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Aviation Week • Robert Wall

Ukraine drones strike Shagol airfield, claim damage to Russian Su-57 fighters and Su-34 bombers ~1,700 km inside Russia

Ukraine says it carried out an April 25 attack on the Shagol airfield in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, hitting Russian Su-57 fighters and an Su-34 bomber using unmanned systems. Kyiv characterizes the strike as among the longest-range attacks into the country’s interior, about 1,700 km from the border.

2026-05-01T11:33:00.452122-07:00

Space.com

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling

2026-05-01T13:49:53.586747-07:00

The War Zone

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base

2026-05-01T14:55:34.201477-07:00

FlightGlobal

Dutch airprox flags “weak” see-and-avoid after F-16 encounter; Belgium tests F-16-launched 70mm FZ275 drone-intercept capability

2026-05-01T12:43:32.868135-07:00

News Timeline

The War Zone

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base Satellite/open-source observers report that China’s very large stealth flying-wing drone testing is accelerating, with multiple airframes spotted together at a covert test location. Activity also includes a separate unmanned fighter-like design, signaling progress toward next-generation attritable or stealthy unmanned combat concepts.

2026-05-01T14:55:34.201477-07:00

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base

Space.com

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling Scientists are testing drone-mounted radar on Earth to improve how spacecraft identify and access buried water ice on Mars. The goal is to reduce uncertainty in landing/site selection and drilling plans, supporting better resource mapping to inform future astronaut and mission planning.

2026-05-01T13:49:53.586747-07:00

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling

FlightGlobal

Dutch airprox flags “weak” see-and-avoid after F-16 encounter; Belgium tests F-16-launched 70mm FZ275 drone-intercept capability A Dutch investigation found “weak” see-and-avoid rules contributed to a high-speed close encounter involving an F-16 formation and a light trainer near Lelystad. Separately, Belgium’s Defense Ministry says its Air Force tested F-16s firing 70mm FZ275 missiles to intercept drones.

2026-05-01T12:43:32.868135-07:00

Dutch airprox flags “weak” see-and-avoid after F-16 encounter; Belgium tests F-16-launched 70mm FZ275 drone-intercept capability

Aviation Week

Ukraine drones strike Shagol airfield, claim damage to Russian Su-57 fighters and Su-34 bombers ~1,700 km inside Russia Ukraine says it carried out an April 25 attack on the Shagol airfield in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, hitting Russian Su-57 fighters and an Su-34 bomber using unmanned systems. Kyiv characterizes the strike as among the longest-range attacks into the country’s interior, about 1,700 km from the border.

2026-05-01T11:33:00.452122-07:00

Ukraine drones strike Shagol airfield, claim damage to Russian Su-57 fighters and Su-34 bombers ~1,700 km inside Russia

Vertical Mag

Arcanus Aerial Systems signs Beyond Vision manufacturing deal to build UAV platforms in Canada Arcanus Aerial Systems says it has reached an agreement with Beyond Vision to manufacture UAV platforms, aiming to strengthen Canada’s defense uncrewed capabilities through expanded local production. The deal underscores how UAS developers are pairing airframe and integration know-how with domestic industrial partners.

2026-05-01T06:18:31.114528-07:00

Arcanus Aerial Systems signs Beyond Vision manufacturing deal to build UAV platforms in Canada

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B in initial Congressional funding to start Collaborative Combat Aircraft ("loyal wingman") procurem For the first time, the U.S. Air Force is asking Congress to fund the purchase of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), marking the transition from prototypes to production. The request—nearly $1 billion for initial procurement—signals the start of the “loyal wingman” era and moves CCA toward fielding.

2026-04-30T11:50:00.555823-07:00

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B in initial Congressional funding to start Collaborative Combat Aircraft ("loyal wingman") procurem

Vertical Mag

Everdrone launches medical drone service in Sweden to deliver defibrillators in under three minutes Everdrone has launched a medical drone operation in Borås, Sweden, aimed at improving outcomes in cardiac emergencies by delivering defibrillators in under three minutes. The system is positioned as rapid, point-to-point delivery for time-critical healthcare response.

2026-04-30T07:07:35.260411-07:00

Everdrone launches medical drone service in Sweden to deliver defibrillators in under three minutes

The War Zone

USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft set for 2029 delivery with conventional landing gear The U.S. Marine Corps’ MQ-58 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft will begin arriving in 2029, kicking off the service’s operational CCA journey. The platform will use conventional landing gear, with additional CCA variants expected to follow as the programme scales.

2026-04-29T11:47:54.142269-07:00

USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft set for 2029 delivery with conventional landing gear

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Ukraine drones strike Shagol airfield, claim damage to Russian Su-57 fighters and Su-34 bombers ~1,700 km inside Russia

Drone-based radar trials on Earth aim to refine Mars water-ice targeting for future drilling

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base

Dutch airprox flags “weak” see-and-avoid after F-16 encounter; Belgium tests F-16-launched 70mm FZ275 drone-intercept capability

News Timeline