Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

UK condemns Russian Su-27/Su-35 ‘dangerous and unacceptable’ intercepts of RAF RC-135 over Black Sea

Britain’s defence ministry said Russian Su-27 and Su-35 fighters carried out dangerous interceptions of Royal Air Force RC-135 surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea, including one near miss with the jet flying within six metres and actions that reportedly disabled the RC-135 autopilot before repeated circling.

Also: Times of India, CBS News, The Independent, news.ssbcrack.com and The Independent
2026-05-20T12:09:53.473888-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
defence-industry.eu • Martin Chomsky Air

Strategic deterrence: Air Force Global Strike Command launches unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base

By defence-industry.eu: Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on May 20 at 12:01 a.m.

Also: afgsc.af.mil, spaceforce.mil and tass.com
2026-05-20T03:09:58.809814-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Shield AI to demonstrate AI-equipped one-way attack munitions later this year

By FlightGlobal: The autonomy company will equip the Pentagon's LUCAS one-way attack drones with Hivemind agentic software for a test demonstration later this year, swarming 10 or more munitions.

Also: asdnews.com and Defense Daily
2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00
Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

New Seville conversion centre to boost Airbus A330 MRTT output to seven per year

By FlightGlobal: Infrastructure refurbishment at San Pablo site will add to primary Getafe line. Airbus Defence & Space is to boost its conversion capacity for the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) to seven examples per year, as it eyes multiple additional sales opportunities for the type.

Also: Janes, Aviation Week, aviation-defence-universe.com and defenceturkey.com
2026-05-19T23:10:34.642782-07:00