Look Inside Anduril’s New Factory as Collaborative Combat Aircraft Production Begins
Anduril Industries has begun production of its YFQ-44A “Fury” Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone at its Arsenal-1 plant outside of Columbus, Ohio.
Drones Incursions Over B-52 Base Spark Concern
Unauthorized drones flew over Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home of a B-52 bomber wing, multiple times last week, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed. The incident highlights the persistent, vexing threat that small drones present to military installations.
More Launches, More Cyber Threats: Space Force Stands Up Units to Defend Ranges
The Space Force this month established a squadron dedicated to defending against cyber intrusions at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., as concerns about threats to the service’s physical and digital launch infrastructure are on the rise.
Testing Shows Progress on Key Air Force Missiles and Bombs
The Pentagon’s top weapons tester noted progress on key munitions for the Air Force in his latest report, covering everything from dogfighting missiles to hypersonics.
Radar Sweep
Trump Says Iran Is Eager for a Deal to End the War as He Extends Deadline to Allow for Diplomacy
The Associated Press
U.S. President Donald Trump said March 23 the U.S. was talking with an Iranian leader and claimed the Islamic Republic was eager for a deal to end the war. He also extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants, saying it has an additional five days.
KC-135 Crash in Iraq Spurs Calls for Communications Upgrades
Defense One
The Air Force must upgrade its KC-135 tankers to give aircrews more battlespace awareness, say former air-mobility leaders who warn that more tragedies might follow a recent deadly crash.
Next SDA Tranche 1 Launches Likely in May or June, Director Says
Defense Daily
The Space Development Agency had planned to resume Tranche 1 launches early this year, but is in a “strategic pause” that is to end with the next launches in May or June, Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, the agency’s acting director, said on March 23.
A Choice of Deadly Drones Is Only a Few Clicks Away for Ukrainian Troops
The New York Times
Militaries have long standardized their arsenals from unit to unit and fighter to fighter, simplifying mass production, training and supply lines. Fighting in the age of drones, Ukraine has had to turn that logic around. It is expanding the variety of drones as widely as possible, and allowing troops to choose their own weapons, rather than have them selected by faraway officials.
Europe Is Quietly Playing a Crucial Role in the Iran War
The Wall Street Journal
President Trump has criticized Europe for staying on the sidelines in the Iran war. But many European countries are quietly playing a crucial supporting role.
How TRANSCOM Is Handling Medical Evacuations and Planning for Operation Epic Fury
DefenseScoop
Operation Epic Fury is stress-testing the U.S. military’s medical evacuation system at a time when lawmakers say it is already ill-prepared for future scenarios involving multitheater wars.
Poland Eyes Benefits of Joining GCAP Sixth-Generation Fighter Project
Defense News
Polish Deputy State Assets Minister Konrad Gołota has announced that Poland is considering to join the Global Combat Air Program, aiming to involve its defense sector in the project to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.
Space Force Anticipates First Kronos C2 Contracts in April
Breaking Defense
The Space Force intends to begin issuing first contracts next month for its new(ish) Kronos project designed to modernize its operational command and control and battle management software for space domain awareness, according to a spokesperson for Space Systems Command.
Military Plane Crash in Southwestern Colombia Kills at Least 33 People and Injures Dozens
CBS News
A Colombian military transport plane with mostly soldiers on board crashed March 23 in Puerto Leguizamo, killing at least 33 people and leaving dozens injured, according to the town's deputy mayor.
French Sailor Goes Running, Reveals Flagship’s Location via Fitness App
Task & Purpose
A French sailor was trying to keep fit, going for a run and logging his progress on a smartwatch. He ended up revealing an aircraft carrier’s position as it sails towards the Middle East.