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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Suspected cross-border drone explodes near Lithuania–Belarus border, exposes radar gaps

Lithuania is investigating a suspected cross‑border drone that exploded near the Belarus border; debris was recovered and authorities say the incident revealed gaps in radar detection along the frontier. The event highlights vulnerabilities in airspace surveillance and prompts scrutiny of regional counter‑drone and ATC capabilities.

2026-03-23T12:00:41.700492-07:00

FlightGlobal

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00

FlightGlobal

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

Reuters

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant

2026-03-19T15:29:03.882056-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

Suspected cross-border drone explodes near Lithuania–Belarus border, exposes radar gaps Lithuania is investigating a suspected cross‑border drone that exploded near the Belarus border; debris was recovered and authorities say the incident revealed gaps in radar detection along the frontier. The event highlights vulnerabilities in airspace surveillance and prompts scrutiny of regional counter‑drone and ATC capabilities.

2026-03-23T12:00:41.700492-07:00

Suspected cross-border drone explodes near Lithuania–Belarus border, exposes radar gaps

Reuters

US deploys MQ-9 drones and 200 troops to Nigeria for ISR and training support The U.S. military has deployed multiple MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft to Nigeria alongside roughly 200 troops to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and training to Nigerian forces combating Islamist militants across the country's north, U.S. and Nigerian officials told Reuters.

2026-03-21T07:09:52.720874-07:00

US deploys MQ-9 drones and 200 troops to Nigeria for ISR and training support

FlightGlobal

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U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins DARPA has transferred its ALIAS-developed autonomous flight system, powered by Sikorsky’s MATRIX suite, to the U.S. Army with delivery of the first H-60Mx optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk. The modified helicopter — able to operate crewed, reduced-crew or fully autonomously — now enters advanced operational evaluation under ALIAS.

2026-03-20T17:00:30.941265-07:00

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

AeroTime

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns French Rafale fighters reportedly intercepted roughly 60 Iranian Shahed loitering drones over the United Arab Emirates, relying heavily on MICA air‑to‑air missiles. The engagement exposed the high per‑kill cost of using MICA against cheap expendable drones and raised questions about missile stocks and resupply.

2026-03-20T06:59:42.625199-07:00

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

FlightGlobal

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US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE The US State Department approved $16.5 billion in emergency arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, with the UAE receiving the largest share. Packages cover ballistic missile‑defence radars, a $1.86 billion F‑16 weapons package, potential AIM‑120 AMRAAMs, counter‑drone systems and spare parts.

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Reuters

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Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant Anduril Industries will begin production in the coming days of its high‑speed 'loyal wingman' combat drone, Fury, at a newly opened manufacturing facility in Ohio. The move reflects a shift from prototyping toward scaled manufacturing of operational unmanned platforms for defense customers.

2026-03-19T15:29:03.882056-07:00

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant

The Air Current

Swarmer IPO soars as drone firm pivots beyond Ukraine amid drone‑centric Iran conflict Swarmer's IPO dramatically outperformed expectations as investor focus sharpens on unmanned systems while drone warfare becomes central to the Iran conflict. The company says it is pivoting operations beyond Ukraine to position for increased demand and strategic relevance in the region.

2026-03-19T14:59:02.549155-07:00

Swarmer IPO soars as drone firm pivots beyond Ukraine amid drone‑centric Iran conflict

Flying Magazine

Unidentified drones overflew US military base hosting Senator Rubio and senior Pentagon leaders Unidentified drones flew over a U.S. military base housing Senator Marco Rubio and senior Pentagon leaders, prompting local security attention and an immediate assessment by base officials. The Army said there was "no credible threat" but officials will "continue to monitor the situation."

2026-03-19T11:13:59.260721-07:00

Unidentified drones overflew US military base hosting Senator Rubio and senior Pentagon leaders

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Suspected cross-border drone explodes near Lithuania–Belarus border, exposes radar gaps

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Anduril to start production of Fury 'loyal wingman' high-speed combat drones at new Ohio plant

News Timeline