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Reuters

Russia supplying Iran satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to sharpen targeting of U.S. forces

U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that Russia has stepped up intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, supplying commercial and military satellite imagery plus improved drone components and techniques to enhance Tehran’s ability to target U.S. forces across the region.

2026-03-17T13:32:20.547465-07:00

AINonline

Merlin raises $200M in SPAC to develop crewless conversion kits for civil and military aircraft

2026-03-17T09:25:57.519165-07:00

FlightGlobal

Baykar unveils AI‑enabled K2 'kamikaze' loitering munition after two‑day multi‑aircraft swarm tests

2026-03-17T10:38:24.251826-07:00

Flying Magazine

Amazon quits Commercial Drone Alliance, cites 'irreconcilable' safety disagreement

2026-03-16T13:38:46.793121-07:00

News Timeline

Reuters

Russia supplying Iran satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to sharpen targeting of U.S. forces U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that Russia has stepped up intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, supplying commercial and military satellite imagery plus improved drone components and techniques to enhance Tehran’s ability to target U.S. forces across the region.

2026-03-17T13:32:20.547465-07:00

Russia supplying Iran satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to sharpen targeting of U.S. forces

FlightGlobal

Baykar unveils AI‑enabled K2 'kamikaze' loitering munition after two‑day multi‑aircraft swarm tests Baykar conducted a two‑day campaign of multi‑aircraft flight tests to demonstrate an AI‑enabled K2 'kamikaze' loitering munition it describes as the largest in its class, showcasing coordinated multi‑vehicle swarm operations and autonomous strike behaviours.

2026-03-17T10:38:24.251826-07:00

Baykar unveils AI‑enabled K2 'kamikaze' loitering munition after two‑day multi‑aircraft swarm tests

AINonline

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Merlin raises $200M in SPAC to develop crewless conversion kits for civil and military aircraft Merlin has raised $200 million in a SPAC IPO to fund development of systems to convert existing civil and military aircraft to uncrewed operations. The company will develop autonomy software and retrofit integration packages aimed at enabling crewless missions across commercial and defense markets.

2026-03-17T09:25:57.519165-07:00

Merlin raises $200M in SPAC to develop crewless conversion kits for civil and military aircraft

DefenseNews.com

U.S. Secures Niger Approval to Fly Armed Drones from Niamey A U.S. official says the Pentagon has received permission from the government of Niger to begin flying armed drones from the capital, Niamey. The authorization allows U.S. armed unmanned aircraft to operate from Niamey, the official said; the official did not provide further details.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.694902-07:00

U.S. Secures Niger Approval to Fly Armed Drones from Niamey

Flying Magazine

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Amazon quits Commercial Drone Alliance, cites 'irreconcilable' safety disagreement Amazon has withdrawn from the Commercial Drone Alliance, saying the decision was prompted by a “fundamental and irreconcilable disagreement” over safety. The departure is a high-profile split with the commercial drone sector and highlights ongoing disputes over operational safety approaches.

2026-03-16T13:38:46.793121-07:00

Amazon quits Commercial Drone Alliance, cites 'irreconcilable' safety disagreement

Reuters

AeroVironment acquires Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, loitering‑munitions and AAM production AeroVironment will buy Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) in a cash‑and‑stock deal valued at about $200 million. The acquisition brings ESAero’s unmanned aircraft systems, loitering munitions and advanced air‑mobility platforms into AV to expand tactical production capacity and boost EBITDA.

2026-03-16T13:25:02.896733-07:00

AeroVironment acquires Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, loitering‑munitions and AAM production

AirInsight

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Speedbird completes 40,000+ drone delivery missions across 14 countries, signaling operational maturity Speedbird has quietly completed more than 40,000 drone delivery missions across 14 countries, a milestone that signals rapid operational growth in the global drone logistics market. The milestone demonstrates scale in throughput and geographic reach, reinforcing commercial viability for routine aerial deliveries.

2026-03-16T09:54:19.605529-07:00

Speedbird completes 40,000+ drone delivery missions across 14 countries, signaling operational maturity

AeroTime

Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem destroys Italian MQ‑9A Reaper An Italian MQ‑9A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft was destroyed at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem airbase in an Iranian drone strike that struck coalition assets. Kuwaiti air defences said they shot down multiple drones and reported normal radiation readings; Italy vowed it "will not be intimidated."

2026-03-16T02:08:51.886406-07:00

Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem destroys Italian MQ‑9A Reaper

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Russia supplying Iran satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to sharpen targeting of U.S. forces

Merlin raises $200M in SPAC to develop crewless conversion kits for civil and military aircraft

Baykar unveils AI‑enabled K2 'kamikaze' loitering munition after two‑day multi‑aircraft swarm tests

Amazon quits Commercial Drone Alliance, cites 'irreconcilable' safety disagreement

News Timeline