FlightGlobal
• Lizzie Rix
A deal reached in Kyiv between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will give the UK access to Ukraine’s battlefield database for training AI-enabled drone swarms, linking wartime operational data with future autonomous military systems.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
A deal reached in Kyiv between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will give the UK access to Ukraine’s battlefield database for training AI-enabled drone swarms, linking wartime operational data with future autonomous military systems.
NORTHCOM is evaluating methods to counter drone incursions along the border, highlighting the growing operational challenge posed by unmanned systems. At the same time, an Air Force institute focused on China is facing questions about its future, raising broader concerns about institutional capacity for strategic analysis.
The Royal Canadian Navy has completed the first flight of its CU179 Peregrine unmanned helicopter drone, advancing a platform intended for maritime surveillance and rescue missions. The milestone marks an operational step in integrating uncrewed rotary-wing capability into naval aviation activities.
High activity
The Pentagon and Space Force are advancing commercial capabilities for GEO surveillance, maneuverable satellite communications and faster space-domain awareness, while DIU and DARPA launch or plan competitions for low-cost ISR and heavy-lift drones. The initiatives combine rapid procurement mechanisms with emerging operational concepts for contested environments.
A coalition of 15 states and a Texas county is suing the Federal Aviation Administration over its environmental review of planned rules for commercial drone package deliveries. The challenge adds legal uncertainty to the regulatory framework governing broader deployment of delivery drones in the United States.
A captured Geran-4 one-way attack drone has been confirmed to use a Telefly TF-TJ2000A Chinese turbojet engine, according to the report. The finding indicates that some of Russia’s newer, higher-performance attack drones are incorporating Chinese propulsion technology.
The UK Ministry of Defence is preparing to issue an invitation to tender for a drone designed to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters. The move will advance the country’s ‘loyal wingman’ program into its next procurement phase, with bidders now preparing their proposals.
The Air Force Research Laboratory is developing an autonomous shotgun designed to counter drones, while also pursuing a blood-recirculation machine intended to provide lifesaving battlefield support. The projects reflect AFRL efforts to translate AI-enabled defense concepts and medical technology into systems usable by military personnel.
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.
