UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF turbocharges ULTRA persistent-surveillance glider drones for Middle East deployment as MQ-9 losses mount

The USAF is sending its turbocharged ULTRA surveillance glider-like unmanned aircraft to the Middle East, citing strong demand for persistent surveillance capabilities amid MQ-9 losses in combat against Iran. The deployment underscores continued reliance on long-endurance ISR when attrition pressures fixed UAS fleets.

2026-05-25T10:43:56.940590-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Poland marks arrival of first three F-35As

By FlightGlobal: Poland aims to operate a total of 32 F-35As from two bases. Poland has marked the arrival of its first three Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters at a local air base.

Also: Scramble, The Aviationist and Scramble
2026-05-25T01:12:20.923306-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Hypersonic   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Associated Press • Efrem Lukatsky, EVGENIY MALOLETKA

Russia strikes Kyiv with drones and hypersonic missile, in photos

By Associated Press: Russia used the powerful hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile during a mass drone and missile attack on Kyiv on Sunday that killed at least two people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, marking its third use in the war.

Also: The Independent, CBS News, Economic Times, news.ssbcrack.com and Times of India
2026-05-24T18:28:09.644253-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Hypersonic   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Daniel Flynn, Yuliia Dysa

Russia hits Ukraine with Oreshnik missile in one of war's biggest attacks on Kyiv

By Reuters: The overnight barrage killed four people and wounded more than 80, according to Ukrainian officials. "It was a terrible night for Kyiv," the city's mayor said.

2026-05-23T17:13:29.606158-07:00