UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Safran   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

EDGE and Safran move toward European prime status with Hammer precision-weapon JV and UAV push

EDGE says it is opening new production sites in France by next June as part of a European investment strategy aimed at building “sovereign” capability. Safran and EDGE also confirmed a joint-venture plan around the Hammer precision weapon, alongside efforts to expand their broader programs portfolio in Paris.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-06-16T09:19:21.523021-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Congress moves again to block retirement of U-2 spy plane fleet

By Air Data News: The US Congress is once again moving to preserve the US Air Force's fleet of U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, setting up another clash with service leaders who want to retire the Cold War-era spy plane.

2026-06-16T09:44:21.780860-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

MARSS targets C-UAS market with new Interceptor weapon

By FlightGlobal: Titanium-reinforced Interceptor-MR will be ready for deployment in 2027. Counter-unmanned air systems (C-UAS) provider MARSS will next year begin serial production of its new drone interceptor as it enters the final stages of development testing.

2026-06-16T07:32:55.309478-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Middle East   Helicopter   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Dmitry Zhdannikov, Edward Carron, Feras Dalatey, Jonathan Saul

Exclusive: The U.S. is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the Gulf

By Reuters: The United States military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial and water drones as well as helicopters in an operation to guide convoys to awaiting tankers.

Also: Air Cargo News, The Independent and al-monitor.com
2026-06-16T04:33:27.109874-07:00