North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

USAF awards Boeing ~$2.34–$2.43B to develop two E‑7A Wedgetail rapid prototypes

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing roughly $2.34–$2.43 billion in contract modifications to advance development of two E‑7A Wedgetail rapid prototype airborne mission segments, funding mission-systems work and prototype build as directed by Congress. The awards accelerate fielding of a U.S. AEW&C capability.

Also: Air Data News and DVIDS / U.S. DoD
2026-03-12T16:28:41.049844-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

French Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion killed in drone strike in Iraq’s Kurdistan; five other soldiers wounded

By AeroTime: A French soldier has been killed and several others wounded in a drone attack in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, marking France’s first military fatality since the start of the current war in the Middle East.

2026-03-13T02:13:56.761589-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
NEW
Reuters

Romania Scrambles Fighters After Drones Possibly Breach Airspace Near Ukraine Border

By Reuters: Romania scrambled fighter jets on Friday to monitor drones possibly breaching its national airspace, the defence ministry said, adding that it was possible that drone fragments fell on Romanian territory near border with Ukraine.

2026-03-13T03:04:15.351428-07:00
Middle East   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Boeing  
AirForceTimes • J D Simkins

USAF KC-135 tanker goes down in Iraq; CENTCOM says not due to hostile fire, rescue efforts ongoing

By AirForceTimes: “The incident was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the release said, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing.

Also: Reuters, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Air Data News, Aviation Week, Aviation24, Simple Flying, Air & Space Forces Mag, UK Defence Journal, marinecorpstimes.com, Army Times, defence-blog.com and 25 more
2026-03-12T15:00:49.321045-07:00
Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Middle East   Supply Chain   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
New York Times • Peter S Goodman

How the Iran War Threatens Global Food, Energy and Airfreight Supply Chains

By New York Times: Beyond its effects on oil and gas, the unfolding war in the Middle East is roiling shipping and airfreight, threatening the availability of a vast range of goods.

2026-03-12T21:19:48.420936-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • May Lee

Satellite analysis: Russia expands Yelabuga UAV production complex to 116 buildings to mass-produce Iranian-derived Geran drones

By FlightGlobal: Russia has dramatically expanded its unmanned air vehicle production complex at Yelabuga special economic zone, growing from two buildings in 2021 to 116 structures supporting mass production of Iranian-derived Geran drones deployed against Ukraine, according to satellite imagery analysis by CSIS.

2026-03-12T21:17:55.026573-07:00