News

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification test campaign

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has completed a series of flight tests to certify the MQ-9B SkyGuardian for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) conditions, positioning the remotely piloted aircraft for true all-weather operations. GA-ASI says the campaign is a critical milestone in expanding MQ-9B’s operational envelope.

2026-04-21T05:33:32.443461-07:00

insidedefense.com

Anduril and HD Hyundai start production of first autonomous surface vessel for potential US Navy MUSV contender

2026-04-20T11:17:51.789110-07:00

The War Zone

USMC begins defining sixth-generation fighter requirements, with drones positioned as the bridge via MUX TACAIR collaborative co

2026-04-20T14:01:51.153008-07:00

Breaking Defense

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage

2026-04-20T12:43:18.543095-07:00

News Timeline

Breaking Defense

Anduril and Kraken team up on small USVs for US Navy hybrid fleet transition Anduril Industries and Kraken Technology Group announced a partnership to deliver mission-ready autonomous maritime power for the US Navy’s transition to a hybrid fleet, using Kraken’s small USVs with Anduril responsible for US manufacturing and payload integration. The collaboration was unveiled at Sea-Air-Space.

2026-04-21T09:12:44.599700-07:00

Anduril and Kraken team up on small USVs for US Navy hybrid fleet transition

AeroTime

Dronamics secures Japan investment via Asia Air Survey; opens Japan subsidiary to scale Black Swan MALE drone operations in Asia Dronamics says Japan’s Asia Air Survey is its first Japanese investor, pairing capital with a plan to market the Black Swan MALE drone across Asia. The company is also opening a Japan subsidiary to expand Black Swan operations and grow a local footprint.

2026-04-21T08:11:19.808676-07:00

Dronamics secures Japan investment via Asia Air Survey; opens Japan subsidiary to scale Black Swan MALE drone operations in Asia

FlightGlobal

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification test campaign General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has completed a series of flight tests to certify the MQ-9B SkyGuardian for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) conditions, positioning the remotely piloted aircraft for true all-weather operations. GA-ASI says the campaign is a critical milestone in expanding MQ-9B’s operational envelope.

2026-04-21T05:33:32.443461-07:00

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification test campaign

The War Zone

USMC begins defining sixth-generation fighter requirements, with drones positioned as the bridge via MUX TACAIR collaborative co The Marine Corps is moving from concept to requirements for a sixth-generation fighter, with Lieutenant General William Swan saying the effort is already taking shape. The service envisions drones and collaborative-combat aircraft as a near-term bridge to future capabilities.

2026-04-20T14:01:51.153008-07:00

USMC begins defining sixth-generation fighter requirements, with drones positioned as the bridge via MUX TACAIR collaborative co

Breaking Defense

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage General Atomics frames the MQ-9B SeaGuardian as uniquely suited to meet modern conflict demands in the maritime battlespace, emphasizing its ability to deliver a decisive operational edge for Navy and Marine Corps missions. The pitch aligns with the platform’s broader role in persistent maritime ISR and maritime-domain operations.

2026-04-20T12:43:18.543095-07:00

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage

insidedefense.com

Anduril and HD Hyundai start production of first autonomous surface vessel for potential US Navy MUSV contender Anduril and South Korea’s HD Hyundai say the first ship in a new class of autonomous surface vessels is now entering production as the team positions it as a potential candidate for the US Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program. The partners expect the first vessel to be in the water this October.

2026-04-20T11:17:51.789110-07:00

Anduril and HD Hyundai start production of first autonomous surface vessel for potential US Navy MUSV contender

saildrone.com

Navy League 2026: Saildrone unveils Spectre USV for ASW gap-fill and VLS strike, with Silent Endurance and Stealth Strike varian Saildrone released design details for its new Spectre unmanned surface vessel, optimized for anti-submarine warfare and kinetic strike, in two configurations: Spectre Silent Endurance and Spectre Stealth Strike. The 52-meter platform targets high-speed, stealth strike capability and was shown at Sea Air Space, with a 30-knot top speed cited.

2026-04-20T07:17:40.471464-07:00

Navy League 2026: Saildrone unveils Spectre USV for ASW gap-fill and VLS strike, with Silent Endurance and Stealth Strike varian

Airbus

❗️

NAHEMA awards NH90 Block 2 architecture study to NHIndustries, advancing NATO rotorcraft midlife upgrade NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) has contracted NHIndustries to begin a major NH90 Block 2 architecture study, starting work on a next-generation variant’s performance improvements and future combat/interop integration. The contract formalizes the Block 2 evolution study ahead of the rotorcraft midlife upgrade planning cycle.

2026-04-20T02:45:15.734683-07:00

NAHEMA awards NH90 Block 2 architecture study to NHIndustries, advancing NATO rotorcraft midlife upgrade

Menu

UAV Development & Drone Programs News

GA-ASI completes MQ-9B Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification test campaign

Anduril and HD Hyundai start production of first autonomous surface vessel for potential US Navy MUSV contender

USMC begins defining sixth-generation fighter requirements, with drones positioned as the bridge via MUX TACAIR collaborative co

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® positioned for US Navy–Marine Corps maritime mission advantage

News Timeline