Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Workforce & Skills Development  
Flying Magazine • Zach Vasile

F‑35 production workers represented by IAM District 776 begin contract talks with Lockheed Martin

IAM District 776, representing roughly 5,000 Lockheed Martin employees who build the F‑35 at Fort Worth, NAS Patuxent River and Edwards AFB, opened contract negotiations with Lockheed on March 26. The bargaining committee and international leadership delivered a demand for a contract "reflecting value."

Also: IAM Union and Defense Daily
2026-03-26T13:59:47.187174-07:00
Europe   North America   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

NATO defence spending tops $1.4T as all military-capable members meet 2% GDP target; non‑US contributions surge 20%

By FlightGlobal: All military-equipped NATO nations met the alliance’s baseline spending target of 2% of national gross domestic product (GDP) for the first time last year, the alliance’s newly published review states.

2026-03-26T11:45:40.652764-07:00
North America   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Associated Press

Explosive device left outside MacDill AFB gate; siblings charged as one suspect flees to China

By Associated Press: A brother and sister have been charged after an explosive device was found outside a gate at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. U.S.

Also: The Independent, Military.com, abcnews.com and pilotonline.com
2026-03-26T10:20:17.049557-07:00
Accident   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Near-Miss With Iranian SAM Underscores MANPADS Risk to 'Epic Fury' Operations

By The War Zone: Even in lower-threat coastal areas, MANPADS are a real risk to lower-flying aircraft, and true air supremacy across Iran still isn't a reality. The Pentagon denies the U.S.

Also: worldwarwings.com
2026-03-26T10:58:12.993117-07:00