North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

B-21 Raider photographed refuelling from KC-135 as USAF speeds production toward 2027 entry

Photographers and video captured the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider conducting its first recorded aerial refuelling from a KC-135 over the Mojave Desert. The milestone comes as testing reportedly advances and the U.S. Air Force and Northrop accelerate production ahead of a planned 2027 service entry.

Also: The Aviationist, theaviationgeekclub.com and arabiandefence.com
2026-03-10T22:20:45.048903-07:00
China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Serbian MiG-29s Seen Armed with Chinese CM-400 Supersonic Standoff Missiles

By The War Zone: Previously only known to be in Pakistani service, the Chinese-made CM-400 air-to-ground missile has now appeared on Serbian MiG-29 jets. Previously only known to be in Pakistani service, the Chinese-made CM-400 air-to-ground missile has now appeared on Serbian MiG-29 jets.

2026-03-10T15:58:30.101355-07:00
Vertical Mag

Fatal rotor‑wash incident at Kadena Air Base highlights helicopter downwash hazard

By Vertical Mag: | To ensure delivery of future emails, add [email protected] to your contacts. | |---| | | ![]() | Latest Issue Read Now | ![]() | | | ![]() | | Fatal incident in Japan underscores hazard of helicopter rotor wash A tragedy at Kadena Air Base last year starkly illustrates the risks posed by helicopter rotor wash, an underappreciated hazard that is starting to receive more attention.

Also: Vertical Mag
2026-03-09T17:53:47.390581-07:00
Israel   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Boeing  
Reuters

Boeing wins $289M Israel contract for up to 5,000 air‑launched smart bombs, Bloomberg reports

By Reuters: Boeing has signed a new $289 million contract with Israel to deliver as many as 5,000 new air-launched smart bombs, a source told Reuters on Tuesday.

Also: Bloomberg Law
2026-03-10T13:53:32.476309-07:00
AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

IonQ and ARLIS launch SEQCURE partnership to secure quantum computing for defense research

By Via Satellite: IonQ has signed another collaboration deal in the field of quantum computing. It will team up with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) on SEQCURE (Securing Experimental Quantum Computing Usage in Research Environments).

2026-03-10T12:58:34.652895-07:00