UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Flying Magazine

U.S. imposes drone flight restriction along entire Mexico border to counter cartel activity and other threats

The Transportation, Defense and Homeland Security departments have established a temporary flight restriction covering the entire U.S.-Mexico border. The measure is intended to counter what the agencies describe as “illicit cartel activity” and other drone threats.

Washington Post

High activity

Starlink restrictions constrain Ukraine’s military communications and drone interception

Ukraine says restrictions on SpaceX’s satellite network are deliberate, not the result of technical problems, as reports attribute the limits to a White House order. The curbs have reportedly affected frontline communications and the military’s ability to intercept Russian attack drones, renewing questions about Ukraine’s reliance on U.S.-controlled space infrastructure.

Air Data News

USAF F-22 pilot directs Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury in flight, advancing crewed-uncrewed combat teaming

In a flight demonstration, an F-22 pilot sent tactical commands to Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury, whose onboard autonomy software interpreted and executed them. The test advances the U.S. Air Force’s effort to pair crewed fighters with semi-autonomous aircraft; one account says the service targets 500 combat-ready aircraft by 2032.

The War Zone

Army develops plan to use LUCAS one-way attack drones against warships and ballistic missiles

The U.S. Army is shaping a concept for units to launch long-range LUCAS one-way attack drones against targets including enemy warships and ballistic missiles. The plan points to a role for the drones in extending Army units’ reach against high-value targets, though the article provides no deployment timeline or force size.

The War Zone

The Army's Plan For Employing LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Against Its Adversaries

DefenseNews.com

Iridium outlines satellite links and navigation tools for Army operations beyond line of sight

Iridium says its satellite communications help keep soldiers and unmanned systems connected beyond line of sight, while its navigation technology is designed for environments where GPS is disrupted. The discussion highlights the role of resilient connectivity and positioning in military operations.

Breaking Defense

Germany’s 2029 target to field a collaborative combat aircraft is in doubt as Berlin shifts course on MQ-28

Germany had aimed to become the first European country to field a collaborative combat aircraft by 2029, but a change in its plans to acquire Boeing’s MQ-28 drone wingman has put that timeline in doubt, according to a Boeing official. The shift leaves the country’s path to the milestone uncertain.

DefenseNews.com

KBR and Hanwha demonstrate laser systems aimed at countering drones

The Pentagon selected KBR’s Firefly system for a pilot program to test defenses against adversarial drones at U.S. military installations. Separately, Hanwha Systems said two laser weapons intercepted all three target drones in a demonstration for the South Korean Army, underscoring parallel efforts to develop directed-energy counter-drone capabilities.