AeroTime

Israel says it destroyed Airbus A340‑300 used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader

Israel said an overnight strike destroyed an Airbus A340‑300 that had been used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli officials publicly identified the airframe as part of Iran’s state aviation assets; the announcement came March 16, 2026.

2026-03-17T00:45:06.678576-07:00
DefenseNews.comValerie Insinna

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight ~65 Miles East of Okinawa

By DefenseNews.com: An aircraft panel measuring approximately 12 inches by 24 inches dropped from an F-35A sometime during a “routine training mission” about 65 miles east of Okinawa.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.535857-07:00
FlightGlobalGreg Waldron

Japan’s EC-2 EW aircraft approaches service entry

By FlightGlobal: The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has released images of its developmental Kawasaki EC-2 electronic warfare aircraft, converted from the first C-2 transport delivered, as the service weighs acquisition numbers and its future transport fleet composition.

2026-03-16T22:54:52.363355-07:00
DefenseNews.comBarbara Opall-Rome

Israel declares first squadron of nine F-35s operational

By DefenseNews.com: The Israeli Air Force has declared its initial squadron of nine F-35 stealth fighters ready for operational use, less than a year after the first two were delivered here by the U.S.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.486827-07:00
DefenseNews.comValerie Insinna

Canada to buy used Australian F/A-18s, effectively killing Boeing Super Hornet bid

By DefenseNews.com: Canada’s Liberal government will announce next week plans to proceed with an interim buy of used F/A-18 Hornets from Australia, dashing Boeing’s hopes of a Super Hornet sale, three sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.484913-07:00