UAV Development & Drone Programs News

politico.eu • Seb Starcevic

Vilnius airport temporarily closes after contraband-filled balloons; Lithuania blames Belarus

Vilnius Airport suspended operations late Tuesday after dozens of helium/weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus entered its airspace, prompting closures and flight diversions overnight. Lithuanian leaders publicly blamed Minsk as the disruption — which affected roughly 30 flights — unfolded amid a heightened NATO air‑security alert.

2025-10-22T01:17:12.397970-07:00

The War Zone

Shield AI unveils X-BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

eVTOL Insights

UK CAA publishes ‘Future of Flight’ BVLOS roadmap to unlock long‑distance drone operations

2025-10-21T02:53:47.427448-07:00

Space.com

How Europe can counter drone incursions and cut collision risk to civil aircraft

2025-10-18T06:04:52.877634-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs News Timeline

The War Zone

General Atomics shows MQ-20 Avenger with nose‑mounted laser; signals laser fit across Gambit drone family General Atomics depicted an MQ‑20 Avenger fitted with a nose‑mounted laser and says it is exploring laser armament options across its new Gambit family of autonomous combat aircraft. The imagery and company signalling indicate directed‑energy weapons are being assessed for offensive and self‑protection roles across its UAS portfolio.

2025-10-22T10:34:11.252821-07:00

General Atomics shows MQ-20 Avenger with nose‑mounted laser; signals laser fit across Gambit drone family

AINonline

Airbus Helicopters Adds Aliaca and Capa‑X Survey Copter Lines to Its Tactical UAS Portfolio Airbus Helicopters has added the Aliaca and Capa‑X survey copter lines to its tactical UAS portfolio, broadening its small‑to‑medium rotary‑wing unmanned offerings for survey and ISR applications. The move deepens Airbus's product set as militaries and civil operators seek more versatile, vertical‑takeoff drone solutions.

2025-10-22T02:36:56.297820-07:00

Airbus Helicopters Adds Aliaca and Capa‑X Survey Copter Lines to Its Tactical UAS Portfolio

politico.eu

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Vilnius airport temporarily closes after contraband-filled balloons; Lithuania blames Belarus Vilnius Airport suspended operations late Tuesday after dozens of helium/weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus entered its airspace, prompting closures and flight diversions overnight. Lithuanian leaders publicly blamed Minsk as the disruption — which affected roughly 30 flights — unfolded amid a heightened NATO air‑security alert.

2025-10-22T01:17:12.397970-07:00

Vilnius airport temporarily closes after contraband-filled balloons; Lithuania blames Belarus

FlightGlobal

KAI flight-tests turbojet Adaptable Aerial Platform with autonomous AI pilot Korea Aerospace Industries successfully flight-tested its turbojet-powered Adaptable Aerial Platform with an autonomous AI pilot, demonstrating threat-avoidance and target-engagement capabilities during a guided sortie. The trial validates AI-guided mission autonomy on a high-performance unmanned platform and advances KAI's defence autonomy roadmap.

2025-10-21T21:16:42.363305-07:00

KAI flight-tests turbojet Adaptable Aerial Platform with autonomous AI pilot

Aviation Week

China’s eVTOL Startups Accelerate — Milestones Signal a Potential Global Market Challenge Chinese eVTOL startups are accelerating development and commercialization, driven by domestic supply‑chain strengths and regulatory support, with firms breaking ground on production facilities and staging international demonstrations. These milestones mirror China’s rise in EVs and commercial drones and suggest Beijing‑backed entrants could contest global advanced‑air‑mobility markets.

2025-10-21T15:23:22.600834-07:00

China’s eVTOL Startups Accelerate — Milestones Signal a Potential Global Market Challenge

The War Zone

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Shield AI unveils X-BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations Shield AI unveiled X‑BAT, an AI‑piloted, VTOL 'loyal wingman' unmanned strike jet designed for runway‑free, contested operations. The concept — positioned as a high‑end, long‑range autonomous fighter leveraging Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy — marks the company’s push from software into aircraft development.

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

Shield AI unveils X-BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations

Vertical Mag

Volatus opens Mirabel drone innovation and manufacturing hub to boost Canada’s sovereign NATO‑aligned UAS capacity Volatus Aerospace will open an Innovation Centre and drone manufacturing hub at Mirabel Airport to produce 'made‑in‑Canada' military UAS. The facility aims to expand sovereign, NATO‑aligned drone capacity to directly support the Canadian Armed Forces and allied ISR and mission requirements.

2025-10-21T10:46:45.113662-07:00

Volatus opens Mirabel drone innovation and manufacturing hub to boost Canada’s sovereign NATO‑aligned UAS capacity

FlightGlobal

Kizilelma flies with Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA radar, successfully releases Turkish weapons Baykar's Kizilelma UCAV completed its first flight equipped with Aselsan's MURAD 100‑A AESA radar and successfully trialled release of two Turkish air‑to‑surface weapons. Baykar says the integration elevates the jet‑powered uncrewed system's sensor and strike capability to parity with Turkey's 4.5‑generation fighters.

2025-10-21T09:50:07.491445-07:00

Kizilelma flies with Aselsan MURAD 100‑A AESA radar, successfully releases Turkish weapons

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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.