UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

Shield AI says the Defense Department selected its Hivemind agentic AI software to serve as the autonomy “pilot” for LUCAS Kamikaze one-way drones. The test demonstration later this year targets swarming 10 or more munitions operating collaboratively under the LUCAS program.

Also: asdnews.com and Defense Daily
2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Airbus  
Reuters • Tim Hepher

Airbus pitches progress on systems despite FCAS fighter row

By Reuters: European aerospace group Airbus on Tuesday talked up ​progress in designing systems for future combat aircraft to operate together, even as it faces a deadlock with ‌France's Dassault Aviation over Europe's next warplane.

2026-05-20T02:10:40.436996-07:00
Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   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
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Europe   Airports   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters • Andrius Sytas

Lithuanian lawmakers shelter, Vilnius air traffic suspended due to drone incursion

By Reuters: Lithuanian lawmakers were forced to shelter underground on Wednesday and air traffic at Vilnius airport was temporarily suspended after a drone violated the ​country's airspace, the latest in a series of security incidents in the Baltic region.

Also: DefenseNews.com, The Independent and The Guardian
2026-05-20T00:57:04.680020-07:00