ATC North America Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

USAF RAT‑55 NT‑43A radar test‑bed 737 and WB‑57 rehearse in Artemis II launch airspace

USAF's secretive RAT‑55 (NT‑43A) radar test‑bed 737 has entered a new operational phase after flying under a NASA callsign in airspace reserved for the Artemis II launch. The NT‑43A and a WB‑57 performed rehearsals in restricted launch corridors to support the upcoming mission.

Also: The Aviationist and news.defcros.com

2026-04-01T16:38:38.694217-07:00

Supply Chain Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy Boeing

Reuters

Pentagon inks 7‑year framework with Boeing, Lockheed to triple PAC‑3 MSE seeker production

By Reuters: The Pentagon on Wednesday said it had reached a framework seven-year deal with Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp to triple production capacity for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement seekers.

aviationnews.eu

Boeing and U.S. Department of Defense Finalize Seven-Year Deal to Triple PAC-3 Seeker Production

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon and Boeing Agree Seven-Year Framework to Triple PAC‑3 MSE Seeker Production

Also: Air Data News, AeroTime, Boeing, Bloomberg Law, Defense Daily, aeromorning.com, insidedefense.com, militarnyi.com, news.ssbcrack.com, Military Times, edrmagazine.eu, defence-industry.eu and insidedefense.com

2026-04-01T04:51:59.110748-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Saltzman: Space ‘baked into' modern combat operations

By SpaceNews.com: Saltzman: Space ‘baked into' modern combat operations.

2026-04-01T09:10:44.449194-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK accepts final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightnings, completing initial 48-aircraft buy as future procurement plans remain undecided

By FlightGlobal: The UK has taken delivery of its last of 48 on-order Lockheed Martin F-35Bs, as firm details around its future purchase plans remain to be outlined. On 27 March, the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) procurement body announced that the “final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning has been accepted, completing the UK’s first batch of….

Also: Air Data News and Aviation A2Z

2026-04-01T04:01:25.324818-07:00

North America Aviation Safety & Regulation Policy & Regulation Workforce & Skills Development Defense Policy

Canada.ca

Transport Canada aircraft services personnel join Canadian Coast Guard Defence Team

By Canada.ca: Today, the Canadian Coast Guard welcomed personnel from Transport Canada’s aircraft services to the Defence Team. The program provides federal aviation services to various government departments, including managing and maintaining a civilian fleet of aircraft that support operational flights, environmental response, natural disaster response, and remote community outreach.

Vertical Mag

Canadian Coast Guard assumes operational control of the Government of Canada's civilian aerial fleet

Skies Magazine

Canadian Coast Guard Assumes Operational Control of Government Civilian Aerial Fleet

2026-04-01T08:06:19.820994-07:00

Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Policy & Regulation Defense Policy

Washington Post • Alex Horton, Dan Lamothe, Tara Copp

Pentagon chief blocks Army probe, absolves helicopter crews after Kid Rock flyby

By Washington Post: “No punishment. No investigation,” the Pentagon chief wrote on social media hours after military officials announced they had grounded the pilots involved.

Aviation A2Z

Army Lifts Suspension, Declines Probe After Low‑Level AH‑64 Apache Flight Over Nashville

armedforces.press

Kid Rock Helicopter Incident: Lifting Pilot Suspensions Was Dangerous — Accountability Needed for Aircrews and Pentagon Leadership

Also: The Independent, globalnews.ca and the-independent.com

2026-04-01T02:58:25.323360-07:00

eVTOL Supply Chain Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Vertical Mag

Penn State develops iVABS workflow to accelerate design-to-production of composite rotorcraft blades

By Vertical Mag: The work is part of the Penn State Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence.

2026-04-01T05:57:00.361238-07:00

Dassault Aviation Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy Airbus

Reuters

Dassault CEO sets two‑to‑three week deadline to salvage Franco‑German‑Spanish FCAS fighter program

By Reuters: The head of Dassault Aviation said he was giving his company between two-to-three weeks to see if a deal could be reached over salvaging the crisis-hit FCAS fighter jet project between France, Germany and Spain.