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Reuters

France places first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design

France's military has placed its first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design, aiming to build domestic production capacity. The procurement, prompted by lessons from Ukraine's conflict, marks a policy shift toward sovereign supply of expendable strike systems and faster fielding of tactical UAS.

2026-01-22T07:07:56.355508-08:00

FlightGlobal

Shield AI begins wind-tunnel testing of X‑Bat tail‑sitting autonomous tactical jet

2026-01-22T08:10:30.684429-08:00

AeroTime

Archer CCO: Anduril partnership, UAE commercial launch plans and LA 2028 operational build‑up

2026-01-22T01:54:58.608033-08:00

FlightGlobal

EDGE wins UAE MoD contract for 168 Anavia unmanned helicopters (76 HT-100, 92 HT-750)

2026-01-22T00:35:29.797211-08:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Shield AI begins wind-tunnel testing of X‑Bat tail‑sitting autonomous tactical jet Shield AI has started wind‑tunnel testing of its X‑Bat tail‑sitting uncrewed tactical jet, three months after unveiling the platform. The aircraft will operate using the company’s Hivemind AI autonomy software as Shield pushes toward VTOL demonstrations and full flight testing milestones.

2026-01-22T08:10:30.684429-08:00

Shield AI begins wind-tunnel testing of X‑Bat tail‑sitting autonomous tactical jet

Reuters

France places first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design France's military has placed its first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design, aiming to build domestic production capacity. The procurement, prompted by lessons from Ukraine's conflict, marks a policy shift toward sovereign supply of expendable strike systems and faster fielding of tactical UAS.

2026-01-22T07:07:56.355508-08:00

France places first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design

AeroTime

Archer CCO: Anduril partnership, UAE commercial launch plans and LA 2028 operational build‑up Archer's chief commercial officer Nikhil Goel said the company is collaborating with defense‑tech firm Anduril, intends to launch commercial eVTOL services in the UAE and is intensifying operational and regulatory preparations to support service during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

2026-01-22T01:54:58.608033-08:00

Archer CCO: Anduril partnership, UAE commercial launch plans and LA 2028 operational build‑up

SpaceWatch Global

Safran flies Blacknaute INS aboard U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk Safran Federal Systems completed a successful flight demonstration of its Blacknaute inertial navigation system aboard a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk, proving the INS on a rotary‑wing military platform. The sortie provides flight‑test validation of Blacknaute and supports Safran's ongoing development and qualification efforts.

2026-01-22T01:38:41.030663-08:00

Safran flies Blacknaute INS aboard U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk

FlightGlobal

EDGE wins UAE MoD contract for 168 Anavia unmanned helicopters (76 HT-100, 92 HT-750) On 22 January EDGE Group announced the UAE Ministry of Defence awarded contracts to buy 168 Anavia unmanned helicopters — 76 HT-100 and 92 HT-750 — a deal the company described as "globally significant" and one of the largest rotary-wing UAS orders to date.

2026-01-22T00:35:29.797211-08:00

EDGE wins UAE MoD contract for 168 Anavia unmanned helicopters (76 HT-100, 92 HT-750)

Vertical Mag

Matthieu Louvot to succeed Bruno Even as Airbus Helicopters CEO on April 1, 2026 Airbus has appointed Matthieu Louvot, currently Executive Vice‑President for Strategy at Airbus, as CEO of Airbus Helicopters effective 1 April 2026, succeeding Bruno Even after an eight‑year tenure. Louvot will report to Guillaume Faury and join Airbus’s Executive Committee. The move signals a strategic leadership refresh at Airbus's rotorcraft unit.

2026-01-21T16:59:54.952515-08:00

Matthieu Louvot to succeed Bruno Even as Airbus Helicopters CEO on April 1, 2026

Reuters

❗️

UK awards £453.5m to BAE for ECRS Mk2 AESA radar to upgrade RAF Tranche 3 Typhoons The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a £453.5 million contract for full production of Leonardo’s ECRS Mk2 AESA radar, part of a >£650 million package to equip RAF Tranche 3 Eurofighter Typhoons. Operational fielding is planned late this decade.

2026-01-21T16:20:53.492245-08:00

UK awards £453.5m to BAE for ECRS Mk2 AESA radar to upgrade RAF Tranche 3 Typhoons

The War Zone

USAF Seeks to Extend F-117 Nighthawk Flights Through 2034 The U.S. Air Force is seeking approval to keep F-117 Nighthawk flights active through 2034, extending operations 26 years after the type's 1999 retirement. The request reflects growing F-117 activity and would formalize continued use of the retired stealth jet for specialized missions.

2026-01-21T15:12:19.429926-08:00

USAF Seeks to Extend F-117 Nighthawk Flights Through 2034

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

France places first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design

Shield AI begins wind-tunnel testing of X‑Bat tail‑sitting autonomous tactical jet

Archer CCO: Anduril partnership, UAE commercial launch plans and LA 2028 operational build‑up

EDGE wins UAE MoD contract for 168 Anavia unmanned helicopters (76 HT-100, 92 HT-750)

News Timeline