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DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Boeing maps an autonomous refueling pathway for the KC-46 tanker amid ongoing program scrutiny

Boeing’s KC-46 now has a defined “pathway for autonomous aerial refueling,” positioning the tanker to move from manned operations toward automation-driven refueling. The update arrives as the platform faces persistent issue resolution requirements raised by senior U.S. Air Force leadership.

2026-04-25T10:05:23.994434-07:00

Bloomberg

SpaceX tapped to help build software “operating system” for Trump’s Golden Dome

2026-04-24T22:35:31.621249-07:00

AeroTime

ST Engineering launches DrN-600 large unmanned cargo aircraft to scale autonomous air logistics

2026-04-24T09:23:23.547769-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

CATALYST Partners with DUAL UK to use satellite imagery and AI to assess biodiversity risk for insurance underwriting

2026-04-24T02:33:35.116988-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Boeing maps an autonomous refueling pathway for the KC-46 tanker amid ongoing program scrutiny Boeing’s KC-46 now has a defined “pathway for autonomous aerial refueling,” positioning the tanker to move from manned operations toward automation-driven refueling. The update arrives as the platform faces persistent issue resolution requirements raised by senior U.S. Air Force leadership.

2026-04-25T10:05:23.994434-07:00

Boeing maps an autonomous refueling pathway for the KC-46 tanker amid ongoing program scrutiny

Bloomberg

SpaceX tapped to help build software “operating system” for Trump’s Golden Dome SpaceX has been pulled into an industry group developing the software “operating system” underpinning President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome air-and-missile-defense initiative, according to people familiar with the matter. The reporting underscores how tightly Elon Musk’s space and satellite business is being linked to government defense needs.

2026-04-24T22:35:31.621249-07:00

SpaceX tapped to help build software “operating system” for Trump’s Golden Dome

AeroTime

ST Engineering launches DrN-600 large unmanned cargo aircraft to scale autonomous air logistics ST Engineering has unveiled the DrN-600, positioned as the company’s largest unmanned cargo aircraft yet, as it moves to commercialize autonomous cargo operations. The announcement signals a step-change toward higher-capacity drone logistics and potentially new operating models for air cargo networks.

2026-04-24T09:23:23.547769-07:00

ST Engineering launches DrN-600 large unmanned cargo aircraft to scale autonomous air logistics

FlightGlobal

USAF and Netherlands formalize prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) partnership The U.S. Air Force and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence have signed an agreement to acquire and develop a prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in the United States, advancing autonomy-focused human-machine teaming and cross-nation interoperability. The deal positions the Netherlands to plug into future allied air-combat experimentation using open-architecture approaches.

2026-04-24T04:13:50.483328-07:00

USAF and Netherlands formalize prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) partnership

SpaceWatch Global

CATALYST Partners with DUAL UK to use satellite imagery and AI to assess biodiversity risk for insurance underwriting CATALYST and DUAL have completed a pilot project that applies satellite imagery and AI to assess biodiversity risk across the United Kingdom for insurance purposes. The effort is aimed at translating remote-sensing signals into a risk solution that can support underwriting decisions.

2026-04-24T02:33:35.116988-07:00

CATALYST Partners with DUAL UK to use satellite imagery and AI to assess biodiversity risk for insurance underwriting

DefenseNews.com

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming The U.S. Air Force formally opened a competition for Skyborg contracts on May 15, seeking partners to build and field AI-equipped drone capabilities. The framework creates pathways for more than one company to receive funding as the service accelerates autonomy-led uncrewed teaming.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.040073-07:00

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force issues 28 Advanced Battle Management System contracts, targeting up to ~$1B per award The US Air Force has issued 28 contracts tied to the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), with individual awards valued at up to nearly $1 billion each. Air Force officials also note they requested $3.3 billion to spend on ABMS over the next five years in the president’s fiscal 2021 budget request.

2026-04-23T15:06:02.502542-07:00

US Air Force issues 28 Advanced Battle Management System contracts, targeting up to ~$1B per award

DefenseNews.com

USAF restarts effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper, seeking industry input on technologies for a new combat drone The US Air Force has relaunched a program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, reaching out to industry for additional information on the technologies that should underpin a next-generation combat drone. The move signals the service is resetting requirements and options ahead of future acquisition decisions.

2026-04-23T15:06:01.650157-07:00

USAF restarts effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper, seeking industry input on technologies for a new combat drone

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Boeing maps an autonomous refueling pathway for the KC-46 tanker amid ongoing program scrutiny

SpaceX tapped to help build software “operating system” for Trump’s Golden Dome

ST Engineering launches DrN-600 large unmanned cargo aircraft to scale autonomous air logistics

CATALYST Partners with DUAL UK to use satellite imagery and AI to assess biodiversity risk for insurance underwriting

News Timeline