UAV/UAS/Drone

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.

A German modification house specializing in the conversion of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft is close to flying its first UAS.

A French Air Force Dassault Rafale downed a drone that entered Latvian airspace, marking the second shootdown of a UAS in the Baltic states in recent weeks.

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.

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

MQ-9 Reapers fired BAE Systems precision-guided rockets during a recent demonstration by General Atomics Aeronautics Systems Inc. and the U.S. Air Force.

The FAA is publishing proposed rules for restricting unmanned aircraft operations in airspace over key facilities.

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.

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.

Regent has completed the first wing-in-ground effect (WIG) flight of its Squire seaglider drone.

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

Transcendent Aerospace is reviving its very light jet as a cost-effective, optionally piloted drone interceptor, targeting interest from the Middle East and India.

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.

Rotor Technologies is advancing toward scaled production of unmanned R44 aircraft by integrating its autonomy system into Robinson Helicopter’s assembly line.

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.

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

On the cover of the March 2, 1970 issue is an LTV Electrosystems L450F unmanned strategic and tactical reconnaissance aircraft.

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

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.

Robinson Helicopter Company announced the launch of Robinson Unmanned.

The cover story 20 years ago in Aviation Week for the issue dated February 20, 2006, detailed BAE Systems’ work on an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator, called Raven, as part of a classified research program that originated in late 2003.

Survey Copter, has been contracted by the European Defense Agency for a four-year project to develop a multirole hybrid UAS for military missions.

The U.S. and Israel were hunting the vestiges of Iran’s ballistic missile and drone inventory as the fighting stretched into a fifth day.

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.

BAE Systems will transform the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II with dual-mode seekers to make the 2.75-in.-dia. guided rocket more effective at shooting down volleys of large numbers of one-way attack munitions.

SkyDrive has signed a preorder agreement with 7A Drones for 10 SD-05 air taxis for emergency transportation of patients and medical staff in Taiwan.

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.

United Aircraft debuted advanced UAVs at the Singapore Airshow, showcasing cutting-edge tech such as the R6000 tiltrotor and launching a global agent program.

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

Warsaw is acquiring 18 batteries of the San counter-drone system, developed by a consortium that includes Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).

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.

25 Years Ago in Aviation Week The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s Feb. 19, 2001, issue featured an artist’s concept of Northrop Grumman's Pegasus X-47A unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) flying over the U.S. Navy's test facility at China Lake, California.

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.

An advocacy group is surprised by the recent expansion of the FCC's Covered List of prohibited equipment and services to include all foreign-made drones.

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.

Taiwan's Thunder Tiger plans to participate in the U.S. Army’s Drone Dominance program.

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.

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.

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.

Apium Swarm Robotics, a developer of distributed autonomy for unmanned systems, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Red Cat Holdings.

South African defence group Milkor has unveiled key design details of its latest unmanned aerial vehicle – the Milkor 780.

Africa is no longer a passive consumer of drone technology – it is positioning itself as an emerging global force. The continent is placed to lead the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle revolution.

Seven years before the small company would be acquired by Boeing, Aurora Flight Sciences unveiled its Orion long-endurance unmanned aircraft demonstrator at its Columbus, Miss., plant on Nov. 22, 2010.

Korean Air's Aerospace Division is displaying the third prototype of its Low Observable Wingman UAV System (LOWUS) with first flight of the system penciled in for December.

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.

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.

The Pentagon has awarded RTX a $5 billion contract for Coyote drone interceptor systems.

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.

Leaders at the African Drone Forum (ADF) in early September had a clear message to share: Africa is no longer a passive consumer of drone technology—it is positioning itself as an emerging global force.

Drone manufacturer and operator Dronamics has announced the selection of Kawasaki Motors as its preferred engine supplier.

U.S. investors led a $15 million Series A round in a Ukrainian software developer for swarming drones.

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.

The U.S.' recent proposed rulemaking to advance beyond visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) civilian drone operations was hailed by industry as a major breakthrough.

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

South Korean drone startup Pablo Air has merged with Volk.

Planned investments for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) include several key procurements across the domains of air mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), training, air combat capability, and unmanned systems.

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.

Aviation Week editors James Pozzi and Lindsay Bjerregaard are joined by Dejan Borota, CEO and co-founder of drone-based inspection specialist Mainblades.

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

The U.S. Army has announced a standardized interface for UAS and launched effects to carry munitions or other attachments.

The buy is intended to position Motorola to capture “a multibillion-dollar, rapidly growing addressable market for drone and unmanned systems,” Motorola says.

NATO military commanders and politicians see more potential in the use of drones, but this shouldn't come at the expense of “legacy” systems, a think tank says.

Anduril has delivered the first tranche of Altius loitering munitions to Taiwan in conjunction with the establishment of a local office.

The FAA has released the long-awaited draft rule governing the operation of drones beyond visual line of sight of the operator.

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

India is doubling down on efforts to develop an indigenous drone industry after a 100-hr. conflict in May with archrival Pakistan.

Firestorm Labs' investors include the venture arms of Lockheed Martin and Booz Allen Hamilton as well as JP Morgan.

Raphe mPhibr, an Indian aircraft manufacturing company specialising in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), has adopted Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

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.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) showcased their military equipment, including unmanned systems and missiles.

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

Taiwan will buy military drone software that Ukraine has used to defend itself against Russia from the Virginia-headquartered defense technology firm Auterion.

A range of military aircraft, including unmanned air vehicles and drones, were on show on the static display at the Paris Air Show 2025.

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.

Gama deployed their counter-UAS system during this year's Cheltenham racing festival.

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

Factorial Energy has shipped its first solid-state lithium-metal battery cells for drone use to Avidrone Aerospace, a developer of long-range UAS.

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.

Cargo UAS collaboration; automating helicopter flight; XTI explores hybrid-electric; riblets for Vueling’s Airbus A320s.

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.

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

In the wake of the drone revolution, major drone companies, including 100 per cent African ones, are not only reinforcing but rethinking the use of drones to better support local populations.

XTI Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with hybrid-electric powertrain developer VerdeGo.

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

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

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.

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

Jeff Massimilla, vice president of global engineering, design and technology from General Dynamics Land Systems, highlighted the growing importance of robotics and autonomous systems during the World Defence Industry 2024.

Taiwan’s AVIX and India’s Optiemus Unmanned Systems will collaborate on the production of drone components for defense applications in the subcontinent.

Lawmakers are pressing the Secret Service to explain its role in a series of anti-collision alerts reported by aircraft near Reagan National Airport March 1.

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

Taiwan's Tron Future Tech sees burgeoning global demand for its counter-unmanned aircraft systems.

Jet VTOL UAS; CycloRotor flies; cargo gyroplane; and electrified trainer.

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.

China has placed 11 U.S. drone companies on its unreliable-entity list and banned the export of dual-use technologies to another 16 American businesses.

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

MAYMAN AEROSPACE, CA completed test flight of its RAZOR P100 unmanned VTOL with SKYFIELD advanced AI-driven autonomous flight control system to enable aircraft to adapt to changing mission parameters and environmental factors.

The first test of the L3Harris platform-agnostic mobile counter-drone system will be conducted later this year.

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

Multi-feedstock SAF production tested; Australian e-aircraft programs advance; ZeroAvia to study large hydrogen UAS; Vertiport design mitigates eVTOL downwash.

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.

Little attention has been paid to the use of small, unmanned aircraft, or drones, presumably because they will not carry passengers.

Mach Industries and Heven Drones will produce the first of these platforms.

For Hanwha, the investment in Shield AI signals its growing interest in the unmanned aerial systems segment.

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

With the Series D funding, Oklahoma-based Epirus has raised a total of $550 million.

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

Discover how Gore’s advanced cable solutions optimize weight, durability, cost, and performance for the next generation of high performance defense drones.

Drone data collected through the FAA’s Remote ID and academic studies provides critical information for improving operations.

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

The Agency of Defense Development and Korean Air Aerospace Division have unveiled South Korea’s first CCA prototype, the Low Observable Wingman UAV System.

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

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.

Raytheon and the U.S. Army are in talks with potential export buyers of the Coyote counter-drone system, the company says.

Edge is exhibiting the Sinyar LAR3P unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) -a product of the company’s joint venture with Flaris.

Manned-Unmanned (M-UM) operations is an aspiration for increasing numbers of air forces.

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

Vertiport developer, Skyports, is collaborating with LODD, a UAE-based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology and autonomous aerial logistics, to unveil designs for a vertiport network in Abu Dhabi.

Saab is ramping up staffing on a Swedish military project to devise future combat aircraft capabilities and expects to fly several UAS in the coming years, CEO Micael Johansson says.

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

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.

The U.S. Commerce Department is considering imposing a rule that could restrict or ban drones made in China due to the national security risks they pose.

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

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.

Certifying an electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing air taxi is prohibitively expensive. With markets tight, some startups are changing course.

U.S. startup Odys Aviation has completed a series of initial transition flights using a subscale prototype of its Laila hybrid eVTOL drone.

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.

China has showcased its progression in unmanned combat aerial system technology and innovation, displaying the CH-9 and Wing Loong-X for the first time at Zhuhai Airshow.

Milestone exhibition and conference, DronTech Asia 2024, illuminates understanding of drone application and technology 25-27 November in Thailand.

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.

The interceptor needs to be an autonomous aircraft launched from an air vehicle with a “hard kill system” effective against the small drones.

The €13.7 million ($14.9 million) project is being led by Thales and also includes Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and Spain’s Indra.

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.

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

Three unmanned aerial systems parked in the show’s static display perhaps fooled people to think at least two of them were from Turkey’s Baykar.

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.

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.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 lb. (1,133 kg), the company describes the aircraft as the “largest civilian drone available for purchase today.”

“We are planning to continue to invest in this domain,” Chief Executive Bezhalel Machlis said on an Aug, 14 second-quarter earnings call.