UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
Airbus

France orders six VSR700 naval unmanned rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group; service from 2028

France's DGA has contracted Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group to produce six VSR700 vertical‑takeoff unmanned rotorcraft for the Marine Nationale. Based on the Guimbal Cabri G2, the VSR700 will provide shipborne ISR—radar, EO/IR and AIS—and is due to enter service from 2028.

Also: Reuters, AeroTime, Aviacionline, Janes, Naval News, Economic Times, defence-industry.eu and edrmagazine.eu
2026-01-16T03:09:31.141035-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Helicopter   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Royal Navy’s first full-size autonomous ASW helicopter completes maiden flight

By Reuters: Britain’s Royal Navy said on Friday its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, designed to track submarines and carry out other high-risk missions amid rising North Atlantic tensions, had completed its maiden flight.

Also: Aerospace Testing Intnl, The Aviationist, Sky News, Economic Times, navylookout.com, The Independent, UK Defence Journal and aerospaceglobalnews.com
2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00
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: Times of India and Jerusalem Post
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
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Royal Danish Air Force to retire its final Lockheed Martin F‑16s; farewell event at Skrydstrup on 18 January

By FlightGlobal: The Royal Danish Air Force will stage a farewell event at its Skrydstrup air base on 18 January as the service prepares to conclude operations with the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter.

2026-01-16T00:28:19.886376-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
DefenseNews.com • Stephen Losey

Lockheed delivers record 191 F‑35s after US pause in acceptances, clearing TR‑3 backlog

By DefenseNews.com: The government refused to accept delivery of new F-35s for a year between 2023 and 2024, which led to jets being stockpiled at Lockheed Martin facilities.

Also: AirForceTimes, Navy Times and Military Times
2026-01-15T14:03:14.634027-08:00