UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Aviation Week • Graham Warwick

Near Earth Autonomy wins Navy contract to build GPS‑resilient maritime logistics drones for U.S. Marines

Near Earth Autonomy has won a U.S. Navy contract to develop small uncrewed aerial systems for contested maritime logistics, advancing the U.S. Marine Corps' ability to fly uncrewed logistics missions. The systems are designed to operate in GPS‑denied and communications‑degraded environments, emphasising autonomy and resilience at sea.

Also: AINonline
2026-03-26T21:15:35.219168-07:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Workforce & Skills Development  
Flying Magazine • Zach Vasile

F-35 Program Workers Start Negotiations With Lockheed Martin

By Flying Magazine: The labor union representing Lockheed Martin workers who build the F-35 stealth strike fighter started new contract talks with the company on Thursday.

Also: AeroTime, IAM Union and Defense Daily
2026-03-26T13:59:47.187174-07:00
North America   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Associated Press

Explosive device left outside MacDill AFB gate; siblings charged as one suspect flees to China

By Associated Press: A brother and sister have been charged after an explosive device was found outside a gate at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. U.S.

Also: Stars and Stripes, The Independent, Military.com and 3 more
2026-03-26T10:20:17.049557-07:00
Europe   North America   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

NATO defence spending tops $1.4T as all military-capable members meet 2% GDP target; non‑US contributions surge 20%

By FlightGlobal: All military-equipped NATO nations met the alliance’s baseline spending target of 2% of national gross domestic product (GDP) for the first time last year, the alliance’s newly published review states.

2026-03-26T11:45:40.652764-07:00
Accident   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Near-Miss With Iranian SAM Underscores MANPADS Risk to 'Epic Fury' Operations

By The War Zone: Even in lower-threat coastal areas, MANPADS are a real risk to lower-flying aircraft, and true air supremacy across Iran still isn't a reality. The Pentagon denies the U.S.

Also: worldwarwings.com and worldwarwings.com
2026-03-26T10:58:12.993117-07:00