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DefenseNews.com • Lara Seligman

DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences to build vertical takeoff-and-landing X-Plane UAV

DARPA has selected Aurora Flight Sciences to develop its “X-Plane” unmanned aircraft that will be capable of vertical takeoff and vertical landing. The award underscores continued U.S. investment in next-generation autonomous/optionally unmanned VTOL technologies.

2026-04-25T18:04:29.650098-07:00

Flying Magazine

U.S. drone delivery crosses the 8-lb payload threshold; Flytrex adds heavy-duty pizza delivery

2026-04-25T05:05:16.713968-07:00

AeroTime

ST Engineering launches DrN-600 large unmanned cargo aircraft to scale autonomous air logistics

2026-04-24T09:23:23.547769-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns

2026-04-25T00:50:54.838021-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences to build vertical takeoff-and-landing X-Plane UAV DARPA has selected Aurora Flight Sciences to develop its “X-Plane” unmanned aircraft that will be capable of vertical takeoff and vertical landing. The award underscores continued U.S. investment in next-generation autonomous/optionally unmanned VTOL technologies.

2026-04-25T18:04:29.650098-07:00

DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences to build vertical takeoff-and-landing X-Plane UAV

Flying Magazine

U.S. drone delivery crosses the 8-lb payload threshold; Flytrex adds heavy-duty pizza delivery U.S. drone delivery operators are pushing payload capability past 8 lb, removing one of the core constraints tied to aircraft weight. Flytrex is also introducing a heavy-duty drone designed to drop two large Little Caesars pizzas in a single trip, extending drone food delivery toward higher-volume orders.

2026-04-25T05:05:16.713968-07:00

U.S. drone delivery crosses the 8-lb payload threshold; Flytrex adds heavy-duty pizza delivery

DefenseNews.com

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns Germany plans to restart the Euro Hawk high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle programme it canceled in 2013, citing spiraling costs and airworthiness issues at the time. The move signals renewed interest in procuring long-range, ISR-focused UAS capability despite the project’s prior setbacks.

2026-04-25T00:50:54.838021-07:00

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns

DefenseNews.com

U.S. Air Force: Turbulence and MC-1B Predator turbocharger failure led to June 2025 Afghanistan crash The U.S. Air Force says last year’s MC-1B Predator crash in Afghanistan resulted from turbulence combined with a turbocharger failure. The incident occurred after the drone experienced the propulsion malfunction, culminating in a crash, according to the service’s announcement.

2026-04-25T00:50:52.169081-07:00

U.S. Air Force: Turbulence and MC-1B Predator turbocharger failure led to June 2025 Afghanistan crash

FlightGlobal

Aura Aero targets first flight this year for Enbata MALE drone under France DGA timeline French manufacturer Aura Aero says it remains on track to deliver a first flight later this year for its Enbata medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) uncrewed aircraft. The milestone is aligned with the schedule set by France’s DGA, signaling progress toward the programme’s next flight-test phase.

2026-04-24T13:41:21.237147-07:00

Aura Aero targets first flight this year for Enbata MALE drone under France DGA timeline

The War Zone

Ukraine’s Drone-Hunting An-28 Cash Turboprop Adds Interceptor Drones and Minigun Armament Ukraine is evolving its rugged An-28 Cash counter-drone platform by pairing interceptor drones with onboard Minigun armament. The latest iteration aims to increase responsiveness and lethality against unmanned threats while leveraging the turboprop airframe as a hardened “drone hunter” system.

2026-04-24T13:11:48.356135-07:00

Ukraine’s Drone-Hunting An-28 Cash Turboprop Adds Interceptor Drones and Minigun Armament

The War Zone

Ukraine mounts P1-SUN interceptor drones on An-28 turboprops to counter Shahed-type attacks Ukraine is using an Antonov An-28 as an air-launch platform for interceptor drones, deploying SkyFall’s P1-SUN to hunt Shahed-type targets. Video shared by operators shows the An-28 crew associated with the method, signaling a shift toward mobile, airborne drone employment for layered counter-UAS defense.

2026-04-24T13:11:48.356135-07:00

Ukraine mounts P1-SUN interceptor drones on An-28 turboprops to counter Shahed-type attacks

AeroTime

FAA drops drone no-fly restrictions near ICE vehicles after court challenge The FAA withdrew drone restrictions around DHS/ICE mobile assets after a photojournalist challenged the rule in US federal court, according to reporting. The change follows lawyers’ arguments tied to newsroom access and enforcement scope around moving government assets.

2026-04-24T12:22:52.351006-07:00

FAA drops drone no-fly restrictions near ICE vehicles after court challenge

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

DARPA selects Aurora Flight Sciences to build vertical takeoff-and-landing X-Plane UAV

U.S. drone delivery crosses the 8-lb payload threshold; Flytrex adds heavy-duty pizza delivery

ST Engineering launches DrN-600 large unmanned cargo aircraft to scale autonomous air logistics

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns

News Timeline