operations related to the Iran conflict, invoking its constitutional neutrality law. Vice‑chancellor Andi Babler said the country "wants nothing to do with Trump's policy of chaos and his war."

2026-04-02T09:20:05.519721-07:00

AeroTime

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites

2026-04-02T13:25:58.058091-07:00

AeroTime

USAF uses EA-37B Compass Call in operations against Iran before formal IOC

2026-04-02T11:22:02.543836-07:00

Aviation Today

Army scales SkyFoundry, brings in commercial partners to hit one‑million drones by 2028

2026-04-02T09:38:58.208150-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceWatch Global

Culture, Not Cash, Is Europe’s Biggest Obstacle to Rearmament Defense budgets are expanding at a pace not seen in decades, but pouring money into armed forces won't deliver capability unless procurement culture changes. National silos, risk-averse acquisition practices, and duplicated projects blunt the impact of extra funding and slow urgent rearmament.

2026-04-03T03:00:03.394639-07:00

Culture, Not Cash, Is Europe’s Biggest Obstacle to Rearmament

AeroTime

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites The Pentagon is considering broader deployment of laser‑based counter‑drone systems at select U.S. locations after a series of drone incursions near military bases and other sensitive sites. The deliberation signals an effort to accelerate fielding of directed‑energy tools to detect and defeat small UAS on domestic soil.

2026-04-02T13:25:58.058091-07:00

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites

AeroTime

USAF uses EA-37B Compass Call in operations against Iran before formal IOC The U.S. Air Force has deployed the EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jet in operations against Iran in the Middle East, marking the platform's first known combat employment. The sorties took place before the aircraft was formally declared operational, demonstrating early operational use of the new EW asset.

2026-04-02T11:22:02.543836-07:00

USAF uses EA-37B Compass Call in operations against Iran before formal IOC

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon awards Raytheon $45M for GPS ground system amid program review The Pentagon has awarded Raytheon a $45 million contract to develop and support a GPS ground system while the program's future is under reassessment. The funding covers near-term work as Defense officials review the program's scope and long-term role in U.S. PNT infrastructure.

2026-04-02T10:27:23.724267-07:00

Pentagon awards Raytheon $45M for GPS ground system amid program review

Aviation Today

Army scales SkyFoundry, brings in commercial partners to hit one‑million drones by 2028 The U.S. Army's SkyFoundry drone initiative has "evolved" to bring in commercial partners and scale U.S. production toward a goal of one million low‑cost systems by 2028. The shift signals a move from experimental buys to monthly mass manufacture and expanded counter‑drone capability.

2026-04-02T09:38:58.208150-07:00

Army scales SkyFoundry, brings in commercial partners to hit one‑million drones by 2028

politico.eu

Austria blocks U.S. military flights over its airspace, cites constitutional neutrality amid Iran conflict Austria has denied U.S. requests to use its airspace for military operations related to the Iran conflict, invoking its constitutional neutrality law. Vice‑chancellor Andi Babler said the country "wants nothing to do with Trump's policy of chaos and his war."

2026-04-02T09:20:05.519721-07:00

Austria blocks U.S. military flights over its airspace, cites constitutional neutrality amid Iran conflict

FlightGlobal

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin a 12-month joint study into a successor to MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The study will assess future threat environments and define requirements for a next-generation BVR weapon for Typhoon and Rafale fleets.

2026-04-02T03:21:24.464331-07:00

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor

Reuters

Sweden awards SEK 8.7bn GUTE II C‑UAS programme to Saab‑led team including BAE, Nammo and SISU Sweden has launched an SEK 8.7 billion GUTE II counter‑unmanned aircraft system programme, awarding contracts to Saab, BAE Systems Bofors, Nammo and SISU. Saab was named lead systems integrator with an ~SEK 2.6bn order for a mobile, modular C‑UAS (deliveries 2027–28); BAE won roughly $180m for the Tridon Mk2.

2026-04-02T01:01:25.894511-07:00

Sweden awards SEK 8.7bn GUTE II C‑UAS programme to Saab‑led team including BAE, Nammo and SISU

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Defense Policy News

Austria blocks U.S. military flights over its airspace, cites constitutional neutrality amid Iran conflict

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites

USAF uses EA-37B Compass Call in operations against Iran before formal IOC

Army scales SkyFoundry, brings in commercial partners to hit one‑million drones by 2028

News Timeline