Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy News

Breaking Defense • Sydney J Freedberg Jr

NRO director: AI essential to manage 200+ reconnaissance satellites

NRO director Chris Scolese said artificial intelligence is essential to operate a growing constellation of more than 200 reconnaissance satellites, allowing a user to ask, “how many ships are in the Taiwan Strait,” and for the system to autonomously task sensors, aggregate imagery and return answers.

2025-09-22T08:24:17.472783-07:00

Air & Space Forces Mag

Boeing begins building first F‑47; USAF targets initial flight in 2028

2025-09-22T08:27:09.485059-07:00

The War Zone

Lockheed Skunk Works unveils Vectis Group‑5 stealth fighter‑escort CCA; targets 2027 first flight

2025-09-20T21:03:32.890242-07:00

dronelife.com

Uber invests in Flytrex and plans Uber Eats drone delivery pilots in U.S. by end of 2025

2025-09-18T08:18:19.441292-07:00

Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy News Timeline

Aviation Week

RTX and Shield AI to Supply Autonomy 'Brains' for USAF's First-Increment Collaborative Combat Aircraft RTX and Shield AI will supply the autonomy software "brains" for the U.S. Air Force's first-increment Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) fleet, sources say. The selection places the RTX–Shield AI team at the center of the USAF's push to field networked manned–unmanned teaming and operational CCA capability.

2025-09-23T07:15:57.163300-07:00

RTX and Shield AI to Supply Autonomy 'Brains' for USAF's First-Increment Collaborative Combat Aircraft

tectonicdefense.com

Northrop Grumman partners with Picogrid to adapt startup counter‑UAS software for military modernization Northrop Grumman is partnering with Picogrid to adapt the startup’s integrated systems technology for counter‑UAS applications, integrating Picogrid software into Northrop’s military software‑modernization efforts and operational systems to accelerate fielding of updated defenses against small unmanned aircraft, and expand mission‑system interoperability for defense customers.

2025-09-23T06:50:01.397099-07:00

Northrop Grumman partners with Picogrid to adapt startup counter‑UAS software for military modernization

Breaking Defense

GE selects Merlin AI co‑pilot for KC‑135 and C‑130J, eyes KC‑135 CCR upgrade GE Aerospace has chosen its Merlin AI "co‑pilot" to augment operations on KC‑135 tankers and C‑130J transports, and is pursuing a KC‑135 cockpit (CCR) upgrade. In the near term Merlin could replace one of the two crew now required; the long‑term aim is autonomous, complex missions.

2025-09-23T05:07:46.743172-07:00

GE selects Merlin AI co‑pilot for KC‑135 and C‑130J, eyes KC‑135 CCR upgrade

FlightGlobal

Anduril's YFQ-44A "Fury" completes first semi‑autonomous flight for Air Force CCA program Anduril's YFQ-44A "Fury" has completed its first semi‑autonomous flight, a milestone in the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) competition after months of software integration work and schedule shifts. The test advances Anduril's push to field attritable, AI‑driven loyal‑wingman capability more quickly.

2025-09-22T10:59:46.680368-07:00

Anduril's YFQ-44A "Fury" completes first semi‑autonomous flight for Air Force CCA program

Air & Space Forces Mag

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Boeing begins building first F‑47; USAF targets initial flight in 2028 Boeing has begun building the first F‑47 sixth‑generation fighter for the U.S. Air Force, with a first flight targeted in 2028, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said. The F‑47 — intended to replace the F‑22 — will feature advanced engines, low observables and fly with drone wingmen.

2025-09-22T08:27:09.485059-07:00

Boeing begins building first F‑47; USAF targets initial flight in 2028

Breaking Defense

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NRO director: AI essential to manage 200+ reconnaissance satellites NRO director Chris Scolese said artificial intelligence is essential to operate a growing constellation of more than 200 reconnaissance satellites, allowing a user to ask, “how many ships are in the Taiwan Strait,” and for the system to autonomously task sensors, aggregate imagery and return answers.

2025-09-22T08:24:17.472783-07:00

NRO director: AI essential to manage 200+ reconnaissance satellites

SpaceWatch Global

Will Marshall on Earth observation, AI and space sovereignty — WSBW 2025 At World Space Business Week 2025, Torsten Kriening interviews Will Marshall on the evolution of Earth observation, exploring how real‑time satellite data, advanced AI analytics and growing concerns over space sovereignty are reshaping commercial services, government demand and strategic thinking across defence and disaster response.

2025-09-22T07:53:05.819860-07:00

Will Marshall on Earth observation, AI and space sovereignty — WSBW 2025

SpaceWatch Global

WSBW 2025: Earth Observation at a Crossroads — AI, Interoperability and Defense Drive the Market At World Space Business Week 2025, Novaspace analyst Annekatrien Debien says Earth observation faces a strategic inflection as onboard AI, demands for interoperable data flows and accelerating defense procurement force new commercial and government operating models across the EO value chain.

2025-09-22T03:31:38.830269-07:00

WSBW 2025: Earth Observation at a Crossroads — AI, Interoperability and Defense Drive the Market

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