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GA‑ASI's MQ‑20 Avenger completes mission‑autonomy air‑to‑air intercept using government reference software

General Atomics' MQ‑20 Avenger completed a mission‑autonomy flight running the government's reference autonomy software, executing a preloaded mission profile and culminating in a live simulated air‑to‑air intercept. The sortie validates human–machine teaming and autonomy baselines for future combat UAS concepts.

2026-01-18T18:16:05.054826-08:00

AeroTime

Windracers wins WFP contract to deploy UAVs for humanitarian supply operations in Madagascar

2026-01-19T04:19:12.582886-08:00

DefenseNews.com

Air Force looks to Navy's small-drone networks to cut Middle East security costs

2026-01-19T05:00:49.144239-08:00

Reuters

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

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

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Air Force looks to Navy's small-drone networks to cut Middle East security costs The Navy's adoption of small UAV networks for maritime situational awareness is proving successful, prompting the U.S. Air Force to pursue similar distributed drone architectures. Air Force leaders say networked small drones could reduce the cost of maintaining security in the Middle East while expanding persistent surveillance.

2026-01-19T05:00:49.144239-08:00

Air Force looks to Navy's small-drone networks to cut Middle East security costs

AeroTime

Windracers wins WFP contract to deploy UAVs for humanitarian supply operations in Madagascar Windracers has secured a contract from the UN World Food Programme to provide unmanned aerial vehicles for humanitarian supply operations in Madagascar. The deal will deploy drones to deliver essential goods to remote, hard‑to‑reach communities, supporting WFP logistics and relief distribution efforts.

2026-01-19T04:19:12.582886-08:00

Windracers wins WFP contract to deploy UAVs for humanitarian supply operations in Madagascar

ga.com

GA‑ASI's MQ‑20 Avenger completes mission‑autonomy air‑to‑air intercept using government reference software General Atomics' MQ‑20 Avenger completed a mission‑autonomy flight running the government's reference autonomy software, executing a preloaded mission profile and culminating in a live simulated air‑to‑air intercept. The sortie validates human–machine teaming and autonomy baselines for future combat UAS concepts.

2026-01-18T18:16:05.054826-08:00

GA‑ASI's MQ‑20 Avenger completes mission‑autonomy air‑to‑air intercept using government reference software

South China Morning Post

PLA drone enters airspace near Taiwan-held Pratas Island; Taipei protests China's PLA dispatched an unmanned aerial vehicle into airspace near Taiwan-held Pratas Island in the South China Sea, drawing a Taipei protest that called the move 'provocative and irresponsible.' The Southern Theatre Command said the sortie was 'completely legitimate' routine flight training.

2026-01-17T21:35:44.221284-08:00

PLA drone enters airspace near Taiwan-held Pratas Island; Taipei protests

DefenseNews.com

US Navy, Marine Corps award L3Harris multiyear contract for 34 T7 EOD robots The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have awarded L3Harris a multiyear contract to deliver 34 large T7 explosive ordnance disposal robots, including operator training and sustainment, to bolster EOD teams' ability to clear high‑risk ordnance across naval and expeditionary operations.

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

US Navy, Marine Corps award L3Harris multiyear 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 doubles ULTRA cargo drone range to 2,000 km with 200 kg payload as Mk2 production ramps Windracers says its ULTRA heavy‑lift UAS can now fly 2,000 km carrying a 200 kg (441 lb) payload, extending reach for long‑distance cargo and logistics. The UK firm plans to build more than 100 Ultra Mk2s in 2026 and is pressing regulators to approve scheduled drone cargo services.

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

Windracers doubles ULTRA cargo drone range to 2,000 km with 200 kg payload as Mk2 production ramps

Reuters

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Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter Leonardo's Proteus autonomous helicopter completed its maiden flight in Cornwall, the UK’s first full‑size crewless rotorcraft developed for the Royal Navy. The AW09‑based demonstrator advances the Royal Navy’s hybrid air wing and supports plans to mature Proteus concepts for 700X trials and carrier experimentation.

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

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

GA‑ASI's MQ‑20 Avenger completes mission‑autonomy air‑to‑air intercept using government reference software

Windracers wins WFP contract to deploy UAVs for humanitarian supply operations in Madagascar

Air Force looks to Navy's small-drone networks to cut Middle East security costs

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

News Timeline