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The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as counter-drone platforms: Airbus H160M Guépard, H145M expansion, and drone-led teaming

Eurosatory 2026 coverage points to a shift from “air defense” to scalable counter-UAS concepts, with militaries drawing renewed interest in helicopters and low-cost platforms. Airbus Helicopters is progressing the H160M Guépard toward late-2028 delivery, positioning “agnostic” drone integration, while also widening the H145M light helicopter’s anti-drone mission and exploring helicopter–drone teaming for SAR and firefighting roles.

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

FlightGlobal

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

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

FlightGlobal

MARSS to start serial production of Interceptor-MR drone interceptor; deployment targeted for 2027

2026-06-16T07:32:55.309478-07:00

Breaking Defense

L3Harris and Skydagger to co-produce FPV interceptor drones in the US, integrating small interceptors into the Vampire c-UAS pla

2026-06-16T06:33:54.764746-07:00

News Timeline

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

The Air Current

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as counter-drone platforms: Airbus H160M Guépard, H145M expansion, and drone-led teaming Eurosatory 2026 coverage points to a shift from “air defense” to scalable counter-UAS concepts, with militaries drawing renewed interest in helicopters and low-cost platforms. Airbus Helicopters is progressing the H160M Guépard toward late-2028 delivery, positioning “agnostic” drone integration, while also widening the H145M light helicopter’s anti-drone mission and exploring helicopter–drone teaming for SAR and firefighting roles.

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

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as counter-drone platforms: Airbus H160M Guépard, H145M expansion, and drone-led teaming

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

FlightGlobal

MARSS to start serial production of Interceptor-MR drone interceptor; deployment targeted for 2027 Counter-unmanned air systems provider MARSS says its Interceptor-MR drone weapon is entering the final stages of development testing, with serial production planned to begin next year. The titanium-reinforced interceptor is slated to be deployment-ready in 2027, signaling a shift from prototype to fieldable C-UAS effects.

2026-06-16T07:32:55.309478-07:00

MARSS to start serial production of Interceptor-MR drone interceptor; deployment targeted for 2027

Breaking Defense

L3Harris and Skydagger to co-produce FPV interceptor drones in the US, integrating small interceptors into the Vampire c-UAS pla L3Harris and Turkish firm Skydagger plan to establish US co-production of FPV interceptor drones, enabling for the first time Vampire to be equipped with a small interceptor drone. The arrangement is designed to expand Vampire’s counter-uncrewed aircraft capabilities against fast-evolving FPV threats.

2026-06-16T06:33:54.764746-07:00

L3Harris and Skydagger to co-produce FPV interceptor drones in the US, integrating small interceptors into the Vampire c-UAS pla

Reuters

U.S. uses drone- and helicopter-guided covert ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf amid tentative US-Iran peace An Exclusive report says the U.S. has run scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial and water drones plus helicopters to guide convoys to awaiting tankers. Related reporting links the operation to a downed U.S. Apache near the Strait of Hormuz, while logistics firms cautiously assess how any US-Iran framework could affect pre-war fuel operations and pricing timelines.

2026-06-16T04:33:27.109874-07:00

U.S. uses drone- and helicopter-guided covert ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf amid tentative US-Iran peace

FlightGlobal

AIDC lines up French partner to expand Taiwan’s UAS capabilities Taiwan’s state-owned AIDC has signed an agreement with a French UAS supplier, setting the stage for cooperation as Taiwan works to broaden its drone capabilities. The French startup behind the deal unveiled the partnership on the opening day of Eurosatory.

2026-06-15T21:31:11.593142-07:00

AIDC lines up French partner to expand Taiwan’s UAS capabilities

DefenseNews.com

Shield AI debuts X-BAT and Boeing advances long-range JDAM standoff munitions at Sea Air Space At Sea Air Space in Washington, D.C., Shield AI showcased its X-BAT, while Boeing highlighted progress on long-range JDAM standoff weapons. A separate segment also surfaced emerging underwater special-forces gear and additional updates on standoff munitions and defense finance.

2026-06-15T06:49:20.692693-07:00

Shield AI debuts X-BAT and Boeing advances long-range JDAM standoff munitions at Sea Air Space

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as counter-drone platforms: Airbus H160M Guépard, H145M expansion, and drone-led teaming

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

MARSS to start serial production of Interceptor-MR drone interceptor; deployment targeted for 2027

L3Harris and Skydagger to co-produce FPV interceptor drones in the US, integrating small interceptors into the Vampire c-UAS pla

News Timeline