UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot

The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-fire test over the Mojave Desert in which Anduril’s developmental YFQ-44A CCA drone externally carried and launched a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missile. The test marks the first time a U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone has fired a live air-to-air missile.

22 Sources

2026-07-15T08:17:03.882731-07:00

AeroTime

Northrop Grumman, Airbus tie MQ-4C Triton expansion to NATO ISR operations as Farnborough spotlights production capacity

11 Sources

2026-07-15T00:58:54.619213-07:00

CNBC

Zipline hires ex-Tesla, Uber Eats and Waymo executives to scale US drone delivery

1 Source

2026-07-14T11:59:00.426990-07:00

The Air Current

FAA sends long-delayed beyond visual line of sight drone rule to White House for review

2 Sources

2026-07-13T11:25:34.559885-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

Breaking Defense

22 sources

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U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-fire test over the Mojave Desert in which Anduril’s developmental YFQ-44A CCA drone externally carried and launched a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missile. The test marks the first time a U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone has fired a live air-to-air missile.

2026-07-15T08:17:03.882731-07:00

U.S. Air Force & Anduril fire AIM-120 AMRAAM from YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone—first live air-to-air missile shot

AeroTime

11 sources

Northrop Grumman, Airbus tie MQ-4C Triton expansion to NATO ISR operations as Farnborough spotlights production capacity Northrop Grumman signed MOUs tied to NATO’s LOI for procurement of the MQ-4C Triton, including a partnership with Airbus Defence and Space to bring the uncrewed aircraft system into NATO operations for ISR force expansion. Separately, Farnborough (July 20-22, 2026) will feature Embraer’s technology showcase and an industry theme focused on execution and production capacity over order momentum.

2026-07-15T00:58:54.619213-07:00

Northrop Grumman, Airbus tie MQ-4C Triton expansion to NATO ISR operations as Farnborough spotlights production capacity

CNBC

1 source

Zipline hires ex-Tesla, Uber Eats and Waymo executives to scale US drone delivery Zipline is expanding its U.S. drone-delivery operations and bringing in former Tesla, Uber Eats and Waymo executives as it builds out the organization to scale into new markets. The hires signal a push to accelerate “mainstream” drone deliveries beyond pilots and into wider deployment.

2026-07-14T11:59:00.426990-07:00

Zipline hires ex-Tesla, Uber Eats and Waymo executives to scale US drone delivery

eVTOL Insights

1 source

Venetz Aerospace wins UK CAA Part 21J DOA for electric motors and propellers for both UAS and crewed aircraft Venetz Aerospace, a UK electric propulsion designer for unmanned aircraft systems, says it has received Part 21J Design Organisation Approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) covering electric motors and propellers. The approval extends to applications across both uncrewed and crewed aircraft use cases.

2026-07-13T12:44:29.063017-07:00

Venetz Aerospace wins UK CAA Part 21J DOA for electric motors and propellers for both UAS and crewed aircraft

The War Zone

1 source

Army replaces turboprop surveillance fleet at Fort Hood with jets and drones for expanded aerial reconnaissance The U.S. Army’s aerial reconnaissance forces are entering a “watershed moment” as the service moves away from a turboprop surveillance aircraft fleet at Fort Hood. The base is expected to become a dedicated aerial intelligence hub with an emphasis on new jets and drone-enabled reconnaissance.

2026-07-13T11:45:34.433833-07:00

Army replaces turboprop surveillance fleet at Fort Hood with jets and drones for expanded aerial reconnaissance

The Air Current

2 sources

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FAA sends long-delayed beyond visual line of sight drone rule to White House for review The FAA is nearing completion of its long-delayed framework for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, with the proposed rule package sent to the White House office for review. The step moves BVLOS authorizations closer to formal implementation after years of delays.

2026-07-13T11:25:34.559885-07:00

FAA sends long-delayed beyond visual line of sight drone rule to White House for review

Air Data News

28 sources

Riyadh Air and Boeing/Airbus widebody talks meet Farnborough defense push: MQ-28 Ghost Bat debut, MQ-25A Stingray test progress, Riyadh Air is in talks to secure additional widebody aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing after its long-awaited start to operations. At Farnborough, Boeing is returning with a more confident stance after 2024’s Alaska 737 fallout, while highlighting a 777X cabin section, its Cascade sustainability model, and defense offerings—MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s European debut and MQ-25A Stingray resuming testing with a second flight.

2026-07-13T03:13:46.205743-07:00

Riyadh Air and Boeing/Airbus widebody talks meet Farnborough defense push: MQ-28 Ghost Bat debut, MQ-25A Stingray test progress,

DefenseNews.com

18 sources

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Drone-hunting and counter-UAS scale-up: UK-backed low-cost interceptors, SkyValor at US southern border, and Russia’s A-50U/Su-5 The UK MoD has awarded GBP 3.16 million to three suppliers to develop low-cost drone interceptors under LCADE, while CACI’s SkyValor C-UAS is set for deployment at the US southern border. On the battlefield, Russia is reportedly using A-50U AWACS and Su-57 fighters to hunt Ukrainian kamikaze drones amid pressure on ground air defenses.

2026-07-13T01:58:52.441116-07:00

Drone-hunting and counter-UAS scale-up: UK-backed low-cost interceptors, SkyValor at US southern border, and Russia’s A-50U/Su-5

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