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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, March 17, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 51 March 17, 2026
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Programs

T-7
article

T-7A Test Delays Continue, Production Decision Imminent

Mar 16, 2026
The U.S. Air Force’s Boeing T-7A trainer program is seeing testing delays mount ahead of an imminent production decision, following a change in the acquisition approach to try to speed up fielding.
Dominion Dynamics
article

Canadian Sensor Company Unveils Autonomous Combat Aircraft

Mar 16, 2026
A Canadian company has unveiled a concept design for an autonomous ACP aircraft to fly alongside the Royal Canadian Air Force’s future fighter fleet.
B-52 landing
article

U.S. Air Force Overhauls B-52 Radar Upgrade Amid Cost Overruns

Mar 16, 2026
The U.S. Air Force now plans to push some capability of the B-52’s new radar into later increments to address developmental issues and cost growth.
shahed drone silhouette
article

UK Scopes Counter-Drone Technology Effort For British Army

Mar 16, 2026
The UK is starting to plan the potential procurement of a specialist counter-UAS capability under its much larger Land Ground-Based Air Defense program.
JSM handover ceremony in Norway
article

Japan Receives First Tomahawk, Joint Strike Missiles

Mar 16, 2026
Japan has begun taking deliveries of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and Tomahawk cruise missile, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters,
C-2 Standoff Jammer Aircraft
article

Japan Unveils Kawasaki C-2 Standoff Jammer Aircraft

Mar 12, 2026
he Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Development and Test Command has unveiled the first official photographs of its new Kawasaki C-2 standoff jammer aircraft.
diehl air defense system
article

Diehl Teams With Indra In Spanish Air Defense Push

Mar 16, 2026
Diehl has struck a partnership agreement with Indra to jointly pursue a Spanish medium-range air defense program.
leo
article

Wars Outpace Production Increases, Leonardo CEO Says

Mar 12, 2026
Demand from the increasing number of conflicts is outpacing industry’s ability to scale up, Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani warns.
H125
article

GE Aerospace, Airbus Helicopters Advance Joint Engine Research

Mar 12, 2026
GE Aerospace has said it is moving into a new phase in its joint research with Airbus Helicopters into next-generation rotorcraft engines.
airbus h175
article

Airbus Exploring Made-In-Canada H175s For Emerging RCAF Needs

Mar 10, 2026
Airbus Helicopters hints at potential local assembly of its H175 super-medium rotorcraft in Canada if the aircraft is selected to meet emerging Canadian needs.
Safran Helicopter Engines
article

Safran Begins First Turbogenerator Assembly For Electra El-9

Mar 13, 2026
Safran Helicopter Engines has begun assembly of the first 600-kW TG600 turbogenerator for U.S. startup Electra.aero’s prototype EL-9 hybrid eSTOL aircraft.
EL9 model
article

Electra Takes Another Step Toward FAA Certification

Mar 11, 2026
Hybrid-electric aircraft developer Electra.aero held a familiarization meeting with the FAA earlier this month, marking another step toward Part 23 type certification of the company’s nine-seat EL9 ultra-STOL aircraft.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

The Debrief

Guardians and Airmen of the 4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, Mission Delta 3, participate in Space Flag 26-1 at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 12, 2025. The service members, part of U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command, trained to defeat realistic threats and maintain space superiority in a contested environment. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dave Grim)
article

Debrief: Space Force EW Mission Highlighted In Iran War

Mar 16, 2026
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper on March 11 shared a brief video update regarding the ongoing Operation Epic Fury.

Business

soldiers in a data center
article

Hanwha Aerospace, Krafton Agree To Pursue ‘Physical AI’ Development

Mar 13, 2026
Hanwha Aerospace and gaming company Krafton agreed to develop “physical artificial intelligence [AI]” technologies and establish a JV focused on defense.

Funding & Policy

Image caption: The Defense Department and Australian mining company Lynas have signed a $96 million rare earths deal Image credit: United States Geological Survey (USGS)
article

Pentagon, Australia’s Lynas Sign $96 Million Rare Earths Deal

Mar 16, 2026
The DOD and the Australian mining company Lynas have signed a $96M agreement to boost U.S. supply of rare earth minerals essential for defense. systems.

Contracts