UAV Development & Drone Programs   Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Grid Aero's Lifter Lite begins ground testing as runway-capable uncrewed turboprop cargo companion to C-130

California-based startup Grid Aero has begun ground testing its Lifter Lite, a twin-engined uncrewed turboprop cargo aircraft, less than a year after its public unveiling. The aircraft made a runway appearance alongside a Lockheed Martin C‑130 as a proposed companion for medium-to-heavy tactical and logistics missions.

2026-01-16T09:28:19.453513-08:00
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: 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, aerospaceglobalnews.com and militarnyi.com
2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00
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