Niger moves to expel US forces from West African airbase
The military junta that overthrew Niger’s elected government in 2023 has ordered American forces to vacate their last remaining air base in the country, which has been critical to counter-terrorism operations in the troubled Sahel region.
Maldives to operate TB2s in surveillance role
The Maldives has inducted a pair of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned air vehicles, which will be operated by the Indian Ocean nation’s new air corps.
US Navy takes delivery of first MQ-25 autonomous refueller
Marking the receipt of the service’s first-ever carrier-based without a pilot, the US Navy accepted delivery of the first MQ-25 Stingray tanker jet from Boeing.
Work starts on Portuguese navy helicopter/UAV-carrier vessel
Damen Shipyards has begun work on a new multi-role maritime platform that will enable the Portuguese navy to conduct tasks including the operation of embarked helicopters and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
Iran touts export-ready UAV products at DIMDEX show
The export arm of Iran’s defence ministry is using its attendance at a major defence exhibition in Qatar to promote two of its latest unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designs.
Uncrewed systems will be vital for maintaining UK combat mass, MoD says
The increased future use of uncrewed systems will provide the UK’s military with vital operational capability and increased combat mass, according to its newly published Defence Drone Strategy.
XQ-67A in maiden flight as part of collaborative combat aircraft push
The US Air Force has conducted the maiden sortie of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) XQ-67A unmanned air vehicle, another step on the road to developing low-cost, ‘attritable’ aircraft.
High-flying AALTO preparing to meet stratospheric demand for Zephyr services
After years of development and testing activity, UK-based Airbus subsidiary AALTO is gearing up to meet what it believes will be stratospheric demand for its game-changing Zephyr.
Elbit looks to spark interest in new Hermes 650
Elbit Systems has a launched a new unmanned air vehicle in its Hermes series of UAVs, the Hermes 650 Spark.
USAF teases export potential for future autonomous fighters
Speaking at the Singapore air show, the top procurement official for the US Air Force said subsequent versions of the autonomous fighter aircraft currently being developed could be eligible for sale to overseas customers.