Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US lawmakers seek $127M to replace Epic Fury-loss aircraft: four MH-6 Little Birds and two MC-130J special-operations transports

A US Senate legislative effort would provide $127 million to replace four MH-6 Little Birds and two MC-130J special operations transports destroyed during the Epic Fury Iran rescue operation, including recovery of an F-15E crew member. The plan would source funds from the OA-1K account, rather than a supplemental appropriation.

2026-06-18T09:01:12.019681-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement  
NEW
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Shield AI readies for X-Bat first flight with initial test aircraft complete

By FlightGlobal: The autonomous vertical take-off and landing combat jet will make a maiden sortie towards the end of 2026. AI and autonomy developer Shield AI has now almost completed the first three test assets for its X-Bat collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) programme as it builds towards a first flight later this year.

2026-06-18T09:01:10.923519-07:00
Satellite   ESA   Space Defense & Militarization  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Paperwork done, European Defence Agency ISR constellation requirements to be delivered to ESA for in-orbit demos

By Space Intel Report: BRUSSELS— Seven months after securing an initial budget to jump-start a European intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) service, the European Space Agency (ESA) is about to receive a list of what the future users of the service want from it.

2026-06-18T05:24:04.580706-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)  
aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

Germany Nears Deal for Six Bombardier Global 8000 Electronic Warfare Aircraft

By aviationnews.eu: Aviation News – Germany is preparing to order six Bombardier Global 8000 business jets that will be converted into advanced electronic warfare and jamming aircraft for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), according to reports.

Also: Air Data News
2026-06-17T18:01:01.635695-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Supply Chain   Airports   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airlines  
Associated Press • The Associated Press

Ukrainian drones set a Moscow refinery ablaze in a major attack on the Russian capital

By Associated Press: 1 of 6 | Ukraine hit a major Moscow oil refinery for a second time in a week and disrupted commercial flights at Moscow airports in one of its biggest drone attacks since the start of the conflict more than four years ago, Russian officials said Thursday.

Also: CBC
2026-06-18T00:33:37.308869-07:00