Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection) Defense Policy

Reuters • David Jeans

Pentagon disputes SpaceX Starlink pricing for Iran war support, after Starlink-guided kamikaze drone performance gains

SpaceX officials conclude the Pentagon should pay more for access to Starlink satellite “Wi‑Fi” network service amid U.S. use of kamikaze drones guided via Starlink against Iran. The reporting frames the dispute as pricing pressure linked to battlefield-visible gains from Starlink-enabled targeting and comms.

Also: CNA

2026-05-26T03:30:10.977923-07:00

Europe Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Thales completes first X-Fire launcher firings in France’s FLP-T race

By AeroTime: Thales carried out the first firings of its X-Fire ground-based long-range strike launcher on May 20, 2026, advancing France's FLP-T program.

Also: asdnews.com

2026-05-26T01:17:08.931826-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Marine Corps plans to retire F/A-18 legacy Hornets by 2030

By Air Data News: Phase-out of first-generation Hornets aligns with transition to all-F-35 force; AV-8B Harrier II set for final operational flight U.S.

2026-05-26T01:00:46.538947-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Korea’s Marine Attack Helicopter enters final development

By FlightGlobal: The Marine Attack Helicopter will provide firepower to South Korean marines, including an air-to-air capability. The Korea Aerospace Industries Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) is entering its final development phase following an extensive test campaign.

Also: Yonhap News Agency

2026-05-25T20:48:32.609583-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

politico.eu • Nicholas Vinocur, Zoya Sheftalovich

Baltics turn to Ukraine for bomb shelter expertise amid drone fears

By politico.eu: A recent increase in incursions into Baltic airspace has bolstered interest in what Kyiv has learned in more than four years of war with Moscow.

2026-05-25T19:29:14.889727-07:00

Antitrust Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Belarusian guilty plea exposes shadow trade in banned aircraft parts to Russia

By AeroTime: A guilty plea in a US export-control case shows how aircraft parts allegedly moved to Russia through shadowy brokers and intermediaries.

Also: Aero-News

2026-05-25T17:14:11.683201-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF's New Turbocharged ULTRA Surveillance Drones Are Heading To The Middle East

By The War Zone: The persistent surveillance capabilities the glider-like ULTRA offers are in high demand, especially amid MQ-9 losses in fighting with Iran.

2026-05-25T10:43:56.940590-07:00

MRO Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Air Force pulls KC-135 from boneyard to replace crash-loss tanker

By Air Data News: Standard procedure restores fleet readiness after tanker destroyed in accident earlier US Air Force (USAF) is pulling a KC-135 Stratotanker out of long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan boneyard in Arizona to replace a tanker destroyed in a crash earlier this month, military officials confirmed.

2026-05-25T11:42:34.140453-07:00

Menu