The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick
France has begun Pegase 2026, deploying Rafale fighters alongside A330 MRTT Phénix tankers and A400M Atlas transports to Alaska via Greenland and Canada. Separately, contracts awarded to Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA France and Safran launch development of Rafale F5 systems ahead of qualification around 2033.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
France has begun Pegase 2026, deploying Rafale fighters alongside A330 MRTT Phénix tankers and A400M Atlas transports to Alaska via Greenland and Canada. Separately, contracts awarded to Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA France and Safran launch development of Rafale F5 systems ahead of qualification around 2033.
Ukraine says FP-1 attack drones struck two gas plants deep inside Siberia, describing the operation as its farthest-reaching strike of the war. The reported attack underscores the expanding reach of Ukraine’s long-range unmanned systems against infrastructure well inside Russian territory.
Indra says Spain’s government has ordered development and procurement of a new family of tactical unmanned aircraft for the armed forces. The program establishes a domestic tactical-UAS effort, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2028, although the company did not disclose the order’s value or aircraft quantity.
France has ordered an additional Airbus Helicopters U050 Capa-X system following its assessment of an initial unit. Separately, Canada is advancing procurement of six uncrewed systems through a new drone marketplace while expanding defense co-production and air-defense support with Ukraine.
China is continuing flight testing of the mysterious WZ-X flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, which could perform missions comparable to the RQ-180. Separately, the Wing Loong 10B is being marketed internationally with air-to-air weapons, signaling expanding ambitions for China’s advanced UAV portfolio.
Angola has taken delivery of six Anavia HT-100 uncrewed rotorcraft from EDGE Group after a successful test campaign. The vertical-takeoff-and-landing assets will operate from the decks of Angola’s new naval corvettes, expanding the navy’s shipborne surveillance and mission capabilities.
RTX is collaborating with fusion-energy startup Xcimer to assess whether high-energy laser technology rooted in Cold War research could support directed-energy defenses. The effort highlights a potential crossover between fusion research and systems designed to counter missiles and drones.
High activity
Eutelsat has awarded Aerospacelab, Thales Alenia Space and Airbus contracts covering all 330 satellites in IRIS2’s LEO component, while authorizing Airbus to begin industrial work on 229 additional OneWeb satellites. The company is also expanding European satellite capabilities through payload and platform partnerships.
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