UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Bayraktar  
Aviacionline • Gastón Dubois

Baykar unveils K2: 200 kg-class kamikaze OWA UAV with swarm AI and GNSS‑independent navigation

Baykar has revealed the K2, a heavy one‑way attack (OWA) UAV carrying roughly a 200 kg strike payload designed to operate in AI‑coordinated swarms. The platform combines GNSS‑independent navigation with a low unit cost pitched for large‑scale fielding to enable deep‑strike missions against high‑value targets.

Also: quwa.org and Defence24
2026-03-15T14:58:42.129779-07:00
Dassault Aviation   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

FCAS dispute: Airbus warns Dassault 'there is no plan B' amid programme development difficulties

By AeroTime: In order to understand the difficulties encountered in the development of the Future Combat Air System, the “system of systems” built around a sixth-generation fighter jet developed by Airbus and Dassault Aviation, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces of the French Senate heard two executives from Airbus on March 17, 2021.

Also: euractiv.com
2026-03-16T05:12:25.541351-07:00
Dassault Aviation   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

FCAS: Dassault ready for “plan B” if cooperation with Airbus fails

By AeroTime: Since the beginning of 2021, many voices have been heard doubting the feasibility of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, a “system of systems” built around a sixth-generation fighter jet, the Next Generation Fighter (NGF).

2026-03-16T05:12:25.653067-07:00
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

‘Epic Fury’ shows airpower’s limits as Iran leverages the Strait of Hormuz

By FlightGlobal: Despite striking 6,000 targets and destroying over 90 Iranian vessels, the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran has devolved into strategic stalemate as Tehran leverages control of the Strait of Hormuz and asymmetric tactics to counter overwhelming aerial superiority.

Also: AirForceTimes
2026-03-16T03:18:51.187780-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Thales  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Thales to supply radio management system for Pilatus PC‑7 trainer to undisclosed European operator

By FlightGlobal: Thales has been chosen to provide a radio management system for use by an undisclosed European customer for the Pilatus PC-7 trainer.

2026-03-16T04:33:48.390559-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Accident   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Drone strike at Ali Al Salem Air Base destroys Italian MQ-9; Italian personnel unharmed

By AeroTime: A drone strike hit Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, destroying an Italian MQ-9 but causing no injuries among Italian personnel.

2026-03-16T02:08:51.886406-07:00
AI   Supply Chain   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Bloomberg • Ignacio Gonzalez

Industrials' S&P 500 Earnings Beat Driven by Defense, Aerospace and AI Spending

By Bloomberg: US industrial companies delivered the biggest earnings surprise of any sector last quarter, with profits topping estimates as defense demand, commercial aerospace and artificial intelligence-related capital spending powered results.

2026-03-16T03:34:28.791605-07:00