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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

DRDO’s ULPGM-V3 clears final trials for drone-launched precision strikes in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes

India’s DRDO has completed final deliverable configuration-development trials for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3, validating launch and guidance in both air-to-ground and air-to-air combat modes. Trials were conducted at DRDO’s test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, including the NOAR site, positioning ULPGM-V3 for anti-tank and anti-drone missions.

2026-05-20T20:24:35.498414-07:00

Aviation Week

Jet Aviation adds automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections for U.S. customers, extending a 2023 Basel deployment

2026-05-20T04:40:56.464475-07:00

FlightGlobal

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00

Reuters

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers

2026-05-20T00:57:04.680020-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

DRDO’s ULPGM-V3 clears final trials for drone-launched precision strikes in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes India’s DRDO has completed final deliverable configuration-development trials for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3, validating launch and guidance in both air-to-ground and air-to-air combat modes. Trials were conducted at DRDO’s test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, including the NOAR site, positioning ULPGM-V3 for anti-tank and anti-drone missions.

2026-05-20T20:24:35.498414-07:00

DRDO’s ULPGM-V3 clears final trials for drone-launched precision strikes in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes

FlightGlobal

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy Shield AI says the Defense Department selected its Hivemind agentic AI software to serve as the autonomy “pilot” for LUCAS Kamikaze one-way drones. The test demonstration later this year targets swarming 10 or more munitions operating collaboratively under the LUCAS program.

2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

Aviation Week

Jet Aviation adds automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections for U.S. customers, extending a 2023 Basel deployment Jet Aviation has launched a service in the U.S. that uses automated drones and artificial intelligence to inspect aircraft exteriors for customers, building on a technology partnership started in 2023. The capability first rolled out from its Basel, Switzerland headquarters in 2023 and is now being extended across its global footprint.

2026-05-20T04:40:56.464475-07:00

Jet Aviation adds automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections for U.S. customers, extending a 2023 Basel deployment

Reuters

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers Lithuania and Latvia activated mobile air-danger warnings in eastern districts after radar detected drone tracks, escalating into a Vilnius-area airspace incursion. NATO jets were scrambled to intercept; residents were urged to seek immediate shelter, while Lithuania’s president and prime minister were rushed to underground bunkers as air-traffic measures tightened.

2026-05-20T00:57:04.680020-07:00

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers

FlightGlobal

Northrop’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first taxi test in Mojave; Crane supplies brake control system Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A “Talon Blue” collaborative combat aircraft prototype conducted its first taxi test on May 14 in Mojave, California. Crane Aerospace and Electronics supplied the brake control system, and Northrop was also named a preferred provider under the US Department of Defense’s Drone Dominance effort.

2026-05-20T00:25:17.979038-07:00

Northrop’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes first taxi test in Mojave; Crane supplies brake control system

FlightGlobal

U.S. Navy grants MQ-25A Stingray Milestone C approval, clearing unmanned tanker for LRIP After receiving Milestone C approval, the U.S. Navy has cleared Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed air-to-air refueler for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The decision follows the program’s move through milestone C, setting conditions to transition from engineering/flight-test activity toward early production for carrier air wings.

2026-05-19T21:55:46.814816-07:00

U.S. Navy grants MQ-25A Stingray Milestone C approval, clearing unmanned tanker for LRIP

defence-blog.com

Russia flies Su-57D two-seat prototype as stealth fighter platform expands into training and potential drone-coordination roles United Aircraft Corporation has begun flight testing a rebuilt two-seat Su-57 configuration, tentatively designated Su-57D, following earlier taxi trials and reported ground runs. First flight reportedly occurred May 19, with the programme accompanied by further claims that the variant may support drone-control missions in addition to pilot training.

2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00

Russia flies Su-57D two-seat prototype as stealth fighter platform expands into training and potential drone-coordination roles

FlightGlobal

Tekever opens first US office near Fort Bragg to expand autonomous drone footprint for US special operations Autonomous drone developer Tekever has established its first US presence near Fort Bragg, North Carolina—home of the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command. The move signals a push to commercialize and scale its drone operations closer to a key U.S. special-operations customer base.

2026-05-19T09:24:25.477042-07:00

Tekever opens first US office near Fort Bragg to expand autonomous drone footprint for US special operations

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

DRDO’s ULPGM-V3 clears final trials for drone-launched precision strikes in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes

Jet Aviation adds automated drone + AI exterior aircraft inspections for U.S. customers, extending a 2023 Basel deployment

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

Lithuania issues “air danger” alerts as NATO jets intercept Vilnius-area drone incursion; leaders shelter in bunkers

News Timeline