Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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.

Also: Aviation A2Z
2026-03-22T07:12:35.010222-07:00
Europe   Airports   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
New York Times • Christopher F Schuetze, Jeffrey Gettleman, Maya Tekeli

Denmark Was Ready to Blow Up Airfields to Stop a U.S. Invasion of Greenland

By New York Times: The Danes brought blood supplies, explosives and live ammunition to Greenland as part of contingency plans in case President Trump acted on his threats to seize the island.

Also: marinecorpstimes.com, Times of India, Military Times, The Independent, san.com, Sky News, Independent.ie, Jerusalem Post and Navy Times
2026-03-20T16:05:49.890470-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Helicopter   Sikorsky   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Sikorsky delivers first H-60Mx Black Hawk with optionally‑manned/autonomous capability to U.S. Army

By FlightGlobal: Sikorsky has delivered the first H-60Mx helicopter, a modified UH-60M Black Hawk that can operate with full crew, reduced crew or completely autonomously.

Also: DVIDS / U.S. DoD, Defense Scoop, Stars and Stripes, Task & Purpose, news.defcros.com, uasvision.com, Army Recognition, defensemirror.com, defensetalks.com, Defense Daily, war.gov and 3 more
2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00
Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Wall Street Journal • Lara Seligman, Shelby Holliday

Iranian Strike Damages Five U.S. Air Force Tankers at Prince Sultan Air Base, Officials Say

By Wall Street Journal: Five U.S. Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, according to two U.S. officials. The tankers were hit during an Iranian missile strike on the Saudi base in recent days, the officials said.

2026-03-20T17:12:32.673308-07:00
SAAB   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Saab 340 AEW Aircraft Spotted Operating Over Ukraine

By The War Zone: After keeping a very low profile, a video has emerged apparently showing a Saab 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft over Ukraine. After keeping a very low profile, a video has emerged apparently showing a Saab 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft over Ukraine.

Also: The Aviationist and news.defcros.com
2026-03-20T16:05:35.674051-07:00