UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
Airbus

Airbus readies two Kratos Valkyries for maiden European‑mission flights, targets 2029 UCCA offer to Germany

Airbus is preparing two Kratos-built Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft at its Manching site for maiden flights fitted with a sovereign European mission system, accelerating a bid to offer the German Air Force an operational Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability by 2029.

Also: Aviation Week, euro-sd.com, defence-industry.eu, ir.kratosdefense.com, AeroTime, worldairnews.co.za and indiastrategic.in
2026-03-13T04:04:21.056090-07:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

USAF Awards $2.43B to Boeing for Two E-7A Prototypes

By Aviation Week: The U.S. Air Force has awarded two new deals worth $2.43 billion to Boeing to continue developing two E-7A prototypes as directed by Congress.

Also: govconwire.com and DVIDS / U.S. DoD
2026-03-12T16:28:41.049844-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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
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
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: aviationnews.eu, Reuters, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Air Data News, Aviation24, Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week, Simple Flying, Stars and Stripes, UK Defence Journal, marinecorpstimes.com and 34 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