The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
The U.S. Navy is reconsidering a carrier-based combat drone concept designed to deliver heavy weapons over long distances while operating in heavily contested airspace. The effort echoes the abandoned X-47B program, which was intended to provide similar carrier-based unmanned combat capability.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
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The U.S. Navy is reconsidering a carrier-based combat drone concept designed to deliver heavy weapons over long distances while operating in heavily contested airspace. The effort echoes the abandoned X-47B program, which was intended to provide similar carrier-based unmanned combat capability.
Amazon plans a major expansion of its Prime Air drone delivery service, targeting nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026. The rollout would substantially increase the service’s current footprint and extend drone delivery to more communities.
The Navy has issued a request for information outlining specifications for two fully functional prototypes of a carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The aircraft must operate directly from the sea, with a target prototype cost below $30 million, as the service defines requirements for its future carrier air wing.
Lufthansa Group continues to regard Lufthansa Technik as a core portfolio asset but has not ruled out an equity partnership or sale. Separately, Lufthansa Technical Training received Bundeswehr certification for theoretical maintenance training on Germany’s P-8A Poseidon fleet, while Rheinmetall’s LUNA NG gained provisional military airworthiness approval.
NATO aircraft were scrambled after drones approached or entered Estonian and Latvian airspace, triggering air-threat warnings and an alert involving Turkish F-16s based in Estonia. Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned airlines and insurers that Ukrainian drone activity had effectively closed Russian airspace.
The U.S. Navy has opened its long-anticipated search for a first tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, requesting industry proposals for two fully functional uncrewed fighter prototypes to be delivered within three years. The effort marks the service’s initial step toward acquiring “loyal wingman” aircraft.
Shield AI and GE Aerospace are testing an F110 fighter engine equipped with an off-the-shelf Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle for Shield AI’s X-Bat collaborative combat aircraft. The propulsion project combines a proven engine with thrust-vectoring technology intended to support the aircraft’s development.
The UAE said its Air Force responded to or intercepted a drone approaching from Iran over its territorial waters, following an exchange of fire between the US and Iran. Iran’s Army and IRGC separately claimed drone and missile strikes on US bases in the UAE and Jordan.
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