Sensors/EW/Comms

The U.S. Navy’s air and sea commands are jointly looking for new ways to protect key ships and maritime choke points from the growing threats of swarming drones.

The U.S. Marine Corps is starting anew with an effort to replace its Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopter fleet with a new, potentially uncrewed aircraft.

A European Defense Fund (EDF)-supported anti-submarine warfare project is to make use of Schiebel’s new S-300 rotary-wing uncrewed aircraft system.

Airbus Defense and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn hopes France and Germany will finally resolve the path forward for the New Generation Fighter program by ILA.

The sale of a stake in TAP will be followed by a new Lisbon airport, expansion of the existing gateway and investment in Portugal’s air traffic control system.

EDA advances automated refueling tests to include unmanned aircraft and tankers.

Computing by laser; automating light helicopters; uncrewed airdropping; and beam-powered UAS.

The U.S. Marine Corps has selected teams to demonstrate uncrewed cargo helicopters for contested logistics missions.

The U.S. Marine Corps recently reached initial operational capability on a slew of capabilities for its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9 fleet.

In Africa’s game reserves, many wild animals are either overpopulating the limited area, or are declining due to habitat degradation or migration.

The U.S. Navy on April 25 conducted the much anticipated first flight of its Boeing MQ-25 Stingray uncrewed refueling aircraft, a major milestone in the service’s pursuit of bringing autonomous aircraft to its carriers.

In a battlespace unrecognizable from when the war began in 2022, Ukraine’s adaptations appear to be outpacing the Russian invaders.

The first flight of the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray uncrewed refueler is imminent, as the Navy outlines an updated spending plan for an aircraft.

Modern navies face an evolving threats arena powered by ongoing developments in targeting and attack systems.

Robinson has selected Rotor Technologies as the autonomy provider for its new line of remotely piloted R44s.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration has rolled out the first production model of its MUAV uncrewed aerial system ahead of its entry into service planned for 2027.

The U.S. Air Force is exploring the addition of one-way attack drones to its arsenal, seeking domestically sourced designs that comply with U.S. technology policies and avoid reliance on Chinese components.

The latest news in brief from the business aviation industry.

New efforts to field drones rapidly include Drone Dominance scrimmages and an easy-to-use portal on which to order UAS.

CMC GNSS receivers deliver accuracy, integrity, continuity, and resilience—trusted for crewed and autonomous aircraft in complex environments.

Robinson Helicopter is growing its business with new uncrewed aircraft, military training bids and development of a larger utility helicopter.

Brief news items of interest to business aviation and AAM professionals.

The U.S. Marine Corps’ new Aviation Plan builds on the progress of Project Eagle to date while sharpening the focus on artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and uncrewed technologies.

Robinson Helicopter aims to extend its lineup of autonomous uncrewed vertical lift capabilities with Sikorsky following the unveiling of the TurbineTruck.

Singapore will acquire three G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft with Oron-like radar systems to complement its P-8A Poseidon fleet.

The Pentagon used a counter-drone system to down what it called a “seemingly threatening” uncrewed air system, drawing concerns from lawmakers about potential risks to civil airspace.

As the first U.S.-funded Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes enter weapons testing, new details are being released.

Pegasus Airlines has increased its in-house narrowbody maintenance capacity by completing the first phase of building new maintenance facilities in Istanbul.

A new stealthy-looking, high-speed target drone has been unveiled by Saudi company Midana at this week’s World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Titra Teknoloji is stepping up its international marketing campaign as it targets expanded export opportunities in the growing tactical uncrewed systems market.

AIR EV advances to production with a new Israeli facility, preparing maiden flights of its cargo eVTOL and targeting scaled U.S. operations.

A UK Royal Navy helicopter crew has taken control of uncrewed air systems from onboard a Leonardo Wildcat rotorcraft.

L3Harris will deliver low-cost cruise missiles to the U.S. Marine Corps by the end of the next year under a newly awarded contract worth $86.2 million.

P&WC advances hybrid propulsion; GE’s hybrid Passport success; Europe’s Clean Aviation launches ultraefficient regional projects; UAE orders uncrewed VTOLs.

Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group has received additional orders for the HT-750 optionally manned turbine-powered light helicopter from the UAE.

The Spanish defense and aerospace electronics company says the acquisition will allow it to position itself in the growing uncrewed traffic management market and bolster its UK presence.

Northrop Grumman will provide the autonomy software for the U.S. Marine Corps first loyal wingman uncrewed system.

The UAS industry’s reaction to the FAA’s beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) notice of proposed rulemaking has been loud, swift, and at times divided.

The U.S. Navy on Dec. 18 announced it had for the first time fired a newly developed one-way attack drone from a ship in the Middle East.

The Cai Hong-7 stealthy uncrewed aerial system made by CASC has completed its maiden flight from an undisclosed airfield in northwest China.

U.S. Central Command plans to use one-way attack drones based on a copy of the Iranian Shahed-136, and has set up a new task force to deploy them.

Business aviation in Africa is not about luxury, it is about access to, progress in and evolution of the disparate nations comprising the vast continent.

Sweden has awarded GKN Aerospace a contract to build a clean-sheet turbojet-powered uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) demonstrator within 18 months to validate rapid development techniques.

Sikorsky’s CEO discussed the company’s new uncrewed H-60 Black Hawk and the Nomad, a scalable rotor-blown-wing uncrewed system.

Edge Group's new propulsion business Powertech recently completed the preliminary design of a 1,200 lb.-thrust turbofan.

Planet and Quantum Systems have partnered to develop an integrated satellite-and-drone tipping-and-cueing system.

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force has released footage of the Hongdu GJ-11 flying alongside crewed fighters, suggesting a growing level of manned-unmanned integration.

The rising popularity of Collaborative Combat Aircraft has spread to the U.S. Army, which is now considering the reusable systems to augment crewed rotorcraft.

The Coventry, UK, city council has deployed uncrewed aircraft systems on a wide variety of missions.

Italy has budgeted nearly €600 million ($697 million) through 2030 to launch the acquisition of a new maritime patrol aircraft.

This is providing fresh capital to help onboard new employees and advance flight testing of the Laila uncrewed hybrid eVTOL.

In all, more than 180 new-build aircraft could enter Australian service in the coming decade.

Baykar’s Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) has completed its first weapon releases just days after beginning carriage tests.

Taiwan is doubling down on efforts to build a multifaceted uncrewed systems ecosystem, the defense ministry says in a new report.

As Ukrainian military units rack up combat points, they can cash them in to “buy” new drones.

News about Aerofugia, Eve Air Mobility, Nalwa Aero, Guardian Agriculture, Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry and more.

Listen in to hear from Aviation Week's Steve Trimble after he travelled to Ukraine for a military drone event and gained insights into how Russia's UAV operations are evolving.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is to manufacture startup Elroy Air’s Chaparral for delivery to U.S. commercial and defense customers under an exclusive agreement.

Ukraine’s armed forces face a new drone menace on the front lines that threatens after 3.5 years of full-scale war to transform a bloody stalemate with Russia into something worse for the defenders.

The U.S. Marine Corps is looking for a new autonomous, vertical take off and landing system to supply austere locations.

Co-axial uncrewed air vehicle developer Ascent AeroSystems has named former Joint Chiefs of Staff Air-Sea Branch Chief Paul Fermo as its new president.

The Trump administration on Sept. 15 announced it would significantly loosen restrictions on international sales of uncrewed aerial systems.

Digital and additive manufacturing newcomer Divergent Technologies has closed a $290 million venture capital round, the company announced Sept. 15.

Leading U.S. eVTOL air taxi startups announced plans to enlist in the U.S. Transportation Department's newly created eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

Atropos Group unveils the Tacit Spear concept for an autonomous airlifter and a blueprint for delivering the large aircraft in a few years.

Experience the future of defense integration at WDS 2026! Explore cutting-edge tech in new zones. Secure your badge as trade visitor registration opens!

Austrian uncrewed helicopter maker Schiebel is getting into the armed drone business, unveiling two new Camcopter systems.

The People’s Liberation Army unveiled two previously unseen UCAVs and two CCAs during the Sept. 3 Victory Day parade in Beijing

Startup Alauda Aeronautics has received experimental certification for the Airspeeder Mk4 crewed racing eVTOL aircraft from Australia.

Norway has deferred a decision on what helicopter it plans to employ on a new fleet of warships even as it selected the BAE Systems Type 26 frigate to provide the future naval combatant.

The opening of the Centre of Excellence in Aviation Skills in 2028 will usher in a new era of aviation training in Rwanda.

About 98 aircraft are expected to enter Belgian military service in the coming decade, with 43 from requirements that are currently open and quite new.

The U.S Navy is quickly approaching its deadline to get the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray uncrewed refueler in the air ahead of sending it to carriers next year.

A leading advocacy organization for uncrewed aircraft has welcomed the FAA’s proposed rules for flying beyond visual line of sight, but highlighted concerns.

AERO Asia – sister show of AERO Friedrichshafen – themed “A New Era: Explore More”, to focus on topics such as autonomy, intelligence, and low-carbon solutions.

Hanwha Systems has rolled out the first mass-produced active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the KAI KF-21 fighter.

New remarks by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy point to the U.S. government turning its focus back to the Moon and the mission to colonize it.

Emerson Xu, CEO and co-founder of NexAvian, sat down with Aviation Week to share his insights.

The U.S. Space Force plans to use its X-37B to conduct operational demonstrations of laser link communications and quantum-based navigation in space.

A new $15 million training facility will provide more capacity to prepare Ohio high school students for aviation and maintenance, repair and overhaul careers.

Two years on from being unveiled at IDEX 23, the Jeniah (Arabic for ghost) UCAV has clearly evolved. The first significant modification to the model, which is a newer version from 2023, is the electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) positioned under the nose.

A Turkish uncrewed aircraft system developer has secured orders from the country’s military for a rotary-wing logistics platform.

As the U.S. Marine Corps aviation branch shuffles its tactical aviation force structure, the XQ-58 suddenly looms large in force structure plans.

Confirmed details are still scant, but a recent congressional disclosure suggests the U.S. Navy has a powerful new tool coming into existence.

U.S. defense officials confirmed July 16 that a new version of the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie will transition into a program of record for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Juan Carlos Salazar was appointed ICAO Secretary General in August 2021, to a three-year term, and is now on a second three-year term.

A proposed deal for 36 additional Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters for the South Korean army appears unlikely to proceed.

One of two prototypes of Turkish Aerospace Industries’ Anka 3 uncrewed combat air vehicle has been lost after crashing upon landing.

A successful integration would see the H225M crew take full control of Airbus’ Flexrotor uncrewed aircraft system.

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy are in the midst of a series of upgrades to the MQ-4 Triton uncrewed aircraft fleet.

Russia has conducted large-scale trials of new laser systems against UAVs, the country’s government reported June 13.

The modern battlefield exposes forces to a rapidly evolving threat scenario, with deadly threats increasing in number and in complexity.

A sixth-generation fighter is on hold because the U.S. Navy’s top civilian official lost confidence in the defense industry’s ability to take on a new program.

Attacking enemy airfields is a decades-old military objective, but new drone technology and special warfare tactics amplify the threat.

On the cover of Aviation Week’s May 11-14, 2015, edition, the U.S. Navy's Northrop Grumman X-47B uncrewed combat aircraft demonstrator receives fuel from an Omega Boeing K-707 tanker, marking the first time an uncrewed aircraft had been autonomously refueled in flight.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will develop a stealthy uncrewed aircraft system powered by a novel hybrid-electric propulsion system.

The Edwards AFB test flight of Quarterhorse Mk.1 marks the first step on a path to follow-on high-speed test aircraft, including autonomous uncrewed products.

Leonardo is proposing that Japan participates in its Proteus autonomous rotorcraft program.

From helicopters to space, Europe is investing to advance next-generation systems.

By marshaling its technological and manufacturing acumen, Taiwan hopes to meet rising demand for uncrewed air systems made outside China.

DARPA is claiming a power-beaming distance record after transmitting energy using a laser over 8.6 km (5.3 mi).

Raytheon, an RTX business, has inaugurated a new advanced industrial facility at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi.

Resupplying distributed forces in the face of adversary attacks on supply chains presents new challenges.

“We’re enjoying our newfound freedom,” Gama Aviation Co-Founder and CEO Marwan Khalek told media during an informal briefing.

German startup Atmos Space Cargo has struck a joint venture agreement with uncrewed ground vehicle maker ARX Robotics.

The 24th edition of the Dubai Airport Show concluded yesterday after calling to effectively adopt and invest in new technologies and to ‘grab’ the opportunities offered by airport expansion projects in the region.

Turkey embarked on the program in 2018 to field the advanced airborne electronic attack system called Hava SOJ.

The UK’s Military Aviation Authority has issued a military type certificate (MTC) for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) new General Atomics Protector UAS.

A newly released road map calls for Collaborative Combat Aircraft orders to begin this year, with new increments rolling out in roughly five-year intervals.

Embraer is planning to make Poland the home of its new Center of Excellence in Europe.

German uncrewed aircraft manufacturer Quantum Systems has secured €160 million ($181 million) in new funding.

The New Zealand government has confirmed it will set aside NZ$2 billion ($1.2 billion) to acquire at least five naval helicopters.

The U.S. Army is overhauling most of its major aircraft fleets, including rotary-wing, C4ISR and uncrewed platforms.

Both Boeing and the Navy need the Stingray’s success as the service looks to expand its uncrewed fleet on carriers.

Unmanned Aerospace is preparing to begin pilot production of a hydrogen-electric uncrewed cargo gyroplane.

Hanwha Aerospace will invest KRW750 billion into development and production facilities for GA-ASI MQ-1 Gray Eagle uncrewed system and engines.

Pipistrel has launched flight testing of its most advanced design to date, the Nuuva V300 hybrid-electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing uncrewed cargo aircraft.

The importance of UAVs in Taiwan's security and related export opportunities are emphasized in the island's new Quadrennial Defense Review.

ZeroAvia and Reliable Robotics are studying the integration of hydrogen-electric propulsion onto a Cessna with automation tech to make an uncrewed aircraft.

Anduril Industries has secured the Republic of Singapore Air Force as its first international partner for the Lattice for Mission Autonomy software platform.

As part of a push to become more competitive, the UK is reviewing its approach to regulation, and airspace design has been named as one of the focus areas.

The company laid out a new proposal for CCA to Aviation Week.

Recent appointments, promotions and honors in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Advanced air mobility ambitions, crewed-uncrewed teaming, drone production and an expanded rotorcraft family are key thrusts in Robinson’s growth plan.

For its launch application, Rotor Technologies is offering modified Robinson R44s for uncrewed aerial agricultural missions.

The latest news in brief from the business aviation industry.

Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) has shared fresh details on its collaborative combat aircraft projects after unveiling a new prototype.

Brazil has the world’s second largest agriculture market for aerial application behind the U.S.

Robinson Helicopter Company debuted in the index’s No. 8 slot, with a score of 7.5/10.

Havelsan has been building a platform ecosystem that includes unmanned aerial, ground, and naval vehicles, since 2019.

Highlights from the IDEX 2025 show. View all four digital editions below.

A new kind of air vehicle is entering the U.S. military arsenal, capable of performing several roles including strike, reconnaissance and target decoy duties.

Day 4 of SHOW BUSINESS highlights a UAE-made unmanned ground vehicle from TAG Dynamics that is turning heads at IDEX, while elsewhere the rise of manned-unmanned air operations between drones and next-generation fighters comes under the spotlight.

World Defense Show is appearing at IDEX updating on the new features and rapid sales for the next edition due to take place in Riyadh from February 8-12 next year.

EDGE is unveiling 46 new systems and solutions across its all-domain portfolio IDEX and NAVDEX 2025.

The Royal New Zealand Navy is waiting for the government in Wellington to select a new fleet of naval helicopters to replace its Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprites.

One particularly promising solution to battling wildfires like those in Los Angeles is the use of aerial firefighting with uncrewed helicopters.

A secretive DARPA office has a new project: a large hypersonic bomber prototype. The Aerospace Projects Office keeps a low profile, even by DARPA standards.

L3Harris has unveiled a system ready to enter service that allows one human operator to orchestrate a swarm of thousands of vehicles performing a combat mission with a touch on a tablet.

Jaunt Air Mobility has revealed plans to go to the market with an uncrewed, hybrid version of its Journey eVTOL compound helicopter.

Spain’s Council of Ministers has approved the creation of Enaire Global Services, a new international arm for Spanish air traffic management provider ENAIRE.

The Defense Innovation Board (DIB) is calling for the U.S. to act with greater urgency to field uncrewed systems to make up ground lost to competitors.

This completes the trifecta of China’s key state-owned aircraft companies unveiling its new capabilities.

The country’s defense minister hopes the new branch can be formed in the third quarter of 2025.

Oklahoma and Taiwan have deepened their budding aerospace and defense partnership with two new agreements.

Insitu, a Boeing Company, has opened its new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence (COE) at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Poland is joining Belgium and the UK as European operators of the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).

Kratos Defense and Security recently completed the first flight of its stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicle Thanatos, proving out the aircraft’s basic design.

The latest news of products and services in the Advanced Air Mobility industry.

A four-year-old concept to adapt uncrewed aircraft to role-play as adversaries during training missions is back in development after a two-year hiatus.

Turkey’s Baykar has completed a takeoff and landing of its Bayraktar TB3 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) from the Anadolu amphibious assault ship (LHD).

Skyfly Technologies, an eVTOL aircraft developer, has been selected to join a UK defense initiative that aims to develop heavy-lift uncrewed aircraft systems.

The bevy of AAM news from Zhuhai Airshow is the clearest signal yet of the seriousness with which Beijing is proceeding in its push to create a nationwide low-altitude economy.

Tekever, a provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has signed an MoU with Droneway, a distributor of civil and tactical drones in Morocco and North Africa.

L3Harris’ Viper Shield—the only modern F-16 electronic warfare system currently in production—harnesses the power of software to give pilots and commanders the edge in an increasingly contested battlespace.

Delta Air Lines’ TechOps division has added the use of drone inspections into the AMM for its entire mainline fleet, with new acceptance from the FAA.

Next steps for wake surfing; measuring e-SAF emissions; solar stratospheric UAS upgrade; and uncrewed medical eVTOL.

Phoenix Air carries explosives, transplant patients and critters, and tests warship crews.

The limited arrangement has U.S. and Australian personnel flying the Australian-made uncrewed system.

Dr Mehmet Demiroğlu, the new General Manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries, is at EIAS with a mission.

Russia's United Engine Corporation (UEC) plans to launch production of smaller engines to address the country’s war-driven demand for more uncrewed aircraft.

Dubbed the “Digital Pathfinder,” the aircraft is a testbed for Northrop Grumman’s new aircraft development digital ecosystem.

In September 2004, Aviation Week featured DARPA’s Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft (UCAR) on its cover, just a few months before the highly ambitious effort was canceled. UCAR was being designed to operate autonomously and distinguish combatants from non-combatants in hostile…

New interceptors, radars, and command and control are on the near-term agenda.

The installation of the unmanned air warfare center (UAWC) features the MD-5E ground control station.

The RCCTO and the U.S. Army’s Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center have been developing autonomous ground systems.

A new U.S. defense project is devoted to converting two General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-20s into air-to-air adversaries for training fighter pilots.

Honeywell and Odys Aviation, a developer VTOL aircraft, have signed an MOU to design new Ground Control Stations to support the rollout of Odys Aviation’s hybrid VTOL aircraft in the Middle East and Pacific.

The 2024 National Strategy for the Arctic Region was released July 22.

USAF is expected to begin flight operations with a high-altitude UAS from RAF Fairford, England, in the coming weeks, sources tell Aviation Week.

Boeing modifies the Leonardo AW139 for the U.S. Air Force’s crewed Grey Wolf configuration.

Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. and U.S. uncrewed systems company AEVEX have signed a memorandum geared toward the manufacturing of UAS.

News in brief.