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The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Suspected U.S. RQ‑180 flying‑wing photographed over Larissa; reported emergency landing at Greek base

Spotters in central Greece photographed a previously unseen flying‑wing aircraft over Larissa, and local reports say a similar type made an emergency landing at a Greek air base. Observers suggest the platform could be the classified U.S. RQ‑180 stealth drone.

2026-03-18T15:39:58.961557-07:00

DefenseNews.com

USAF Special Operations issues RFI for lightweight, long‑range one‑way FPV attack drones

2026-03-18T13:35:27.250925-07:00

DefenseNews.com

USAF cuts MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity

2026-03-18T13:05:06.094289-07:00

DefenseNews.com

U.S. approves $600M sale of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to Belgium

2026-03-18T12:44:25.834018-07:00

News Timeline

The War Zone

Suspected U.S. RQ‑180 flying‑wing photographed over Larissa; reported emergency landing at Greek base Spotters in central Greece photographed a previously unseen flying‑wing aircraft over Larissa, and local reports say a similar type made an emergency landing at a Greek air base. Observers suggest the platform could be the classified U.S. RQ‑180 stealth drone.

2026-03-18T15:39:58.961557-07:00

Suspected U.S. RQ‑180 flying‑wing photographed over Larissa; reported emergency landing at Greek base

DefenseNews.com

USAF Special Operations issues RFI for lightweight, long‑range one‑way FPV attack drones USAF Special Operations has issued a Request for Information seeking small one‑way loitering munitions — lightweight FPV 'kamikaze' drones — capable of strikes beyond 12 miles for tactical penetration and unit‑level use. The solicitation underscores a shift toward low‑cost, expendable strike systems at the tactical level.

2026-03-18T13:35:27.250925-07:00

USAF Special Operations issues RFI for lightweight, long‑range one‑way FPV attack drones

Aviation Week

USAF Special Tactics Seek Short‑Range FPV One‑Way Attack Drones Special tactics units within U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command are researching options to buy short‑range, first‑person‑view, one‑way attack drones for tactical strikes and penetration missions. The inquiry signals an operational shift toward low‑cost, expendable loitering munitions integrated at the unit level.

2026-03-18T13:20:30.102139-07:00

USAF Special Tactics Seek Short‑Range FPV One‑Way Attack Drones

DefenseNews.com

USAF cuts MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity The U.S. Air Force will reduce MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 in FY2022, reallocating budget to next‑generation fighter development as it scales back forces in the Middle East. The cut lowers available persistent ISR and strike capacity during the transition.

2026-03-18T13:05:06.094289-07:00

USAF cuts MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity

DefenseNews.com

Fort Rucker reshapes training for Future Vertical Lift and drone-swarm operations Fort Rucker, home of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, is reshaping training to prepare aviators for Future Vertical Lift platforms and integrated drone‑swarm operations, the installation commander said. Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Weimer visited March 12–13, 2026 to press talent management, training realism and accelerated modernization.

2026-03-18T12:44:26.569334-07:00

Fort Rucker reshapes training for Future Vertical Lift and drone-swarm operations

DefenseNews.com

U.S. approves $600M sale of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to Belgium The U.S. has approved a potential $600 million sale of four General Atomics MQ‑9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft to Belgium, including associated systems and support. The package strengthens Belgium's persistent ISR and NATO interoperability across maritime and regional surveillance missions.

2026-03-18T12:44:25.834018-07:00

U.S. approves $600M sale of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to Belgium

FlightGlobal

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Shield AI complete two‑UAV Hivemind mission‑autonomy demo in Japan after 8‑week integration Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and US company Shield AI completed autonomous flight tests in Japan after integrating Shield’s Hivemind autonomy software into an MHI prototype drone in just eight weeks. The two‑UAV demo demonstrated coordinated manoeuvres and on‑board learning capabilities derived from Hivemind.

2026-03-18T05:18:42.249100-07:00

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Shield AI complete two‑UAV Hivemind mission‑autonomy demo in Japan after 8‑week integration

Reuters

Russia supplying Iran satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to sharpen targeting of U.S. forces U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that Russia has stepped up intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, supplying commercial and military satellite imagery plus improved drone components and techniques to enhance Tehran’s ability to target U.S. forces across the region.

2026-03-17T13:32:20.547465-07:00

Russia supplying Iran satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to sharpen targeting of U.S. forces

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Suspected U.S. RQ‑180 flying‑wing photographed over Larissa; reported emergency landing at Greek base

USAF Special Operations issues RFI for lightweight, long‑range one‑way FPV attack drones

USAF cuts MQ-9 Reaper combat lines from 60 to 56 to fund next‑generation fighters, trimming ISR capacity

U.S. approves $600M sale of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to Belgium

News Timeline