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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies

Reports say Ukraine has formed a covert F-16 squadron staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots flying combat sorties to bolster air defences and intercept Russian drones. The Ukrainian Air Force dismissed the claims, saying there is no evidence U.S. or Dutch pilots are operating Kyiv's jets.

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

AeroTime

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

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

eVTOL Insights

AtkinsRéalis teams with Anduril UK to fast‑track sovereign autonomous systems for UK defence

2026-02-17T03:46:12.192264-08:00

DefenseNews.com

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028

2026-02-17T02:36:09.126694-08:00

News Timeline

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: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies Reports say Ukraine has formed a covert F-16 squadron staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots flying combat sorties to bolster air defences and intercept Russian drones. The Ukrainian Air Force dismissed the claims, saying there is no evidence U.S. or Dutch pilots are operating Kyiv's jets.

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

Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies

CNBC

JPMorgan starts coverage of defense stock with overweight rating, cites drone demand JPMorgan has initiated coverage of an aerospace and defense company with an overweight rating, pointing to accelerating sales driven by growing demand for drones and related systems. The bank's call signals investor optimism around the firm's revenue trajectory and exposure to unmanned platforms.

2026-02-17T04:24:47.514701-08:00

JPMorgan starts coverage of defense stock with overweight rating, cites drone demand

eVTOL Insights

AtkinsRéalis teams with Anduril UK to fast‑track sovereign autonomous systems for UK defence AtkinsRéalis has signed a teaming agreement with Anduril UK to provide critical safety, assurance and regulatory expertise aimed at accelerating development and sovereign deployment of autonomous systems for UK defence. The deal pairs a legacy engineering services firm with a defence-tech integrator to navigate certification and UK-specific compliance.

2026-02-17T03:46:12.192264-08:00

AtkinsRéalis teams with Anduril UK to fast‑track sovereign autonomous systems for UK defence

AeroTime

Denmark establishes Squadron 729 at Aalborg to operate MQ-9B SeaGuardian for Arctic and North‑Atlantic surveillance Denmark has established 729 Squadron at Aalborg Air Base to operate four MQ-9B SeaGuardian (SkyGuardian) long‑range remotely piloted aircraft, with deliveries scheduled from 2028. The unit will provide persistent maritime and high‑north ISR across the Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic regions.

2026-02-17T03:09:55.062885-08:00

Denmark establishes Squadron 729 at Aalborg to operate MQ-9B SeaGuardian for Arctic and North‑Atlantic surveillance

DefenseNews.com

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028 Australia has approved a follow‑on production batch of Boeing’s MQ‑28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft and says the Royal Australian Air Force will have 10 operational systems by 2028, advancing manned–unmanned teaming and Canberra’s regional deterrence posture.

2026-02-17T02:36:09.126694-08:00

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028

AeroTime

Footage appears to show Patriot intercepting Russian 3M22 Zircon during Feb. 15–16 strike Video released by Ukraine’s Air Command Center appears to show a Patriot surface‑to‑air missile system intercepting a Russian 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile amid a Feb. 15–16 strike that Kyiv says also included four Zirkons, an Iskander, a Kh‑31 and about 62 drones, with at least 13 injured.

2026-02-17T01:13:37.142660-08:00

Footage appears to show Patriot intercepting Russian 3M22 Zircon during Feb. 15–16 strike

FlightGlobal

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous carrier strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026 Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3 UCAV performed autonomous short‑deck launches from TCG Anadolu and executed live naval strikes with MAM‑L munitions during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026. The sortie — the TB3’s first overseas operational demo — highlights shipboard strike capability and reported export interest, including Indonesia’s plan for 60.

2026-02-16T21:49:51.434744-08:00

Bayraktar TB3 conducts autonomous carrier strikes from TCG Anadolu during NATO Steadfast Dart 2026

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Reports: alleged covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron operating over Ukraine; Kyiv denies

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

AtkinsRéalis teams with Anduril UK to fast‑track sovereign autonomous systems for UK defence

Australia clears next MQ-28A Ghost Bat batch; RAAF on track to field 10 loyal‑wingmen by 2028

News Timeline