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DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming

The U.S. Air Force formally opened a competition for Skyborg contracts on May 15, seeking partners to build and field AI-equipped drone capabilities. The framework creates pathways for more than one company to receive funding as the service accelerates autonomy-led uncrewed teaming.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.040073-07:00

DefenseNews.com

USAF restarts effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper, seeking industry input on technologies for a new combat drone

2026-04-23T15:06:01.650157-07:00

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

2026-04-23T03:35:01.360735-07:00

Aviation Week

VerdeGo delivers first turbine-hybrid VH-4T powerplants for electrified aircraft and long-endurance UAS

2026-04-21T13:52:14.580574-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming The U.S. Air Force formally opened a competition for Skyborg contracts on May 15, seeking partners to build and field AI-equipped drone capabilities. The framework creates pathways for more than one company to receive funding as the service accelerates autonomy-led uncrewed teaming.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.040073-07:00

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming

DefenseNews.com

USAF restarts effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper, seeking industry input on technologies for a new combat drone The US Air Force has relaunched a program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, reaching out to industry for additional information on the technologies that should underpin a next-generation combat drone. The move signals the service is resetting requirements and options ahead of future acquisition decisions.

2026-04-23T15:06:01.650157-07:00

USAF restarts effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper, seeking industry input on technologies for a new combat drone

Vertical Mag

UAVOS to supply advanced composite rotor blades for U.S. teams in DARPA’s Heavy Lift Challenge UAVOS says it will provide high-performance rotor blades to U.S. teams competing in DARPA’s Heavy Lift Challenge, backing drone designs aimed at lifting significantly more payload than their own weight. The composite rotor-blade supply underscores how rotor design and manufacturing are becoming decisive differentiators in emerging UAS lift systems.

2026-04-23T09:20:20.650206-07:00

UAVOS to supply advanced composite rotor blades for U.S. teams in DARPA’s Heavy Lift Challenge

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS Lockheed Martin announced a $25 million investment in Fortem Technologies, a provider of airspace security solutions, citing urgent demand tied to countering UAS threats. The move signals sustained defense-prime focus on scaling detection/mitigation capabilities for rapidly evolving drone risks.

2026-04-23T03:35:01.360735-07:00

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

DefenseNews.com

USAF signals continuity for Global Hawk Block 30 upgrades by folding the UAV into two consecutive budget requests After repeated efforts to close out the Global Hawk Block 30, the US Air Force has re-included the high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned system in two straight budget requests. The change suggests greater program stability and shifts focus toward future upgrades for operators.

2026-04-22T16:49:52.096253-07:00

USAF signals continuity for Global Hawk Block 30 upgrades by folding the UAV into two consecutive budget requests

DefenseNews.com

Skeldar V-200B lengthens UAV endurance to 5 hours via 10-kg weight reduction Schiebel’s Skeldar V-200B helicopter UAV is being configured with a 10-kilogram weight reduction, enabling a claimed five-hour endurance increase. The company says the mass reduction also boosts performance and reliability—aimed at improving operational appeal for customers weighing longer loiter times against payload and mission demands.

2026-04-22T14:34:54.066634-07:00

Skeldar V-200B lengthens UAV endurance to 5 hours via 10-kg weight reduction

ch-aviation

OFAC sanctions Mahan Air-linked B777-200ERs over Iran UAV proliferation; LAX arrest ties operatives to $70M Sudan drone deal The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned two Mahan Air B777-200ER aircraft and multiple Iran-linked executives and entities over alleged involvement in proliferating Iranian uncrewed aerial vehicles to other countries. Separately, an Iranian operative was arrested at LAX in connection with a reported $70 million Sudan drone deal centered on the Qods Mohajer-6 armed UAV.

2026-04-22T11:24:10.958604-07:00

OFAC sanctions Mahan Air-linked B777-200ERs over Iran UAV proliferation; LAX arrest ties operatives to $70M Sudan drone deal

The War Zone

Shield AI’s X-BAT autonomous VTOL “fighter” accelerates testing with thrust-vectoring nozzle and likely airframe loss X-BAT development is moving quickly toward an aggressive flight-test timeline, including use of a thrust-vectoring nozzle taken from an experimental F-16. Company officials say the program expects to lose at least one airframe as part of the risk-tolerant test campaign.

2026-04-21T15:27:02.479438-07:00

Shield AI’s X-BAT autonomous VTOL “fighter” accelerates testing with thrust-vectoring nozzle and likely airframe loss

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

USAF launches Skyborg AI drone procurement competition (May 15), setting up multi-vendor funding for autonomous teaming

USAF restarts effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper, seeking industry input on technologies for a new combat drone

Lockheed Martin backs Fortem with $25M investment to expand airspace security against counter-UAS

VerdeGo delivers first turbine-hybrid VH-4T powerplants for electrified aircraft and long-endurance UAS

News Timeline