UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

US Air Force calls MQ-9 Reaper the “MVP” of Epic Fury as Congress pushes toward manned-unmanned future; GE/Kratos secure GE426 e

US Air Force leaders told lawmakers on May 20 that the remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper served as a “workhorse” in the air campaign against Iran, even as the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request continues to prioritize crewed fighters. Separately, GE Aerospace and Kratos won a May 19 US Air Force contract to design the GE426 expendable drone engine for autonomous aircraft.

DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Author Michael Scanlon | Defense News

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times
2026-05-21T11:10:25.711914-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   General Atomics   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

General Atomics flies MQ-9B for first time carrying Saab LoyalEye AEW radars

By FlightGlobal: Combination is described as the 'world's first unmanned AEW solution'. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has flown a company-owned MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft for the first time carrying pod-housed airborne early warning (AEW) radar arrays produced by Saab.

2026-05-21T09:38:36.247976-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
NEW
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

MC-130Js destroyed in Iran could be replaced with ‘green’ Lockheed Martin transports

By FlightGlobal: The potential option involves Special Operations Command completing modifications to bring in-production C-130Js to the MC-130J standard.

2026-05-21T11:40:00.607079-07:00