Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
tass.com

Russia says Sarmat ICBM test successful and moves toward combat alert, citing 35,000 km range and end-of-year operationalization

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces commander told Vladimir Putin that Moscow has successfully tested the Sarmat heavy ICBM. The Kremlin is framing Sarmat—reported range up to 35,000 km—as progressing to combat alert by year-end, with Putin also asserting service entry during 2026. Separately, Russia claims related nuclear modernization work (Burevestnik, Poseidon) is nearing final stages.

Also: warsight.com, South China Morning Post and 4 more
2026-05-12T08:11:54.293237-07:00
Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Congressional Budget Office estimates $1.2 trillion price tag for Golden Dome

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a national missile defense system broadly aligned with President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome executive order could cost roughly $1.2 trillion over 20 years, a figure that dramatically exceeds the Pentagon’s public estimate of about $185 billion.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, AirForceTimes and Aviation Week
2026-05-12T15:14:25.264888-07:00
ATC   North America   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation  
mynorthwest.com • Associated Press

Air Force trainer jet crashes, pilots eject safely

By mynorthwest.com: COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) — A U.S. Air Force training jet crashed Tuesday in west Alabama with both pilots ejecting safely, military officials said.

2026-05-12T14:03:32.458229-07:00
Eurofighter   ATC   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Aircraft Accused Of Austrian Airspace Incursion

By The War Zone: Austria says it scrambled Eurofighters two days in a row to intercept U.S. military aircraft, likely U-28As operated by Air Force Special Operations Command.

2026-05-12T09:37:07.686361-07:00