AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Golden Dome outreach targets commercial tech firms as Pentagon reframes missile defense as a scalable platform

Pentagon officials overseeing Golden Dome are pitching missile defense to commercial space founders, venture investors, and software companies—positioning it as a modern technology platform rather than a traditional weapons program. The effort underscores DoD’s push to pull in faster-moving, non-traditional defense suppliers to help operationalize the shield concept.

2026-05-18T07:24:29.397169-07:00
Event   AI   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

ADSTAR Summit to showcase AI-enabled air battle management training

By AeroTime: Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group will host the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research Summit (ADSTAR) in Adelaide from August 4 to 6, 2026, bringing together leaders from government, academia, and industry to discuss defense innovation.

2026-05-18T06:53:42.129211-07:00
Europe   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

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

By AeroTime: Swiss-Dutch defense company Destinus announced on May 18, 2026, the accelerated development of RUTA Block 3, a 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) range precision-strike weapon developed in partnership with Germany’s Rheinmetall.

Also: asdnews.com and 4 more
2026-05-18T04:24:56.842056-07:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Indian air force shows first Tata-built C295

By FlightGlobal: The C295 is a key element in Indian air force efforts to upgrade its tactical airlift capabilities. The first Airbus Defence & Space C295 tactical transport produced in India is being prepared for its maiden sortie.

Also: India Defense News, Economic Times, aviationindia.net and aviationindia.net
2026-05-18T01:54:15.829281-07:00
Event   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation  
Task & Purpose • Nicholas Slayton

Aircrews safely eject after two Navy jets collide during air show

By Task & Purpose: Video from the event at Mountain Home Air Force Base shows four parachutes in the sky after two E/A-18G Growlers collided in midair.

Also: Reuters, Aviation24, The Aviationist, USNI News, Apple News, Air Data News, The War Zone, Flying Magazine, FlightGlobal, Politico, New York Times, NBC News and 47 more
2026-05-17T12:51:13.509349-07:00