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Aviation Week • Brian Everstine

USAF selects General Atomics and Anduril for first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (FQ-42A/YFQ-44A) production contracts while kee

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Collaborative Combat Aircraft production contracts to General Atomics (FQ-42A) and Anduril (YFQ-44A), moving both airframes into the service’s first CCA production phase. The service will continue competition among software vendors for mission autonomy as the programs transition from EMD.

2026-06-17T14:21:04.826761-07:00

AeroTime

Thales unveils RapidStriker mobile counter-drone system at Eurosatory 2026 using low-cost 70mm rockets

2026-06-17T08:18:30.043217-07:00

Reuters

Rosaviatsiya orders minimum-altitude and operational restrictions for light aircraft and drones over Moscow and adjacent regions

2026-06-17T05:48:55.377787-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets

2026-06-17T05:48:44.189341-07:00

News Timeline

Aviation Week

USAF selects General Atomics and Anduril for first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (FQ-42A/YFQ-44A) production contracts while kee The U.S. Air Force has awarded Collaborative Combat Aircraft production contracts to General Atomics (FQ-42A) and Anduril (YFQ-44A), moving both airframes into the service’s first CCA production phase. The service will continue competition among software vendors for mission autonomy as the programs transition from EMD.

2026-06-17T14:21:04.826761-07:00

USAF selects General Atomics and Anduril for first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (FQ-42A/YFQ-44A) production contracts while kee

AeroTime

Thales unveils RapidStriker mobile counter-drone system at Eurosatory 2026 using low-cost 70mm rockets Thales used Eurosatory 2026 to debut RapidStriker, a vehicle-mounted counter-drone and counter-helicopter air-defense concept built around low-cost 70mm rockets. The system targets a broader drone/helicopter threat set with a mobile “engage-from-the-road” approach rather than dedicated fixed-site defenses.

2026-06-17T08:18:30.043217-07:00

Thales unveils RapidStriker mobile counter-drone system at Eurosatory 2026 using low-cost 70mm rockets

Reuters

Rosaviatsiya orders minimum-altitude and operational restrictions for light aircraft and drones over Moscow and adjacent regions Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya, says it will impose new flight restrictions on light private aircraft and drones in Moscow and surrounding areas, including a minimum altitude requirement. The curbs are aimed at regulating unmanned-aircraft and low-altitude activity in the capital’s airspace.

2026-06-17T05:48:55.377787-07:00

Rosaviatsiya orders minimum-altitude and operational restrictions for light aircraft and drones over Moscow and adjacent regions

DefenseNews.com

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets Poland is considering joining X-BAT, an autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter program, at the same time the government is evaluating plans to acquire up to 32 new fighter jets. The decision signals continued search for next-step modernization beyond its current procurement pipeline.

2026-06-17T05:48:44.189341-07:00

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets

Reuters

Italy conditionally backs Leonardo–Baykar UAV joint venture Italy’s government has given conditional approval to a joint venture between state-controlled defense group Leonardo and Turkey’s Baykar to produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to a Reuters source. The decision sets the framework for local production as both firms pursue the JV’s next steps.

2026-06-17T00:32:41.887516-07:00

Italy conditionally backs Leonardo–Baykar UAV joint venture

FlightGlobal

Aura Aero’s Aura M unveils redesigned MALE UAV Enbata at Eurosatory; early CCA work points to possible 2028 flight At Eurosatory 2026, Aura M—Aura Aero’s defense division—presented a redesigned concept for its MALE Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV, Enbata. Aura Aero also disclosed early design efforts on a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) that it says could fly in 2028, positioning Enbata’s maturation alongside a broader autonomous strike roadmap.

2026-06-17T00:32:37.492811-07:00

Aura Aero’s Aura M unveils redesigned MALE UAV Enbata at Eurosatory; early CCA work points to possible 2028 flight

The Air Current

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as scalable counter-UAS platforms, from Airbus H160M “agnostic” drone integration to H145 Global conflict lessons are driving fresh counter-drone concepts built around lower-cost platforms, with the Pentagon increasingly looking to helicopters as aerial shooters and sensing nodes. At Eurosatory 2026, Airbus Helicopters highlights a “agnostic” H160M Guépard approach targeting first delivery in late 2028, plus plans to broaden the H145M into anti-drone roles and to team rotorcraft with drones for missions including life-saving operations and wildfire response.

2026-06-16T13:24:11.122201-07:00

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as scalable counter-UAS platforms, from Airbus H160M “agnostic” drone integration to H145

FlightGlobal

EDGE and Safran expand cooperation in France, targeting Hammer precision weapon and UAV-related programs At Eurosatory 2026, EDGE Group and Safran signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to deepen collaboration and broaden joint work across their portfolios. EDGE opened new production sites in France as it pursues greater European prime standing, while Safran and EDGE also plan joint ventures around Hammer precision weapons and UAV-related efforts.

2026-06-16T09:19:21.523021-07:00

EDGE and Safran expand cooperation in France, targeting Hammer precision weapon and UAV-related programs

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

USAF selects General Atomics and Anduril for first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (FQ-42A/YFQ-44A) production contracts while kee

Thales unveils RapidStriker mobile counter-drone system at Eurosatory 2026 using low-cost 70mm rockets

Rosaviatsiya orders minimum-altitude and operational restrictions for light aircraft and drones over Moscow and adjacent regions

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets

News Timeline