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USMC 2026 Aviation Plan maps multi‑decade shift to F‑35 dominance and drone 'wingmen'

The Marine Corps' 2026 Aviation Plan sets a multi‑decade transformation in four five‑year blocks — the final block begins in 2041 as 'next generation' — consolidating fixed‑wing airpower around the F‑35, retiring legacy Harrier and Hornet fleets, and accelerating development and procurement of drone 'wingman' systems.

2026-02-11T05:34:39.276259-08:00

Vertical Mag

Parallel Flight and Alpha Unmanned convert Firefly UAS for heavy‑fuel operation

2026-02-11T06:18:57.792900-08:00

Axios

Raytheon’s Coyote Block 3NK defeats drone swarms in U.S. Army demo; company signals production ramp

2026-02-11T04:15:56.337323-08:00

Aviation Week

USMC selects GA‑ASI YFQ‑42A for MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft assessments

2026-02-10T14:09:14.192092-08:00

News Timeline

Vertical Mag

Parallel Flight and Alpha Unmanned convert Firefly UAS for heavy‑fuel operation Parallel Flight Technologies is adapting its Firefly unmanned aircraft system to operate on heavy fuel in collaboration with Alpha Unmanned Systems. The programme converts the Firefly propulsion and fuel‑delivery systems to accept heavy‑fuel grades, with development work ongoing under the collaboration.

2026-02-11T06:18:57.792900-08:00

Parallel Flight and Alpha Unmanned convert Firefly UAS for heavy‑fuel operation

DefenseNews.com

USMC 2026 Aviation Plan maps multi‑decade shift to F‑35 dominance and drone 'wingmen' The Marine Corps' 2026 Aviation Plan sets a multi‑decade transformation in four five‑year blocks — the final block begins in 2041 as 'next generation' — consolidating fixed‑wing airpower around the F‑35, retiring legacy Harrier and Hornet fleets, and accelerating development and procurement of drone 'wingman' systems.

2026-02-11T05:34:39.276259-08:00

USMC 2026 Aviation Plan maps multi‑decade shift to F‑35 dominance and drone 'wingmen'

Axios

Raytheon’s Coyote Block 3NK defeats drone swarms in U.S. Army demo; company signals production ramp Raytheon demonstrated its Coyote Block 3 Non‑Kinetic (Block 3NK) in a U.S. Army exercise, saying the loitering counter‑UAS defeated multiple drone swarms while showing launch, intercept and recovery capability. The company expects a significant production ramp across the Coyote family and has agreements to speed interceptor output.

2026-02-11T04:15:56.337323-08:00

Raytheon’s Coyote Block 3NK defeats drone swarms in U.S. Army demo; company signals production ramp

Aviation Week

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USMC selects GA‑ASI YFQ‑42A for MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft assessments The U.S. Marine Corps has selected General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' YFQ‑42A uncrewed platform to support MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft assessments, using the type in trials to inform development of expeditionary unmanned air operations, manned–unmanned teaming and technology maturation.

2026-02-10T14:09:14.192092-08:00

USMC selects GA‑ASI YFQ‑42A for MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft assessments

Breaking Defense

Lockheed, Saudi ERAF to explore development of an unmanned turret Lockheed Martin and Saudi Arabia's ERAF will explore development of an unmanned turret. Lockheed executive Tom Cahill told Breaking Defense he has seen interest from the Saudi armed forces in the capabilities such a turret could provide, an early sign of possible cooperation.

2026-02-10T10:14:31.246855-08:00

Lockheed, Saudi ERAF to explore development of an unmanned turret

Vertical Mag

Ohio launches nation’s first statewide Drone First Responder pilot, selects nine agencies Ohio has launched the nation’s first statewide Drone First Responder pilot, naming nine public-safety agencies to test drones for rapid-response emergency tasks. The program will assess operational integration, interoperability, and regulatory procedures for deploying unmanned aircraft to augment incident response across the state.

2026-02-10T08:29:50.357036-08:00

Ohio launches nation’s first statewide Drone First Responder pilot, selects nine agencies

Associated Press

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U.S. Navy CNO pushes shift to smaller, faster assets instead of aircraft carriers Adm. Daryl Caudle, the U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer, is urging commanders to favor smaller, newer ships and other assets rather than defaulting to large aircraft carriers for crisis response. He is pressing a service-wide move toward leaner, more agile force packages for regional contingencies.

2026-02-09T15:52:53.236325-08:00

U.S. Navy CNO pushes shift to smaller, faster assets instead of aircraft carriers

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed unveils Lamprey plug-and-play MMAUV that docks to ships, launches drones and torpedoes Lockheed Martin introduced Lamprey, a plug-and-play Multi‑Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle designed to give U.S. and allied navies a persistent, discreet presence in contested maritime areas. Lamprey can hitch a ride to operating zones, dock with vessels and carry modular payloads—launching aerial drones, decoys and torpedoes.

2026-02-09T06:53:34.148531-08:00

Lockheed unveils Lamprey plug-and-play MMAUV that docks to ships, launches drones and torpedoes

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

USMC 2026 Aviation Plan maps multi‑decade shift to F‑35 dominance and drone 'wingmen'

Parallel Flight and Alpha Unmanned convert Firefly UAS for heavy‑fuel operation

Raytheon’s Coyote Block 3NK defeats drone swarms in U.S. Army demo; company signals production ramp

USMC selects GA‑ASI YFQ‑42A for MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft assessments

News Timeline