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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, March 13, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 49 March 13, 2026
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Daily Briefs

Daily Briefs
article

Daily Briefs

Mar 13, 2026
RAYTHEON gets SM-3 award... BELL sells 407GXis to South African company... New COO for BRIDGER AEROSPACE...

In Brief

article

In Brief: Leonardo Eyes CCA Demo In May

Mar 13, 2026
News in brief.

Funding & Policy

A U.S. Air Force B-52 loaded with Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Munitions prepares to take off for a mission in Iran on March 3. Credit: U.S. Air Force
article

Pentagon Crafting Major Supplemental For Iran Operations

Mar 12, 2026
The DOD is crafting a supplemental spending request to both replenish existing weapons used in the conflict in Iran and buy new, improved systems.
the Pentagon
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Pentagon Previews ‘Generational’ Fiscal 2027 Budget Request

Mar 12, 2026
The Pentagon will roll out its fiscal 2027 budget “relatively soon,” providing more details on what will become a generational investment in the U.S. military.

Programs

E-7A Wedgetail
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E-7A Prototype Acquisition Takes Next Step

Mar 12, 2026
The U.S. Air Force has awarded two new deals worth $2.43 billion to Boeing to continue developing two E-7A prototypes as directed by Congress.
Boeing F/A-XX rendering. Credit: Boeing
article

Pentagon Claims Progress Toward F/A-XX Selection

Mar 12, 2026
The Pentagon has pledged that it is moving forward on the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX fighter program under congressional direction in recent bills.
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani
article

Leonardo CEO ‘Very Open’ To GCAP Expansion

Mar 12, 2026
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani says he’s “very open” to expanding the GCAP partnership to develop a future fighter.
michelangelo dome rendering
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Leonardo Sees Michelangelo Dome Trials In Ukraine

Mar 12, 2026
Leonardo plans to demonstrate elements of its new Michelangelo Dome in Ukraine this year, as it sets sights on networking air and missile defenses Europe-wide.
PRSM
article

Lockheed Completes Fast-Tracked Test Launch Of Anti-Ship PRSM

Mar 12, 2026
An anti-ship version of the U.S. Army’s newest long-range, surface-to-surface missile has completed its first test flight, Lockheed Martin said.
leonardo aw149
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UK’s New AW149s Will Not Enter Service Until 2031

Mar 12, 2026
The UK’s new fleet of Leonardo AW149 utility helicopters will not reach initial operating capability for at least another five years, ministers have revealed.
Leonardo
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U.S. Navy Expands BriteCloud Decoy Plans To Protect Aircraft Fleets

Mar 11, 2026
The U.S. Navy plans to buy up to 6,000 Leonardo BriteCloud active expendable decoys to protect its F-35, F/A-18 and other aircraft fleets in an increase of previously detailed plans.
Robinson Helicopter Company helicopter
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StandardAero Named Preferred MRO Provider For Robinson R66

Mar 11, 2026
StandardAero has been selected by Robinson Helicopter Company as the preferred MRO provider for Rolls-Royce RR300 engines powering the Robinson R66 fleet.
U.S. Army
article

Draper-Powered Missile Demonstrator Stages First Flight

Mar 12, 2026
The Air Force Research Laboratory ground launched a liquid-fueled ballistic missile powered by the Ursa Major Draper rocket engine in January.
The Crewchief platform will be integrated into the upcoming R66 NxG and R88 programs.
article

Robinson Adopts Crewchief Digital Management System

Mar 11, 2026
Robinson Helicopter Company plans to equip future helicopters and much of its existing fleet with Crewchief Systems digital aircraft management software.
Bell Helicopter
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Bell Prepares Final Tests For 525 Helicopter

Mar 09, 2026
Bell is in the final stages of certification testing for its long-awaited 525 super-medium helicopter.

Operations

fighter jet taking off
article

Israel Puts Crosshairs On Iran’s Drone Capacity

Mar 12, 2026
The Israel Defense Forces says it is increasing its focus on taking out Iran’s drone warfare capacity.
A U.S. Air Force KC-135. Credit U.S. Air Force
article

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Crashes In Iraq

Mar 12, 2026
A U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed March 12 in Iraq as part of the ongoing conflict in Iran, with one other aircraft involved in the incident.
Credit: NASA
article

NASA Declares Artemis II Ready To Attempt April 1 Launch

Mar 12, 2026
NASA is now targeting liftoff of the Artemis II mission as early as April 1.
A Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket lifts off from Vandenberg SFB, California, on March 11, 2026. Credit: Firefly
article

Firefly Returns To Flight With First Launch In 11 Months

Mar 12, 2026
Firefly Aerospace launched its Alpha rocket for the first time in nearly one year on March 11.

Business

iceye worker in factory
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Iceye Sees Sales Doubling This Year

Mar 12, 2026
Iceye is targeting more than €500 million ($580 million) in sales this year aided by a €1.5 billion contracted backlog it recorded at the end of 2025.
Jon Rambeau
article

Karman Names New CEO, Poaching L3Harris Executive

Mar 12, 2026
Jon Rambeau will become Karman Space & Defense's CEO on March 23, when current CEO Tony Koblinski steps aside while remaining a director on the board.

Aviation Week Forecsts

Forecasts_C41SR
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Aviation Week Forecasts: Situational Awareness Key As C4ISR Aircraft Market Booms

Mar 13, 2026
Over the next decade $121.3 billion is set to be spent on C4ISR and armed ISR aircraft, with $55.4 billion of the total already under contract, Aviation Week predicts.