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Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

U.S. military flies first semi‑autonomous fighter‑class drone as GA‑ASI's Dark Merlin tests; Anduril's Fury imminent

In December the U.S. military flew the first semi‑autonomous test of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Dark Merlin, a fighter‑class unmanned platform. Anduril’s Fury is expected to fly "very soon," advancing competing industry efforts to mature semi‑autonomous fighter drones for operational demonstration.

2026-02-24T11:16:31.494918-08:00

Vertical Mag

Everdrone E3: 4.5 kg medical drone with sub‑3‑minute response and multi‑device payload

2026-02-24T06:10:33.124810-08:00

eVTOL Insights

LODD Autonomous signs MoU with DHL Express to explore integrating Hili unmanned aircraft into delivery operations

2026-02-24T01:15:15.478788-08:00

FlightGlobal

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00

News Timeline

Flying Magazine

U.S. military flies first semi‑autonomous fighter‑class drone as GA‑ASI's Dark Merlin tests; Anduril's Fury imminent In December the U.S. military flew the first semi‑autonomous test of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Dark Merlin, a fighter‑class unmanned platform. Anduril’s Fury is expected to fly "very soon," advancing competing industry efforts to mature semi‑autonomous fighter drones for operational demonstration.

2026-02-24T11:16:31.494918-08:00

U.S. military flies first semi‑autonomous fighter‑class drone as GA‑ASI's Dark Merlin tests; Anduril's Fury imminent

Vertical Mag

Everdrone E3: 4.5 kg medical drone with sub‑3‑minute response and multi‑device payload Everdrone's E3 emergency medical drone carries up to 4.5 kg and can arrive on scene in under three minutes. Fully developed to transport multiple emergency medical devices, the E3 boosts capability for rapid delivery of defibrillators, oxygen and other time‑critical medical kits.

2026-02-24T06:10:33.124810-08:00

Everdrone E3: 4.5 kg medical drone with sub‑3‑minute response and multi‑device payload

AINonline

XTI Aerospace shelves TriFan 600 VTOL business aircraft, pivots to drone development XTI Aerospace, a Colorado-based developer, has shelved its long-running TriFan 600 vertical-takeoff-and-landing business aircraft program and announced a strategic pivot into unmanned aerial systems. The company will redirect engineering and development resources from the crewed VTOL project toward commercial and military drone initiatives.

2026-02-24T05:06:24.359081-08:00

XTI Aerospace shelves TriFan 600 VTOL business aircraft, pivots to drone development

eVTOL Insights

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LODD Autonomous signs MoU with DHL Express to explore integrating Hili unmanned aircraft into delivery operations LODD Autonomous and DHL Express have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on integrating LODD’s unmanned Hili aircraft into DHL’s delivery operations. The agreement will focus on technical and operational workstreams and assessments to evaluate Hili’s suitability for commercial delivery use.

2026-02-24T01:15:15.478788-08:00

LODD Autonomous signs MoU with DHL Express to explore integrating Hili unmanned aircraft into delivery operations

FlightGlobal

BAE and USAF demonstrate scalable, modular electromagnetic-attack pod in flight tests BAE Systems and the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 23, 2026 demonstrated a scaled, modular electromagnetic-attack prototype mounted in a weapon pod during multiple flight test events. The podged EA capability, designed for manned aircraft and large UAS, aims to suppress adversary air defenses and deny battlefield spectrum access.

2026-02-24T00:34:00.647028-08:00

BAE and USAF demonstrate scalable, modular electromagnetic-attack pod in flight tests

FlightGlobal

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USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo The U.S. Air Force and General Atomics demonstrated manned–unmanned teaming when F‑22 pilots commanded an MQ‑20 Avenger during a live autonomy exercise at Edwards AFB. The trial validated MUM‑T control and loyal‑wingman concepts, advancing autonomous coordination for future combat operations and uncrewed strike roles.

2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

FlightGlobal

China’s collaborative combat aircraft push: the software race outpacing airframes Beijing is advancing multiple collaborative combat aircraft airframes, but analysts argue the decisive contest is in autonomy, mission software and networking rather than hardware. China’s emphasis on AI-enabled command-and-control aims to field interoperable ‘drone wingmen’ and integrated sensor networks at scale.

2026-02-23T20:10:22.432473-08:00

China’s collaborative combat aircraft push: the software race outpacing airframes

DVIDS / U.S. DoD

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USAF publishes first image of Anduril YFQ‑44A Fury carrying inert AIM‑120 as captive‑carry weapons integration begins The U.S. Air Force released the first official image of Anduril's YFQ‑44A Fury carrying an inert AIM‑120 AMRAAM, confirming the collaborative combat aircraft has begun captive‑carry weapons‑integration testing. The evaluations will validate airworthiness, safety and overall systems performance ahead of further developmental flights.

2026-02-23T16:56:20.295578-08:00

USAF publishes first image of Anduril YFQ‑44A Fury carrying inert AIM‑120 as captive‑carry weapons integration begins

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

U.S. military flies first semi‑autonomous fighter‑class drone as GA‑ASI's Dark Merlin tests; Anduril's Fury imminent

Everdrone E3: 4.5 kg medical drone with sub‑3‑minute response and multi‑device payload

LODD Autonomous signs MoU with DHL Express to explore integrating Hili unmanned aircraft into delivery operations

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

News Timeline