North America   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Associated Press • Freida Frisaro

Suspicious package with possible energetic materials found outside MacDill AFB visitor center

A suspicious package that appeared to contain an improvised explosive device and possible energetic materials was discovered Monday outside the visitor center at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The FBI and base security have launched an active investigation and secured the scene.

Also: abcnews.com, The Independent and orlandosentinel.com
2026-03-18T14:39:49.011104-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

USAF Special Operations Issues RFI for One‑Way 'Kamikaze' Attack Drones

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. Air Force wants small one-way attack drones for its special operations forces, according to an Air Force Request for Information.

Also: Military Times and news.ssbcrack.com
2026-03-18T13:35:27.250925-07:00
Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Rocket Lab wins $190 million Pentagon deal for hypersonic test flights

By SpaceNews.com: Rocket Lab wins $190 million Pentagon deal for hypersonic test flights Rocket Lab wins $190 million Pentagon deal for hypersonic test flights.

Also: Seeking Alpha and rnz.co.nz
2026-03-18T15:12:21.968064-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

USAF to cut MQ-9 Reaper combat lines to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity

By DefenseNews.com: The Air Force plans to drop from 60 to 56 MQ-9 Reaper combat lines in fiscal 2022 as the U.S. military decreases its presence in the Middle East.

2026-03-18T13:05:06.094289-07:00