Aircraft Carrier   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

U.S. Navy delays USS Nimitz decommissioning to March 2027, reshaping carrier retirement timeline

The U.S. Navy will keep the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in service through March 2027, postponing planned decommissioning and nuclear defueling. The decision extends the fleet’s oldest carrier and shifts carrier rotation and retirement schedules during ongoing regional commitments.

Also: San Diego Union-Tribune and Army Recognition
2026-03-16T01:15:20.915970-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Japan receives first Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for F-35A fleet, boosting strike capability

By FlightGlobal: Japan has taken delivery of its first Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles during a ceremony in Norway, marking a significant enhancement to the strike capabilities of its Lockheed Martin F-35A fleet.

2026-03-15T22:18:57.611304-07:00
Middle East   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Associated Press • Mark Scolforo

Six U.S. service members killed in KC-135 tanker crash in western Iraq

By Associated Press: The U.S. military is identifying the six service members who died last week when a KC-135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq.

Also: worldwarwings.com, news.ssbcrack.com, The Independent and orlandosentinel.com
2026-03-15T10:53:55.037109-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pentagon reveals LUCAS loitering munition: 434 nm range, unit cost under $55,000

By FlightGlobal: The Pentagon has disclosed specifications for its LUCAS one-way attack drone, a reverse-engineered derivative of Iran's Shahed-136 offering 434nm range at costs between $10,000 and $55,000, as the US military deploys the type operationally for the first time 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