UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Airbus  
Airbus

Airbus Bird of Prey completes first autonomous interceptor flight, engages kamikaze drone with Frankenburg Mark I

Airbus completed the first demonstration flight of its uncrewed 'Bird of Prey' interceptor in northern Germany, autonomously detecting and engaging a kamikaze UAV target using a Frankenburg Mark I missile. The test validates the platform’s weaponized autonomy for counter‑UAS missions in complex environments.

Also: Aviation24, indiastrategic.in and defence-industry.eu
2026-03-30T03:20:51.648413-07:00
ATC   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
al-monitor.com

Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war, El Pais says

By al-monitor.com: MADRID, March 30 (Reuters) - Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Monday, citing military sources.The closure of its airspace, which forces military planes to bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, does not include emergency situations, El Pais added.

Also: Reuters and The Independent
2026-03-30T02:15:57.435576-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
yle.fi

Two Ukrainian drones crash in southeastern Finland; Finland calls incursions 'very serious'

By yle.fi: "Drones have strayed into Finnish territory. We take this very seriously," Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) said. Two drones crashed, at least one of them was confirmed to be Ukrainian.

Also: Aviation24, airlive.net and militarnyi.com
2026-03-29T04:57:30.463145-07:00
Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
DefenseNews.com • Megan Eckstein

Eastern Shipbuilding and Northrop Grumman open C5I integration facility for Offshore Patrol Cutter program

By DefenseNews.com: With the offshore patrol cutter slated to get a top-of-the-line C5ISR system, Northrop Grumman and its industry partners will work through integrating the whole system at this spacious new facility ahead of installing the gear onto the ship hulls themselves, to catch any integration hiccups early and save time and money during sea trials.

2026-03-29T14:31:09.890366-07:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Saab says talks with Canada over Gripen remain ‘intensive’ amid F-35 uncertainty

By Air Data News: Saab CEO Micael Johansson said discussions with the Canadian government over a potential Gripen fighter deal remain “intensive,” as Ottawa.

2026-03-29T09:50:57.991517-07:00
Middle East   Airports   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Boeing  
Air & Space Forces Mag • Chris Gordon

USAF E-3 Sentry AWACS Damaged in March 27 Iranian Missile and Drone Strike on Saudi Base

By Air & Space Forces Mag: An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS plane was damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attackon a base in Saudi Arabia.

Also: Wall Street Journal, AeroTime, Simple Flying, Aviacionline, malcontentnews.substack.com, ibtimes.com, aerospaceglobalnews.com, worldwarwings.com, theaviationgeekclub.com, UK Defence Journal and 3 more
2026-03-28T16:55:15.198826-07:00