AI News

Via Satellite

Es’hailSat and Qatar University’s QMIC sign MoU to explore AI collaboration

Qatar satellite operator Es’hailSat has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Mobility Innovations Center, a research and innovation center owned by Qatar University, to explore collaboration opportunities in artificial intelligence and related technologies. Es’hailSat announced the agreement Nov. 9.

AirForceTimes

Shield AI’s Hivemind enables Air Force combat drones to fly in formation and execute coordinated maneuvers

Shield AI says its Hivemind software enabled two U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft to fly in a multi-ship formation for the first time and perform coordinated beyond-visual-range counter-air tactics. The combat maneuvers were simulated, demonstrating software-enabled coordination between the uncrewed aircraft.

AINonline

High activity

Anduril’s YFQ-44A and Shield AI autonomy software enable first multi-CCA formation flight; UK plans carrier demonstration of Nor

Multiple collaborative combat aircraft flew together on a joint sortie for the first time, with two Anduril YFQ-44A Fury jets controlled by Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software. Separately, the Royal Navy plans to demonstrate Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue from a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier in 2027 as it develops a future hybrid air wing.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Google’s $10 million Spirit data deal revised to shield 20 categories of former crew data

Google has agreed to additional privacy protections in its proposed $10 million purchase of enterprise data from the now-defunct airline, after objections from the union representing Spirit flight attendants. The revised terms exclude 20 categories of data linked to former pilots and flight attendants, and the union has withdrawn its objections.

Bloomberg

High activity

Amazon Ring unveils $250 autonomous security drone and $1,000 patrol robot

Ring’s Drone Cam autonomously flies between rooms to investigate suspicious activity, streams live video and can record at night; it is priced at $249.99. Amazon also introduced a $1,000 AI-powered robot for business patrols, extending the company’s security products beyond fixed cameras and doorbells.

thedebrief.org

High activity

DARPA’s NOM4D robot completes first autonomous orbital structure assembly, advancing prospects for giant space telescopes and so

A robot has assembled part of an antenna in orbit, demonstrating a new approach to building structures too large to fit within launch-vehicle fairings. DARPA’s NOM4D program moves beyond space stations assembled from pre-built modules toward robotic construction of larger spacecraft and infrastructure in orbit.

Aviation Week

Merlin wins $8.9 million SOCOM order to integrate autonomy system into C-130J

U.S. Special Operations Command awarded Merlin Labs an $8.9 million task order to integrate its autonomous flight technology into the Lockheed Martin C-130J cockpit. The next phase includes system integration, testing and safety evaluations, moving the program toward future flight testing.

Australian Aviation

High activity

Qantas to cut 850 corporate jobs as it outsources functions to Accenture amid AI push

Qantas plans to eliminate about 850 Australian corporate roles from mid-2027, shifting some functions to Accenture teams in India and Australia as it redesigns operations around greater use of artificial intelligence. The plan has drawn union criticism over assurances that no Australian jobs would be offshored.