DARPA launches X-plane competition for new uncrewed cargo drone
The Pentagon’s technology incubator has launched a competition seeking novel designs for uncrewed cargo aircraft capable of carrying payloads more than four times their own weight, with applications spanning military logistics to civil package delivery.
CAeS pivots towards new blended-wing-body drone as it pauses fuel cell powertrain development
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) has unveiled a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered blended-wing-body uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) in a move that marks a significant shift for the UK company’s strategy.
Mira Aerospace completes first public test of solar ApusNeo18 UAV
United Arab Emirates company Mira Aerospace has completed the first public test flight of its solar-powered ApusNeo18 unmanned air vehicle, reaching stratospheric altitudes with an Earth observation payload.
Anduril and Korean Air partner on autonomous wildfire response UAVs
Anduril and Korean Air are developing an autonomous unmanned aircraft system designed to manage wildfire response operations with minimal human intervention, expanding their existing partnership into firefighting applications.
Kamchatka An-26 damaged by drone collision during domestic flight: inquiry
Russian investigators have concluded that damage to an Antonov An-26, operating a domestic service in the eastern region, resulted from a collision with a drone.
Windracers gains UK and Norwegian approval for Ultra Mk2 delivery flight
Regulators in the UK and Norway have approved cargo drone manufacturer Windracers to perform an autonomous delivery flight between the two countries – a first for a civilian uncrewed air vehicle.
Kratos selected by Elroy Air for high Chapparal production rate
Uncrewed aircraft specialist Kratos has been picked by Elroy Air as the exclusive US manufacturer of its Chaparral hybrid-electric autonomous vertical take-off-and-landing cargo drone.
FAA finishes beyond-sight drone operations rule
The US aviation regulator has released a comprehensive proposal for drone operations beyond operators’ visual range, potentially unlocking significant commercial applications.
Windracers opens new UK factory in move to significantly scale Ultra output
UK-based cargo drone developer Windracers has officially opened its new production facility, having moved into the site earlier this summer.
Airbus completes first autonomous H145 flight using Shield AI’s Hivemind
The test flight was supporting the airframer’s effort to convert the H145-based UH-72B crewed helicopter into an unmanned, autonomous logistics rotorcraft for the US Marine Corps.