Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

Planet imposes 96‑hour embargo on public Gulf imagery after photos revealed strikes on US bases

Planet Labs has imposed a 96‑hour delay on public access to recent satellite imagery covering several Gulf states after its images were used to show strikes on US bases. The company says the pause is intended to reduce the risk of adversaries conducting battle‑damage assessment using commercial data.

Also: al-monitor.com and spacewar.com
2026-03-06T15:40:00.851912-08:00
Supply Chain   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
CNBC • Dan Mangan

Trump says CEOs of major defense contractors agreed to quadruple production of 'Exquisite Class' weaponry

By CNBC: President Trump said he met with CEOs of BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX Corp., Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace and L3Harris Missile Solutions.

Also: Aviation Week and stocktwits.com
2026-03-06T13:14:13.611070-08:00
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Stars and Stripes • Gary Warner

US Air Force Conducts Minuteman III ICBM Test Flight to Assess Accuracy and Reliability

By Stars and Stripes: The Air Force said the long-range flight allows engineers and weapons systems analysts to collect data on the missile’s accuracy and reliability.

2026-03-05T14:12:11.230714-08:00
Satellite   AI   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Associated Press

Satellite imagery and US-Israeli analysis indicate deadly strike on Iranian school likely a US airstrike

By Associated Press: Satellite images and videos of an Iranian girls school damaged by large explosions at the start of a U.S.

Also: Military.com, Sky News, The Independent and aa.com.tr
2026-03-06T11:20:36.512110-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Pentagon, FAA to conduct testing on high-energy anti-drone laser system in New Mexico

By Reuters: The Pentagon said on Friday it will conduct testing with the Federal Aviation Administration this weekend in New Mexico of high-energy laser used to address threatening drones.

2026-03-06T11:39:28.229154-08:00
Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Switzerland trims F‑35A order to 30 jets amid cost increases, requests CHF 394m extra credit

By Reuters: Switzerland now expects to purchase around 30 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, six fewer than initially projected, because of cost increases in the order, the government said on Friday.

Also: DefenseNews.com, Aviation Week, defence-industry.eu, spacewar.com, defence-blog.com and spacewar.com
2026-03-06T06:54:51.375903-08:00
AI   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

Merlin Labs Completes Preliminary Design Review for C-130J Autonomy Software

By Aviation Week: Merlin Labs announced the completion of a preliminary design review for an autonomy software package for the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules on March 5.

Also: Aviation Week and aeromorning.com
2026-03-05T16:32:47.324228-08:00