UAV Development & Drone Programs   Satellite   Europe   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Breaking Defense • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Latvia tests UGV comms in dense forest where Starlink-linked systems falter

Latvian reports say unmanned ground vehicles encountered significant communication problems while operating in densely forested areas, with many incidents involving systems relying on Starlink. The episode highlights a practical connectivity gap for ground robotics in challenging terrain, with potential operational impacts during decentralized missions.

2026-05-13T01:57:09.373330-07:00
Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Reports suggest Gulf states carried out direct strikes on Iran during regional conflict

By Air Data News: Saudi and Emirati operations would mark a major shift from previous Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may have directly participated in military strikes against Iran during the recent regional conflict, according to reports published by Reuters and The Guardian .

Also: ANI News Agency and militarnyi.com
2026-05-13T02:47:21.398473-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Workforce & Skills Development  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Leading Edge Aviation to deliver additional UK military pilot training capacity

By FlightGlobal: Oxford-based training provider will deliver instruction to up to 34 pilots under new arrangement. Leading Edge Aviation is to deliver expanded pilot training services to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), using its Diamond Aircraft DA40 and DA42 platforms.

2026-05-13T03:15:15.550059-07:00
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Commercial, defence demand boost 2025 results at Japanese aerospace players

By FlightGlobal: Japanese aerospace suppliers are bellwethers for the broader industry. Major Japanese aerospace players posted strong revenues and profitability for the 2025 financial year ended 31 March, benefiting from strong commercial and defence demand.

2026-05-13T01:57:10.656800-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

USAF, Boeing agree on three-part plan to boost KC-46 readiness

By FlightGlobal: The effort will see an accelerated rollout of the aircraft's updated Remote Vision System for boom operators. The US Air Force (USAF) and Boeing have agreed on terms to improve readiness of the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft, and to accelerate the delivery of capabilities to the fleet.

Also: Air Data News
2026-05-12T22:43:11.010758-07:00
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
tass.com

Russia to place Sarmat ICBM on combat alert by year end

By tass.com: The President congratulated the Ministry of Defense, all employees, researchers, engineers, defense industry production organizers, prime contractors, and the thousands of workers engaged in the teamwork on "this major event and unconditional success".

Also: tass.com, warsight.com, South China Morning Post and 5 more
2026-05-12T08:11:54.293237-07:00
Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Congressional Budget Office estimates $1.2 trillion price tag for Golden Dome

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a national missile defense system broadly aligned with President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome executive order could cost roughly $1.2 trillion over 20 years, a figure that dramatically exceeds the Pentagon’s public estimate of about $185 billion.

Also: AirForceTimes, Aviation Week and Payload
2026-05-12T15:14:25.264888-07:00