UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Northrop Grumman • MIN READ

DARPA and Northrop Grumman launch XRQ-73 Shepard hybrid-electric ISR demonstrator at Edwards

DARPA and Northrop Grumman have completed the first flight of the XRQ-73 Shepard, an uncrewed reconnaissance platform designed to demonstrate hybrid-electric propulsion for future autonomous systems. Built with Scaled Composites, the “flying wing” uses electricity generated by a gas turbine to drive an ultra-quiet propulsion system. Flight tests are underway at Edwards Air Force Base.

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

DARPA's XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Flying Wing Drone Has Flown

The Aviationist • Kai Greet

DARPA's XRQ-73 SHEPARD Hybrid-Electric Flying Wing Prototype Takes Flight

Also: aviationnews.eu, FlightGlobal, Aviation Week, defence-blog.com and 3 more

2026-05-06T10:19:38.902409-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Export Controls & Trade Compliance

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Raytheon secures major SharpSight radar order in global distribution deal

By AeroTime: Raytheon will produce 120 SharpSight radars under a deal with distributor Blue Raven that is aimed at expanding global access to the surveillance system.

aviationnews.eu

Raytheon and Blue Raven Partner to Deliver 120 Advanced Surveillance Radars to Global Markets

defence-blog.com

Raytheon receives largest ever SharpSight radar order

Also: Seapower Magazine, Seeking Alpha, mrobusinesstoday.com and defence-industry.eu

2026-05-06T13:58:50.496928-07:00

Event Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Agnes Helou

Turkey rolls out intercontinental missile with purported 6,000km range

By Breaking Defense: The ICBM would add a "crucial layer of deterrence" to Turkey's military arsenal, a defense analyst told Breaking Defense.

Aviation Week

Turkey Unveils Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Concept

warsight.com

SAHA 2026: Türkiye unveils Yıldırımhan, the country’s first ICBM

Also: Times of India and defcrosnews.com

2026-05-06T12:36:31.055231-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Middle East Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

politico.eu • Victor Goury-Laffont

French aircraft carrier crosses Suez as Paris eyes Hormuz mission

By politico.eu: France wants to ensure the safe passage of ships through the strait but is wary of getting involved in the war.

DefenseNews.com

France moves aircraft carrier to Red Sea with eye on Hormuz mission

Economic Times

French carrier group moves south of Suez ahead of conditional UK-French Hormuz mission

Also: al-monitor.com, The Independent, Times of India and 9 more

2026-05-06T08:21:25.875536-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

NGA Rapid Capabilities Office to embrace speed and risk-taking

By SpaceNews.com: DENVER – The job of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) is to “deliver disruptive capabilities to our warfighters faster than emerging threats,” NGA Director Lt.

2026-05-06T15:47:35.545326-07:00

Antitrust Supply Chain Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Valerie Insinna

Lockheed opposes Northrop bid to remove firewall on solid rocket motor business

By Breaking Defense: Northrop argues that a 2018 consent order is hampering its ability to ramp up solid rocket motor production needed for critical munitions.

2026-05-06T11:42:11.110301-07:00

Leadership Europe Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Aviation Week • Robert Wall

Departing Leonardo CEO Projects Continuity

By Aviation Week: Leonardo’s departing CEO expects the new management team to largely stay the course even if some adjustments to plans may take place, Robert Cingolani said on his last day on the job.

Also: FlightGlobal

2026-05-06T14:00:09.232094-07:00

Leadership Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

investors.lockheedmartin.com

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' President Greg Ulmer to Retire, OJ Sanchez named successor

By investors.lockheedmartin.com: BETHESDA, Md., May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced that Aeronautics President Greg Ulmer has decided to retire after more than 30 years of service to the company.