General Atomics testing remotely piloted flight with satellite network key to polar operations
The uncrewed aircraft manufacturer says it has completed two test flights of a Grey Eagle 25M controlled remotely via a low-earth-orbit satellite network – technology that could allow expanded range in polar regions.
UK orders Anduril’s Altius loitering munitions for donation to Ukraine
The UK has signed an almost £30 million ($38 million) contract to supply Ukraine’s military with Altius-600M and -700M loitering munitions, with the weapons to be supplied by Anduril Industries’ UK arm.
Leonardo and Baykar target development of armed UAVs for Europe
Leonardo and Baykar Technologies are to establish a joint venture focussed on the development of unmanned air vehicles integrated with the Italian company’s defence electronics payloads, with the latter’s 6t-class Akinci platform likely to be the first product offered to the market.
EDA picks Schiebel S-100 for unmanned logistics trial
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has selected Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 to take part in a mid-year exercise to demonstrate the potential of unmanned systems during co-ordinated military logistics tasks.
Uncrewed fighter makers shift away from disposable concept to reusable aircraft
Rather than the ultra-cheap, single-use weapon systems at one time envisioned for the US Air Force’s new generation of uncrewed fighters, developers of the new aircraft now say the jets will be intended for reuse, but with far shorter lifespans than traditional military platforms.
Canada outlines role of P-8 and MQ-9B fleets in Arctic defence
The senior Canadian officer at the bi-national North American Aerospace Defence Command says Ottawa’s planned fleet of General Atomics MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft will be used to provide broad surveillance of Canada’s three oceanic coastlines, while the country’s forthcoming Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jets will conduct in-depth investigations of potential threats.
USAF designates first uncrewed fighter prototypes YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A
The experimental designs from General Atomics and Anduril, which are set to fly this summer, are the first aircraft in the US inventory to bear the FQ designation representing an uncrewed fighter.
How Annalisa Russell-Smith went above and beyond using drone technology
For aerospace professional Annalisa Russell-Smith FRAeS, the benefits of drone technology first became apparent while she was working in the media industry in the USA over a decade ago.
Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico in March
US President Donald Trump on 27 February affirmed his intention to raise import duties on the two key trade partners starting on 4 March, after previously delaying the punitive measures.
South Korea rolls out UCAV technology demonstrator
South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development and Korean Air have rolled out a technology demonstrator for a new unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) at an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) show in Busan.