Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Ars Technica • Stephen Clark

Planet Labs to impose 96‑hour embargo on Gulf imagery after Iranian drone strikes

Planet Labs PBC will withhold newly collected satellite imagery of Gulf states for 96 hours following recent Iranian drone attacks. The firm says the temporary embargo — despite normally near‑real‑time delivery to clients including media and researchers — aims to prevent adversarial actors using images for battle‑damage assessment.

Also: al-monitor.com and spacewar.com
2026-03-06T15:40:00.851912-08:00
Helicopter   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Vertical Mag

Fatal Incident at Kadena Air Base Underscores Helicopter Rotor-Wash 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.

2026-03-06T17:02:50.675077-08:00
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
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
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   North America   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
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