Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet

A new push in Congress targets the Air Force’s plan to retire the Cold War-era U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, setting up another clash with service leaders who want to end the program. The legislative effort would preserve U-2 fleet capacity amid continuing debate over mission needs.

2026-06-16T09:44:21.780860-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Safran   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

UAE’s EDGE takes first steps towards European prime status

By FlightGlobal: New factories and Paris headquarters will deliver sovereign capability, state-owned group argues. UAE state-owned defence group EDGE will by the next June have opened two new production sites in France as part of a recently announced European investment strategy.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-06-16T09:19:21.523021-07:00
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