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Reuters • Michael Kahn, Supantha Mukherjee, Tom Balmforth

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones

Specialist European makers of small jet engines are expanding production and investing now to head off a looming shortage that risks slowing Ukraine’s deep-strike drone programme. The moves seek to maintain supply of jet-powered loitering munitions and long‑range UAS during a critical phase of the war with Russia.

2026-04-06T23:26:57.338908-07:00

FlightGlobal

General Atomics YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' crashes in California test; flights suspended

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

The Aviationist

Clearest public footage yet of classified RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance drone in Greece raises basing and mission questions

2026-04-06T08:15:52.812854-07:00

interestingengineering.com

China completes world‑first flight of 7.5‑ton hydrogen‑powered unmanned cargo aircraft

2026-04-06T01:58:43.664140-07:00

News Timeline

Reuters

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones Specialist European makers of small jet engines are expanding production and investing now to head off a looming shortage that risks slowing Ukraine’s deep-strike drone programme. The moves seek to maintain supply of jet-powered loitering munitions and long‑range UAS during a critical phase of the war with Russia.

2026-04-06T23:26:57.338908-07:00

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones

FlightGlobal

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General Atomics YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' crashes in California test; flights suspended A General Atomics YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype — the 'Dark Merlin' loyal‑wingman — suffered a mishap after takeoff from a company airfield in the California desert Monday at ~1 p.m. Pacific. No injuries were reported; GA‑ASI has suspended flight operations and opened an investigation.

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

General Atomics YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' crashes in California test; flights suspended

The War Zone

How USAF Special Tactics Would Turn a Remote Iranian Strip into a Temporary Airbase in Hours A former U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Squadron member explains how a remote airstrip in Iran could be converted into a temporary forward airbase within hours, covering rapid runway preparation, emplacement of force‑protection and airfield‑defence measures, and tactical employment of special‑operations assets to sustain short‑term flights.

2026-04-06T12:01:50.426973-07:00

How USAF Special Tactics Would Turn a Remote Iranian Strip into a Temporary Airbase in Hours

The Aviationist

Clearest public footage yet of classified RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance drone in Greece raises basing and mission questions Multiple new videos shot in Greece provide the clearest public images to date of the classified Northrop Grumman RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance UAV, including footage of a landing at a Greek air base. The sightings prompt fresh questions about the drone's European basing, mission set and regional employment.

2026-04-06T08:15:52.812854-07:00

Clearest public footage yet of classified RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance drone in Greece raises basing and mission questions

interestingengineering.com

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China completes world‑first flight of 7.5‑ton hydrogen‑powered unmanned cargo aircraft China has completed the maiden flight of a 7.5‑metric‑ton (16,535 lb) unmanned cargo aircraft in Zhuzhou, Hunan, powered by a megawatt‑class liquid‑hydrogen turboprop tested by AECC. The sortie is a world‑first demonstration of hydrogen propulsion at this scale for fixed‑wing uncrewed cargo missions.

2026-04-06T01:58:43.664140-07:00

China completes world‑first flight of 7.5‑ton hydrogen‑powered unmanned cargo aircraft

AeroTime

France to ramp drone production 400% and boost guided-weapons output, POLITICO reports France plans to increase drone production by 400%, guided-bomb output by 240%, and Aster and MICA missile production by 30%, POLITICO reports. The measures aim to rapidly replenish munitions stocks and expand offensive and air‑defence capacity amid ongoing European security pressures.

2026-04-05T23:06:37.437930-07:00

France to ramp drone production 400% and boost guided-weapons output, POLITICO reports

FlightGlobal

RMAF conducts first test flight of TAI Anka‑S MALE UAV The Royal Malaysian Air Force flew its first Turkish Aerospace Industries Anka‑S medium‑altitude, long‑endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle on 3 April — a three‑hour maiden sortie from Labuan air base. Malaysia says the system will bolster long‑endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ahead of service entry.

2026-04-05T22:01:11.491000-07:00

RMAF conducts first test flight of TAI Anka‑S MALE UAV

AeroTime

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites The Pentagon is considering broader deployment of laser‑based counter‑drone systems at select U.S. locations after a series of drone incursions near military bases and other sensitive sites. The deliberation signals an effort to accelerate fielding of directed‑energy tools to detect and defeat small UAS on domestic soil.

2026-04-02T13:25:58.058091-07:00

Pentagon weighs anti‑drone laser deployments at US sites

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones

General Atomics YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' crashes in California test; flights suspended

Clearest public footage yet of classified RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance drone in Greece raises basing and mission questions

China completes world‑first flight of 7.5‑ton hydrogen‑powered unmanned cargo aircraft

News Timeline