Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Colombian Air Force C-130H crashes after takeoff near Puerto Leguízamo with ~125 aboard; at least 34 killed

A Colombian Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130H crashed shortly after takeoff from a remote airstrip near Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province on March 23 while carrying roughly 125 people. Authorities say at least 34 were killed and dozens injured as rescuers searched the jungle crash site.

Also: Wall Street Journal, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Aviacionline, Simple Flying, Aviation24, Bloomberg, Air Data News, MercoPress, the-independent.com, Euronews, watchers.news and 22 more
2026-03-23T09:55:11.663910-07:00
AI   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Anduril starts assembly of YFQ‑44A autonomous fighter at Arsenal‑1 factory in Columbus

By FlightGlobal: US defence start-up Anduril Industries has begun assembling its YFQ-44A autonomous fighter aircraft at the company's newly opened Arsenal-1 facility in Columbus, Ohio.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and Aviation Week
2026-03-23T15:58:39.239565-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Lockheed begins final assembly of Germany’s first F-35A

By FlightGlobal: US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin has commenced final assembly on the first F-35A Lightning II destined for the German air force, marking a significant milestone in Berlin's acquisition of 35 conventional take-off and landing variants of the fifth-generation stealth fighter.

2026-03-23T15:35:06.001405-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Boeing  
The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Mojave Flight Tests Reveal F-22 Stealth Underwing Tanks, Sensor Pods and B-52 AGM-181 Trials

By The War Zone: We've gotten our best look at yet at new stealthy underwing tanks and sensor pods for the F-22, and the USAF's new AGM-181 nuclear cruise missile.

Also: realcleardefense.com, Army Recognition, worldwarwings.com and worldwarwings.com
2026-03-23T14:29:59.109615-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Defense Budgets & Spending   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The Hill • Ellen Mitchell

Iran conflict strains U.S. military readiness: casualties, munitions shortages and aircraft losses

By The Hill: The U.S. war in Iran is taking a mounting toll on America’s military, with rising casualties, dwindling munitions stockpiles, a sidelined aircraft carrier and numerous downed aircraft just th….

2026-03-23T15:01:04.791919-07:00
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
New York Times • Eric Schmitt, Greg Jaffe

Pentagon Considers Rapid Deployment of 3,000-Strong Airborne Brigade Within 18 Hours for Potential Iran Conflict

By New York Times: The combat forces would come from a brigade of about 3,000 soldiers capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

Also: News.CN, armedforces.press, The Independent, the-independent.com and Seeking Alpha
2026-03-23T11:45:34.519703-07:00
Dassault Aviation   Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   BAE Systems  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Spain may keep F/A-18 Hornets flying until 2040 amid sustainment costs and procurement delays

By AeroTime: Spain says some F-18 Hornets may remain in service until 2040, pointing at rising sustainment costs and a widening fighter replacement gap.

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