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FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Windracers to build 100+ Ultra Mk2 cargo drones in 2026 as range doubles to 2,000 km

Windracers will build more than 100 Ultra Mk2 heavy‑lift cargo drones in 2026 as it ramps production to meet surging demand. The Ultra's range has been doubled to 2,000 km (1,240 miles) with a 200 kg (441 lb) payload, extending its reach for long‑range logistics and austere‑environment missions.

2026-01-16T05:27:55.817925-08:00

Airbus

France orders six VSR700 naval drones from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

Reuters

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Vertical Mag

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years

2026-01-16T02:53:42.744802-08:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

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Windracers to build 100+ Ultra Mk2 cargo drones in 2026 as range doubles to 2,000 km Windracers will build more than 100 Ultra Mk2 heavy‑lift cargo drones in 2026 as it ramps production to meet surging demand. The Ultra's range has been doubled to 2,000 km (1,240 miles) with a 200 kg (441 lb) payload, extending its reach for long‑range logistics and austere‑environment missions.

2026-01-16T05:27:55.817925-08:00

Windracers to build 100+ Ultra Mk2 cargo drones in 2026 as range doubles to 2,000 km

Reuters

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy Leonardo's Proteus, the UK's first full-size autonomous helicopter developed for the Royal Navy, completed its maiden flight from the National Drone Hub in Cornwall. The Proteus technology demonstrator will be used to explore uncrewed rotorcraft roles, including high-risk missions and carrier/"hybrid air wing" experimentation.

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy

Airbus

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France orders six VSR700 naval drones from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028 France's DGA has awarded Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group a contract to produce six VSR700 uncrewed rotorcraft for the Marine Nationale, a Cabri G2–derived UAS in ISR configuration equipped with radar, EO/IR and AIS sensors. The systems will enter service from 2028 and operate from frigates.

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

France orders six VSR700 naval drones from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

Vertical Mag

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years Senior U.S. Army officials announced late last year plans to buy up to one million drones over the next two to three years as the service pivots toward uncrewed operations. The figure is a dramatic increase from the roughly 50,000 drones the Army currently purchases annually.

2026-01-16T02:53:42.744802-08:00

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years

DefenseNews.com

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads The Marine Corps wants to increase its rapid prototyping fund by nearly six times in 2023 to accelerate trials of partner unmanned systems and new payloads for MQ‑9 Reaper aircraft. The effort is aimed at fast‑tracking integration, evaluating subordinate UAS concepts and fielding capabilities more quickly.

2026-01-16T01:51:55.035041-08:00

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin invests $50M in Saildrone to arm USVs with JAGM launchers and Mk 70 VLS Lockheed Martin has made a $50 million investment in Saildrone and will partner to equip its 20‑metre Surveyor USV with a JAGM launcher, with larger Saildrone vessels considered for Mk 70 vertical launch systems. The move aims to rapidly scale lethal unmanned maritime strike capability for the U.S. Navy.

2026-01-15T06:56:51.641730-08:00

Lockheed Martin invests $50M in Saildrone to arm USVs with JAGM launchers and Mk 70 VLS

AeroTime

French Army: Ukraine combat validates helicopters for air assault and counter‑drone roles, accelerates manned–unmanned teaming French Army leaders say combat in Ukraine has validated the helicopter's role in air‑assault and counter‑drone missions and is accelerating adoption of manned‑unmanned teaming. The comments crystallize operational lessons shaping doctrine, training and capability development, and the integration of unmanned systems for rotary‑wing forces.

2026-01-14T07:46:01.605160-08:00

French Army: Ukraine combat validates helicopters for air assault and counter‑drone roles, accelerates manned–unmanned teaming

FlightGlobal

EDGE and Indra form Spain-based JV to develop, produce and sustain loitering munitions for Spanish and European programmes UAE state-owned EDGE Group and Spain’s Indra have agreed to create a Spain-based joint venture to develop, produce and provide lifecycle support for loitering munitions and smart weapons aimed at Spanish and broader European defence programmes. Production and sustainment are planned to take place in Spain.

2026-01-13T07:00:30.571908-08:00

EDGE and Indra form Spain-based JV to develop, produce and sustain loitering munitions for Spanish and European programmes

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Windracers to build 100+ Ultra Mk2 cargo drones in 2026 as range doubles to 2,000 km

France orders six VSR700 naval drones from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

Leonardo's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first full‑size autonomous helicopter for Royal Navy

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years

News Timeline