UAV / Drone / Uncrewed Systems

Elroy Air plans to become a publicly traded company through a merger with special purpose acquisition company Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VII.

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) says it is modifying the ground control station for the MQ-9A Reaper to also operate the larger MQ-9B model, with testing starting by year’s end.

GE runs hybrid engine; ambitious decarbonization pays off; NASA’s advanced airliners; channel-wing VTOL UAS; and a balloon-launched rocket.

The Pentagon’s strategy to acquire 340,000 drones by the end of next year requires industry to scale production up while driving prices down.

The U.S. Army’s new Amazon.com-like website for drone acquisition is challenging industry business models and supply chains.

SOFWerx plans to assess the capabilities of uncrewed aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion and channel wings for vertical takeoff and landing.

Canada is fast-tracking the acquisition and testing process for multidomain and autonomous surveillance systems compatible with harsh arctic conditions.

SOCOM plans autonomous test range at NASA’s Stennis Space Center to rehearse missions and test unmanned systems in contested environments.

The most valuable aircraft for the U.S. Air Force during the 38-day air strike campaign against Iran earlier this year proved to be the MQ-9A Reaper, the Air Force’s top general told lawmakers May 20.

As the U.S. Air Force gets started on a replacement for the MQ-9, U.S. Special Operations Command wants to ensure its needs are considered early.

Navy approves Boeing MQ-25 for carrier-based refueling drone, with first production contract expected this summer.

The British Army narrows its search for an autonomous Apache wingman, with four companies advancing in Project NYX to deliver operational capability by 2030.

The Pentagon’s Drone Dominance program is expanding to include the acquisition of recoverable “bomber” types of uncrewed aircraft systems.

U.S. Air Force Futures has approved a requirements document for an aircraft that will replace the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. MQ-9A Reaper.

Australia has signed an agreement with Japan to work together in the field of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) using the Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat.

Joby Aviation plans to conduct a demonstration flight of its S4-T uncrewed aircraft next week at its plant in California.

The U.S. Air Force is now looking at options for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance uncrewed aircraft in the “attritable” cost category.

As the race to counter Shahed drones heats up, newcomers have their breakout moment.

France boosts defense spending to strengthen air defense, munitions, drones and space capabilities amid shifting global dynamics.

MTU Aero Engines expands into drone propulsion with AeroDesignWorks acquisition, boosting European systems and missile power tech.

Malaysia has begun test flights of its Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Anka uncrewed aircraft system (UAS)/

Sweden has awarded Saab an SEK2.6 billion ($270 million) contract to act as lead systems integrator for a new counter-uncrewed aircraft system initiative.

The Indian Air Force can proceed with plans to buy a host of defense equipment.

Near Earth Autonomy is to further develop the U.S. Marine Corps’ ability to fly uncrewed logistics missions.

The U.S. Navy is expanding the installation of low-cost counter drone systems on its destroyers.

The U.S. Army within a few days in mid-March ordered thousands of reconnaissance drones.

The UK Defense Ministry is exploring a rapid acquisition of uncrewed aircraft system radars for naval applications, aimed at detecting cruie missiles and other aircraft.

A new U.S. Army online marketplace for counter uncrewed aircraft systems is now hosting more than 90 products.

Armenia has selected Shield AI’s V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aircraft system for its military.

Biggest eVTOL flies; ducted-fan ultra-STOL; axial-flux motor success; endurance UAS upgraded; and riblet service trial expands.

The Pentagon hopes that a previously conceived notion to 3D-print war materiel on the front line could help troops during a future military conflict.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s newly acquired Elbit Systems Hermes 900 uncrewed aerial system is making its public debut at this year's Singapore Airshow.

Singapore and U.S.-based Epirus have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance high-power microwave (HPM) counter-drone capabilities.

The UK has shortlisted seven bidders in its hunt to find an ACP that could operate as a loyal wingman to its Boeing Apache attack helicopters in the 2030s.

The long saga of XTI Aerospace’s effort to develop a ducted-fan vertical-takeoff-and-landing business aircraft has taken a dramatic turn.

Leonardo’s autonomous rotorcraft demonstrator Proteus has made its long-awaited first flight.

In a banner year for defense technology venture funding, C-UAS came into its own, growing faster in 2025 than any other major industry segment.

The Indian government has given the green light to buy a range of homegrown and imported missile, drone and counter-drone systems.

The U.S. Air Force announced Dec. 22 that it has designated the Northrop Grumman Project Talon uncrewed aircraft prototype the YFQ-48A.

Air forces around the globe are likely to bolster their inventories in the coming 12 months by adding aircraft and drone types. Here are some of the expected events.

Spanish defense company Indra says it has agreed to acquire uncrewed air system provider Wake Engineering as part of a push to grab market share in Spain.

Quantum Systems has secured a deal to provide up to 747 Twister reconnaissance drones to the German Armed Forces to replace the Aladin used across the services.

Investors were widely disappointed with UAV pioneer AeroVironment's financial results for the fiscal second quarter.

Shield AI announced tests of its Hivemind autonomy software for use on spacecraft, calling autonomy in space a natural extension of the air domain.

Joby’s hybrid eVTOL; maritime drone demonstrations; Tokyo air taxis; and advancing additive manufacturing.

XTI Aerospace, a developer of vertical flight technologies and VTOL aircraft, has paid $40 million to acquire Drone Nerds.

Joby Aviation appears to have powered up the uncrewed hybrid-electric version of its S4 vertical takeoff-and-landing air taxi.

The UK is looking to demonstrate an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for use with its AH-64E attack helicopters in 2027.

Northrop Grumman has secretly built a large new uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), dubbed Project Lotus.

The escalating use of drones in combat is creating demand for a supply chain for uncrewed aircraft production that can meet security and sovereignty concerns.

Boeing has unveiled a large, high-speed and vertical take-off-and-landing (VTOL), uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for the U.S. Army.

U.S. drone manufacturer AeroVironment has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has announced the Synchronized, Hybrid, Integrated and Enhanced Littoral Defense (SHIELD) system as part of an effort to counter potential invading forces.

The UK issued an urgent request for information to industry for a low-cost means to engage jet-powered one-way-attack drones Russia is using against Ukraine.

Here's what was new or surprising at this year's Space and Missile Defense conference, from counter-UAS to in-space mobility.

Elbit CEO Bezhalel Machlis has shed further light on the company’s work to turn the Iron Beam ground-based counter-drone laser system into an airborne application.

Even though the U.S. Army canceled the FTUAS program of record, the appetite remains to quickly field a similar system at the brigade level.

The Canadian government has awarded MDA Space two contracts to provide the Navy's Halifax-class frigates with up to six new uncrewed aircraft systems.

Indonesia’s domestically developed Elang Hitam (Black Eagle) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) completed its first flight on July 28.

Spain's Indra says it has completed the acquisition of uncrewed aircraft systems manufacturer Aertec Defense & Aerial System.

Denmark says it has agreed to buy four General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian uncrewed aircraft systems.

BAE Systems says it has fired precision weapons from a large quadcopter UAS to show how the combination can be used against drones and ground targets.

The BAE Systems PHASA-35 high-altitude, solar-electric, uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) will carry an Aloft Sensing X-band synthetic aperture radar.

In the July 10 memo, released then redacted, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlines a goal of making the U.S. the world’s leader in drone operations.

A pair of Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie uncrewed aircraft flew a combat training mission controlled by pilots flying a single-seat F-16C and a two-seat Boeing F-15E.

French defense procurement agency DGA says it is buying 1,000 Sorona micro-drones from Harmattan AI.

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) is overhauling its aviation portfolio, investing heavily in anti-submarine warfare capabilities and uncrewed systems.

Israeli strike and surveillance quadcopter drone maker Xtend plans to start delivering 3,000 systems a month from a plant in Tampa, Florida.

Aviation solutions provider, UAS has successfully executed its extensive support services for Hajj 2025.

France has established a framework deal paving the way for a single-source purchase of Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group’s VSR700 uncrewed rotorcraft.

Baykar’s Akinci uncrewed air system will be assembled in Italy by Piaggio as part of the Turkish company’s new joint venture with Leonardo.