UAV Development & Drone Programs   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Report: US loses or severely damages 42 aircraft in Iran bombing campaign; includes 24 MQ-9A Reaper and seven KC-135 tankers

A report says the US military lost or suffered significant damage to 42 aircraft during an aerial bombing campaign against Iran amid a tenuous ceasefire. The tally includes 24 MQ-9A Reaper drones, seven KC-135 tankers, and several fighter types, underscoring combat attrition risks to high-tempo air operations.

2026-05-18T10:39:20.544451-07:00
AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Inside Golden Dome’s push to court commercial tech firms and investors

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Pentagon officials overseeing Golden Dome are trying to convince commercial space founders, venture investors and software companies that missile defense can be built more like a modern technology platform than a traditional weapons system.

2026-05-18T07:24:29.397169-07:00
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: Destinus has announced the accelerated start of RUTA Block 3, a 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) cruise missile produced with Rheinmetall in Europe.

Also: asdnews.com and 4 more
2026-05-18T04:24:56.842056-07:00
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
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