UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Spaceflight Now • William Harwood

Blue Origin's New Glenn lofts NASA's ESCAPADE to Mars and lands reusable booster at sea

Blue Origin's New Glenn launched successfully, deploying NASA's twin ESCAPADE smallsats bound for Mars, and its NG‑2 first-stage booster returned and landed upright on the recovery ship Jacklyn about 370 miles off Florida — the second company after SpaceX to recover a reusable booster at sea.

2025-11-13T14:54:35.583881-08:00

FlightGlobal

DARPA X-65 active-flow-control demonstrator delayed to late 2027; will test 'air-burst' steering in place of flaps and rudders

2025-11-20T09:37:15.923900-08:00

Flying Magazine

How law enforcement is using COA loopholes to sidestep FAA drone licensing — safety and legal consequences

2025-11-17T11:08:46.837486-08:00

Breaking Defense

General Atomics says an F-22 pilot controlled a 'wingman' unmanned drone from the fighter's cockpit in a first demonstration

2025-11-17T05:55:07.801440-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

thewatch-journal.com

U.S. Army seeks near-term fielding of loyal‑wingman collaborative combat aircraft The U.S. Army is seeking a near‑term fielding of a loyal‑wingman collaborative combat aircraft — an uncrewed CCA to operate alongside manned platforms — that could be delivered within a “couple of years,” service officials told AUSA in mid‑October 2025. Army leaders called manned‑unmanned teaming “the future.”

2025-11-24T08:49:52.254191-08:00

U.S. Army seeks near-term fielding of loyal‑wingman collaborative combat aircraft

AeroTime

Dutch jets fire on unidentified drones over Volkel F-35 base tied to NATO nuclear mission Dutch military fired on unidentified drones that penetrated airspace over Volkel Air Base — an F‑35 facility linked to NATO's nuclear mission — in an episode now under investigation after some devices reportedly evaded interception. Authorities say probes are ongoing into the origin and flight paths.

2025-11-24T06:24:22.444276-08:00

Dutch jets fire on unidentified drones over Volkel F-35 base tied to NATO nuclear mission

Yonhap News Agency

USAF MQ-9 Reaper based at Kunsan crashes off South Korea’s western coast; recovery underway An MQ-9 Reaper operated by the U.S. Air Force from Kunsan Air Base crashed into waters off South Korea's western coast on Nov. 24 while conducting a routine mission. South Korean and U.S. forces have launched search-and-recovery operations; no cause or casualty details have been released.

2025-11-24T06:07:30.822661-08:00

USAF MQ-9 Reaper based at Kunsan crashes off South Korea’s western coast; recovery underway

Aviation Week

Japan completes helicopter-launched scaled CCA formation and MUM‑T proof‑of‑concept flights Japan has completed proof‑of‑concept flights that launched multiple scaled collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) from a helicopter, demonstrating manned–unmanned teaming (MUM‑T) and coordinated formation control. The trials validate a helicopter 'mothership' concept for integrated ISR and strike roles using multiple autonomous wingmen.

2025-11-24T00:54:06.422904-08:00

Japan completes helicopter-launched scaled CCA formation and MUM‑T proof‑of‑concept flights

en.asiatoday.co.kr

South Korea and Türkiye deepen defence cooperation on unmanned aerial systems and armoured vehicles Ahead of his state visit to Türkiye, South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung said Saturday Seoul and Ankara will deepen defence cooperation by combining Türkiye's unmanned aerial systems with South Korean armoured‑vehicle and related defence capabilities, opening pathways for joint development, industrial partnerships and technology transfer.

2025-11-23T19:31:55.407698-08:00

South Korea and Türkiye deepen defence cooperation on unmanned aerial systems and armoured vehicles

The Intercept

FBI Solicits AI Facial‑Recognition Drone Capabilities, Sparking Civil‑Liberties Concerns An FBI procurement document requests information on drones equipped with AI facial‑recognition surveillance, prompting civil‑liberties concerns about monitoring protests and free‑speech activities. The solicitation highlights accelerating law‑enforcement interest in autonomous UAS sensor fusion and raises questions about regulatory authority, airspace safety and operational oversight.

2025-11-23T18:13:11.213855-08:00

FBI Solicits AI Facial‑Recognition Drone Capabilities, Sparking Civil‑Liberties Concerns

The Air Current

Archer–Anduril deal shows eVTOL supply chain flowing into defense A supplier agreement to outfit Anduril and EDGE's Omen autonomous air vehicle with eVTOL-derived batteries, motors and powertrain components underscores how substantial private investment in 'flying cars' is spinning into battlefield capability, with Archer's supply deal marking a first major transfer of commercial AAM hardware into defence applications.

2025-11-23T06:06:39.067052-08:00

Archer–Anduril deal shows eVTOL supply chain flowing into defense

The Aviationist

U.S. Army validates AH-64E V6 Apaches in large Operation Flyswatter counter‑drone exercise The U.S. Army's Operation Flyswatter validated the AH‑64E Version 6 Apache's networked, datalinked combat capabilities in a large counter‑drone exercise, demonstrating detection, tracking and engagement of asymmetric unmanned aerial systems. The V6 Apaches were tested in coordinated, sensor‑share scenarios to assess fleet‑level C‑UAS effectiveness.

2025-11-21T14:11:38.812563-08:00

U.S. Army validates AH-64E V6 Apaches in large Operation Flyswatter counter‑drone exercise

Create a free account to see more recent UAV Development & Drone Programs stories.

About

The drones section on Hype offers a comprehensive look at the rapidly evolving world of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our expert analysis covers the latest advancements in drone technology, regulatory changes, and the expanding use of drones across industries, from commercial delivery to environmental monitoring.