AeroTimeStephen Pope

Japan completes Mach 5 ramjet ground test for hypersonic research program

Japanese researchers have completed a Mach 5 ramjet ground test for a hypersonic aircraft research program, adding a key high-speed combustion validation step without relying on in-flight trials. The result advances Japan’s path toward sustained hypersonic experimentation and vehicle integration.

Also: Aero-News
2026-05-18T13:09:45.826761-07:00
FlightGlobalRyan Finnerty

More than 40 US aircraft lost during Iran air campaign combat: report

By FlightGlobal: The tally includes 24 MQ-9A Reaper drones, seven KC-135 tankers and several fighter types. The US military lost or suffered significant damage to 42 aircraft during the aerial bombing campaign against Iran, which is currently in a tenuous ceasefire.

2026-05-18T10:39:20.544451-07:00
SpaceNews.comSandra Erwin

Inside Golden Dome’s push to court commercial tech firms and investors

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Pentagon officials overseeing Golden Dome are trying to convince commercial space founders, venture investors and software companies that missile defense can be built more like a modern technology platform than a traditional weapons system.

2026-05-18T07:24:29.397169-07:00
AeroTimeClement Charpentreau

Destinus, Rheinmetall accelerate RUTA Block 3 long-range cruise missile

By AeroTime: Destinus has announced the accelerated start of RUTA Block 3, a 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) cruise missile produced with Rheinmetall in Europe.

Also: asdnews.com and 4 more
2026-05-18T04:24:56.842056-07:00