UAV Development & Drone Programs   ATC   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

FAA and Pentagon clear high-energy counter-drone lasers for national airspace after New Mexico validation near El Paso

The FAA and the Pentagon have agreed that the proper use of the Pentagon-linked high-energy laser anti-drone system is safe for flights, following safety testing in New Mexico. The pact is aimed at preventing additional airspace closures like the one that followed the February El Paso deployment.

Also: Aviation Week, FAA, Stars and Stripes and 9 more
2026-04-10T14:03:07.345645-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   F-16   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

Bahraini F-16 Block 70 Scores Type’s First Air-To-Air Kill

By Aviation Week: Bahraini F-16 Block 70 achieves first air-to-air kill, intercepting Iranian drones amid regional tensions and missile attacks.

2026-04-09T10:22:25.391225-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

French navy orders additional S-100 Camcopter ISR drones for use from frigates

By FlightGlobal: The French navy will equip some of its FREMM-class frigates with Schiebel S-100 Camcopter uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), under a new order placed via prime contractor Naval Group.

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com and defence-blog.com
2026-04-10T07:48:23.956107-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Helicopter   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Certo Aerospace praises Capstone performance in Royal Navy ASW trials

By FlightGlobal: UK uncrewed air system (UAS) developer Certo Aerospace has hailed the performance of its Capstone rotary-wing platform in trials for the Royal Navy (RN) which saw it successfully conduct a simulated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission.

2026-04-10T09:33:09.522870-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Deals   Defense Policy   Boeing  
Defense Daily • Rich Abott

U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $4.76B Contract for PAC-3 MSE Production

By Defense Daily: A day after the Army on April 9 awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.76 billion contract to produce an unspecified number of Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3.

Also: Reuters, Aviation Week, DVIDS / U.S. DoD, Lockheed Martin, Washington Times and 11 more
2026-04-09T14:39:16.098317-07:00