Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Engines

U.S. Air Force Backs Wright's Work On Rechargeable Thermal Batteries

New batteries could be used for multi-role military uncrewed air vehicles
Wright Electric's rotor for its 2.5 MW electric motor
Engines

Moya Switches to Hybrid-Electric Propulsion For Autonomous eVTOL Aircraft

The vehicle is intended for applications such as cargo deliveries and crop spraying
Moya Aero's autonomous eVTOL aircraft
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Odys Taps Honeywell for UAS Ground Control Stations in Oman

Honeywell ground control stations enable BVLOS operations
Odys evtol
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Heavy and Light Remote Carriers on Show

Airbus and Diehl Defence show mockups of remote carrier designs at Farnborough
Airbus Wingman and Diehl Defence Feanix
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Boeing and Ukraine’s Antonov Collaborate on Defense

Antonov and Boeing collaboration could support Ukraine's UAVs
Boeing Signs MoU with Ukraine’s Antonov for UAV Support
Aircraft

United Airlines Selects Honeywell Cockpit Tech for 737 Max Fleet

Honeywell will provide a range of avionics for United's 737 Max fleet
Honeywell Aerospace
Engines

GE and Kratos Pursue Affordable Small Turbofans

The partners look to capture a share of the burgeoning market for “affordable mass” engines
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions president and CEO Eric DeMarco and GE Aerospace Defense and Systems president and CEO Amy Gowder
Aircraft

Embraer Debuts E-Freighter at Farnborough

The E190F performed its maiden flight earlier this year
Embraer E190F freighter
Aircraft

New NATO Member Sweden Lifts Lid on Future Fighter Studies

The Scandinavian state could buy into the multinational GCAP or FCAS programs, or could develop its own fighter system
Sweden's Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg program
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Joby Aviation Acquires Autonomous Flight Pioneer Xwing

Joby’s eVTOL air taxis could fly without pilots someday
Two of Joby’s prototype electric air taxi aircraft at the company’s flight test and manufacturing facilities in Marina, California.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

U.S. Marines Will Evaluate Elroy's Autonomous Resupply Drone

The Chaparral aircraft heads to the Arizona desert in July
Elroy Air Chaparral C1 prototype is pictured during a flight test at dawn
Training and Workforce

Loft Dynamics Prepares eVTOL Flight Simulator With Dufour

Dufour prepares to start flight testing with smaller Aero2 utility drone
Dufour Aero3 eVTOL aircraft
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Textron eAviation Acquires German Engineering Firm

Munich-based Amazilia Aerospace specializes in automated flight tech
Textron eAviation's Nuuva V300 cargo eVTOL
Aircraft

Textron eAviation's Nexus eVTOL Aircraft Could Fly in 2025

The company's Nuuva cargo drone is approaching its first flights, too
Textron eAviation's Nexus eVTOL aircraft
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

MightyFly Flies Autonomous Freighter in FAA-approved Corridor

The 100-pound-payload Cento is expected to have a range of up to around 522 nm
MightyFly Cento autonomous eVTOL freight aircraft
Avionics

Leasing Group Orders Reliable Robotics Flight Automation System

The customer wants to convert 30 Cessna Caravans for cargo flights
Reliable Robotics' Cessna Caravan test aircraft
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Mayman Unveils Razor Air Utility Vehicles for Military Roles

The new family builds on the company's earlier Speeder design
Mayman Aerospace Razor air utility vehicles
Avionics

MIT and Merlin To Integrate Collision Avoidance Technology

The partners are pursuing new uncrewed aircraft applications for the FAA-funded system
Merlin Pilot flight automation technology
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Robinson Helicopter Acquires UAV Maker Ascent AeroSystems

Ascent's production will now migrate across the country to Robinson's California factory
Robinson Helicopter's manufacturing facility in Torrance, California
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

International Skies Open Wider with ICAO's Latest Drone Regulations

The framework policy includes provisions for remote pilot licenses
ICAO's Council has agreed a framework policy covering operations of autonomous aircraft like MightyFly's Cento uncrewed cargo aircraft.
Regulations and Government

UK Government Issues Action Plan for eVTOL and UAS Operations

Strategy document published as the country awaits a general election this year
Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL aircraft
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Reliable Robotics Gains Fresh Funding for Autonomous Flight Tech

NASA and the U.S. Air Force invest in autonomy
Reliable Robotics' Cessna 208 Caravan flying over clouds
Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Aviation Extends MRO Support to Cargo Drones

Dallas satellite shop performs scheduled and unscheduled work on UAVs
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Sikorsky HEX Takes Shape

Sikorsky plans to fly the HEX aircraft in 2026
Sikorski HEX
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Latest Elbit Hermes UAV Sparks to Life

Hermes 650 multirole UAV boasts a 24-hour endurance
Hermes 650 Spark
Security

High Point Launches Singapore Subsidiary

High Point expands Southeast Asia reach with new office in Singapore
High Point Aerotechnologies counter-drone system
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Airbus Grows UAS Portfolio with Aerovel Acquisition

Aerovel produces the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system
Aerovel's Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system
Avionics

Exploring Advances in Autonomous Flight Technology

How automating aircraft is changing the aviation industry
Rotor Technologies Robinson R22 with autonomous flight controls
Security

Amid Conflict, Israel Projects Minimal Presence at Dubai

IAI, Rafael and Elbit built exhibits but few representatives appeared
Israel Aerospace Industries at Dubai Airshow
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

General Atomics Teams with Edge for SkyGuardian Weapons

Included in the agreement are the UAE's Al Tariq family of PGMs
Al Tariq family of modular precision weapons