UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Aviation Week • Thierry Dubois

Daher’s TBM‑based EyePulse MALE completes maiden flight at Tarbes under DGA demonstrator call

Daher completed the maiden flight of EyePulse, a TBM‑derived Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned demonstrator, in test sorties at its Tarbes facility. The flight, undertaken under a DGA call for innovation, advances France’s push to accelerate sovereign long‑endurance UAS capability.

2025-12-01T23:19:56.434394-08:00

FlightGlobal

Baykar Kizilelma UCAV records claimed world‑first BVR air‑to‑air kill with Gökdoğan

2025-11-30T20:42:49.786021-08:00

AINonline

UK tightens drone marketing rules — manufacturers and operators must adjust

2025-11-30T16:30:55.235416-08:00

AeroTime

AECC’s AEP20 turboprop targets low-cost replacement for piston engines in light aircraft and drones

2025-11-28T09:23:44.596486-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

USAF's first Skyborg prototype completes first flight; Boeing and General Atomics to develop follow-ons Kratos' Skyborg prototype completed its maiden flight, and the USAF has tapped Boeing and General Atomics to design and build follow-on Skyborg air vehicles. The moves widen industrial participation in the Skyborg program as the service advances prototype testing into multi-contractor development and procurement.

2025-12-02T09:29:07.295450-08:00

USAF's first Skyborg prototype completes first flight; Boeing and General Atomics to develop follow-ons

FlightGlobal

Leonardo's Proteus RWUAS completes engine and rotor ground runs, set for Royal Navy flight trials Leonardo's Proteus has completed engine, rotor and ground-run tests in Yeovil and is being readied for maiden flight trials with the UK Royal Navy. The AW09-based Proteus — the RN's first full‑sized remotely piloted helicopter demonstrator — will validate uncrewed rotary capabilities for future fleet operations.

2025-12-02T08:07:19.376417-08:00

Leonardo's Proteus RWUAS completes engine and rotor ground runs, set for Royal Navy flight trials

Aviation Week

Daher’s TBM‑based EyePulse MALE completes maiden flight at Tarbes under DGA demonstrator call Daher completed the maiden flight of EyePulse, a TBM‑derived Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned demonstrator, in test sorties at its Tarbes facility. The flight, undertaken under a DGA call for innovation, advances France’s push to accelerate sovereign long‑endurance UAS capability.

2025-12-01T23:19:56.434394-08:00

Daher’s TBM‑based EyePulse MALE completes maiden flight at Tarbes under DGA demonstrator call

uasvision.com

Chinese researchers propose 2,000-drone swarm to disrupt Starlink Chinese researchers have proposed a concept for a 2,000-drone swarm intended to disrupt SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications, suggesting massed UAS could threaten low-Earth-orbit satcom constellations. It raises questions about civil and military resilience to coordinated UAS attacks.

2025-12-01T22:39:12.457654-08:00

Chinese researchers propose 2,000-drone swarm to disrupt Starlink

Aviation Week

UAE expands missile and counter‑drone portfolio with interceptors, cruise and air‑to‑air weapons The UAE is broadening its indigenous and procurement-driven missile portfolio, commissioning systems ranging from low-cost drone interceptors and cruise missiles to air-to-air weapons. The move signals a comprehensive upgrade across counter-UAS, strike and aerial engagement capabilities with implications for regional force posture and acquisition plans.

2025-12-01T15:17:29.804824-08:00

UAE expands missile and counter‑drone portfolio with interceptors, cruise and air‑to‑air weapons

The War Zone

Russian Shahed/Geran-2 loitering munitions recovered carrying Soviet R-60 air-to-air missiles Ukrainian forces recovered a Russian Geran-2/Shahed-136 loitering munition fitted with a Soviet-era R-60 infrared air-to-air missile after it was shot down, Ukrainian analysts say. Kyiv warns Moscow appears to be arming kamikaze drones with R-60s to deter or engage Ukrainian interceptor aircraft, raising new risks for crews.

2025-12-01T12:02:23.219926-08:00

Russian Shahed/Geran-2 loitering munitions recovered carrying Soviet R-60 air-to-air missiles

DefenseNews.com

Danish and UK companies rush to buy counter‑drone tech after incursions expose detection-speed gap Danish and UK firms are fast‑tracking purchases of counter‑drone detection and mitigation systems after recent unauthorized drone incursions revealed critical gaps in detection speed, leaving security teams unable to classify or respond to threats in time — a shortfall that has disrupted airports and raised airspace safety concerns.

2025-12-01T07:00:14.928749-08:00

Danish and UK companies rush to buy counter‑drone tech after incursions expose detection-speed gap

Vertical Mag

Airvolve signs $20M deal to deliver 40 Airlift‑U500 autonomous hybrid‑electric tactical cargo VTOLs to India Airvolve has signed a $20 million contract to deliver 40 Airlift‑U500 autonomous hybrid‑electric VTOL tactical cargo aircraft to India for rapid tactical resupply and casualty evacuation. The Airlift‑U500 is optimized for autonomous operations in hard‑to‑reach, austere or contested environments, filling a niche in tactical logistics.

2025-12-01T05:57:18.493696-08:00

Airvolve signs $20M deal to deliver 40 Airlift‑U500 autonomous hybrid‑electric tactical cargo VTOLs to India

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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.