Hypersonic   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Defense Policy   Boeing   Boeing 747  
AeroTime • Stephen Pope

MDA tests hypersonics from Stratolaunch using ex-Virgin Orbit Boeing 747-400 and Talon-A3

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) carried out a hypersonic flight test using Stratolaunch’s Talon-A3 vehicle launched from a modified Boeing 747-400. The test was conducted as part of an MDA mission, leveraging Stratolaunch’s former Virgin Orbit 747 for reusable hypersonic test activity.

2026-05-21T12:39:25.249024-07:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
NEW
The War Zone • The War Zone

Night Stalker MH-47 Chinooks May Get Aerial Refueling Tanker Role

By The War Zone: Special ops MH-47 Chinooks that could refuel other aircraft midair would give the Night Stalkers their own organic tanker capability. Special ops MH-47 Chinooks that could refuel other aircraft midair would give the Night Stalkers their own organic tanker capability.

2026-05-21T13:10:44.578712-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
DefenseNews.com • Michael Scanlon

Air Force dubs MQ-9 the ‘MVP’ of Epic Fury as lawmakers press manned-unmanned future

By DefenseNews.com: The remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was the workhorse in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, Air Force leaders told Congress on May 20, even as the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request still pours the bulk of aircraft dollars into crewed fighters.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times
2026-05-21T11:10:25.711914-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

MC-130Js destroyed in Iran could be replaced with ‘green’ Lockheed Martin transports

By FlightGlobal: The potential option involves Special Operations Command completing modifications to bring in-production C-130Js to the MC-130J standard.

2026-05-21T11:40:00.607079-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   SAAB   General Atomics   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

General Atomics flies MQ-9B for first time carrying Saab LoyalEye AEW radars

By FlightGlobal: Combination is described as the 'world's first unmanned AEW solution'. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has flown a company-owned MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft for the first time carrying pod-housed airborne early warning (AEW) radar arrays produced by Saab.

Also: ga-asi.com and 4 more
2026-05-21T09:38:36.247976-07:00