UAV Development & Drone Programs Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites

The Pentagon is considering broader deployment of laser‑based counter‑drone systems at select U.S. locations after a series of drone incursions near military bases and other sensitive sites. The deliberation signals an effort to accelerate fielding of directed‑energy tools to detect and defeat small UAS on domestic soil.

2026-04-02T13:25:58.058091-07:00

MRO L3Harris North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Airbus A330

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Canada inks C$1.5 billion sustainment deal for new Airbus tanker fleet support

By FlightGlobal: The contracts with Airbus and L3Harris will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support to Canada’s planned fleet of nine A330-based refuelling aircraft, which are to begin entering service in 2027.

Also: asdnews.com

2026-04-02T14:00:49.630765-07:00

Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

US conducts first combat deployment of EA-37B Compass Call against Iran

By AeroTime: The US has deployed the EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack platform against Iran in the aircraft’s first known combat deployment.

Also: Aviation Week

2026-04-02T11:22:02.543836-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Optical terminals remain a critical bottleneck for the Pentagon's proliferated satellite constellation

By SpaceNews.com: Optical terminals still a bottleneck in Pentagon’s proliferated constellation Optical terminals still a bottleneck in Pentagon’s proliferated constellation.

2026-04-02T12:47:24.239965-07:00

Europe Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

politico.eu • Milena Wälde

Austria bars US military aircraft from its airspace, citing law banning flights tied to ongoing conflicts

By politico.eu: Vice-chancellor Andi Babler said his country wants “nothing to do with Trump’s policy of chaos and his war.”.

Also: aviationnews.eu, intellinews.com and tass.com

2026-04-02T09:20:05.519721-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Helicopter Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Aviation Today

Army Accepts First Optionally-Piloted Black Hawk, Will Inform Scaling Autonomy Across The Fleet

By Aviation Today: The Army announced Friday it has officially accepted the first Black Hawk helicopter outfitted to fly autonomously, with the plans for the aircraft to now undergo a “rigorous testing phase.” […].

2026-04-02T09:38:59.528988-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Aviation Today

Army’s SkyFoundry Drone Production Plan 'Evolved' as Program Brings in Commercial Partners

By Aviation Today: The Army’s SkyFoundry initiative to manufacture thousands of its own cheap drones on a monthly basis has recently “evolved,” with an official telling sister publication Defense Daily the program is “100 […].

Also: Defense-Aerospace.com

2026-04-02T09:38:58.208150-07:00

Satellite Space Force Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon awards Raytheon $45M contract for GPS ground system amid program review

By SpaceNews.com: Pentagon awards Raytheon $45 million for GPS ground system as program future is reassessed Pentagon awards Raytheon $45 million for GPS ground system as program future is reassessed.

2026-04-02T10:27:23.724267-07:00

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