AeroTime
• Stephen Pope
Skyways will fly its hybrid V2 drone from Louisiana to a Shell offshore platform under FAA clearance, inspecting a pipeline corridor and simulating an equipment delivery. The test combines infrastructure monitoring with an offshore logistics mission, though the articles provide no details on the authorization’s scope or timing.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
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Skyways will fly its hybrid V2 drone from Louisiana to a Shell offshore platform under FAA clearance, inspecting a pipeline corridor and simulating an equipment delivery. The test combines infrastructure monitoring with an offshore logistics mission, though the articles provide no details on the authorization’s scope or timing.
The Pentagon has awarded robotic manufacturing startup Machina Labs a contract to develop a containerized microfactory that can produce long-range strike munitions near the point of use. The system is intended to support production of the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, derived from Iran’s Shahed-136 one-way drone.
A U.S. military demonstration in Morocco will test an uncrewed Cessna Caravan configured for casualty evacuation. The trial explores whether autonomous aircraft can support medical rescue operations in remote or difficult-to-reach locations, with potential relevance beyond the demonstration site.
Dronamics and Hensoldt have demonstrated the Black Swan uncrewed aircraft’s potential as an airborne early warning and ISTAR platform. The companies said they will advance their collaboration toward operational deployment, though the available reports provide no further details on the demonstration or deployment timeline.
TYTAN Technologies says it is opening Western Europe’s largest mass-production facility for autonomous interceptor drones. Separately, Horizon Microtechnologies is scaling its metallised polymer micro-additive manufacturing platform through a two-year, €500,000 project and selection for ESA Phi-Lab Austria, with constellation-scale production as its target.
Germany’s military will stop using Chinese-made drones and replace them with European alternatives, citing security, data-protection and technological-sovereignty concerns. The move follows an earlier ban that reportedly failed to prevent widespread procurement and use, renewing questions about how the Bundeswehr tracks equipment and enforces restrictions across its forces.
Greece has placed a follow-on order for Shield AI’s V-Bat uncrewed aerial system, which is already operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ducted-fan aircraft can take off and land vertically, operate without a runway and remain airborne for up to 12 hours, offering flexible basing for military missions.
Poland is finalizing a transfer of MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine in return for drone technology, reviving a deal suspended in June over unmet commitments. The arrangement links a legacy combat-aircraft transfer to access to unmanned systems, though the available report provides no details on aircraft numbers, technology or timing.
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