ATC   North America   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   NASA  
The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

USAF RAT‑55 NT‑43A radar test‑bed 737 and WB‑57 rehearse in Artemis II launch airspace

USAF's secretive RAT‑55 (NT‑43A) radar test‑bed 737 has entered a new operational phase after flying under a NASA callsign in airspace reserved for the Artemis II launch. The NT‑43A and a WB‑57 performed rehearsals in restricted launch corridors to support the upcoming mission.

Also: The Aviationist and news.defcros.com
2026-04-01T16:38:38.694217-07:00
Supply Chain   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Boeing  
Reuters

Pentagon inks 7‑year framework with Boeing, Lockheed to triple PAC‑3 MSE seeker production

By Reuters: The Pentagon on Wednesday said it had reached a framework seven-year deal with Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp to triple production capacity for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement seekers.

Also: Air Data News, AeroTime, Boeing, Bloomberg Law, Defense Daily, aeromorning.com, insidedefense.com, militarnyi.com, news.ssbcrack.com, Military Times, edrmagazine.eu, defence-industry.eu and insidedefense.com
2026-04-01T04:51:59.110748-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK accepts final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightnings, completing initial 48-aircraft buy as future procurement plans remain undecided

By FlightGlobal: The UK has taken delivery of its last of 48 on-order Lockheed Martin F-35Bs, as firm details around its future purchase plans remain to be outlined. On 27 March, the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) procurement body announced that the “final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning has been accepted, completing the UK’s first batch of….

Also: Air Data News and Aviation A2Z
2026-04-01T04:01:25.324818-07:00
Dassault Aviation   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Airbus  
Reuters

Dassault CEO sets two‑to‑three week deadline to salvage Franco‑German‑Spanish FCAS fighter program

By Reuters: The head of Dassault Aviation said he was giving his company between two-to-three weeks to see if a deal could be reached over salvaging the crisis-hit FCAS fighter jet project between France, Germany and Spain.

Also: lemonde.fr and spacewar.com
2026-04-01T01:45:22.332370-07:00
North America   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Workforce & Skills Development   Defense Policy  
Canada.ca

Transport Canada aircraft services personnel join Canadian Coast Guard Defence Team

By Canada.ca: Today, the Canadian Coast Guard welcomed personnel from Transport Canada’s aircraft services to the Defence Team. The program provides federal aviation services to various government departments, including managing and maintaining a civilian fleet of aircraft that support operational flights, environmental response, natural disaster response, and remote community outreach.

2026-04-01T08:06:19.820994-07:00
Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Washington Post • Alex Horton, Dan Lamothe, Tara Copp

Pentagon chief blocks Army probe, absolves helicopter crews after Kid Rock flyby

By Washington Post: “No punishment. No investigation,” the Pentagon chief wrote on social media hours after military officials announced they had grounded the pilots involved.

Also: The Independent, globalnews.ca and the-independent.com
2026-04-01T02:58:25.323360-07:00