Italian defense manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. and Turkish aerospace company Baykar have successfully demonstrated the ability of a crewed fighter trainer to assume full in-flight control of an autonomous combat drone during live trials in Çorlu, Türkiye.

Announced in a press release on June 22, 2026, the May 2026 flight tests mark the completion of the first phase of the K-SWARM programme. The initiative focuses on advancing Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (CUC-T) capabilities, a framework designed to integrate piloted aircraft with autonomous systems to reduce pilot workload and enhance mission efficiency through secure data exchange.

Flight test execution and autonomous capabilities

The live trials involved a company-owned Leonardo M-346 Fighter Attack (M-346FA) jet, an Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) T-346A acting as a chase aircraft, and a single Bayraktar KIZILELMA Uncrewed Fighter Aircraft. According to reporting by The War Zone, the KIZILELMA completed its taxi and takeoff phases autonomously before joining the M-346FA in formation.

Once the aircraft were integrated into formation, the two-person crew aboard the M-346FA utilized a newly developed avionics suite to take full control of the uncrewed KIZILELMA. The drone then executed a series of maneuvers, position changes, separations, and rejoins based on commands issued directly by the M-346FA pilots.

These maneuvers were facilitated by “Smart Fleet Autonomy” algorithms developed at Baykar’s Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Laboratory. The system translates pilot commands into autonomous flight actions, allowing the uncrewed asset to operate as a loyal wingman without requiring continuous manual piloting from the crewed aircraft.

Strategic implications for future combat air systems

The successful integration of the M-346FA and the KIZILELMA builds upon previous autonomous flight milestones. In December 2025, Baykar demonstrated two KIZILELMA drones performing an autonomous close formation flight, as reported by Aviation International News. The K-SWARM trials represent the next step, bridging the gap between fully autonomous drone operations and crewed tactical control.

In its June 22, 2026, press release, Leonardo emphasized the strategic necessity of this technology for future military operations.

“Today’s design of Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (CUC-T) is one of the fundamental strands for the transformation of military aircraft and security tools in all domains,” the company stated. “The programme is aimed at designing and developing interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the K-SWARM trials as a critical validation of interoperability between distinct national defense industrial bases. By successfully linking an Italian-built trainer-turned-light-fighter with a Turkish-built advanced combat drone, Leonardo and Baykar are demonstrating that CUC-T architectures do not require a single original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to function effectively.

The choice of the M-346FA as the command node is also notable. As air forces globally look to field mass through uncrewed systems, utilizing advanced trainers or light combat aircraft as command-and-control hubs could offer a cost-effective alternative to dedicating fifth-generation fighters to the loyal wingman control role. The integration of Baykar’s autonomy algorithms with Leonardo’s avionics and cyber-defense systems suggests a modular approach to future combat air system development that could appeal to export markets looking for accessible CUC-T capabilities.

Sources: Leonardo S.p.A.

Rocket Lab Corporation established a new global benchmark for tactically responsive space access by launching a U.S. Space Force mission just 16 hours and 42 minutes after receiving the deployment order. The VICTUS HAZE mission, officially announced by the Space Systems Command on June 22, 2026, utilized an Electron rocket to place the Pioneer spacecraft into orbit for dynamic threat-response operations.

The mission demonstrates the military’s evolving capability to rapidly deploy assets in response to on-orbit threats. Rocket Lab’s Pioneer spacecraft is tasked with conducting Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) with a pre-positioned satellite operated by True Anomaly, testing the limits of rapid orbital interception and Space Domain Awareness.

Shattering the responsive launch record

According to a company press release, the U.S. Space Force issued the official Notice to Launch at 17:35 UTC on June 18, 2026. The Electron launch vehicle lifted off from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 10:19 UTC on June 19. This turnaround time broke the previous 27-hour record set by the VICTUS NOX mission in 2023.

Following orbital insertion, Rocket Lab fully commissioned the Pioneer spacecraft and prepared it for its first orbital maneuver in 37 hours and 36 minutes. This rapid commissioning phase beat the Space Force’s 72-hour deadline by a wide margin. Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck stated in the release that the company’s integrated launch and spacecraft capability is transformative for responsive space operations.

Orbital rendezvous and mission context

The primary objective of the VICTUS HAZE mission involves complex on-orbit maneuvers with True Anomaly’s Jackal spacecraft. The Jackal satellite was previously launched into orbit on May 3, 2026, aboard a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rideshare mission. True Anomaly originally planned to launch the Jackal spacecraft on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket. Following anomalies that grounded the Alpha vehicle in 2025, True Anomaly pivoted to the SpaceX rideshare to maintain the mission schedule.

True Anomaly co-founder and CEO Even Rogers noted in a company statement that the deployment of adversary platforms in orbit drives the operational need to perform space superiority missions within hours of tasking. Space Safari system program manager Lt. Col. Lincoln Miller added that the mission culminates the “crawl, walk, run” phase of on-orbit demonstrations for the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program.

AirPro News analysis

We view the VICTUS HAZE mission as a critical validation of the end-to-end prime contractor model for military space operations. By designing, building, launching, and operating the Pioneer spacecraft under a $32 million contract, Rocket Lab demonstrated that vertical integration can eliminate the logistical bottlenecks typically associated with multi-vendor satellite deployments. The successful execution of this mission signals a definitive shift in U.S. Space Force procurement strategy, moving away from reliance on vulnerable legacy platforms toward agile, rapidly replaceable orbital assets.

Sources: Rocket Lab

Embraer and its Portuguese subsidiary OGMA have successfully completed the first scheduled 24-month maintenance check on a C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft operated by the Hungarian Air Force. The milestone, announced on June 23, 2026, marks the initial execution phase of a comprehensive service agreement signed earlier this year to support the European operator’s fleet.

In a press release issued Tuesday, Embraer confirmed the maintenance activities took place at OGMA’s facilities in Alverca, Portugal. The completion demonstrates the manufacturer’s localized support ecosystem for European operators of the multi-mission aircraft. Hungary currently operates two C-390 Millennium jets, having received its fully contracted fleet by late 2025.

Operational readiness and localized support

The recent maintenance event represents the practical application of a dedicated service agreement finalized between Embraer and the Hungarian Air Force on February 4, 2026. The contract leverages Embraer’s European footprint to provide ongoing logistical, technical, and maintenance support for the tactical airlift fleet.

Douglas Lobo, Vice President of Customer Support and Aftermarket Sales for Embraer Services and Support, highlighted the strategic importance of the European maintenance hub.

This maintenance event for the Hungarian Air Force’s C-390 Millennium is a significant step in strengthening our support capabilities in Europe. Working together with OGMA, we delivered a robust and efficient service that supports operational readiness and long-term customer satisfaction.

The Hungarian Air Force expressed satisfaction with the process. Brigadier General Tamás Bali PhD, Commander of the Hungarian Air Force, stated in the release that the close collaboration between the military branch, OGMA, and Embraer ensured a well-coordinated process, citing the high level of technical expertise demonstrated by the maintenance teams.

Fleet performance and specialized capabilities

Hungary became the second NATO operator of the C-390 Millennium and the first nation globally to receive all of its contracted aircraft for the type. Embraer delivered the first airframe on September 5, 2024, followed by the second on November 21, 2025.

According to reporting by AeroMorning, the first Hungarian C-390 has achieved a 99 percent mission completion rate since entering active service. The publication also noted that the Hungarian fleet is uniquely equipped with a modular roll-on/roll-off medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), allowing the aircraft to conduct specialized medical evacuation and humanitarian missions alongside standard cargo and troop transport profiles.

AirPro News analysis

The successful completion of this 24-month check at OGMA is a critical proof of concept for Embraer’s European support strategy. As the Brazilian manufacturer secures additional C-390 orders from NATO members like the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic, demonstrating a mature, localized maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network is essential. Relying on OGMA in Portugal prevents European operators from needing to send aircraft back to Brazil for heavy maintenance, reducing downtime and logistical friction. We view this milestone as a key selling point Embraer will likely leverage in ongoing European airlift procurement campaigns.

Sources: Embraer