FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
New official footage of the GJ-11 provides fresh details about the unmanned aircraft, appearing soon after a shipborne milestone by its naval variant. The timing links the latest imagery to China’s efforts to adapt the type for maritime operations, though the footage alone does not confirm specific capabilities or deployment plans.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
New official footage of the GJ-11 provides fresh details about the unmanned aircraft, appearing soon after a shipborne milestone by its naval variant. The timing links the latest imagery to China’s efforts to adapt the type for maritime operations, though the footage alone does not confirm specific capabilities or deployment plans.
Kratos says the Valkyrie’s $6 million-$8 million unit cost remains a central advantage as the field of competing Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs expands. The company sees relative affordability as key to staying ahead in a growing market for combat drones.
The Trump administration said it is taking steps to speed the adoption of counter-drone systems in response to growing threats. The announcement signals an effort to move defenses against unmanned aircraft more quickly into service, though the reported summary provides no details on specific systems, funding or implementation timelines.
Korean Air Aerospace Division delivered its Collaborative Combat Aircraft platform last year and plans to begin flight testing at the end of this year, Director of International Business Haneul Kim said. The update marks the company’s stated next test milestone for its CCA program.
The Army has provided launched effects to 11 of its 12 divisions, with Griffon Aerospace delivering the majority, according to a report. The fielding follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 2025 Drone Dominance memo, which directed the service to equip each division headquarters and multi-domain task force with the systems.
Machina will use the contract to prove it can produce LUCAS drones with a robotic manufacturing system in containerized microfactories at remote locations. The effort centers on demonstrating whether drone production can be established close to forward-deployed operations.
A new federal agreement could reduce some FAA safety reviews for counter-UAS deployments to 24 hours as agencies coordinate responses to unauthorized drone incursions. The push spans operational readiness—from FEMA urging state and local agencies to use security grants to tentative plans for protective netting at Tyndall Air Force Base.
Safran Power Units will supply turbojet engines for UVAD Technologies’ reusable Falcon supersonic aerial target, designed to reach Mach 1.6. The companies say ground testing is complete and flight testing remains on track for 2027, advancing a high-speed unmanned platform toward its first flight.
Create a free account to see more recent UAV Development & Drone Programs stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
The drones section on Hype offers a comprehensive look at the rapidly evolving world of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our expert analysis covers the latest advancements in drone technology, regulatory changes, and the expanding use of drones across industries, from commercial delivery to environmental monitoring.
