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aerospaceglobalnews.com • Joanna Bailey

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod

The US Air Force has deployed A-10C Warthogs to the Middle East with newly operational capabilities: a Probe Refueling Adapter enabling probe-and-drogue refuelling from the HC-130J, and the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod carried on operations. The A-10C reached deployment-ready status in weeks after its first test.

2026-05-22T05:55:08.975323-07:00

DefenseNews.com

US Marines test UH-1Y/AH-1Z “mothership” concept with Neros Archer FPV drone control relayed from a helicopter

2026-05-22T12:10:37.661790-07:00

Breaking Defense

SOCOM backs continued MH-60 re-engining and Block III planning—while insisting Bell MV-75 tiltrotor won’t replace MH-60 special-

2026-05-22T09:11:23.421639-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

US Marines test UH-1Y/AH-1Z “mothership” concept with Neros Archer FPV drone control relayed from a helicopter The US Marine Corps conducted tests launching a Neros Archer FPV drone from the ground, then transferring control to operators aboard a helicopter positioned miles away. The Marines also demonstrated reconnaissance helicopters (UH-1Y Venom) and gunships (AH-1Z Viper) acting as airborne drone “motherships.”

2026-05-22T12:10:37.661790-07:00

US Marines test UH-1Y/AH-1Z “mothership” concept with Neros Archer FPV drone control relayed from a helicopter

Breaking Defense

IAI’s Diamond naval disaggregated offering pairs ship-dispersed drones and missiles with networked “mother ship” control IAI is pitching a new Diamond naval defense concept that disperses defensive systems across smaller satellite vessels and connects them to a mother ship in a disaggregated operating model. The approach is designed to flexibly combine drones and missile capabilities for small-ship users.

2026-05-22T09:54:05.718322-07:00

IAI’s Diamond naval disaggregated offering pairs ship-dispersed drones and missiles with networked “mother ship” control

Breaking Defense

SOCOM backs continued MH-60 re-engining and Block III planning—while insisting Bell MV-75 tiltrotor won’t replace MH-60 special- U.S. Special Operations Command officials reaffirm plans to field the Bell MV-75 tiltrotor, but say it will not fully replace the Sikorsky MH-60 special-mission variant. SOCOM also presses the Army to continue its H-60 re-engine effort tied to the GE Aerospace T901, alongside continued procurement planning that includes MH-47G Block II and a push toward Block III Chinooks.

2026-05-22T09:11:23.421639-07:00

SOCOM backs continued MH-60 re-engining and Block III planning—while insisting Bell MV-75 tiltrotor won’t replace MH-60 special-

AeroTime

Intellisense Systems lands $400M Boeing contract for C-17 flight deck replacement Intellisense Systems will supply data concentrator units and multifunction displays for Boeing’s C-17 flight deck replacement program, in a deal valued at $400 million. The contract reinforces Boeing’s ongoing modernization of C-17 avionics architectures via third-party flight-deck systems.

2026-05-22T07:10:42.521555-07:00

Intellisense Systems lands $400M Boeing contract for C-17 flight deck replacement

aerospaceglobalnews.com

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod The US Air Force has deployed A-10C Warthogs to the Middle East with newly operational capabilities: a Probe Refueling Adapter enabling probe-and-drogue refuelling from the HC-130J, and the Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod carried on operations. The A-10C reached deployment-ready status in weeks after its first test.

2026-05-22T05:55:08.975323-07:00

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Rocket Lab has secured its first geostationary-orbit satellite production orders: a $90 million U.S. Space Force contract to design, manufacture and operate two GEO satellites for Space Domain Awareness. The award also extends a Space Systems Command effort delivering two Heimdall prototype payloads on orbit.

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

Air Data News

Embraer-HAI MoU targets C-390 Millennium sustainment in Greece ahead of Greek fleet decision Embraer and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) have signed an MoU in Athens to develop C-390 Millennium maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, positioning local sustainment support prior to any Greek airlifter order. The wording of the announcement is being read as indicative of a likely Greek C-390 selection.

2026-05-22T01:39:09.248065-07:00

Embraer-HAI MoU targets C-390 Millennium sustainment in Greece ahead of Greek fleet decision

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has resumed flight testing of its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft following an April mishap that destroyed a prototype. The company says the return to flight followed safety reviews and a software fix addressing an autopilot weight miscalculation, with the Air Force calling the crash response “accept acquisition/test risk.”

2026-05-21T21:10:33.287494-07:00

GA-ASI restarts flight testing of YFQ-42A CCA after April prototype crash

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

A-10C Warthog gains probe-and-drogue refuelling in the Middle East, plus Angry Kitten EW pod

US Marines test UH-1Y/AH-1Z “mothership” concept with Neros Archer FPV drone control relayed from a helicopter

SOCOM backs continued MH-60 re-engining and Block III planning—while insisting Bell MV-75 tiltrotor won’t replace MH-60 special-

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract for first GEO satellites supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

News Timeline