News

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

DARPA has transferred its ALIAS-developed autonomous flight system, powered by Sikorsky’s MATRIX suite, to the U.S. Army with delivery of the first H-60Mx optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk. The modified helicopter — able to operate crewed, reduced-crew or fully autonomously — now enters advanced operational evaluation under ALIAS.

2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00

AeroTime

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

2026-03-20T06:59:42.625199-07:00

FlightGlobal

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

Reuters

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant

2026-03-19T15:29:03.882056-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

❗️

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins DARPA has transferred its ALIAS-developed autonomous flight system, powered by Sikorsky’s MATRIX suite, to the U.S. Army with delivery of the first H-60Mx optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk. The modified helicopter — able to operate crewed, reduced-crew or fully autonomously — now enters advanced operational evaluation under ALIAS.

2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

AeroTime

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns French Rafale fighters reportedly intercepted roughly 60 Iranian Shahed loitering drones over the United Arab Emirates, relying heavily on MICA air‑to‑air missiles. The engagement exposed the high per‑kill cost of using MICA against cheap expendable drones and raised questions about missile stocks and resupply.

2026-03-20T06:59:42.625199-07:00

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

FlightGlobal

❗️

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE The US State Department approved $16.5 billion in emergency arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, with the UAE receiving the largest share. Packages cover ballistic missile‑defence radars, a $1.86 billion F‑16 weapons package, potential AIM‑120 AMRAAMs, counter‑drone systems and spare parts.

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Reuters

❗️

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant Anduril Industries will begin production in the coming days of its high‑speed 'loyal wingman' combat drone, Fury, at a newly opened manufacturing facility in Ohio. The move reflects a shift from prototyping toward scaled manufacturing of operational unmanned platforms for defense customers.

2026-03-19T15:29:03.882056-07:00

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant

The Air Current

Swarmer IPO soars as drone firm pivots beyond Ukraine amid drone‑centric Iran conflict Swarmer's IPO dramatically outperformed expectations as investor focus sharpens on unmanned systems while drone warfare becomes central to the Iran conflict. The company says it is pivoting operations beyond Ukraine to position for increased demand and strategic relevance in the region.

2026-03-19T14:59:02.549155-07:00

Swarmer IPO soars as drone firm pivots beyond Ukraine amid drone‑centric Iran conflict

Flying Magazine

Unidentified drones overflew US military base hosting Senator Rubio and senior Pentagon leaders Unidentified drones flew over a U.S. military base housing Senator Marco Rubio and senior Pentagon leaders, prompting local security attention and an immediate assessment by base officials. The Army said there was "no credible threat" but officials will "continue to monitor the situation."

2026-03-19T11:13:59.260721-07:00

Unidentified drones overflew US military base hosting Senator Rubio and senior Pentagon leaders

Via Satellite

SpiderOak wins U.S. Army PMO UAS contract for supply‑chain and cybersecurity assessments SpiderOak has won a U.S. Army PMO UAS contract to conduct supply‑chain analysis and cybersecurity assessments for unmanned aircraft systems. The work will evaluate supplier risk and system cyber posture across PMO UAS platforms, supporting resilience and acquisition decision‑making to inform modernization and fielding.

2026-03-19T08:59:45.891173-07:00

SpiderOak wins U.S. Army PMO UAS contract for supply‑chain and cybersecurity assessments

Aviation Today

Robinson launches 'Robinson Unmanned' and unveils Sikorsky‑autonomy R66 cargo UAS Robinson Helicopter on March 9 launched Robinson Unmanned, a new business unit to develop uncrewed rotorcraft, and detailed an unmanned cargo helicopter offering that integrates Sikorsky’s autonomy flight‑control capability. The initiative extends Robinson’s product line into autonomous cargo UAS and signals OEM entry into rotorcraft logistics missions.

2026-03-19T07:38:36.059152-07:00

Robinson launches 'Robinson Unmanned' and unveils Sikorsky‑autonomy R66 cargo UAS

Menu

UAV Development & Drone Programs News

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant

News Timeline