UAV Development & Drone Programs News

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

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

Aero Engine Corp. of China (AECC) is developing the AEP20, a small turboprop engineered at its Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute in Zhuzhou, to provide a lower-cost alternative to high-performance piston engines for light aircraft and drone applications. The program is drawing strong early domestic interest.

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

eVTOL Insights

Vertilink completes New Zealand’s first medical drone delivery trial, demonstrates real‑time emergency response

2025-11-28T05:04:37.212681-08:00

Flying Magazine

U.S. Pledges up to $150M to Zipline to Scale Medical Drone Deliveries to 130 Million in Africa

2025-11-25T09:48:41.372886-08:00

CNBC

FAA opens probe after Amazon Prime Air drone severs internet cable in Waco, Texas

2025-11-25T18:25:44.879897-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

AeroTime

AECC’s AEP20 turboprop targets low-cost replacement for piston engines in light aircraft and drones Aero Engine Corp. of China (AECC) is developing the AEP20, a small turboprop engineered at its Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute in Zhuzhou, to provide a lower-cost alternative to high-performance piston engines for light aircraft and drone applications. The program is drawing strong early domestic interest.

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

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

eVTOL Insights

Vertilink completes New Zealand’s first medical drone delivery trial, demonstrates real‑time emergency response Vertilink Advanced Air Mobility Group completed New Zealand’s first medical drone delivery trial, demonstrating the capability to deliver time‑critical medical supplies and to coordinate a real‑time emergency response. The trial validated operational concepts for drone medical logistics across varied terrain and health system interfaces.

2025-11-28T05:04:37.212681-08:00

Vertilink completes New Zealand’s first medical drone delivery trial, demonstrates real‑time emergency response

Reuters

Netherlands buys 100 early-warning radars to detect drones near airports and air bases The Netherlands has purchased 100 early-warning radars to detect approaching drones near airports and air bases, the Defence Ministry said Thursday. The acquisition follows recent drone sightings near a southern airport and an air force base earlier this month and aims to strengthen local air‑security surveillance.

2025-11-27T10:41:33.448755-08:00

Netherlands buys 100 early-warning radars to detect drones near airports and air bases

Reuters

Anduril drone crashes during Eglin tests, raising DoD reliability concerns A U.S. military aircraft over Eglin AFB released an Anduril-built drone earlier this month; the unmanned vehicle failed to complete its flight and crashed during surveillance testing, prompting fresh questions about the reliability of commercial-origin systems in Department of Defense programs.

2025-11-27T09:28:51.464811-08:00

Anduril drone crashes during Eglin tests, raising DoD reliability concerns

FlightGlobal

UK MoD selects Flyby to supply unmanned 'airborne effectors' for force‑protection autonomy trial The UK Ministry of Defence has selected British developer Flyby Technology to supply multiple unmanned air vehicles for a demonstration testing autonomous "airborne effectors" for force protection. The experiment will evaluate autonomous systems' ability to detect, deter or defeat threats around deployed forces.

2025-11-27T02:02:58.493706-08:00

UK MoD selects Flyby to supply unmanned 'airborne effectors' for force‑protection autonomy trial

Reuters

Moldova summons Russian ambassador after drone incursion into its airspace Moldova summoned Russia's ambassador on Wednesday to protest a recent drone incursion into Moldovan airspace, urging Moscow to take measures to prevent further incidents. The diplomatic complaint highlights growing cross-border unmanned aerial activity that is straining regional security arrangements.

2025-11-26T14:09:21.714802-08:00

Moldova summons Russian ambassador after drone incursion into its airspace

Aviation Week

Taiwan unveils $40 billion supplemental defence package to fund T‑Dome and uncrewed platforms (2026–33) Taiwan announced a $40 billion supplemental defence package for 2026–33 to fund indigenous air‑defence programs, notably the domestically developed T‑Dome missile system, and to expand uncrewed platforms. The package accelerates sovereign missile‑defence and ISR capacity as Taipei manages delayed fighter deliveries and growing regional threats.

2025-11-26T09:16:00.313991-08:00

Taiwan unveils $40 billion supplemental defence package to fund T‑Dome and uncrewed platforms (2026–33)

tectonicdefense.com

Ukrainian‑Led Counter‑Drone Interceptor Startup Thermopylae Raises $1.6M Pre‑Seed Thermopylae, a Ukrainian‑led, California‑based counter‑drone interceptor startup, raised $1.6 million in a pre‑seed round in an exclusive to Tectonic. The funding will accelerate development of its interceptor as militaries, airports and commercial operators seek rapid, scalable counter‑UAS capabilities across conflict zones and critical infrastructure.

2025-11-26T07:06:08.520892-08:00

Ukrainian‑Led Counter‑Drone Interceptor Startup Thermopylae Raises $1.6M Pre‑Seed

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.