UAV Development & Drone Programs News

AINonline • David Donald

Farnborough showcases counter-UAS and uncrewed autonomy: Bumblebee V2 upgrades, USV-based maritime air defence, and UK CCA revea

A cluster of Farnborough announcements and programme updates highlights rapid scaling of uncrewed autonomy and low-cost counter-UAS. Upgrades to the Bumblebee V2 add air-to-air intercept capability; Babcock and partners pitch a USV-based maritime air-defence concept; and Allen Control Systems says the US Marine Corps selected its Bullfrog/Bulldog GBAD solution under a counter-drone programme. BAE Systems also unveiled the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).

7 Sources

2026-07-22T00:22:41.345536-07:00

FlightGlobal

UAS buildout accelerates in Canada and Europe as Airbus, Landing Zones, and Leonardo-Baykar expand AI-enabled drone capabilities

4 Sources

2026-07-22T00:08:14.674727-07:00

Reuters

Boeing showcases Ghost Bat at Farnborough as rivals vie for autonomous uncrewed fighter-jet program

1 Source

2026-07-21T22:25:41.075851-07:00

AINonline

Embraer- Anduril eye Barracuda missile; Anduril and Archer unveil autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL platform as interceptor market

45 Sources

2026-07-20T23:23:16.290925-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

AINonline

7 sources

Farnborough showcases counter-UAS and uncrewed autonomy: Bumblebee V2 upgrades, USV-based maritime air defence, and UK CCA revea A cluster of Farnborough announcements and programme updates highlights rapid scaling of uncrewed autonomy and low-cost counter-UAS. Upgrades to the Bumblebee V2 add air-to-air intercept capability; Babcock and partners pitch a USV-based maritime air-defence concept; and Allen Control Systems says the US Marine Corps selected its Bullfrog/Bulldog GBAD solution under a counter-drone programme. BAE Systems also unveiled the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).

2026-07-22T00:22:41.345536-07:00

Farnborough showcases counter-UAS and uncrewed autonomy: Bumblebee V2 upgrades, USV-based maritime air defence, and UK CCA revea

FlightGlobal

4 sources

UAS buildout accelerates in Canada and Europe as Airbus, Landing Zones, and Leonardo-Baykar expand AI-enabled drone capabilities Airbus Defence and Space has signed a strategic partnership with Landing Zones for advanced uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in Canada. In Europe, Leonardo and Baykar’s LBA Systems joint venture has reached full operational readiness, establishing a new base for AI-enabled uncrewed aircraft, carrier-capable drones, and crewed-uncrewed teaming—while an aerostructures JV timeline has slipped to year-end amid Middle East conflict-related delays.

2026-07-22T00:08:14.674727-07:00

UAS buildout accelerates in Canada and Europe as Airbus, Landing Zones, and Leonardo-Baykar expand AI-enabled drone capabilities

Reuters

1 source

Boeing showcases Ghost Bat at Farnborough as rivals vie for autonomous uncrewed fighter-jet program At the Farnborough Airshow, Boeing highlighted its Ghost Bat autonomous drone in a growing race to supply next-generation uncrewed fighter aircraft. The display underscores intensifying competition among defense primes as customers evaluate designs that could shape a multibillion-dollar autonomous air-combat market.

2026-07-21T22:25:41.075851-07:00

Boeing showcases Ghost Bat at Farnborough as rivals vie for autonomous uncrewed fighter-jet program

Reuters

1 source

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FAA to accelerate next-generation aviation: air taxis, supersonic aircraft, drones, and space launches The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it is working to help industry bring air taxis, supersonic airplanes, boost space launches, and expand drone operations to market as it embraces next-generation aviation. The agency’s update was delivered during the Farnborough Airshow context.

2026-07-21T03:43:08.724685-07:00

FAA to accelerate next-generation aviation: air taxis, supersonic aircraft, drones, and space launches

FlightGlobal

51 sources

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GA-ASI, Raytheon UK, BAE/Boeing/Saab and Leonardo move to refresh UK strike, training and precision-munitions capacity General Atomics is pursuing expanded strike roles for the MQ-9B and its Gambit integration via deals with Kongsberg and MBDA. Meanwhile, Raytheon UK unveiled Red Kite—an affordable sovereign precision munition built on the Stormbreaker airframe. BAE, Boeing and Saab also signed to advance a UK Hawk replacement built around Boeing’s T-7 training system, as Leonardo presses LEO and missile-defense programs alongside an Indonesian M-346F fighter sale.

2026-07-21T00:25:14.580978-07:00

GA-ASI, Raytheon UK, BAE/Boeing/Saab and Leonardo move to refresh UK strike, training and precision-munitions capacity

AINonline

45 sources

❗️

Embraer- Anduril eye Barracuda missile; Anduril and Archer unveil autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL platform as interceptor market Embraer and Anduril signed an MOU to pursue the Barracuda missile for the C-390, without a timeline for initial testing. Separately, Anduril and Archer Aviation unveiled a jointly-developed autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL platform for both defense and commercial missions. In adjacent drone-defense moves, Kratos was selected by the US Energy Department to protect nuclear transports from drone attacks, and X-Bow announced its Buckler interceptor after successful flight testing against Shahed-type drones.

2026-07-20T23:23:16.290925-07:00

Embraer- Anduril eye Barracuda missile; Anduril and Archer unveil autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL platform as interceptor market

FlightGlobal

1 source

PBS highlights 25-year bet on the UAV market as a small-engine specialist scales for unmanned demand PBS says it has been building for the emerging uncrewed air vehicle sector since a strategy decision made roughly 25 years ago. The company positions its small-engine portfolio as a core enabler for UAV growth, emphasizing long-term focus as unmanned demand accelerates.

2026-07-20T14:08:41.185428-07:00

PBS highlights 25-year bet on the UAV market as a small-engine specialist scales for unmanned demand

FlightGlobal

1 source

Advanced Navigation pitches compact INS to maintain UAV and military aircraft navigation under GPS jamming/spoofing At Farnborough, Australian avionics firm Advanced Navigation is showcasing a small-form-factor inertial navigation system designed for UAV and military platforms operating in heavy electronic warfare environments. The solution targets disruption from GPS jamming and spoofing, helping maintain navigation integrity when satellite signals are unreliable.

2026-07-20T03:08:56.350398-07:00

Advanced Navigation pitches compact INS to maintain UAV and military aircraft navigation under GPS jamming/spoofing

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