AI News

Reuters

Military and industry tests advance autonomous, shipborne and airborne unmanned aircraft capabilities

The US Air Force has tested new autonomous mission systems on its XQ-67A demonstrator, while China says its GJ-21 unmanned combat aircraft completed takeoff and landing tests aboard the Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan. Separately, TEKEVER won a USSOCOM order for AI-enabled ISR drones, and Saab and GA-ASI tested an unmanned airborne early warning capability on the MQ-9B.

APEX

Panasonic Avionics to showcase AI-enabled connected seatback strategy at APEX FTE EXPO 2026

Panasonic Avionics plans to present a connected seatback approach that combines artificial intelligence, connectivity, personalization and digital services. The company is positioning the seatback as a third digital channel, though the announcement summary provides no details on products, deployment plans or customer commitments.

The Air Current

Anduril and General Atomics face high-stakes test in Air Force uncrewed fighter competition

Anduril and General Atomics are vying for a role in the U.S. Air Force’s uncrewed fighter strategy, putting their technologies and ability to deliver in a consequential competition. The outcome could shape each company’s position in military aviation as the service pursues uncrewed combat aircraft.

Breaking Defense

Battlefield drones span five autonomy levels, from remote control to advanced autonomous systems

Battlefield drones range from remotely piloted aircraft to systems capable of advanced autonomous operation. The five-level framework describes how control shifts from human operators to onboard systems, with implications for how drones are used in modern military operations.

eVTOL Insights

Maxwell unveils hybrid amphibious aircraft concept targeting 2,000-pound payload and 1,000-nm range

Maxwell Aircraft has introduced the M1 Hybrid, a patent-pending amphibious design that uses electric propulsion for takeoff and climb, then fuel-powered engines for cruise. The company says the aircraft is intended for cargo and passenger transport, with a targeted payload of 2,000 pounds and range of 1,000 nautical miles.

SpaceWatch Global

Germany targets 15-minute space ISR chain, with human decision-making the bottleneck

At Defence Lab Erding, CIR Maj. Gen. Pötzsch described a German space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) chain aiming to move from orbital observation to decision in 15 minutes. He identified human processing as the bottleneck in reaching that target.

Breaking Defense

CACI’s SkyValor extends counter-UAS RF detection range to 75 km

CACI says its SkyValor system can detect radio-frequency signatures from unmanned aircraft at ranges up to 75 km, giving operators more time to assess and respond to drone threats, including swarms. The announcement highlights the role of longer-range detection in counter-UAS operations.

FlightGlobal

FAA advances certification of Embraer E2 automated takeoff system

The FAA has taken a step toward certifying Embraer’s automated takeoff system for the E-Jet E2 family. Embraer says the technology is intended to improve safety and enable higher takeoff weights, adding automation to the aircraft’s takeoff sequence.