The War Zone
• Joseph Trevithick
Kratos says the Valkyrie’s $6 million-$8 million unit cost remains a central advantage as the field of competing Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs expands. The company sees relative affordability as key to staying ahead in a growing market for combat drones.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
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Kratos says the Valkyrie’s $6 million-$8 million unit cost remains a central advantage as the field of competing Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs expands. The company sees relative affordability as key to staying ahead in a growing market for combat drones.
The Trump administration said it is taking steps to speed the adoption of counter-drone systems in response to growing threats. The announcement signals an effort to move defenses against unmanned aircraft more quickly into service, though the reported summary provides no details on specific systems, funding or implementation timelines.
Korean Air Aerospace Division delivered its Collaborative Combat Aircraft platform last year and plans to begin flight testing at the end of this year, Director of International Business Haneul Kim said. The update marks the company’s stated next test milestone for its CCA program.
The Army has provided launched effects to 11 of its 12 divisions, with Griffon Aerospace delivering the majority, according to a report. The fielding follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 2025 Drone Dominance memo, which directed the service to equip each division headquarters and multi-domain task force with the systems.
Machina will use the contract to prove it can produce LUCAS drones with a robotic manufacturing system in containerized microfactories at remote locations. The effort centers on demonstrating whether drone production can be established close to forward-deployed operations.
A new interagency memorandum seeks to improve coordination against unauthorized drones near sensitive sites, with some FAA safety reviews for counter-UAS activity potentially reduced to 24 hours. The push follows a Texas airport closure and comes alongside proposals for anti-drone netting at Tyndall Air Force Base and FEMA calls for stronger local preparedness.
Safran Power Units will supply turbojet engines for UVAD Technologies’ reusable Falcon supersonic target aircraft. The companies say ground testing is complete and flight testing remains on track for 2027, advancing a program designed around a Mach 1.6 capability.
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