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Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Army again misses deadline to field first U.S. hypersonic weapon

The U.S. Army has missed a self‑imposed deadline to field its first hypersonic weapon, marking another schedule slip for a top Pentagon modernization priority. The delay underscores persistent program‑management and integration challenges as U.S. services race to develop and deploy Mach‑5+ strike capabilities.

2026-01-17T07:57:27.128869-08:00

Reuters

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Airbus

France awards Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group contract for six VSR700 naval UAS

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

AeroTime

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion

2026-01-16T04:11:25.247372-08:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

Army again misses deadline to field first U.S. hypersonic weapon The U.S. Army has missed a self‑imposed deadline to field its first hypersonic weapon, marking another schedule slip for a top Pentagon modernization priority. The delay underscores persistent program‑management and integration challenges as U.S. services race to develop and deploy Mach‑5+ strike capabilities.

2026-01-17T07:57:27.128869-08:00

Army again misses deadline to field first U.S. hypersonic weapon

AeroTime

Czech president signals possible transfer of L-159 jets to Ukraine for drone interception Czech President Petr Pavel said the Czech Republic can soon supply Ukraine with combat aircraft to intercept hostile drones, naming the Aero L‑159 light-attack jet as the most likely candidate. The move would add a manned kinetic option to Kyiv’s defences against persistent UAS threats.

2026-01-16T07:15:44.008068-08:00

Czech president signals possible transfer of L-159 jets to Ukraine for drone interception

Air Data News

Hungary assembles first of four additional Saab JAS 39C Gripens Hungary's first of four additional Saab JAS 39C Gripen fighters — from a 2024 order for four C‑model jets — has been completed and publicly photographed by the Hungarian embassy in Stockholm. Saab has assembled the airframe as the Hungarian Air Force awaits delivery of the remaining three.

2026-01-16T04:19:14.846977-08:00

Hungary assembles first of four additional Saab JAS 39C Gripens

AeroTime

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion An Israeli Air Force UH-60 Yanshuf (Black Hawk) was destroyed after its sling‑harness detached while being airlifted by a CH‑53 Yasur during a recovery operation near Gush Etzion in the West Bank. Video shows the disabled helicopter falling from the tow after an earlier precautionary emergency landing.

2026-01-16T04:11:25.247372-08:00

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion

Reuters

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Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter Leonardo's Proteus autonomous helicopter completed its maiden flight in Cornwall, the UK’s first full‑size crewless rotorcraft developed for the Royal Navy. The AW09‑based demonstrator advances the Royal Navy’s hybrid air wing and supports plans to mature Proteus concepts for 700X trials and carrier experimentation.

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

Airbus

❗️

France awards Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group contract for six VSR700 naval UAS France's DGA has contracted Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group to produce six VSR700 uncrewed rotorcraft, a Guimbal Cabri G2–based maritime UAS. The systems — fitted with radar, EO/IR and AIS sensors — will be operated by the French Navy from 2028 to boost frigate situational awareness.

2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00

France awards Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group contract for six VSR700 naval UAS

Vertical Mag

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years Senior U.S. Army officials announced late last year plans to buy up to one million drones over the next two to three years as the service pivots toward uncrewed operations. The figure is a dramatic increase from the roughly 50,000 drones the Army currently purchases annually.

2026-01-16T02:53:42.744802-08:00

U.S. Army plans to buy up to 1 million drones over 2–3 years

DefenseNews.com

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads The Marine Corps wants to increase its rapid prototyping fund by nearly six times in 2023 to accelerate trials of partner unmanned systems and new payloads for MQ‑9 Reaper aircraft. The effort is aimed at fast‑tracking integration, evaluating subordinate UAS concepts and fielding capabilities more quickly.

2026-01-16T01:51:55.035041-08:00

USMC seeks near‑sixfold prototyping boost to test partner drones and MQ-9 payloads

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Army again misses deadline to field first U.S. hypersonic weapon

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

France awards Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group contract for six VSR700 naval UAS

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion

News Timeline