Aircraft Carrier   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone demonstrator heads aboard USS Nimitz for 250th anniversary event

The Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray tanker-drone demonstrator has gone aboard USS Nimitz in conjunction with the carrier’s 250th U.S. Navy anniversary celebrations. The demonstrator’s deck presence—standing out in size alongside crewed aircraft—highlights continued progress toward carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling.

2026-06-29T11:42:40.861484-07:00
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Sino-Russian bomber patrol over East China Sea intercepted by US and Japanese fighters

By FlightGlobal: The sortie included J-16 fighters escorting H-6K and Tu-95 strategic bombers. Russia and China have conducted a large joint air patrol over the East China Sea, including fighters, strategic bombers, aerial tankers and other support aircraft.

2026-06-29T10:25:56.872379-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Lockheed Martin to finalise European missile integration work on F-35 for UK and Italy

By FlightGlobal: Activity concerns final clearance of MBDA-produced munitions. Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract modification worth around $74 million to finalise work to integrate European-developed weapons with its F-35 for London and Rome.

2026-06-29T07:40:42.703468-07:00