Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

UK MoD condemns repeated “dangerous and unacceptable” Russian intercepts of RAF RC-135 and Rivet Joint over the Black Sea

Britain’s Ministry of Defence says Russian Su-27/Su-35 pilots carried out multiple dangerous interceptions of RAF surveillance aircraft in the Black Sea, including a near miss involving a Rivet Joint flight and an encounter described as flying within metres (as close as six metres) of an RAF spy plane. Officials cite escalation risk and warn such actions raise NATO-Russia tensions.

Also: Times of India, CBS News, The Independent, news.ssbcrack.com and The Independent
2026-05-20T12:09:53.473888-07:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
defence-industry.eu • Martin Chomsky Air

Strategic deterrence: Air Force Global Strike Command launches unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base

By defence-industry.eu: Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on May 20 at 12:01 a.m.

Also: afgsc.af.mil, spaceforce.mil and tass.com
2026-05-20T03:09:58.809814-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Shield AI to demonstrate AI-equipped one-way attack munitions later this year

By FlightGlobal: The autonomy company will equip the Pentagon's LUCAS one-way attack drones with Hivemind agentic software for a test demonstration later this year, swarming 10 or more munitions.

Also: asdnews.com and Defense Daily
2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00
Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

New Seville conversion centre to boost Airbus A330 MRTT output to seven per year

By FlightGlobal: Infrastructure refurbishment at San Pablo site will add to primary Getafe line. Airbus Defence & Space is to boost its conversion capacity for the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) to seven examples per year, as it eyes multiple additional sales opportunities for the type.

Also: Janes, Aviation Week, aviation-defence-universe.com and defenceturkey.com
2026-05-19T23:10:34.642782-07:00