UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Reuters

Russia says drone attack on Ryazan caused fire at industrial facility near refinery area

Ryazan’s governor said drone debris sparked a fire at an industrial facility in the Russian region, later reporting that it had been contained. Geolocated footage shows flames in the direction of an industrial zone that includes the Ryazan refinery, but the facility involved has not been identified and the exact filming date remains unconfirmed.

Military Times

Vector introduces Warfighter’s Stack one-way attack drone package

Vector introduced a ready-to-go one-way attack drone package called the Warfighter’s Stack. The company says it includes the drone, an HV-ESAD to hold an explosive payload, and a remote control; the announcement identifies the package’s components but provides no further performance or procurement details.

The War Zone

Army’s MALET kit converts existing mortars into drone-dropped weapons

The Army’s clip-on MALET kit is designed to let soldiers rapidly adapt existing mortars for use as small bombs carried and released by drones. The approach links an established munition to unmanned aircraft, offering a way to add a new delivery method without replacing the mortar itself.

The War Zone

Air Force mothballs A-29 test-pilot trainers as SNC exits Navy T-45 replacement contest

The Air Force wants Sierra Nevada Corp. to maintain its retired A-29 Super Tucanos in storage at Edwards Air Force Base, California, after ending their use in test-pilot training. Separately, SNC has withdrawn its clean-sheet Freedom Jet from the Navy’s T-45 replacement competition, leaving Textron’s M-346N as the only known major contender.

DefenseNews.com

Valhalla completes live-fire trials of ASGARD counter-drone turret; Israeli firm unveils drone-targeting trigger

Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets says its ASGARD system, armed with a Dillon Aero M134D 7.62 mm Gatling gun, completed several days of live-fire testing and fired thousands of rounds. Separately, an Israeli defense company says its Arbel electromechanical device is programmed to set a firing cadence optimized for engaging drones.

Bloomberg

High activity

Zipline raises up to $1.5 billion at a reported $20 billion-$21.5 billion valuation to expand U.S. drone delivery

Reports differ on the round’s size and valuation: one puts it at $1 billion and $20 billion, while others cite $1.5 billion and $21.5 billion. The funding will support U.S. manufacturing and nationwide delivery expansion, including a growing Walmart partnership; one report also identifies Uber as a partner.

Bloomberg

Zipline Tops $21 Billion Valuation, Adds 300 Walmart Drone Sites

FlightGlobal

High activity

D328eco slips to late 2029 as Wheels Up orders six Phenom 300Es and Vaeridion raises €30 million

Deutsche Aircraft has pushed the D328eco’s expected entry into service to late 2029, about two years beyond its prior target. Separately, Wheels Up ordered six new Embraer Phenom 300Es for delivery in the second half of 2027, while electric-aircraft start-up Vaeridion raised €30 million and was selected for a €94.5 million EU grant.