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Reuters • Andrew Osborn

Russia fires nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Lviv near Polish border

Russia launched a nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile at the Lviv region in western Ukraine, close to the NATO border with Poland, marking the weapon's second known use in the nearly four-year war. Kyiv and European allies say the strike, timed amid sensitive peace talks, was intended to intimidate.

2026-01-08T23:02:31.746901-08:00

eVTOL Insights

Elroy Air and Barq Group to invest $200M in Middle East factory for Chaparral VTOL UAS

2026-01-09T01:50:11.213955-08:00

Aviation Today

USAF assigns YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon

2026-01-08T14:03:29.211057-08:00

The War Zone

NORAD Canada commander warns of rising drone threat, urges new satellites and airborne radar jets

2026-01-08T12:08:16.431172-08:00

News Timeline

eVTOL Insights

Elroy Air and Barq Group to invest $200M in Middle East factory for Chaparral VTOL UAS Elroy Air and Barq Group have agreed an initial joint venture to invest $200 million to establish a Middle East manufacturing facility to build the Chaparral VTOL unmanned cargo aircraft. The deal aims to localize production capacity and accelerate regional deployment of Elroy's autonomous logistics UAS.

2026-01-09T01:50:11.213955-08:00

Elroy Air and Barq Group to invest $200M in Middle East factory for Chaparral VTOL UAS

Reuters

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Russia fires nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Lviv near Polish border Russia launched a nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile at the Lviv region in western Ukraine, close to the NATO border with Poland, marking the weapon's second known use in the nearly four-year war. Kyiv and European allies say the strike, timed amid sensitive peace talks, was intended to intimidate.

2026-01-08T23:02:31.746901-08:00

Russia fires nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Lviv near Polish border

Aviation Today

USAF assigns YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon The U.S. Air Force on Dec. 22 assigned the designation YFQ-48A to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, formally naming the Talon series prototype as a drone contender in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. The designation identifies Talon as an official prototype entry in the CCA competition.

2026-01-08T14:03:29.211057-08:00

USAF assigns YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon

Aviation Week

U.S. eases ban on foreign-made UAS with targeted exemptions The Trump administration announced exemptions to a U.S. ban on foreign-made uncrewed aircraft systems, permitting specific non‑U.S. drones to be procured or operated under defined conditions. The move loosens prior restrictions and has immediate implications for procurement, supply chains and operational availability across civil and defense users.

2026-01-08T13:41:54.818469-08:00

U.S. eases ban on foreign-made UAS with targeted exemptions

Flying Magazine

FCC narrows foreign-drone ban to exempt Pentagon 'Blue List' systems — DJI remains excluded The Federal Communications Commission has narrowed its foreign-drone restrictions by exempting unmanned aircraft and critical components that appear on the Pentagon's Blue List, allowing those systems to retain or regain approval. The FCC did not extend that relief to DJI, which remains blocked under the broader ban.

2026-01-08T12:18:45.411054-08:00

FCC narrows foreign-drone ban to exempt Pentagon 'Blue List' systems — DJI remains excluded

The War Zone

NORAD Canada commander warns of rising drone threat, urges new satellites and airborne radar jets Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna, commander of NORAD Canada, warned that proliferating drones pose a rising threat to North American airspace and urged urgent investment in new surveillance satellites and airborne radar‑equipped jets to close detection gaps and strengthen response and attribution.

2026-01-08T12:08:16.431172-08:00

NORAD Canada commander warns of rising drone threat, urges new satellites and airborne radar jets

Breaking Defense

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Northrop Grumman to missionize Kratos XQ‑58 Valkyrie for USMC, supplying Prism autonomy and bespoke sensors The U.S. Marine Corps has contracted Northrop Grumman and Kratos to develop a missionized version of Kratos' XQ‑58 Valkyrie under the MUX/TACAIR effort. Northrop will supply its Prism autonomy software and a bespoke sensor/technology package for the service's loyal‑wingman uncrewed combat aircraft.

2026-01-08T06:09:17.995465-08:00

Northrop Grumman to missionize Kratos XQ‑58 Valkyrie for USMC, supplying Prism autonomy and bespoke sensors

Vertical Mag

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Wingcopter, ITOCHU sign MOU to deploy 198 Wingcopter 198 drones in Japan for LiDAR surveying and disaster‑management mapping Wingcopter’s authorized partner in Japan, ITOCHU Corporation, has signed an MOU with PASCO and YellowScan Japan to deploy 198 Wingcopter 198 long‑range drones for LiDAR aerial surveying and disaster‑management mapping, initially targeting large‑area terrain surveys and post‑disaster mapping operations.

2026-01-07T06:19:33.234804-08:00

Wingcopter, ITOCHU sign MOU to deploy 198 Wingcopter 198 drones in Japan for LiDAR surveying and disaster‑management mapping

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UAV Development & Drone Programs News

Russia fires nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Lviv near Polish border

Elroy Air and Barq Group to invest $200M in Middle East factory for Chaparral VTOL UAS

USAF assigns YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon

NORAD Canada commander warns of rising drone threat, urges new satellites and airborne radar jets

News Timeline