UAV Development & Drone Programs News

FlightGlobal

European firms invest in collaborative combat drones as decision-makers hesitate; UK’s CAeS reports fresh losses after UAV pivot

European aerospace companies are committing more funding to test collaborative uncrewed combat aircraft, but political and military decision-makers have yet to match that momentum. UK-based Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, which has pivoted toward its Stingray ST-5 UAV family, disclosed fresh losses in its latest accounts without updating the program’s progress.

Reuters

Quantum Systems cyberattack prompts precautionary grounding of German military drones; fleet returns to flight

Quantum Systems says German military drones grounded as a precaution after a cyberattack last month are flying again. Reports link the incident to a malicious update to the company’s QBase drone software; the company says it contained the attack. The event puts software integrity and cyber response at the center of military UAV operations.

Reuters

Shenzhen’s drone deliveries showcase China’s push to build a low-altitude economy

Drone fleets are crisscrossing tourist areas in Shenzhen, where food deliveries by air are becoming part of the city’s landscape ahead of next week’s APEC summit. The activity reflects China’s broader effort to expand its “low-altitude” economy, though the article provides no figures on fleet size, operating scale or commercial performance.

SpaceNews.com

Echodyne’s EchoShield radar selected for BAE counter-drone system as company expands US production

Echodyne’s EchoShield MESA radar will be integrated into BAE Systems’ Anti Threat System for counter-drone defense. CEO Ann Stevens says the company is also adding engineering staff and production capacity while exploring radar applications for spacecraft and high-altitude drones, broadening its potential defense and aerospace markets.

SpaceNews.com

Iceye US expands manufacturing, targets new military markets for radar payloads

The War Zone

Northrop Grumman and Hermeus team up on autonomous high-speed military aircraft

Northrop Grumman and Hermeus have signed a teaming agreement to develop and field autonomous high-speed aircraft for U.S. forces, pairing Northrop’s military mission systems with Hermeus’ experimental supersonic platform. The companies say the effort aims to deliver a new class of very-high-speed unmanned aircraft, though they disclosed no schedule or program value.

AINonline

FAA grants Skyways first high-seas BVLOS waiver for offshore pipeline mission

The waiver allows Skyways’ V2 unmanned aircraft to fly beyond visual line of sight over the high seas while inspecting a pipeline en route to a Shell offshore platform. The mission marks the first such FAA waiver, extending drone operations into offshore infrastructure work.

AINonline

FAA Grants First High-seas BVLOS Waiver to Skyways