Satellite   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon's 'Golden Dome' space layer cost rises to $185B as space-based missile-tracking elements expand

The Pentagon raised its Golden Dome estimate by $10 billion to $185 billion to add space-based missile-tracking and hypersonic-defense elements, prompting Lockheed, RTX and Northrop to accelerate development—while program leadership disputes some external projections of cost growth.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week and Seeking Alpha
2026-03-17T11:47:23.494561-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Baykar demonstrates AI-enabled K2 'kamikaze' drone swarm in multi-aircraft flight tests

By FlightGlobal: Turkish uncrewed aerial vehicle developer Baykar Technology has unveiled what it describes as the "largest 'kamikaze' platform in its class", after performing a two-day campaign of multi-aircraft flight tests.

2026-03-17T10:38:24.251826-07:00
Honeywell   Supply Chain   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Honeywell and Howmet say they can expand capacity to meet surge in defense and commercial aerospace demand

By Reuters: Executives from Honeywell Aerospace and Howmet Aerospace said on Tuesday they could grow capacity to meet strong commercial demand for plane parts and munitions as the defense sector ramps up due to geopolitical strife.

2026-03-17T09:26:14.569865-07:00
Middle East   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airbus  
AeroTime

Israel says it destroyed Airbus A340-300 used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader

By AeroTime: Airbus A340-300 Israel says it destroyed Airbus A340-300 used by Iran’s late leader Israel said it destroyed an aircraft used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an overnight… ByStephen PopeMarch 16, 2026.

Also: The Aviationist
2026-03-17T00:45:06.678576-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight ~65 Miles East of Okinawa

By DefenseNews.com: An aircraft panel measuring approximately 12 inches by 24 inches dropped from an F-35A sometime during a “routine training mission” about 65 miles east of Okinawa.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.535857-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Japan’s EC-2 EW aircraft approaches service entry

By FlightGlobal: The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has released images of its developmental Kawasaki EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft, converted from the first C-2 transport delivered, as the service weighs acquisition numbers and its future transport fleet composition.

2026-03-16T22:54:52.363355-07:00