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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, March 3, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 41 March 03, 2026
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Operations

Bombs on U.S. carrier
article

U.S. Suffers F-15 Losses As Iran Fighting Widens

Mar 02, 2026
The U.S. suffered further losses as the fight against Iran stretched into a third day, with signs the conflict is expanding as Israel engaged Iranian proxies in Lebanon.
Iran TV
article

U.S. Struck Iranian Drone Carrier In First Hours Of War

Mar 02, 2026
U.S. forces struck an Iranian aircraft carrier for drones in the first hours of the war on Feb. 28, U.S. Central Command said on March 2.
Aircraft
article

Airlines Resume Some UAE Flights Amid Ongoing Iran War Disruption

Mar 02, 2026
As the U.S./Israel war against Iran stretched into a third day on March 2, airlines around the world that rely on Gulf hubs for connecting flights faced ongoing disruption.
An F-16 from the New Jersey Air National Guard. Credit: Air National Guard
article

Air National Guard Raises Concerns About Losing Fighter Missions

Mar 02, 2026
The Air National Guard is facing uncertainty in how it will meet some of its homeland defense requirements as the Air Force retires aging aircraft.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

Programs

Leonardo Helicopters Caption: This tiltrotor concept was one of five independent Study 5 outputs. NSPA states, it does not reflect a preferred design or national selection
article

Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, Sikorsky Prequalify For NGRC Development

Mar 02, 2026
Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, and Sikorsky have prequalified to participate in the next steps of a NATO initiative to develop a battlefield and naval rotorcraft.
ses
article

SES Boss Sees IRIS² Expanding Beyond EU

Mar 02, 2026
The European Union’s IRIS² autonomous secure sat communication system will likely expand beyond the core member states, helping the economics of the project.
looking
article

USAF To Retake Airborne Nuclear Command Mission From U.S. Navy

Mar 02, 2026
The U.S. Air Force will in the coming months finalize requirements for how it will take on the airborne nuclear command post mission.
AW149s in Yeovil, England
article

Leonardo Gets Green Light For UK New Medium Helicopter Contract

Mar 02, 2026
The UK has said it plans to award Leonardo a contract for 23 AW149 helicopters in a boost to the Yeovil, England, production site.

Technology

al
article

Airbus Demonstrates Sustained GEO Satellite To Plane Laser Link

Mar 02, 2026
Airbus has demonstrated a laser communication link with an airborne communication terminal and a communications satellite in geostationary orbit.

Funding & Policy

Credit: The Élysée Palace
article

France Plans To Grow Nuclear Stockpile, Macron Declares

Mar 02, 2026
France will grow its nuclear weapons stockpile and open deterrence exercises to European neighbors, President Emmanuel Macron has said.

The Debrief

Patriot launch
article

Debrief: Patriot Replacement Quietly Moves Forward In D.C.

Mar 02, 2026
A group of competing defense contractors in the U.S. are jousting with each other to replace the venerable Patriot air defense missile.

Contracts