North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

USAF awards Boeing $2.34–2.43B to develop two E‑7A Wedgetail rapid prototypes

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing contract modifications totaling $2.34–2.43 billion to develop two E‑7A Rapid Prototype Airborne Mission Segments, advancing prototype work on the Wedgetail airborne early‑warning program as directed by Congress. The funding supports mission‑systems development and prototype flight‑test preparation.

Also: govconwire.com and DVIDS / U.S. DoD
2026-03-12T16:28:41.049844-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
NEW
Reuters

Senator calls for watchdog probe into government use of laser anti‑drone system in Texas

By Reuters: The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Commerce aviation subcommittee on Friday called for a government investigation into two recent incidents of the government's use of a laser-based anti-drone system in Texas.

2026-03-13T04:24:22.360446-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Romania Scrambles Fighters After Drones Possibly Breach Airspace Near Ukraine Border

By Reuters: Romania scrambled fighter jets on Friday to monitor drones possibly breaching its national airspace, the defence ministry said, adding that it was possible that drone fragments fell on Romanian territory near border with Ukraine.

2026-03-13T03:04:15.351428-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

French Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion killed in drone strike in Iraq’s Kurdistan; five other soldiers wounded

By AeroTime: A French soldier has been killed and several others wounded in a drone attack in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, marking France’s first military fatality since the start of the current war in the Middle East.

2026-03-13T02:13:56.761589-07:00
Middle East   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Boeing  
AirForceTimes • J D Simkins

USAF KC-135 tanker goes down in Iraq; CENTCOM says not due to hostile fire, rescue efforts ongoing

By AirForceTimes: “The incident was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the release said, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing.

Also: aviationnews.eu, Reuters, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Air Data News, Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week, Aviation24, Simple Flying, Stars and Stripes, UK Defence Journal, marinecorpstimes.com and 30 more
2026-03-12T15:00:49.321045-07:00
Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Middle East   Supply Chain   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
New York Times • Peter S Goodman

How the Iran War Threatens Global Food, Energy and Airfreight Supply Chains

By New York Times: Beyond its effects on oil and gas, the unfolding war in the Middle East is roiling shipping and airfreight, threatening the availability of a vast range of goods.

2026-03-12T21:19:48.420936-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • May Lee

Satellite analysis: Russia expands Yelabuga UAV production complex to 116 buildings to mass-produce Iranian-derived Geran drones

By FlightGlobal: Russia has dramatically expanded its unmanned air vehicle production complex at Yelabuga special economic zone, growing from two buildings in 2021 to 116 structures supporting mass production of Iranian-derived Geran drones deployed against Ukraine, according to satellite imagery analysis by CSIS.

2026-03-12T21:17:55.026573-07:00