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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK clears interim SDB-II for F-35B as StormBreaker/SPEAR 3 integration slips—corrosion and spares constrain mission rates

The UK MoD has approved the F-35B fleet’s interim stand-off strike fitment of Boeing Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) under FMS to bridge delays in integrating the European-produced MBDA SPEAR 3. Separate reporting also flags corrosion and spare-parts shortfalls after the UK deployed F-35Bs with only half the planned sustainment spares, reducing mission capability.

2026-05-15T04:12:16.071143-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Golden Dome chief disputes CBO’s $1.2T cost estimate for space-based missile defense

2026-05-14T10:36:53.949538-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics

2026-05-13T09:09:38.870409-07:00

AeroTime

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy

2026-05-14T03:55:50.606203-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

UK clears interim SDB-II for F-35B as StormBreaker/SPEAR 3 integration slips—corrosion and spares constrain mission rates The UK MoD has approved the F-35B fleet’s interim stand-off strike fitment of Boeing Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) under FMS to bridge delays in integrating the European-produced MBDA SPEAR 3. Separate reporting also flags corrosion and spare-parts shortfalls after the UK deployed F-35Bs with only half the planned sustainment spares, reducing mission capability.

2026-05-15T04:12:16.071143-07:00

UK clears interim SDB-II for F-35B as StormBreaker/SPEAR 3 integration slips—corrosion and spares constrain mission rates

SpaceNews.com

Golden Dome chief disputes CBO’s $1.2T cost estimate for space-based missile defense U.S. Space Force Golden Dome program director Michael Guetlein challenged a Congressional Budget Office estimate pegging the program’s cost at $1.2 trillion. Speaking at Washington’s “Inside the Dome” conference, he argued the estimate does not reflect the program’s affordability and scaling path.

2026-05-14T10:36:53.949538-07:00

Golden Dome chief disputes CBO’s $1.2T cost estimate for space-based missile defense

AeroTime

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Norway’s revocation of an export license for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The government framed the decision as unilateral and raised concerns about the disruption to planned defense procurement.

2026-05-14T03:55:50.606203-07:00

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy

AeroTime

Swiss Patriot program faces 50%+ cost overrun risk, Bern weighs cancellation Switzerland is preparing for Patriot-related cost overruns of more than 50%, with the total bill potentially doubling to CHF 4 billion as the government in Bern considers cancellation. The decision highlights how affordability pressures and rising program costs are reshaping Swiss air-defense planning.

2026-05-14T01:11:46.388641-07:00

Swiss Patriot program faces 50%+ cost overrun risk, Bern weighs cancellation

DefenseNews.com

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Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics The Pentagon announced framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 to develop and accelerate production of 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles, alongside plans to buy 500 hypersonic missiles annually. The awards expand the industrial base, with the U.S. Army set to procure 3,000 containerized Barracuda 500M cruise missiles from Anduril.

2026-05-13T09:09:38.870409-07:00

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics

SpaceNews.com

CBO: Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense could cost ~$1.2T over 20 years, with space-based interceptors the biggest driver The Congressional Budget Office estimates a national missile defense architecture broadly aligned with President Trump’s “Golden Dome” executive order would cost about $1.2 trillion over the next two decades. The CBO report says space-based interceptors are the largest cost component—far above the Pentagon’s public estimate of roughly $185 billion.

2026-05-12T15:14:25.264888-07:00

CBO: Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense could cost ~$1.2T over 20 years, with space-based interceptors the biggest driver

The War Zone

USAF to begin work on new bomber-launched ARRW hypersonic variant targeting moving ships The U.S. Air Force is moving forward to start work on a new ARRW missile variant designed to engage moving targets, with an emphasis on future Pacific combat scenarios. The effort signals continued adaptation of existing hypersonic basing and mission profiles to improve effectiveness against maritime threats.

2026-05-12T10:51:46.939041-07:00

USAF to begin work on new bomber-launched ARRW hypersonic variant targeting moving ships

tass.com

Russia moves Sarmat ICBM toward operational deployment after successful RS-28 test; Putin links timing to broader ‘final stages’ Russia says it has successfully tested the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, releasing footage of a launch overseen by Vladimir Putin. The Strategic Missile Forces say Sarmat will be placed on combat alert by year end, with deployment targeted later this year and Putin claiming additional systems are in final stages.

2026-05-12T08:11:54.293237-07:00

Russia moves Sarmat ICBM toward operational deployment after successful RS-28 test; Putin links timing to broader ‘final stages’

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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

UK clears interim SDB-II for F-35B as StormBreaker/SPEAR 3 integration slips—corrosion and spares constrain mission rates

Golden Dome chief disputes CBO’s $1.2T cost estimate for space-based missile defense

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy

News Timeline