UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

DARPA explores remotely triggered containerized drone swarms for hard-to-defend contested environments

DARPA is pursuing remotely triggered, containerized drone swarms designed to be rapidly employable “pretty much everywhere,” including behind enemy lines. The concept emphasizes distributed mass effects and the resulting defensive challenge of tracking and defeating swarms once dispersed.

2026-05-09T13:14:03.728301-07:00
Event   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy   NASA  
NBC News • Corky Siemaszko, Denise Chow

Pentagon begins release of UFO files

By NBC News: The files have been a source of intrigue and fascination for generations of skeptical Americans wondering if we’re alone in the universe.

Also: Universe Today, AeroTime, AirForceTimes, Times of India, The Independent, CBS News and 4 more
2026-05-08T08:49:56.355639-07:00
L3Harris   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

L3Harris poised to significantly expand EA-37B progamme with $2.9bn in US orders expected

By FlightGlobal: The US Air Force plans to add up to 12 aircraft to its existing orderbook for 10 of the electronic attack jets. Military systems integrator L3Harris expects to secure a significant number of new US orders for its EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft in the coming years.

2026-05-08T16:09:00.082923-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Howard Altman

F/A-18 Super Hornet Drops Bombs Down Smoke Stacks Of Iranian Tankers Running Blockade (Updated)

By The War Zone: The attack comes as the UAE claims it was struck again by Iran and hours after the U.S. and Iran exchanged blows. Add TWZ (opens in a new tab) More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.

Also: Times of India, Business Insider and overtdefense.com
2026-05-08T09:52:26.521858-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Workforce & Skills Development   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Daniel Terrill

Marines to phase out F/A-18 maintenance jobs as Hornet era ends

By DefenseNews.com: Enlisted Marines with Hornet specialties will be offered retraining, reassignment or career dead ends.

Also: Stars and Stripes, marinecorpstimes.com and Military Times
2026-05-08T12:57:43.506406-07:00
Event   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Deals   Bayraktar  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Baykar inks Indonesian deal for 12 Kizilelma UCAVs

By FlightGlobal: Deal is consistent with Jakarta's ambitions to boost its aerospace sector. Turkish uncrewed aircraft specialist Baykar has entered a pact with Indonesia’s Republikorp for the supply of 12 Kizilelma unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) starting in 2028.

Also: AeroTime, Janes, Daily Sabah and 3 more
2026-05-08T01:51:35.055091-07:00