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DefenseNews.com • Zita Fletcher

U.S. Army says drones are transforming aviation and combined‑arms training

The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, under Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, is integrating unmanned systems into aviation and combined‑arms training, saying drones are "changing everything" for combined‑arms combat. The shift embeds UAS into tactics and instruction, accelerating doctrinal and operational adaptation.

2026-02-20T15:47:20.063792-08:00

AeroTime

Germany reviews 2029-ready uncrewed combat jet for Luftwaffe amid fast-track strike-drone push

2026-02-20T05:55:38.383369-08:00

AeroTime

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

DefenseNews.com

DARPA launches $6.5M Lift Challenge to develop drones that carry four times their weight

2026-02-18T07:15:29.481484-08:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

U.S. Army says drones are transforming aviation and combined‑arms training The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, under Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, is integrating unmanned systems into aviation and combined‑arms training, saying drones are "changing everything" for combined‑arms combat. The shift embeds UAS into tactics and instruction, accelerating doctrinal and operational adaptation.

2026-02-20T15:47:20.063792-08:00

U.S. Army says drones are transforming aviation and combined‑arms training

AeroTime

Germany reviews 2029-ready uncrewed combat jet for Luftwaffe amid fast-track strike-drone push Germany has added another review round to its fast‑track Luftwaffe strike‑drone programme, reopening scrutiny of an uncrewed combat jet scheduled for 2029 readiness after the project's August 2025 acceleration, Hartpunkt reports. The step formalises tighter acquisition oversight while maintaining the accelerated timetable.

2026-02-20T05:55:38.383369-08:00

Germany reviews 2029-ready uncrewed combat jet for Luftwaffe amid fast-track strike-drone push

defence-industry.eu

BAE FalconWorks and SURVICE sign framework to deepen uncrewed air system development BAE Systems' FalconWorks and SURVICE Engineering have signed a framework agreement to collaborate on uncrewed air system (UAS) technologies, building on an existing relationship that dates to a 2015 Malloy Aeronautics agreement. The pact formalises joint development and systems-integration work on UAS capabilities.

2026-02-19T05:29:51.196207-08:00

BAE FalconWorks and SURVICE sign framework to deepen uncrewed air system development

DefenseNews.com

DARPA launches $6.5M Lift Challenge to develop drones that carry four times their weight DARPA has launched its Lift Challenge, a $6.5 million open competition seeking drone designs capable of carrying roughly four times their own weight for logistics and resupply missions. The program invites big firms and 'garage' innovators to submit novel airframe and subsystem concepts.

2026-02-18T07:15:29.481484-08:00

DARPA launches $6.5M Lift Challenge to develop drones that carry four times their weight

DefenseNews.com

Apaches test APEX 30mm proximity rounds, use airburst shrapnel to down drones in air‑to‑air trials AH‑64 Apache crews test‑fired APEX 30mm proximity‑fuzed rounds in air‑to‑air trials, using airburst shrapnel effects to engage and destroy unmanned aerial systems at multiple ranges. Live‑fire testing produced successful drone shoot‑downs, validating the 30mm APEX munition as a counter‑UAS option for attack helicopters.

2026-02-18T03:40:37.318659-08:00

Apaches test APEX 30mm proximity rounds, use airburst shrapnel to down drones in air‑to‑air trials

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries designed, built and flew the Venom autonomous strike aircraft in 71 days, conducting a first flight that underscores a dramatic acceleration in rapid defense prototyping. The demonstrator highlights industry moves toward compressed development cycles for autonomous armed systems.

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

AeroTime

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Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots Multiple reports say a covert multinational F-16 squadron — staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots on six‑month contracts — is flying combat missions to defend Kyiv and intercept Russian missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force has rejected those claims, saying no foreign pilots are conducting combat sorties.

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

Aviation Week

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration DARPA has designated General Atomics' LongShot prototype the X‑68A after a series of technical milestones and is advancing toward flight tests in 2026. The uncrewed, missile‑carrying air‑launched vehicle is being integrated for F‑15 air‑launch to extend combat reach and keep crewed aircraft at safer standoff distances.

2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

U.S. Army says drones are transforming aviation and combined‑arms training

Germany reviews 2029-ready uncrewed combat jet for Luftwaffe amid fast-track strike-drone push

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

DARPA launches $6.5M Lift Challenge to develop drones that carry four times their weight

News Timeline