UAV Development & Drone Programs News

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Australia commits $1.4bn to operationalise MQ-28A Ghost Bat after live AIM-120 air-to-air firing

The Australian government will invest $1.4 billion to transition Boeing's MQ-28A Ghost Bat into an operational collaborative combat asset after an MQ-28 successfully fired an AIM-120 AMRAAM in a live air-to-air engagement; Canberra has ordered six additional Ghost Bats as the program advances.

2025-12-09T09:11:29.894413-08:00

AeroTime

DJI FlyCart 100: LiDAR‑equipped delivery drone with 100‑kg payload and parachute recovery

2025-12-04T18:03:53.652650-08:00

politico.eu

EU to monitor drug traffickers from space and drones under new five‑year strategy

2025-12-04T06:24:44.198743-08:00

Aviation Week

Archer inks exclusive deal with Karem to integrate military‑grade tiltrotor tech into next‑gen dual‑use VTOL

2025-12-02T10:53:08.137819-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

FlightGlobal

AV and Parry Labs win $13.2M OTA to supply P550 UAS to U.S. Army AV, with partner Parry Labs, has been awarded a three‑year Other Transaction Agreement from the U.S. Army with an initial base value of $13.2 million to supply P550 unmanned aircraft systems; additional contract options could grow the award and accelerate fielding of the platform.

2025-12-09T12:28:06.642965-08:00

AV and Parry Labs win $13.2M OTA to supply P550 UAS to U.S. Army

FlightGlobal

Anduril and GKN Aerospace sign exclusive teaming deal to build 'loyal wingman' ACP airframe for British Army Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace have signed an exclusive teaming agreement to design and manufacture an Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) demonstrator airframe on the Isle of Wight, bidding to supply 'loyal wingman' drones for the British Army's Project NYX to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters.

2025-12-09T10:33:05.532023-08:00

Anduril and GKN Aerospace sign exclusive teaming deal to build 'loyal wingman' ACP airframe for British Army

The War Zone

❗️

Australia commits $1.4bn to operationalise MQ-28A Ghost Bat after live AIM-120 air-to-air firing The Australian government will invest $1.4 billion to transition Boeing's MQ-28A Ghost Bat into an operational collaborative combat asset after an MQ-28 successfully fired an AIM-120 AMRAAM in a live air-to-air engagement; Canberra has ordered six additional Ghost Bats as the program advances.

2025-12-09T09:11:29.894413-08:00

Australia commits $1.4bn to operationalise MQ-28A Ghost Bat after live AIM-120 air-to-air firing

insidedefense.com

NDAA forces plan for post‑E‑6B airborne command post, bars A‑10/F‑15E retirements and limits Gray Eagle divestments The fiscal 2026 NDAA compromise directs the Pentagon to outline options for an Airborne Command Post to replace the Navy's E‑6B "Looking Glass" — including a C‑130 study — raises topline funding above the President’s request, blocks planned A‑10 and F‑15E retirements and restricts Army Gray Eagle divestments and certain brigade deactivations.

2025-12-08T11:07:22.844550-08:00

NDAA forces plan for post‑E‑6B airborne command post, bars A‑10/F‑15E retirements and limits Gray Eagle divestments

smh.com.au

Australia to buy six MQ-28A Ghost Bat combat drones in A$1 billion production deal after missile test Australia will sign an A$1 billion (US$663m) contract with Boeing Australia to move the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into production, buying an initial six collaborative combat drones. The deal follows tests in which a Ghost Bat-launched air-to-air missile successfully engaged an aerial target, clearing a key weapons-integration hurdle.

2025-12-08T03:37:55.137439-08:00

Australia to buy six MQ-28A Ghost Bat combat drones in A$1 billion production deal after missile test

defenseandmunitions.com

GE Aerospace to develop propulsion for Shield AI's X‑BAT AI‑piloted VTOL fighter GE Aerospace will develop the propulsion system for Shield AI's X‑BAT, an AI‑piloted vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL) fighter designed for contested and austere environments. The partnership pairs a major propulsion OEM with an autonomy specialist as X‑BAT moves toward flight demonstrators.

2025-12-07T23:26:49.242901-08:00

GE Aerospace to develop propulsion for Shield AI's X‑BAT AI‑piloted VTOL fighter

uasvision.com

General Atomics showcases YFQ-42A CCA at Dubai Airshow amid growing Middle East interest General Atomics displayed its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft at the Dubai Airshow and is conducting a Middle East tour to capitalise on regional demand, company president David Alexander told TWZ in Dubai. The outreach aims to build on pronounced Gulf interest in CCAs.

2025-12-07T23:07:01.111174-08:00

General Atomics showcases YFQ-42A CCA at Dubai Airshow amid growing Middle East interest

odessa-journal.com

Ukrainian defence‑tech startups pull in $105M from foreign investors in 2025 Over 50 Ukrainian defence‑tech startups raised $105 million from foreign investors in 2025, with the largest shares directed to firms focused on artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems and autonomous technologies. The inflow represents a concentrated wave of external capital into Ukraine’s defence‑tech sector this year.

2025-12-07T19:43:26.921493-08:00

Ukrainian defence‑tech startups pull in $105M from foreign investors in 2025

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.