UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Military Times

Boeing and Northrop Grumman unveil lower-cost defenses against drones and missiles

Boeing is offering a radar seeker built from off-the-shelf components to reduce the cost of guided offensive and defensive missiles, arguing that seeker prices constrain procurement volumes. Northrop Grumman separately introduced Raid Hunter, a 50mm gun-based air-defense system for countering drones, cruise missiles and other aerial threats.

FlightGlobal

Unknown drones overfly Australian air base hosting F-35s for three days

Multiple drones of unknown origin overflew an Australian air base hosting some of the country’s most sensitive military aircraft over three days. The incident is the latest in a growing series of drone incursions into secure facilities worldwide, raising questions about the protection of high-value defense infrastructure.

eVTOL Insights

High activity

Joby Aviation to acquire Resonant Sciences for $500 million, creating dedicated defense unit

Joby Aviation will acquire Ohio-based defense technology company Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million, expanding beyond its commercial eVTOL program. Resonant’s radio-frequency, sensing, mission-system and stealth capabilities will form Joby’s dedicated defense business, which is expected to be established following the deal’s anticipated 2027 closing.

FlightGlobal

Vertical Aerospace secures $100 million financing commitments to advance Valo eVTOL toward certification

Vertical Aerospace has secured approximately $100 million in financing commitments from existing and new investors to support certification and commercialisation of Valo, its piloted four-passenger electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft. The funding comes as the Bristol-based company advances the program toward critical design review and production.

AINonline

U.S. Defense Pushes Hybrid Rotorcraft and Rapid-Fielding Drone Programs

Former Army chief James McConville says hybrid-electric rotorcraft could improve range and sortie generation, as the Army advances platoon-level short-range reconnaissance UAS through a competitive fly-off. Separately, Boeing and Rheinmetall are pursuing accelerated sixth-generation air-combat capabilities, while Robinson Unmanned highlights sovereign drone manufacturing under a U.S. initiative.

Reuters

High activity

Russia accelerates Rassvet satellite network, targeting nearly 300 spacecraft by 2027, Ukraine says

Ukraine’s military intelligence says Russia is deploying Rassvet, a domestic Starlink-style satellite network, faster than planned, with 292 satellites targeted by 2027 and 924 by 2035. Moscow is also reportedly developing Volna-Kupol-Garant, a system designed to disrupt satellite communications at the spacecraft level.

Bloomberg

High activity

Archer to acquire Boeing’s Wisk, Insitu and SkyGrid as Boeing takes nearly 20% stake

Archer Aviation will acquire Boeing subsidiaries Wisk Aero, Insitu and SkyGrid, bringing the former eVTOL rivals together and expanding Archer beyond urban air mobility. Boeing will receive a nearly 20% stake in Archer while retaining access to Wisk’s core autonomy technology.

CNBC

High activity

Archer to acquire Boeing’s Wisk, Insitu and SkyGrid in all-stock deal

Archer Aviation will acquire Boeing subsidiaries Wisk Aero, drone maker Insitu and air traffic-management firm SkyGrid in an all-stock transaction pending regulatory approval. The deal would give Boeing nearly 20% of Archer, make it the largest outside shareholder and add a board seat, with closing expected by year-end.