UAV Development & Drone Programs   Aerial Firefighting   Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Helicopters move into counter-drone roles as NATO militaries test “agnostic” drone integration

As drone warfare reshapes air defense concepts, the Pentagon is increasingly eyeing helicopters as counter-UAS platforms. Airbus Helicopters is signaling that direction through H160M “agnostic” drone integration for France’s army, expansion of H145M for anti-drone missions, and integrated helicopter–drone teaming for ISR and life-saving wildfire/search-and-rescue operations.

Also: Shephard Media, Aviation Week and Airbus
2026-06-16T13:24:11.122201-07:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Embraer  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Embraer to offer India its own C-390 assembly line as part of bid for new military transport

By FlightGlobal: Embraer, which assembles C-390 tanker-transports in Gavio Peixoto, expects to deliver six aircraft this year and up to 10 jets annually by 2030 Embraer Though a formal tender has not yet been released, the fleet recapitalisation from New Delhi is expected to cover as many as 80 transport aircraft.

2026-06-16T14:17:17.484427-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Congress moves again to block retirement of U-2 spy plane fleet

By Air Data News: The US Congress is once again moving to preserve the US Air Force's fleet of U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, setting up another clash with service leaders who want to retire the Cold War-era spy plane.

2026-06-16T09:44:21.780860-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Safran   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

UAE’s EDGE takes first steps towards European prime status

By FlightGlobal: New factories and Paris headquarters will deliver sovereign capability, state-owned group argues. UAE state-owned defence group EDGE will by the next June have opened two new production sites in France as part of a recently announced European investment strategy.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-06-16T09:19:21.523021-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

MARSS targets C-UAS market with new Interceptor weapon

By FlightGlobal: Titanium-reinforced Interceptor-MR will be ready for deployment in 2027. Counter-unmanned air systems (C-UAS) provider MARSS will next year begin serial production of its new drone interceptor as it enters the final stages of development testing.

2026-06-16T07:32:55.309478-07:00