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Aviation Week • Bill Carey

Jet Aviation launches automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections in the U.S., expanding a service first deployed in Base

Jet Aviation has rolled out automated drone inspections of aircraft exteriors for U.S. customers, pairing drone capture with artificial intelligence to streamline exterior inspection workflows. The company says the offering builds on technology first deployed at its Basel, Switzerland headquarters in 2023 and is part of its broader innovation push across its global network.

2026-05-20T04:40:56.464475-07:00

FlightGlobal

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00

Reuters

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers

2026-05-20T00:57:04.680020-07:00

FlightGlobal

Northrop’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first taxi test in Mojave; Crane supplies brake control system

2026-05-20T00:25:17.979038-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy Shield AI says the Defense Department selected its Hivemind agentic AI software to serve as the autonomy “pilot” for LUCAS Kamikaze one-way drones. The test demonstration later this year targets swarming 10 or more munitions operating collaboratively under the LUCAS program.

2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

Aviation Week

Jet Aviation launches automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections in the U.S., expanding a service first deployed in Base Jet Aviation has rolled out automated drone inspections of aircraft exteriors for U.S. customers, pairing drone capture with artificial intelligence to streamline exterior inspection workflows. The company says the offering builds on technology first deployed at its Basel, Switzerland headquarters in 2023 and is part of its broader innovation push across its global network.

2026-05-20T04:40:56.464475-07:00

Jet Aviation launches automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections in the U.S., expanding a service first deployed in Base

Reuters

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers Lithuania and Latvia activated mobile air-danger warnings in eastern districts after radar detected drone tracks, escalating into a Vilnius-area airspace incursion. NATO jets were scrambled to intercept; residents were urged to seek immediate shelter, while Lithuania’s president and prime minister were rushed to underground bunkers as air-traffic measures tightened.

2026-05-20T00:57:04.680020-07:00

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers

FlightGlobal

Northrop’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first taxi test in Mojave; Crane supplies brake control system Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A “Talon Blue” collaborative combat aircraft prototype conducted its first taxi test on May 14 in Mojave, California. Crane Aerospace and Electronics supplied the brake control system, and Northrop was also named a preferred provider under the US Department of Defense’s Drone Dominance effort.

2026-05-20T00:25:17.979038-07:00

Northrop’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first taxi test in Mojave; Crane supplies brake control system

FlightGlobal

U.S. Navy grants MQ-25A Stingray Milestone C approval, clearing unmanned tanker for LRIP After receiving Milestone C approval, the U.S. Navy has cleared Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed air-to-air refueler for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The decision follows the program’s move through milestone C, setting conditions to transition from engineering/flight-test activity toward early production for carrier air wings.

2026-05-19T21:55:46.814816-07:00

U.S. Navy grants MQ-25A Stingray Milestone C approval, clearing unmanned tanker for LRIP

defence-blog.com

Russia flies Su-57D two-seat prototype as stealth fighter platform expands into training and potential drone-coordination roles United Aircraft Corporation has begun flight testing a rebuilt two-seat Su-57 configuration, tentatively designated Su-57D, following earlier taxi trials and reported ground runs. First flight reportedly occurred May 19, with the programme accompanied by further claims that the variant may support drone-control missions in addition to pilot training.

2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00

Russia flies Su-57D two-seat prototype as stealth fighter platform expands into training and potential drone-coordination roles

FlightGlobal

Tekever opens first US office near Fort Bragg to expand autonomous drone footprint for US special operations Autonomous drone developer Tekever has established its first US presence near Fort Bragg, North Carolina—home of the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command. The move signals a push to commercialize and scale its drone operations closer to a key U.S. special-operations customer base.

2026-05-19T09:24:25.477042-07:00

Tekever opens first US office near Fort Bragg to expand autonomous drone footprint for US special operations

Vertical Mag

Applied Aeronautics launches SkyBeam heavy-lift quadrotor modular drone platform for defense, public safety and commercial missi Applied Aeronautics has unveiled SkyBeam, a U.S.-made modular heavy-lift quadrotor positioned for defense, public safety and commercial use. The company frames the platform around endurance, payload flexibility and rapid deployment, and describes it as dual-use, with hybrid-electric/VTOL rotary-wing drone design elements.

2026-05-19T09:10:29.354298-07:00

Applied Aeronautics launches SkyBeam heavy-lift quadrotor modular drone platform for defense, public safety and commercial missi

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Jet Aviation launches automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections in the U.S., expanding a service first deployed in Base

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers

Northrop’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first taxi test in Mojave; Crane supplies brake control system

News Timeline