SpaceNews.com
• Konstantinos Trantopoulos
SpaceX reportedly acquired xAI in an all-stock transaction valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion, a figure that would make it the largest merger on record. The reported deal brings a major launch provider and an artificial-intelligence company under common ownership.
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A Russian Molniya drone reportedly navigated and selected its target entirely through artificial intelligence in a strike that killed three civilians in Ukraine. The reported use of autonomous targeting in an active conflict raises significant questions about drone development, operational control and civilian protection.
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SpaceX reportedly acquired xAI in an all-stock transaction valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion, a figure that would make it the largest merger on record. The reported deal brings a major launch provider and an artificial-intelligence company under common ownership.
All Nippon Airways is introducing remotely controlled “newme” robots to answer passenger questions at Japanese regional airports with limited staffing. The deployment reflects how airlines are using telepresence and automation to maintain customer-service coverage as Japan’s workforce shrinks, without requiring permanent personnel at every station.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby outlined his views on potential large-scale airline transactions, the role of artificial intelligence and the carrier’s strategic direction in a wide-ranging CNBC interview. The discussion offers insight into how United is framing consolidation and technology as it plans for the future.
Saab displayed a full-scale mock-up of its A3 autonomous combat-aircraft concept, designed to complement Gripen E and other fighters in combat, deep-strike and electronic-warfare missions. The company says the high-end unmanned system could also influence its next crewed combat aircraft, while GKN Aerospace has demonstrated a newly developed Swedish turbojet.
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SpaceX has faced a difficult ride on Wall Street, with its shares down 5.74%, even as Elon Musk’s space and artificial-intelligence company accumulates significant wins in Washington. The contrast highlights divergent investor sentiment and political momentum surrounding the company’s businesses.
An exercise involving Anduril’s YFQ-44A and General Atomics’ YFQ-42A is helping the U.S. Air Force determine how small teams will control, maintain and rapidly return its future uncrewed fighters to service. The effort highlights the operational challenges beyond procuring hundreds of relatively inexpensive autonomous combat aircraft.
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EHang says its Global Fast Track Program will move pilotless eVTOL aircraft from regulatory sandboxes toward commercial service within four months, with Sri Lanka as its first international adopter. In China, EHang and state-owned builder CSCEC are developing a low-altitude corridor and vertiport network in Hainan.
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