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• David Donald
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is positioning its Wildfire unmanned aircraft for the program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, linking the company’s next-generation drone offering to a major U.S. military aircraft procurement effort.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is positioning its Wildfire unmanned aircraft for the program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, linking the company’s next-generation drone offering to a major U.S. military aircraft procurement effort.
France has begun Rafale F5 development with contracts for Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA France and Safran, targeting qualification around 2033. In parallel, Pegase 2026 is deploying Rafale fighters alongside A330 MRTT Phénix tankers and A400M transports to Alaska via the Arctic.
Ukraine says FP-1 attack drones struck two gas plants deep inside Siberia, describing the operation as its farthest-reaching strike of the war. The reported attack underscores the expanding reach of Ukraine’s long-range unmanned systems against infrastructure well inside Russian territory.
Indra says Spain’s government has ordered development and procurement of a new family of tactical unmanned aircraft for the armed forces. The program establishes a domestic tactical-UAS effort, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2028, although the company did not disclose the order’s value or aircraft quantity.
France has ordered an additional Airbus Helicopters U050 Capa-X system following its assessment of an initial unit. Separately, Canada is advancing procurement of six uncrewed systems through a new drone marketplace while expanding defense co-production and air-defense support with Ukraine.
China is continuing flight testing of the mysterious WZ-X flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, which could perform missions comparable to the RQ-180. Separately, the Wing Loong 10B is being marketed internationally with air-to-air weapons, signaling expanding ambitions for China’s advanced UAV portfolio.
Angola has taken delivery of six Anavia HT-100 uncrewed rotorcraft from EDGE Group after a successful test campaign. The vertical-takeoff-and-landing assets will operate from the decks of Angola’s new naval corvettes, expanding the navy’s shipborne surveillance and mission capabilities.
RTX is collaborating with fusion-energy startup Xcimer to assess whether high-energy laser technology rooted in Cold War research could support directed-energy defenses. The effort highlights a potential crossover between fusion research and systems designed to counter missiles and drones.
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