Supply Chain   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

RTX wins $3.8B contract to produce Pratt & Whitney F135 engines for F‑35 Lots 18–19

RTX secured a $3.8 billion award to produce Pratt & Whitney F135 engines that power the F‑35 for Lots 18 and 19, providing contracted propulsion supply for the Joint Strike Fighter. The deal underpins ongoing production ramps and sustainment as procurement and fleet volumes rise.

2026-03-31T02:21:10.011256-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

Boeing, Rheinmetall Partner To Offer Germany The MQ-28 Ghost Bat

By Aviation Week: Boeing and Rheinmetall have partnered to jointly market the MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft for Germany’s requirement by 2029.

Also: AeroTime, defence-blog.com, edrmagazine.eu, defence-industry.eu, rheinmetall.com and euro-sd.com
2026-03-31T00:45:43.158031-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Supply Chain   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Mike Stone

US Navy: Virginia‑class subs, carrier and frigates delayed years by supply‑chain and labor shortages

By Reuters: Virginia-class submarines, an aircraft carrier and frigates being built for the U.S. Navy are now years behind schedule because of skilled labor shortages, design issues, and supply chain challenges stemming from the pandemic, the Navy said on Tuesday.

2026-03-30T21:12:38.663435-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Navy issues RFP for Undergraduate Jet Training System to replace T‑45 Goshawk

By FlightGlobal: The US Navy has officially launched a competition to select its next fighter trainer after years of delays. A request for proposal (RFP) for the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) was posted to the US government contract solicitation website on 26 March, formally launching the process to replace the Boeing T-45 Goshawk.

Also: Air Data News and The Aviationist
2026-03-30T18:35:56.241078-07:00
Helicopter   North America   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Washington Post • Alex Horton, Andrew Ba Tran

Army probes helicopters flying near Kid Rock’s home during 'No Kings' rallies

By Washington Post: An Army official said “appropriate action” will be taken if the probe reveals violations of safety standards or other regulations.

Also: Associated Press, CNBC, Task & Purpose, Sky News, The Telegraph, The Independent, Variety, NBC News, Business Insider, The Guardian, USA Today and 9 more
2026-03-30T12:27:21.223609-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
af.mil

U.S. F‑35A Lightning IIs Deploy to Misawa Air Base to Bolster Japan Defense

By af.mil: The arrival supports the Department of the Air Force’s modernization efforts and demonstrates the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Japan and sustaining peace through strength in.

Also: Air Data News, Air & Space Forces Mag, DVIDS / U.S. DoD, aerospaceglobalnews.com and Stars and Stripes
2026-03-30T09:25:39.794613-07:00