UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Reuters • Nerijus Adomaitis

Up to 25 hot-air balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes force hours-long closure of Vilnius Airport

Up to 25 small hot-air balloons, some confirmed to be carrying smuggled cigarettes, entered Lithuanian airspace late Saturday and prompted an hours-long shutdown of Vilnius Airport with flights suspended while authorities investigated. The incident comes amid heightened vigilance after recent drone-related disruptions across Europe.

2025-10-04T16:44:41.487568-07:00

Reuters

Multiple drone sightings force overnight closure of Munich Airport; dozens of flights grounded and ~3,000 passengers stranded

2025-10-02T18:13:55.693135-07:00

Reuters

Drone sightings force Munich Airport to suspend operations for second night, stranding thousands

2025-10-03T21:00:21.187197-07:00

The Verge

Two Prime Air drones collide with construction crane in Tolleson; FAA opens probe and deliveries suspended

2025-10-02T08:00:09.771886-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

Aviation Week

Sikorsky unveils Nomad: rotor‑blown‑wing, hybrid‑electric VTOL UAS family for austere operations Sikorsky unveiled Nomad, a family of runway‑independent rotor‑blown‑wing VTOL UAS at AUSA 2025 featuring dual proprotor, hybrid‑electric propulsion and designs aimed at long endurance and survivability. Nomad is optimised for austere, unpredictable takeoff and landing sites to improve mission flexibility and reduce vulnerability of drone crews.

2025-10-06T06:35:53.920262-07:00

Sikorsky unveils Nomad: rotor‑blown‑wing, hybrid‑electric VTOL UAS family for austere operations

AeroTime

RAF retires MQ-9A Reaper after 18 years as MQ-9B Protector becomes first large RPAS cleared for unsegregated UK airspace The Royal Air Force has retired its MQ-9A Reaper after 18 years, completing the platform's final operational flight as the MQ-9B Protector — the first large remotely piloted aircraft certified to operate in unsegregated UK airspace — enters service as its replacement.

2025-10-06T02:03:40.584416-07:00

RAF retires MQ-9A Reaper after 18 years as MQ-9B Protector becomes first large RPAS cleared for unsegregated UK airspace

Reuters

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Up to 25 hot-air balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes force hours-long closure of Vilnius Airport Up to 25 small hot-air balloons, some confirmed to be carrying smuggled cigarettes, entered Lithuanian airspace late Saturday and prompted an hours-long shutdown of Vilnius Airport with flights suspended while authorities investigated. The incident comes amid heightened vigilance after recent drone-related disruptions across Europe.

2025-10-04T16:44:41.487568-07:00

Up to 25 hot-air balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes force hours-long closure of Vilnius Airport

UK Defence Journal

UK launches Project VANQUISH to trial jet-powered carrier 'loyal wingman' from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers The UK Ministry of Defence has launched Project VANQUISH, seeking industry proposals for a jet‑powered Fixed‑Wing Short Take‑Off and Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platform to operate from Queen Elizabeth‑class carriers. A technical demonstration is planned next year to inform the Royal Navy's Hybrid Air Wing; roles envisaged include strike and refuelling.

2025-10-04T08:53:51.601593-07:00

UK launches Project VANQUISH to trial jet-powered carrier 'loyal wingman' from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers

Associated Press

Unidentified drone incursions over EU and NATO airspace spark pan‑European security alert A wave of unidentified drone flights over EU and NATO airspace in recent weeks has alarmed officials and the public, prompting investigations, airport closures and military alerts. Authorities across member states are mounting coordinated air‑security responses amid heightened tensions with Russia.

2025-10-04T08:44:18.625659-07:00

Unidentified drone incursions over EU and NATO airspace spark pan‑European security alert

Reuters

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Drone sightings force Munich Airport to suspend operations for second night, stranding thousands Munich Airport suspended operations for a second consecutive night after multiple suspected drone sightings, canceling and diverting flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded; the airport said it would gradually resume service from 0700 local time (0500 GMT) as authorities investigate.

2025-10-03T21:00:21.187197-07:00

Drone sightings force Munich Airport to suspend operations for second night, stranding thousands

Reuters

Northrop tests higher‑calibre, extended‑range cannon rounds as low‑cost counter‑drone option Northrop Grumman is testing higher‑calibre, extended‑range cannon rounds as a lower‑cost method to shoot down high‑flying UAS, following battlefield feedback from Ukrainian forces facing swarms of unmanned aircraft. The tests aim to provide an affordable, scalable kinetic option for air‑defence and platform self‑protection against massed drone attacks.

2025-10-03T08:24:10.131291-07:00

Northrop tests higher‑calibre, extended‑range cannon rounds as low‑cost counter‑drone option

politico.eu

Belgium opens probe after 15 drones detected over Elsenborn training area amid Europe-wide incursions Belgium opened a probe after 15 unidentified drones were detected over the Elsenborn military training area in the country's East Cantons early Friday. The flyover is the latest in a wave of suspicious drone incursions across Germany and wider European airspace that have triggered airport closures and military alerts.

2025-10-03T02:38:17.932092-07:00

Belgium opens probe after 15 drones detected over Elsenborn training area amid Europe-wide incursions

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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.