UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Northrop Grumman

DARPA completes first flight test of XRQ-73 SHEPARD hybrid-electric, stealthy flying-wing drone at Edwards

Northrop Grumman’s XRQ-73 SHEPARD uncrewed aircraft has begun flight testing under DARPA, with AFRL participation, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in April 2026. The series-hybrid-electric demonstrator is designed for very quiet, high-efficiency flight and is aimed at proving military utility for next-generation lightweight autonomous systems.

Also: defence-blog.com
2026-05-06T10:19:38.902409-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
politico.eu • Victor Goury-Laffont

French aircraft carrier crosses Suez as Paris eyes Hormuz mission

By politico.eu: France wants to ensure the safe passage of ships through the strait but is wary of getting involved in the war.

Also: al-monitor.com, The Independent, Times of India and 9 more
2026-05-06T08:21:25.875536-07:00
MRO   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

MBDA to help India set up local MICA missile MRO facility

By AeroTime: MBDA will help the Indian Air Force set up local MRO capability for MICA missiles used by India’s Rafale fleet.

2026-05-06T08:27:35.377580-07:00
Leadership   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
investors.lockheedmartin.com

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' President Greg Ulmer to Retire, OJ Sanchez named successor

By investors.lockheedmartin.com: BETHESDA, Md., May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced that Aeronautics President Greg Ulmer has decided to retire after more than 30 years of service to the company.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, insidedefense.com and Lockheed Martin
2026-05-06T07:18:23.643453-07:00
Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Ukrainian forces test direct-to-device satellite imagery for frontline troops

By SpaceNews.com: DENVER — In an experiment, Ukrainian forces used handheld devices to task commercial imaging satellites, bypassing centralized intelligence workflows that typically slow delivery to the battlefield.

2026-05-05T14:48:36.672581-07:00