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The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly evades suspected Iranian MANPADS near coast

Video circulating in late March 2026 appears to show a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly avoiding a missile strike while operating near the Iranian coast; the Pentagon denies the jet was downed. The incident highlights the persistent MANPADS threat to low‑altitude strike and patrol missions in the region.

2026-03-26T10:58:12.993117-07:00

AeroTime

Pentagon seeks ~$1.5B to buy interceptors, may divert Ukraine-bound missiles to Middle East

2026-03-26T07:31:30.062613-07:00

Reuters

Pentagon signs framework deals with BAE, Lockheed and Honeywell to quadruple THAAD seeker and munitions production

2026-03-25T05:10:27.272370-07:00

The War Zone

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

2026-03-23T14:29:59.109615-07:00

News Timeline

The War Zone

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly evades suspected Iranian MANPADS near coast Video circulating in late March 2026 appears to show a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly avoiding a missile strike while operating near the Iranian coast; the Pentagon denies the jet was downed. The incident highlights the persistent MANPADS threat to low‑altitude strike and patrol missions in the region.

2026-03-26T10:58:12.993117-07:00

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly evades suspected Iranian MANPADS near coast

AeroTime

Pentagon seeks ~$1.5B to buy interceptors, may divert Ukraine-bound missiles to Middle East The Pentagon is seeking roughly $1.5 billion in reprogramming to buy critical missile interceptors from Lockheed and RTX as combat operations related to Iran deplete US stocks. Officials are weighing diverting interceptors earmarked for NATO’s PURL air‑defence program for Ukraine to meet Middle East demands.

2026-03-26T07:31:30.062613-07:00

Pentagon seeks ~$1.5B to buy interceptors, may divert Ukraine-bound missiles to Middle East

Reuters

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Pentagon signs framework deals with BAE, Lockheed and Honeywell to quadruple THAAD seeker and munitions production The Defense Department finalized framework agreements on March 25 with BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell to sharply increase production of THAAD infrared seekers — boosting annual output from 96 to 400 units — and to expand related munitions and subsystem manufacture to meet a sustained demand signal.

2026-03-25T05:10:27.272370-07:00

Pentagon signs framework deals with BAE, Lockheed and Honeywell to quadruple THAAD seeker and munitions production

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed unveils Grizzly: a 10‑ft containerized AGM‑114 Hellfire launcher, completes live‑fire and vertical‑launch tests Lockheed Martin unveiled Grizzly, a low‑cost 10‑foot containerized launcher that fires AGM‑114 Hellfire missiles and completed the first integrated live‑fire and vertical‑launch tests. The system offers a discreet, readily deployable method to disperse strike capability from standard shipping containers.

2026-03-24T06:59:12.766687-07:00

Lockheed unveils Grizzly: a 10‑ft containerized AGM‑114 Hellfire launcher, completes live‑fire and vertical‑launch tests

SpaceNews.com

Fusion engine for missile warning stalled by lack of government dataset A fusion engine intended to improve missile warning is being hampered by the absence of a government dataset required for development and validation, restricting developers’ ability to train and test algorithms and slowing progress toward operational deployment and integration with existing warning systems.

2026-03-24T03:39:50.833889-07:00

Fusion engine for missile warning stalled by lack of government dataset

The War Zone

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance Lockheed Martin's 'Raptor 2.0' — a deep F-22 overhaul including stealth underwing fuel tanks and new sensor pods — has entered flight testing, offering extended range and improved passive sensing. Simultaneously, USAF trials of the AGM-181 LRSO, seen on B-52s, are advancing the service's nuclear modernization.

2026-03-23T14:29:59.109615-07:00

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

The Hill

USAF successfully tests new supersonic missile as Pentagon pushes faster weapons development The U.S. Air Force has successfully flight-tested a new supersonic missile, a demonstration that coincides with Pentagon efforts to accelerate weapons development and field advanced strike capabilities. The trial underscores growing momentum in rapid prototyping and expedited acquisition pathways for high-speed weapons.

2026-03-21T08:39:20.489708-07:00

USAF successfully tests new supersonic missile as Pentagon pushes faster weapons development

FlightGlobal

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US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE The US State Department approved $16.5 billion in emergency arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, with the UAE receiving the largest share. Packages cover ballistic missile‑defence radars, a $1.86 billion F‑16 weapons package, potential AIM‑120 AMRAAMs, counter‑drone systems and spare parts.

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly evades suspected Iranian MANPADS near coast

Pentagon seeks ~$1.5B to buy interceptors, may divert Ukraine-bound missiles to Middle East

Pentagon signs framework deals with BAE, Lockheed and Honeywell to quadruple THAAD seeker and munitions production

USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

News Timeline