FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has developed what it describes as the country’s first commercial UAV powered by solar energy. The aircraft can be set up for flight in 20 minutes, according to the report; no further details on its performance or intended missions were provided.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has developed what it describes as the country’s first commercial UAV powered by solar energy. The aircraft can be set up for flight in 20 minutes, according to the report; no further details on its performance or intended missions were provided.
Skyways will fly its hybrid V2 drone from Louisiana to a Shell offshore platform under FAA clearance, inspecting a pipeline corridor and simulating an equipment delivery. The test combines infrastructure monitoring with an offshore logistics mission, though the articles provide no details on the authorization’s scope or timing.
The Pentagon has awarded robotic manufacturing startup Machina Labs a contract to develop a containerized microfactory that can produce long-range strike munitions near the point of use. The system is intended to support production of the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, derived from Iran’s Shahed-136 one-way drone.
A U.S. military demonstration in Morocco will test an uncrewed Cessna Caravan configured for casualty evacuation. The trial explores whether autonomous aircraft can support medical rescue operations in remote or difficult-to-reach locations, with potential relevance beyond the demonstration site.
Dronamics and HENSOLDT demonstrated a Black Swan uncrewed aircraft in Bulgaria with ISTAR and airborne early warning capabilities, using HENSOLDT’s MissionGrid and MDOcore systems. The companies said they will advance their collaboration toward operational deployment; the demonstration establishes a potential application, but AEW performance remains unproven.
TYTAN Technologies says it is opening Western Europe’s largest mass-production facility for autonomous interceptor drones. Separately, Horizon Microtechnologies is scaling its metallised polymer micro-additive manufacturing platform through a two-year, €500,000 project and selection for ESA Phi-Lab Austria, with constellation-scale production as its target.
Germany’s defense ministry says the armed forces will stop using Chinese-made drones, citing risks that sensitive military information could be exposed. The move follows earlier, inconsistent restrictions; reports say existing systems are to be replaced with German- or European-made alternatives.
Greece has placed a follow-on order for Shield AI’s V-Bat uncrewed aerial system, which is already operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ducted-fan aircraft can take off and land vertically, operate without a runway and remain airborne for up to 12 hours, offering flexible basing for military missions.
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