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DefenseNews.com • Zita Fletcher

US Navy and Marine Corps award L3Harris contract for 34 T7 EOD robots

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have awarded L3Harris Technologies a contract to deliver 34 large T7 robotic systems to bolster explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities. The T7 robots are engineered to detect and neutralize explosive threats from a safe standoff, reducing risk to personnel in high‑threat environments.

2026-01-16T13:24:53.200289-08:00

Reuters

Leonardo Proteus completes maiden flight — UK’s first autonomous full‑size helicopter

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

FlightGlobal

Windracers' ULTRA Mk2 reaches 2,000 km with 200 kg payload as firm ramps production and pushes for UK cargo approvals

2026-01-16T05:27:55.817925-08:00

FlightGlobal

Grid Aero's Lifter Lite begins ground testing as runway-capable uncrewed turboprop cargo companion to C-130

2026-01-16T09:28:19.453513-08:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

US Navy and Marine Corps award L3Harris contract for 34 T7 EOD robots The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have awarded L3Harris Technologies a contract to deliver 34 large T7 robotic systems to bolster explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities. The T7 robots are engineered to detect and neutralize explosive threats from a safe standoff, reducing risk to personnel in high‑threat environments.

2026-01-16T13:24:53.200289-08:00

US Navy and Marine Corps award L3Harris contract for 34 T7 EOD robots

FlightGlobal

Grid Aero's Lifter Lite begins ground testing as runway-capable uncrewed turboprop cargo companion to C-130 California-based startup Grid Aero has begun ground testing its Lifter Lite, a twin-engined uncrewed turboprop cargo aircraft, less than a year after its public unveiling. The aircraft made a runway appearance alongside a Lockheed Martin C‑130 as a proposed companion for medium-to-heavy tactical and logistics missions.

2026-01-16T09:28:19.453513-08:00

Grid Aero's Lifter Lite begins ground testing as runway-capable uncrewed turboprop cargo companion to C-130

FlightGlobal

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Windracers' ULTRA Mk2 reaches 2,000 km with 200 kg payload as firm ramps production and pushes for UK cargo approvals Windracers says its British-built ULTRA Mk2 can fly up to 2,000 km carrying a 200 kg (441 lb) payload. The company will build 100+ Mk2s in 2026 and is urging UK regulators to allow scheduled cargo drone services for civil and defence roles.

2026-01-16T05:27:55.817925-08:00

Windracers' ULTRA Mk2 reaches 2,000 km with 200 kg payload as firm ramps production and pushes for UK cargo approvals

Reuters

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Leonardo Proteus completes maiden flight — UK’s first autonomous full‑size helicopter Leonardo Helicopters’ Proteus autonomous rotorcraft demonstrator completed its maiden flight in the UK for the Royal Navy, becoming the country’s first autonomous full‑size helicopter. The flight advances evaluation of unmanned rotary capability for shipborne operations and wider crewed–uncrewed maritime aviation concepts.

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Leonardo Proteus completes maiden flight — UK’s first autonomous full‑size helicopter

Airbus

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France awards Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group contract for six VSR700 naval UAS; entry into service from 2028 France's DGA contracted Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group on Jan. 14, 2026 to produce six VSR700 uncrewed rotorcraft for the French Navy. The Cabri G2–derived UAS will be fitted with radar, EO/IR and AIS sensors for Marine Nationale frigates and is due operational from 2028.

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

France awards Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group contract for six VSR700 naval UAS; entry into service from 2028

Vertical Mag

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years Senior U.S. Army officials announced late last year plans to buy up to one million drones over the next two to three years as the service pivots toward uncrewed operations. The figure is a dramatic increase from the roughly 50,000 drones the Army currently purchases annually.

2026-01-16T02:53:42.744802-08:00

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years

DefenseNews.com

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads The Marine Corps wants to increase its rapid prototyping fund by nearly six times in 2023 to accelerate trials of partner unmanned systems and new payloads for MQ‑9 Reaper aircraft. The effort is aimed at fast‑tracking integration, evaluating subordinate UAS concepts and fielding capabilities more quickly.

2026-01-16T01:51:55.035041-08:00

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin invests $50M in Saildrone to arm USVs with JAGM launchers and Mk 70 VLS Lockheed Martin has made a $50 million investment in Saildrone and will partner to equip its 20‑metre Surveyor USV with a JAGM launcher, with larger Saildrone vessels considered for Mk 70 vertical launch systems. The move aims to rapidly scale lethal unmanned maritime strike capability for the U.S. Navy.

2026-01-15T06:56:51.641730-08:00

Lockheed Martin invests $50M in Saildrone to arm USVs with JAGM launchers and Mk 70 VLS

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

US Navy and Marine Corps award L3Harris contract for 34 T7 EOD robots

Leonardo Proteus completes maiden flight — UK’s first autonomous full‑size helicopter

Windracers' ULTRA Mk2 reaches 2,000 km with 200 kg payload as firm ramps production and pushes for UK cargo approvals

Grid Aero's Lifter Lite begins ground testing as runway-capable uncrewed turboprop cargo companion to C-130

News Timeline