Skylift UAV has completed a UK aviation first, conducting coordinated beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations across the Solent as part of the Solent Future Transport Zone’s Drones for Medical Logistics project. The Civil Aviation Authority-approved trials took place in June and July 2025 and involved multiple uncrewed aircraft operating simultaneously in coordination with emergency services. The project demonstrated the safe use of drones for delivering critical medical supplies in congested airspace and is expected to inform future UK BVLOS regulation and drone corridors.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has begun construction of a new 85,000-square-foot hangar at El Mirage Airfield in Southern California to support testing and operations of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian aircraft. The expansion reflects growing global demand for the MQ-9B and includes space for ground control stations, aircraft launch pads and gate terminals.
Hirth Engines and ePropelled have announced a strategic partnership to develop next-generation hybrid propulsion systems for UAV, aerospace, defence, and specialised mobility applications, combining advanced two-stroke engines with intelligent electric propulsion and power-management technologies. The collaboration aims to deliver lighter, more energy-efficient, and highly reliable systems that extend mission endurance, reduce operating costs, and meet emerging sustainability standards, with prototype demonstrations expected in early 2026.
In October 2025, the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks AFB was selected to lead the Point Defense Battle Lab, partnered with the 184th Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, to support Air Combat Command’s Point Defense Task Force and the Department of the Air Force’s counter-small UAS mission. The Battle Lab will serve as a collaborative hub to develop, test, and validate technologies, tactics, and procedures to detect and defeat small unmanned aircraft threats to Air Force installations. By integrating Total Force expertise in unmanned systems, air battle management, cyber operations, and AI-enabled ISR, the PDBL will enhance installation defense and ensure continued airpower readiness against evolving threats.
Trimble announced that Volatus Aerospace has integrated the Trimble PX-1 RTX solution into its commercial delivery drone operations to enable highly accurate positioning, heading, and fully remote BVLOS missions. Using CenterPoint RTX corrections and GNSS-inertial technology, the system delivers real-time, centimeter-level accuracy, helping Volatus safely operate in tightly controlled airspace at Edmonton International Airport, including precision takeoff, landing, and low-altitude flight beneath active runway paths. The integration strengthens safety, regulatory compliance, and scalability for critical medical deliveries, marking a key milestone for commercial drone delivery and advanced air mobility.
The German Aerospace Center and Frequentis are collaborating to develop advanced U-space procedures that support the safe and coordinated integration of drones into European airspace. The initiative will establish a realistic testing environment for UAS operations aligned with EU regulations and future airspace concepts.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has accredited five training centers specializing in unmanned aircraft systems as part of efforts to strengthen professional competencies in the civil aviation sector. The accreditation supports expanded access to certified UAS training while reinforcing national safety and regulatory standards.
Eve Air Mobility has completed the first flight of its uncrewed, full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Embraer’s test facility in Brazil. The milestone marks the start of the company’s flight test campaign as it advances toward certification and entry into service later this decade.
Federal restrictions prohibiting the use of certain foreign-manufactured drones on federal and federally assisted projects took effect Dec. 22, 2025. The rules, implemented under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, bar contractors and funding recipients from operating or purchasing covered unmanned aircraft systems with federal funds.
Skunk Works and XTEND demonstrated an integrated autonomy and command-and-control solution that enables a single operator to manage multiple classes of unmanned aircraft systems during complex missions. The collaboration supports joint all-domain command and control by reducing manpower requirements and improving situational awareness in contested operational environments.
A new national study reveals widespread interest among U.S. row-crop farmers in adopting agricultural drone technology, with strong indicators of future purchasing and expansion. The research, conducted by Stratovation Group and sponsored by several agricultural and technology partners, highlights both the drivers and barriers influencing drone adoption in crop production. Findings show a significant growth pathway for drone-based services as farmers increasingly view drones as essential operational tools.
High Lander and Starling Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate Starling’s long-range eVTOL aircraft and docking technology with High Lander’s fleet management and UAS traffic management systems. The collaboration is designed to enable scalable, compliant beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations for commercial, public safety and homeland security missions in line with the FAA’s emerging BVLOS framework. The partnership leverages Starling’s high-performance Pathfinder-X drone and autonomous ground station alongside High Lander’s Orion DFM and Vega UTM platforms.
MatrixSpace has been named the active sensor winner in the U.S. Army’s Operation Flytrap 4.5 xTechCounter Strike competition, standing out as the only active-sensing provider among 15 finalists. The company demonstrated rapid deployment, seamless FAAD-C2 integration and AI-powered radar capability. The win includes a $350,000 award and entry into the Army’s new G-TEAD Marketplace for streamlined procurement.
Parrot has secured a major three-year contract to supply its ANAFI UKR micro-UAS to a European defense force, marking one of the company’s most significant defense awards to date. The procurement program includes large-scale fleet delivery, lifecycle support, training and multi-year expansion options. ANAFI UKR’s autonomous navigation, embedded AI and hardened cybersecurity will enhance frontline situational awareness and tactical decision-making.
Anduril participated in Digital Shield 1.0 in Estonia, connecting U.S. and allied sensors, radars and command-and-control systems into a unified, resilient network supporting NATO’s emerging Eastern Flank Deterrence Line. The exercise demonstrated how shared data, interoperability and digital speed can counter increasing Russian airspace incursions. The results highlight that NATO’s deterrence advantage will rely on real-time connectivity, distributed systems and rapid integration across the alliance.
Fortem Technologies has been selected as one of the first companies admitted to the U.S. Army’s new G-TEAD Marketplace, a contracting framework designed to rapidly deliver advanced technology to operational users. The designation allows Army and U.S. government agencies to acquire Fortem’s counter-UAS systems quickly and without additional competition. The selection underscores Fortem’s vetted capabilities and supports the Army’s broader acquisition modernization efforts.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, working with the U.S. Air Force and industry partners, has successfully commanded an airborne UAS from the cockpit of an F-22 Raptor during flight. Using an open-architecture pilot vehicle interface, the demonstration highlights the growing maturity of human-machine teaming and autonomous air combat operations. The flight advances the Air Force’s family-of-systems vision and reinforces the operational potential of 5th-generation aircraft paired with autonomous drones.
Uztechtrade, Uzbekistan’s state enterprise responsible for importing military and dual-use equipment, has selected Airbus’ Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system, making Uzbekistan the first Flexrotor customer in Central Asia. The long-endurance VTOL system will support ISTAR missions and be integrated into crewed-uncrewed teaming operations. Airbus highlights the selection as a significant step in expanding unmanned capabilities in the region.
The U.S. Army’s AH-64E Apache has successfully demonstrated advanced counter-UAS capabilities during Operation Flyswatter, achieving 13 kills in 14 engagements. The event validated the Apache’s Version 6 software, weapons suite and its ability to function as a mobile air defense platform using radar, laser-guided munitions and Link 16 integration. Findings from the exercise will inform new tactics and training requirements across Army aviation.
ParaZero has received a significant purchase order from a leading Dutch defense distributor for its DefendAir Counter-UAS systems. The order expands ParaZero’s footprint in Western Europe as demand for anti-drone technologies continues to grow. DefendAir has demonstrated a 100% success rate in field trials and provides a multi-layered, low-collateral solution for urban drone interception.
GA-ASI, Lockheed Martin and L3Harris successfully demonstrated crewed-uncrewed teaming between an F-22 Raptor and an MQ-20 Avenger using open-architecture communications systems. The test integrated BANSHEE datalinks and Pantera SDRs to enable direct command and control of the unmanned jet from the F-22. The demonstration highlights government-owned, nonproprietary capabilities that support future autonomous and collaborative combat operations.
Cyberlux Corporation has launched the next phase of its UAS strategy, focused on scalable, attritable FPV drone systems designed for mass deployment in modern defense environments. The new modular Family of Systems supports a range of payloads, mission profiles and localized manufacturing options. With more than 2,000 UAS delivered under DoD contracts, Cyberlux is positioning itself as a leader in low-cost, high-impact battlefield drone capability.
Aerodata AG has unveiled AeroForce X, a modular medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV designed for ISR, electronic reconnaissance and heavy-payload missions. With 40-hour endurance, 1.3-tonne payload capacity and ITAR-free availability, the German-built system strengthens international defense and critical infrastructure protection capabilities.
Anduril Industries was selected to provide Lattice as the U.S. Army’s fire-control platform for the IBCS-M counter-UAS program, integrating sensors and automating fire control to shorten the kill chain. In a seven-day trial at Yuma Proving Ground, Lattice reportedly integrated a new sensor and effector quickly and achieved four of four live-fire intercepts, demonstrating autonomy-enhanced tracking and engagement.
Digital Force Technologies has selected Echodyne’s EchoShield and EchoGuard radars as core sensors for its Seraphim Counter-UAS family, enhancing detection and tracking of UAS threats. The integration supports the U.S. Marine Corps TERAPIN project, advancing all-domain autonomous defense and situational awareness capabilities.
Sphere has received CASA approval for Broad Area BVLOS Self-Assessment operations, positioning it among Australia’s most advanced enterprise drone providers. The milestone enables faster regulatory approvals and real-world deployment of scalable, autonomous missions across mining, utilities and infrastructure sectors.
uAvionix and OneSky have partnered to integrate FlightLine ADS-B traffic data into OneSky’s UTM platform, enhancing real-time situational awareness for BVLOS and UAM operations. The collaboration delivers reliable, low-latency airspace visibility and safety tools to accelerate scalable uncrewed flight management.
BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace have signed an MoU to collaborate on developing advanced uncrewed air systems (UAS). The partnership combines each company’s strengths in combat air and autonomous technologies to accelerate innovation and expand global defense capabilities.
Allen Control Systems has won contracts to supply its Bullfrog autonomous weapon systems to the armed forces of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, and signed an MOU with Romania for local co-production. The deals include training, technical support and sustainment as ACS expands regional offices in Asia and Europe to support deployments.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has unveiled the Gambit 6, a new variant in its modular UCAV family that adds air-to-ground capability to its existing air-to-air mission set. Designed for SEAD, electronic warfare and precision strike, Gambit 6 supports GA-ASI’s global CCA strategy, with international deliveries expected by 2027.
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