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

Airbus Helicopters targets counter-UAS roles for H160M and H145M as militaries pivot to integrated manned–uncrewed rotorcraft

The Pentagon is increasingly turning to helicopters to meet the scale and cost advantages of drone warfare, pushing new counter-UAS mission concepts. Airbus Helicopters’ H160M “agnostic” drone integration (targeted first delivery in late 2028) and H145M’s expanded anti-drone focus highlight how Western rotorcraft fleets are being re-architected for integrated manned–uncrewed operations, including teaming models for missions such as wildfire response and search-and-rescue.

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  
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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