AI News

AeroTime

2026 aerospace shows span defense, testing and business aviation, with major events in Africa and Dubai

Elbit Systems plans to present unmanned systems, precision fires and electronic warfare capabilities at Marrakech Air Show 2026, while the Aerospace Test & Development Show’s forum focused on hybrid testing, AI and data. Separately, Africa’s AAD reported 287 exhibitors, and MEBAA expects business aviation companies from more than 100 countries in Dubai.

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI and U.S. Navy demonstrate autonomous mission planning with MQ-20 Avenger during Gray Flag 2026

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the U.S. Navy used the MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed aircraft to demonstrate collaborative autonomous mission planning during the Gray Flag 2026 exercise. The work showed how mission plans can be employed by autonomous aircraft; related reporting also covers Navy digital testing infrastructure and Northrop Grumman’s Talon Blue collaborative combat aircraft.

AINonline

Jeppesen begins deploying AI agents in ForeFlight Airflow Operations System, with airlines first

Jeppesen has deployed initial AI agents for its ForeFlight Airflow Operations System, with airlines the first intended users. The company plans to extend use cases to business aviation and defense, though the available announcement does not detail the agents’ capabilities or deployment scale.

Breaking Defense

Counter-drone push spans Phantom Defense system, South Korea point-defense RFI and Pentagon pilot

At DroneX 2026, Ukraine’s Phantom Defense presented a counter-UAV system combining detection, electronic warfare and fixed-wing interception. Separately, the U.S. 7th Air Force sought new capabilities to modernize point defense in South Korea, while the Pentagon selected AeroVironment, Epirus, Kord and Boeing for a directed-energy counter-drone pilot.

Bloomberg

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works integrates AI in defense modernization push

Lockheed Martin is incorporating artificial intelligence into Skunk Works, its advanced development unit, as it seeks to modernize defense programs. The unit is described as central to the contractor’s future success, but the available report provides no details on specific AI applications, programs or timelines.

DefenseNews.com

Ukraine’s counter-drone push spans gun turrets, autonomous systems and new weapons

Ukraine’s effort to counter Russian drones is drawing on established weapons and expanding domestic technology: automatic gun turrets have downed jet-powered drones, while Northrop Grumman’s 30mm Chain Gun is being used against uncrewed aircraft. Ukrainian firms are also raising capital for reconnaissance drones and AI tools as the country advances other arms projects.

The War Zone

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first fully autonomous flight

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue has flown autonomously for the first time at Mojave Air and Space Port, completing taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing. The milestone advances the company’s effort to secure a position in the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft portfolio.

Via Satellite

Satlyt raises $8M seed round to expand AI data processing aboard spacecraft

Satellite software company Satlyt secured $8 million in seed financing led by non sibi ventures to develop virtual AI data centers in space. The funding will support engineering and customer-delivery hiring while scaling software deployments across spacecraft operated by other companies.