MRO   Helicopter   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Bell completes first SPINE upgrades on USMC AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom

Bell has finished the first SPINE structural and power-delivery upgrades on an AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom for the U.S. Marine Corps. Both helicopters are at Naval Air Station Patuxent River for flight testing to validate changes aimed at improving survivability, lethality and future weapons growth.

Also: Air Data News and Army Recognition
2026-03-17T22:39:06.474822-07:00
Space Force   Leadership   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
spaceforce.mil

Space Force appoints second tranche of Portfolio Acquisition Executives to accelerate mission delivery

By spaceforce.mil: The Space Force has designated its second tranche of mission areas that will be assigned Portfolio Acquisition Executives, the portfolios are designed to prioritize the speed of delivery of.

2026-03-17T09:40:49.655859-07:00
North America   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Associated Press

1 dead and another wounded in shooting at US Air Force base in New Mexico

By Associated Press: Military officials say a shooting at a U.S. Air Force base in New Mexico has left one person dead and another wounded.

Stars and Stripes

403 Forbidden

Also: Economic Times and CBS News
2026-03-17T18:49:03.136674-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Supply Chain   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Howard Altman

US Navy Scrambles Carrier Schedules After Fire, Repeated Life Extensions and Delivery Delays

By The War Zone: One carrier was already tired before it had a fire, another saw its service life extended for the second time, while the delivery of a third is delayed.

Also: aa.com.tr, South China Morning Post and spacewar.com
2026-03-17T16:58:24.487044-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters

WSJ: Russia Providing Iran Satellite Imagery and Advanced Drone Technology to Improve Targeting of U.S. Forces

By Reuters: Russia has been expanding its intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, providing satellite imagery and improved drone technology to aid Tehran’s targeting of U.S.

Also: Wall Street Journal and aa.com.tr
2026-03-17T13:32:20.547465-07:00
China   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

China expands military aircraft production, targets 300–400 fighters annually

By FlightGlobal: Commercial satellite imagery shows that China's state-owned aviation company has dramatically expanded manufacturing facilities for military aircraft, including the fifth-generation J-20 fighter, with total fighter production capacity set to reach 300-400 units annually.

2026-03-17T14:53:54.217969-07:00
Satellite   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Lite Coms Executives Talk Multi-Orbit Innovation and the Future of Tactical VSAT

By Via Satellite: Lite Coms U.S. Army Sales Manager Gabrielle D'Amico and Vice President of Operations and Programs Andrew Colaruotolo talk to the company’s multi-orbit, multi-band tech roadmap and recent investments in production.

2026-03-17T16:58:29.082372-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon’s ‘Golden Dome’ Space Layer Cost Soars to $185B — Major Budget and Program Risks

By SpaceNews.com: Golden Dome cost estimate rises to $185 billion as Pentagon expands space layer Golden Dome cost estimate rises to $185 billion as Pentagon expands space layer.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week and Seeking Alpha
2026-03-17T11:47:23.494561-07:00