The Hill
• Kevin Bohn
The U.S. military reduced force‑protection and threat levels at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar after officials said there were no imminent plans to strike Iran, easing restrictions on personnel and routine operations. The adjustment reflects a short‑term de‑escalation in U.S. regional posture.
Washington Post
• Tobi Raji
By Washington Post: Bobi Wine, the pop star-turned-politician who is contesting President Yoweri Museveni’s rule, was forced into a helicopter and flown to an unknown location as votes are tallied, his party said.
New York Times
• John Ismay
By New York Times: Videos show U.S. forces descending quickly from helicopters onto the tankers, two years after a tragic boarding attempt.
DefenseNews.com
• Zita Fletcher
By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy have sealed a deal with L3Harris Technologies for 34 large T7 robots to support the services in EOD missions.
defensemirror.com
marinecorpstimes.com
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
By AeroTime: President Petr Pavel says the Czech Republic can soon provide Ukraine with combat aircraft to intercept drones, with the L-159 seen as the most likely option.
FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
By FlightGlobal: California-based start-up Grid Aero has begun ground testing its Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft, less than a year after publicly unveiling the twin-engined turboprop design intended as a companion to the Lockheed Martin C-130 transport.
Reuters
By Reuters: Britain’s Royal Navy said on Friday its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, designed to track submarines and carry out other high-risk missions amid rising North Atlantic tensions, had completed its maiden flight.
Airbus
By Airbus: The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the production of six VSR700 UAS.
FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
