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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF to field K1000 solar-powered ultra-long-endurance UAV in Middle East for ISR and comms relay

The US Air Force's Middle East command plans to field the solar‑powered K1000ULE, an uncrewed ultra‑long‑endurance aircraft that previously demonstrated more than 75 hours of flight. The K1000 will serve as an airborne communications retransmission node and a persistent ISR platform.

2026-04-07T10:47:19.733741-07:00

AeroTime

US Army conducts first Apache‑launched Altius 700 loitering‑munition test (15 kg warhead, 160 km range)

2026-04-07T07:26:15.258756-07:00

FlightGlobal

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

Reuters

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones

2026-04-06T23:26:57.338908-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

USAF to field K1000 solar-powered ultra-long-endurance UAV in Middle East for ISR and comms relay The US Air Force's Middle East command plans to field the solar‑powered K1000ULE, an uncrewed ultra‑long‑endurance aircraft that previously demonstrated more than 75 hours of flight. The K1000 will serve as an airborne communications retransmission node and a persistent ISR platform.

2026-04-07T10:47:19.733741-07:00

USAF to field K1000 solar-powered ultra-long-endurance UAV in Middle East for ISR and comms relay

AeroTime

US Army conducts first Apache‑launched Altius 700 loitering‑munition test (15 kg warhead, 160 km range) The US Army has integrated Anduril's Altius 700 loitering munition onto an AH‑64E Apache and conducted the first Apache‑launched "launched‑effect" at Yuma Proving Ground. The Altius carries a 15 kg warhead and is reported to have a 160 km range, expanding helicopter strike options.

2026-04-07T07:26:15.258756-07:00

US Army conducts first Apache‑launched Altius 700 loitering‑munition test (15 kg warhead, 160 km range)

Reuters

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones Specialist European makers of small jet engines are expanding production and investing now to head off a looming shortage that risks slowing Ukraine’s deep-strike drone programme. The moves seek to maintain supply of jet-powered loitering munitions and long‑range UAS during a critical phase of the war with Russia.

2026-04-06T23:26:57.338908-07:00

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones

FlightGlobal

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General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused A General Atomics YFQ-42A collaborative combat aircraft prototype crashed minutes after takeoff from a company‑owned desert airfield in California on April 6, prompting a suspension of flight testing and a formal investigation. The mishap interrupts ongoing USAF loyal‑wingman evaluations and related service assessments.

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

The War Zone

How USAF Special Tactics Would Turn a Remote Iranian Strip into a Temporary Airbase in Hours A former U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Squadron member explains how a remote airstrip in Iran could be converted into a temporary forward airbase within hours, covering rapid runway preparation, emplacement of force‑protection and airfield‑defence measures, and tactical employment of special‑operations assets to sustain short‑term flights.

2026-04-06T12:01:50.426973-07:00

How USAF Special Tactics Would Turn a Remote Iranian Strip into a Temporary Airbase in Hours

The Aviationist

Clearest public footage yet of classified RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance drone in Greece raises basing and mission questions Multiple new videos shot in Greece provide the clearest public images to date of the classified Northrop Grumman RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance UAV, including footage of a landing at a Greek air base. The sightings prompt fresh questions about the drone's European basing, mission set and regional employment.

2026-04-06T08:15:52.812854-07:00

Clearest public footage yet of classified RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance drone in Greece raises basing and mission questions

interestingengineering.com

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China completes world‑first flight of 7.5‑ton hydrogen‑powered unmanned cargo aircraft China has completed the maiden flight of a 7.5‑metric‑ton (16,535 lb) unmanned cargo aircraft in Zhuzhou, Hunan, powered by a megawatt‑class liquid‑hydrogen turboprop tested by AECC. The sortie is a world‑first demonstration of hydrogen propulsion at this scale for fixed‑wing uncrewed cargo missions.

2026-04-06T01:58:43.664140-07:00

China completes world‑first flight of 7.5‑ton hydrogen‑powered unmanned cargo aircraft

AeroTime

France to ramp drone production 400% and boost guided-weapons output, POLITICO reports France plans to increase drone production by 400%, guided-bomb output by 240%, and Aster and MICA missile production by 30%, POLITICO reports. The measures aim to rapidly replenish munitions stocks and expand offensive and air‑defence capacity amid ongoing European security pressures.

2026-04-05T23:06:37.437930-07:00

France to ramp drone production 400% and boost guided-weapons output, POLITICO reports

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

USAF to field K1000 solar-powered ultra-long-endurance UAV in Middle East for ISR and comms relay

US Army conducts first Apache‑launched Altius 700 loitering‑munition test (15 kg warhead, 160 km range)

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

European mini-jet engine makers ramp up to avert supply crunch threatening Ukraine’s deep-strike drones

News Timeline