Reuters
Russia will use the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt to promote the export-oriented Su-57E, including new S-71M, S-71K and S8000 Banderol air-launched weapons. Rostec will also display Ka-52 upgrades, S-71 drones, Pantsir-SMD-E and the ZAK-30 Citadel system abroad for the first time.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
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Russia will use the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt to promote the export-oriented Su-57E, including new S-71M, S-71K and S8000 Banderol air-launched weapons. Rostec will also display Ka-52 upgrades, S-71 drones, Pantsir-SMD-E and the ZAK-30 Citadel system abroad for the first time.
Unmanned air and naval weapons are breaching NATO territory with increasing frequency, putting critical economic infrastructure at risk and challenging the alliance’s ability to deter, detect and respond to incursions. The trend underscores growing exposure to low-cost, ambiguous threats across Europe’s air and maritime domains.
Anduril is pursuing a broad defense push spanning a Boeing-led U.S. Army interceptor competition, autonomous aircraft for Poland’s planned F-35 and Apache fleets, local Barracuda-500M cruise missile production with PGZ, and autonomy software for a hypersonic aircraft targeted for 2027 flight.
Sweden has awarded Saab a SEK 2.9 billion ($303 million) contract for demonstrators, advanced studies and manned-unmanned concepts supporting its future combat aircraft pathway. The work, also involving GKN Aerospace research and technology efforts, will inform decisions on Sweden’s air-combat capabilities beyond 2040.
The U.S. Navy has selected L3Harris Technologies to deliver maritime-ready VAMPIRE counter-uncrewed systems for its integrated counter-drone defense architecture. The systems are intended to detect and engage drones in littoral environments, including with 70mm rockets at ranges of up to nine miles.
High activity
Hermeus has introduced Ramjet-X, an expendable ramjet-powered vehicle designed to provide sustained high-Mach flight testing as a service. Air-launched from the company’s reusable, unmanned Quarterhorse aircraft at Mach 3, Ramjet-X is intended to cruise near Mach 4 without requiring a rocket booster.
The Italian Air Force has ordered two additional MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. Deliveries are expected from the end of 2027, expanding Italy’s fleet for Mediterranean intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and support of NATO operations.
High activity
Robinson Unmanned has completed demonstration flights of its remotely piloted R44 AirTruck, including a landing on an offshore-style deck at a Louisiana airport. The uncrewed helicopter is designed to support offshore logistics missions, positioning the platform for cargo operations in demanding environments.
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