AeroTime
• Ian Molyneaux
JetZero has started upgrading the Pratt & Whitney engines intended for its Jet 1 blended-wing-body demonstrator. Separately, a UK-developed turbojet designed for drones and larger aircraft has advanced from concept to production and flight testing in seven months.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is broadening its uncrewed aircraft portfolio with the FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, MQ-9B, Mojave short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft and Wildfire. The lineup targets high-tech warfare and contested operating environments, spanning collaborative combat, persistent surveillance and expeditionary mission requirements.
JetZero has started upgrading the Pratt & Whitney engines intended for its Jet 1 blended-wing-body demonstrator. Separately, a UK-developed turbojet designed for drones and larger aircraft has advanced from concept to production and flight testing in seven months.
Pratt & Whitney has licensed Hermeus to manufacture F100-PW-229 engines, according to Hermeus CEO Zach Shore. The agreement gives Hermeus a second-source role for the fighter engine while enabling vertical integration of production for its Quarterhorse hypersonic drone program.
High activity
The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a $562 million Lot 1 low-rate initial production contract for three MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based tankers, with deliveries beginning in 2029. Separately, Textron Aviation and Merlin unveiled an autonomous Cessna SkyCourier resupply concept, while Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic weapon moves toward production.
High activity
A NATO-intercepted drone entered Lithuanian airspace from neighboring Belarus and was shot down by an Italian Eurofighter F-2000A Typhoon, as Russia’s war against Ukraine intensifies. The incident highlights mounting pressure on NATO’s eastern-flank air defenses and Lithuania’s readiness to respond to aerial threats.
Textron Aviation is studying an autonomous military-cargo version of the Cessna SkyCourier that removes the conventional cockpit and creates space for a new forward-loading arrangement. The concept explores how distributed autonomy and revised fuselage access could support future unmanned logistics missions.
The U.S. Air Force plans to establish a dedicated point-defense career field within two years and is considering a new acquisition office to oversee the mission. The changes reflect a shift toward defending bases worldwide against drone and missile attacks, following recent Iranian strikes in the Middle East.
North Korea said it conducted a coordinated strike exercise on September 12 involving attack drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and rocket artillery, disclosing the drill two days later. The unusually broad salvo combined unmanned systems and multiple missile classes in a single exercise.
Create a free account to see more recent UAV Development & Drone Programs stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
The drones section on Hype offers a comprehensive look at the rapidly evolving world of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our expert analysis covers the latest advancements in drone technology, regulatory changes, and the expanding use of drones across industries, from commercial delivery to environmental monitoring.
