North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Phil Stewart

Pentagon halts Canada-U.S. biannual defense talks over “credible partner” concerns; cites NATO-spending gap and an F-35 acquisit

The U.S. is suspending planned biannual defense talks with Canada, citing growing concern that Ottawa is not meeting expectations for a “credible” security partner—specifically by raising defense spending and completing its F-35 acquisition review. The move follows a public freeze and new demands for a NATO spending-road map and F-35 decision clarity.

Also: CBC
2026-05-21T15:39:06.812496-07:00
Supply Chain   North America   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters • Mike Stone

Lockheed Martin breaks ground on Alabama missile plant

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin broke ground on Thursday on an 87,000-square-foot Munitions Production Center at its Troy, Alabama campus, as part of a ​U.S. push to expand missile output and strengthen the defense ‌industrial base.

2026-05-21T14:24:14.316151-07:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
The War Zone • The War Zone

Night Stalker MH-47 Chinooks May Get Aerial Refueling Tanker Role

By The War Zone: Special ops MH-47 Chinooks that could refuel other aircraft midair would give the Night Stalkers their own organic tanker capability. Special ops MH-47 Chinooks that could refuel other aircraft midair would give the Night Stalkers their own organic tanker capability.

2026-05-21T13:10:44.578712-07:00
Hypersonic   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Defense Policy   Boeing   Boeing 747  
AeroTime • Stephen Pope

US Missile Defense Agency conducts hypersonic flight test with Stratolaunch

By AeroTime: The US Missile Defense Agency conducted a hypersonic flight test using Stratolaunch’s Talon-A3 vehicle and a modified Boeing 747-400.

Also: Defense Daily and aerospaceglobalnews.com
2026-05-21T12:39:25.249024-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   SAAB   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.

Also: The Aviationist, Air Data News, Aviation Week, UK Defence Journal, ga-asi.com and 4 more
2026-05-21T09:38:36.247976-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Air Force dubs MQ-9 the ‘MVP’ of Epic Fury as lawmakers press manned-unmanned future

By DefenseNews.com: The remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was the workhorse in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, Air Force leaders told Congress on May 20, even as the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request still pours the bulk of aircraft dollars into crewed fighters.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times
2026-05-21T11:10:25.711914-07:00