UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Suspected U.S. RQ‑180 flying‑wing photographed over Larissa; reported emergency landing at Greek base

Spotters in central Greece photographed a previously unseen flying‑wing aircraft over Larissa, and local reports say a similar type made an emergency landing at a Greek air base. Observers suggest the platform could be the classified U.S. RQ‑180 stealth drone.

Also: The Aviationist
2026-03-18T15:39:58.961557-07:00
North America   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Associated Press • Freida Frisaro

FBI: Suspicious package containing possible energetic materials found at MacDill Air Force Base

By Associated Press: The FBI says a suspicious package found at MacDill Air Force Base contains possible energetic materials, and the investigation is ongoing.

Also: abcnews.com, The Independent and orlandosentinel.com
2026-03-18T14:39:49.011104-07:00
Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
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 Seeking Alpha
2026-03-18T15:12:21.968064-07:00
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
Aircraft Carrier   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Kavita Mokha

France Names Next Nuclear Aircraft Carrier 'Free France' as Paris Bolsters Naval Capabilities

By Bloomberg: President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday named the nation’s next aircraft carrier “Free France,” in a homage to the World War II resistance movement as the nuclear power moves to bolster its naval capabilities.

Also: Associated Press, aviationnews.eu, Naval News, Air Data News, Aviation Week, aa.com.tr, lemonde.fr, Army Recognition, navylookout.com, The Independent and Army Recognition
2026-03-18T10:29:04.272055-07:00
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