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Bloomberg • Tony Capaccio

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions

The Pentagon's weapons testing office reports F‑35 software upgrade efforts “stagnated” last year, with no new combat capability delivered even as F‑35s continued to fly missions over Iran. The finding highlights a disconnect between operational employment and software delivery timelines.

2026-03-22T07:12:35.010222-07:00

Air Data News

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion

2026-03-22T03:20:34.661805-07:00

Reuters

US F-16V/Block 70 deliveries to Taiwan to begin this year after acceptance flight

2026-03-21T18:39:16.128149-07:00

FlightGlobal

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions The Pentagon's weapons testing office reports F‑35 software upgrade efforts “stagnated” last year, with no new combat capability delivered even as F‑35s continued to fly missions over Iran. The finding highlights a disconnect between operational employment and software delivery timelines.

2026-03-22T07:12:35.010222-07:00

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions

Air Data News

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion Peru’s government said it has not yet selected a new fighter jet, reversing comments made by President José that had suggested a decision. The clarification walks back earlier public statements and leaves the procurement process for replacing legacy fighters unresolved.

2026-03-22T03:20:34.661805-07:00

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion

Reuters

US F-16V/Block 70 deliveries to Taiwan to begin this year after acceptance flight Taiwan announced deliveries of delayed Lockheed Martin F-16V/Block 70 fighters will begin this year after senior defence officials visited the South Carolina production line and observed a Taiwan‑designated jet complete its acceptance flight. The $8 billion 2019 sale was delayed by software issues; production is now at full capacity.

2026-03-21T18:39:16.128149-07:00

US F-16V/Block 70 deliveries to Taiwan to begin this year after acceptance flight

Reuters

US deploys MQ-9 drones and 200 troops to Nigeria for ISR and training support The U.S. military has deployed multiple MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft to Nigeria alongside roughly 200 troops to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and training to Nigerian forces combating Islamist militants across the country's north, U.S. and Nigerian officials told Reuters.

2026-03-21T07:09:52.720874-07:00

US deploys MQ-9 drones and 200 troops to Nigeria for ISR and training support

FlightGlobal

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U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins DARPA has transferred its ALIAS-developed autonomous flight system, powered by Sikorsky’s MATRIX suite, to the U.S. Army with delivery of the first H-60Mx optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk. The modified helicopter — able to operate crewed, reduced-crew or fully autonomously — now enters advanced operational evaluation under ALIAS.

2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

Air Data News

Peru picks F-16V Block 70 in $3.42B deal for 12 fighters to replace MiG‑29 and Mirage 2000 Peru has selected Lockheed Martin's F-16V Block 70 as its new front-line fighter, agreeing to buy 12 aircraft in a $3.42 billion contract, President José Balcázar confirmed March 20. The jets will replace aging MiG‑29s and Mirage 2000s and conclude a multi‑year international competition.

2026-03-20T14:40:17.659864-07:00

Peru picks F-16V Block 70 in $3.42B deal for 12 fighters to replace MiG‑29 and Mirage 2000

Vertical Mag

ACE Aeronautics establishes itself as global UH-60/S‑70 Black Hawk MRO authority ACE Aeronautics says it has delivered on commitments to customers and is building global trust as an authority on legacy Sikorsky UH‑60 Black Hawk and S‑70 support. Its consistent execution on sustainment and aftermarket work positions the company as a reliable provider of life‑extension and MRO services.

2026-03-20T11:38:18.920814-07:00

ACE Aeronautics establishes itself as global UH-60/S‑70 Black Hawk MRO authority

AeroTime

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns French Rafale fighters reportedly intercepted roughly 60 Iranian Shahed loitering drones over the United Arab Emirates, relying heavily on MICA air‑to‑air missiles. The engagement exposed the high per‑kill cost of using MICA against cheap expendable drones and raised questions about missile stocks and resupply.

2026-03-20T06:59:42.625199-07:00

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion

US F-16V/Block 70 deliveries to Taiwan to begin this year after acceptance flight

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

News Timeline