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Reuters • Maki Shiraki, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi Takemoto

Anduril in talks to buy Nissan’s Oppama plant near Tokyo to scale military drone production in Japan

Anduril Industries is in discussions to acquire Nissan Motor’s Oppama assembly plant near Tokyo, Reuters reported, as the US defense firm seeks to build and expand military drone production in Japan. The plan signals a new manufacturing footprint to support autonomous weapons and counter-drone demand in the region.

2026-06-24T22:26:25.399960-07:00

The War Zone

Pocket Fleet of ex-USAF MQ-1 Predators continues as US Navy test assets

2026-06-24T10:09:16.271516-07:00

Vertical Mag

Skyryse and Robinson to integrate SkyOS into the R66 for a group 4 UAS ISR and MUM‑T ‘collaborative combat aircraft’ concept

2026-06-24T08:29:13.853374-07:00

Reuters

TSA: U.S. agencies seize 300+ drones near FIFA World Cup venues since June 11 kickoff

2026-06-23T08:56:52.590139-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

Frankenburg opens Riga Mark I counter-UAS missile factory to mass-produce low-cost interceptors Estonian startup Frankenburg has opened the first missile manufacturing site in the Baltics in Riga, aiming to mass-produce its Mark I counter-UAS interceptor missile. The company positions the “low-cost” interceptor as a scalable response to rising unmanned-airspace threats across the region, paired with counter-UAS systems and policies.

2026-06-25T01:34:55.946443-07:00

Frankenburg opens Riga Mark I counter-UAS missile factory to mass-produce low-cost interceptors

Reuters

Anduril in talks to buy Nissan’s Oppama plant near Tokyo to scale military drone production in Japan Anduril Industries is in discussions to acquire Nissan Motor’s Oppama assembly plant near Tokyo, Reuters reported, as the US defense firm seeks to build and expand military drone production in Japan. The plan signals a new manufacturing footprint to support autonomous weapons and counter-drone demand in the region.

2026-06-24T22:26:25.399960-07:00

Anduril in talks to buy Nissan’s Oppama plant near Tokyo to scale military drone production in Japan

The War Zone

Pocket Fleet of ex-USAF MQ-1 Predators continues as US Navy test assets Ex-U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator drones are still in service—but not in frontline roles. They are operating as a “pocket fleet” of Navy test assets supporting continued experimentation and training within the maritime test community, according to reporting highlighted by Joseph Trevithick.

2026-06-24T10:09:16.271516-07:00

Pocket Fleet of ex-USAF MQ-1 Predators continues as US Navy test assets

Vertical Mag

Skyryse and Robinson to integrate SkyOS into the R66 for a group 4 UAS ISR and MUM‑T ‘collaborative combat aircraft’ concept U.S. startup Skyryse is partnering with Robinson Helicopter to integrate its SkyOS automated flight control system into the Robinson R66 to develop an uncrewed, R66-based Group 4 defense UAS. The SkyOS-powered concept targets autonomous ISR, manned-unmanned teaming (MUM‑T), and air-launched effects (ALE) missions.

2026-06-24T08:29:13.853374-07:00

Skyryse and Robinson to integrate SkyOS into the R66 for a group 4 UAS ISR and MUM‑T ‘collaborative combat aircraft’ concept

The War Zone

NATO and Ukraine seek private-sector solutions to deny Russia use of cratered airfields NATO and Ukraine are turning to the private sector to develop a system designed to prevent Russia from using cratered airfields. The initiative reframes airfield denial as a technology and problem-solving challenge beyond traditional military engineering, with outside innovators competing for a reward.

2026-06-23T12:56:01.069593-07:00

NATO and Ukraine seek private-sector solutions to deny Russia use of cratered airfields

The War Zone

Aurora moves DARPA CRANE-linked X-65 demonstrator toward first flight as triangular wings integrate in Virginia Aurora Flight Sciences says the X-65 demonstrator’s triangular wings have arrived at its Virginia facility and integration is underway for DARPA’s CRANE program. The X-plane design—built to maneuver with just bursts of air—has slipped due to delays and cost growth, with a hoped-for first flight next year.

2026-06-23T11:07:48.419084-07:00

Aurora moves DARPA CRANE-linked X-65 demonstrator toward first flight as triangular wings integrate in Virginia

Reuters

TSA: U.S. agencies seize 300+ drones near FIFA World Cup venues since June 11 kickoff Since the tournament began June 11, U.S. agencies have seized more than 300 drones near FIFA World Cup venues, TSA said Tuesday. The figure highlights the scale of unauthorized UAS activity around major events and the need for operators to plan for sustained security enforcement.

2026-06-23T08:56:52.590139-07:00

TSA: U.S. agencies seize 300+ drones near FIFA World Cup venues since June 11 kickoff

Reuters

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise France’s DGA has renewed its program of record with Harmattan AI, ordering 5,000 Sonora quadcopter drones—an increase from prior deliveries—after operational success during the Orion 2026 exercise. The award highlights rapid scale-up by the early-stage French startup and a continued pivot toward local small-UAS production.

2026-06-23T03:42:35.867850-07:00

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Anduril in talks to buy Nissan’s Oppama plant near Tokyo to scale military drone production in Japan

Pocket Fleet of ex-USAF MQ-1 Predators continues as US Navy test assets

Skyryse and Robinson to integrate SkyOS into the R66 for a group 4 UAS ISR and MUM‑T ‘collaborative combat aircraft’ concept

TSA: U.S. agencies seize 300+ drones near FIFA World Cup venues since June 11 kickoff

News Timeline