AI   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Anduril begins assembly of YFQ‑44A autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft at Arsenal‑1 in Columbus

Anduril Industries has begun assembly of its YFQ‑44A autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft at the new Arsenal‑1 manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio. The move marks the company’s first fighter‑class airframe production run as it shifts from prototype demonstrations toward scalable operational unmanned combat platforms.

Also: 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   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Colombian military C-130 involved in accident with ~110 soldiers on board, media report

By Reuters: At least 34 people were killed when a Colombian Air Force plane carrying 125 people crashed just after takeoff deep in the country's southern Amazon region on Monday, authorities said.

Also: Wall Street Journal, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Aviacionline, Simple Flying, Aviation24, Bloomberg, Air Data News, the-independent.com, Euronews, watchers.news, CTV News and 19 more
2026-03-23T09:55:11.663910-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   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: 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: The Independent, the-independent.com and Seeking Alpha
2026-03-23T11:45:34.519703-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Suspected cross‑border drone explodes near Lithuania–Belarus border, exposing radar detection gaps

By AeroTime: Lithuania is investigating a suspected cross-border drone that exploded near the Belarus border, with debris found and radar detection gaps exposed.

2026-03-23T12:00:41.700492-07:00