UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Helicopter   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Proteus completes maiden flight — UK’s first autonomous full‑size helicopter advances Royal Navy hybrid air wing

Leonardo's Proteus autonomous rotorcraft demonstrator completed its maiden flight in Cornwall, marking the UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter and a milestone for the Royal Navy's hybrid air wing effort. The AW09‑based demonstrator will underpin trials integrating crewed and uncrewed naval aviation.

Also: FlightGlobal, Aviation Week, Aerospace Testing Intnl, The Aviationist, Business Insider, CNN, defence-industry.eu, Sky News, Economic Times, navylookout.com, The Independent, UK Defence Journal and 4 more
2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Grid Aero’s Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft makes runway appearance alongside C-130

By FlightGlobal: California-based start-up Grid Aero has begun ground testing its Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft, less than a year after publicly unveiling the twin-engined turboprop design intended as a companion to the Lockheed Martin C-130 transport.

2026-01-16T09:28:19.453513-08:00
Israel   Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Israeli UH‑60 Black Hawk Crashes During CH‑53 Recovery Lift in Gush Etzion

By AeroTime: An IAF UH-60 Black Hawk crashed after detaching during an airlift recovery in Gush Etzion, according to the IDF.

Also: airlive.net, Times of India, Jerusalem Post and newsable.asianetnews.com
2026-01-16T04:11:25.247372-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Vertical Mag • Mark Huber

U.S. Army eyes purchase of up to one million drones as it pivots to uncrewed operations

By Vertical Mag: Late last year, senior Army officials announced intent to purchase up to one million drones over the next two to three years — a dramatic increase from the 50,000 it currently purchases annually.

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