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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Russia fits Shahed/Geran‑2 loitering munitions with MANPADS and small air‑to‑air missiles

Russian forces have modified Iran‑designed Shahed‑136/Geran‑2 loitering munitions to carry Verba MANPADS and small air‑to‑air missiles, converting one‑way attack drones into airborne short‑range anti‑air assets. The change aims to threaten intercepting fighters and defeat enemy suicide UAVs, marking a tactical shift in C‑UAS employment.

2026-01-06T13:55:10.665852-08:00

The War Zone

Ukraine says donated F-16s down ~1,000 Russian cruise missiles and drones as pilots rework NATO tactics

2026-01-06T09:54:10.899382-08:00

asiatimes.com

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes

2026-01-06T11:37:46.405489-08:00

Air & Space Forces Mag

US Growlers, RC-135s, RQ-170 and F-22s supported Jan. 3 strike that disabled Venezuelan air defenses

2026-01-05T18:57:51.443018-08:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Russia fits Shahed/Geran‑2 loitering munitions with MANPADS and small air‑to‑air missiles Russian forces have modified Iran‑designed Shahed‑136/Geran‑2 loitering munitions to carry Verba MANPADS and small air‑to‑air missiles, converting one‑way attack drones into airborne short‑range anti‑air assets. The change aims to threaten intercepting fighters and defeat enemy suicide UAVs, marking a tactical shift in C‑UAS employment.

2026-01-06T13:55:10.665852-08:00

Russia fits Shahed/Geran‑2 loitering munitions with MANPADS and small air‑to‑air missiles

asiatimes.com

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes Reports suggest China is exploring merchant vessels modified to carry and deploy unmanned aircraft, a tactic that could mask military capability within commercial fleets and extend PLA reach along key sea lanes. The approach would blur civilian‑military lines, complicating surveillance, attribution and rules of engagement.

2026-01-06T11:37:46.405489-08:00

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes

The War Zone

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Ukraine says donated F-16s down ~1,000 Russian cruise missiles and drones as pilots rework NATO tactics Ukraine says its donated F-16s have shot down about 1,000 Russian cruise missiles and one‑way attack drones. Ukrainian pilots report reworking NATO‑taught F‑16 doctrine and tactics to operate in highly contested airspace while confronting sustainment and frontline operational challenges and evolving engagement tactics.

2026-01-06T09:54:10.899382-08:00

Ukraine says donated F-16s down ~1,000 Russian cruise missiles and drones as pilots rework NATO tactics

Air & Space Forces Mag

US Growlers, RC-135s, RQ-170 and F-22s supported Jan. 3 strike that disabled Venezuelan air defenses US Navy EA-18G Growlers helped disable Venezuelan air defenses during the Jan. 3 US strike, with F-22 fighters also employed and later withdrawn. In the aftermath the USAF has sustained RC-135 reconnaissance flights near Venezuela, and videos purport to show an RQ-170 Sentinel returning to Puerto Rico.

2026-01-05T18:57:51.443018-08:00

US Growlers, RC-135s, RQ-170 and F-22s supported Jan. 3 strike that disabled Venezuelan air defenses

FlightGlobal

Footage suggests RQ-170 Sentinel operated from Puerto Rico during US raid to capture Nicolás Maduro Social media footage appears to show a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel operating from Puerto Rico during the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. RQ-170s — built for persistent covert surveillance — and supporting electronic-warfare and special-operations aviation reportedly helped neutralize Venezuelan air defenses.

2026-01-05T05:56:14.111606-08:00

Footage suggests RQ-170 Sentinel operated from Puerto Rico during US raid to capture Nicolás Maduro

Associated Press

Trump says U.S. officials concluded Ukraine did not target Putin's residence in alleged drone strike President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that U.S. national security officials have concluded Ukraine did not target Vladimir Putin’s residence in an alleged drone strike, a finding that directly contradicts Kremlin claims the attack was aimed at the Russian president.

2026-01-04T18:10:53.164192-08:00

Trump says U.S. officials concluded Ukraine did not target Putin's residence in alleged drone strike

The War Zone

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Operation Absolute Resolve: 150+ U.S. aircraft and 160th SOAR Night Stalkers supported Delta Force helicopter raid on Maduro Operation Absolute Resolve was a high‑risk U.S. special‑operations mission in Venezuela that marshalled over 150 aircraft — fighters, bombers, helicopters and drones — and employed the 160th SOAR Night Stalkers to insert Delta Force troops by helicopter after months of preparation; an RQ‑170 stealth drone supported strikes.

2026-01-03T14:30:57.356227-08:00

Operation Absolute Resolve: 150+ U.S. aircraft and 160th SOAR Night Stalkers supported Delta Force helicopter raid on Maduro

Flying Magazine

FEMA awards $250M for counter‑UAS systems to secure World Cup venues FEMA will deploy $250 million to equip World Cup venues with counter‑UAS systems to detect, track, identify and mitigate unmanned aerial threats during one of the world’s largest sporting events. The funding targets sensor deployments and response capabilities across stadiums and surrounding airspace.

2026-01-03T05:07:15.400566-08:00

FEMA awards $250M for counter‑UAS systems to secure World Cup venues

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Russia fits Shahed/Geran‑2 loitering munitions with MANPADS and small air‑to‑air missiles

Ukraine says donated F-16s down ~1,000 Russian cruise missiles and drones as pilots rework NATO tactics

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes

US Growlers, RC-135s, RQ-170 and F-22s supported Jan. 3 strike that disabled Venezuelan air defenses

News Timeline