UAV Development & Drone Programs   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pentagon discloses LUCAS loitering munition: 434 nm range, $10k–$55k unit cost

The Pentagon disclosed specifications for LUCAS, a reverse-engineered Shahed-136 derivative loitering munition with a reported 434 nm range and unit costs between $10,000 and $55,000. The US military has begun operational deployments of the low-cost, long-range one-way attack drone in the Middle East theatre.

2026-03-15T08:59:43.411374-07:00
Satellite   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. defense contract for Raytheon protected satellite communications terminals increased by $2 billion

By SpaceNews.com: Raytheon contract for protected satellite communications terminals raised by $2 billion Raytheon contract for protected satellite communications terminals raised by $2 billion.

2026-03-15T06:17:45.046914-07:00
ATC   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters

Switzerland invokes neutrality — denies two U.S. military overflight requests related to Iran conflict, approves three others

By Reuters: The Swiss government said on Saturday that it discussed requests by U.S. military and official aircraft to fly over the country, and based on its law of neutrality, rejected two Iran-related war flights but permitted three others.

2026-03-14T14:04:46.267638-07:00
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: AirForceTimes, Air & Space Forces Mag, aviationnews.eu, Air Data News, Associated Press, Reuters, AeroTime, FlightGlobal, Aviation A2Z, Aviation24, Aviation Week, Simple Flying and 64 more
2026-03-12T15:00:49.321045-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
Airbus

Airbus prepares Kratos-built uncrewed combat aircraft for first flights as it races to offer UCCA to Germany by 2029

By Airbus: Airbus is working at full throttle to offer the German Air Force an operational Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (UCCA) system by 2029.

Also: AeroTime, Satellite Evolution, Aviacionline, Aviation Week, edrmagazine.eu, defensehere.com, defensemirror.com, theaviationgeekclub.com, flight.com.gr, GlobeNewswire, aeromorning.com, avionews.it and 9 more
2026-03-13T04:04:21.056090-07:00