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
Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
NEW
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Ukraine Retook Territory After Hobbling Starlink, Pentagon Says

By Bloomberg: A Ukrainian offensive against Russia earlier this year retook about 400 square kilometers after thousands of portable Starlink internet terminals operated by Russian forces were deactivated, according to the US Defense Intelligence Agency.

2026-05-21T15:54:27.493477-07:00
Supply Chain   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   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