UAVs and Drones: Latest News and Analysis
Uncrewed aircraft now span everything from a two-kilogram inspection drone to a jet-powered combat aircraft flying alongside crewed fighters.
AirPro News covers the industrial side of that spectrum: the manufacturers, the military and commercial programmes, the regulators writing beyond-visual-line-of-sight and airspace-integration rules, and the operators building services on top. This page gathers every AirPro News story on UAVs and drones, newest first.
What we watch
- Military programmes. Collaborative combat aircraft and loyal-wingman projects, medium-altitude long-endurance systems such as the MQ-9B and Eurodrone, naval drones, and the procurement decisions and deliveries behind them. We cover the aircraft and the industry, not their use in conflict.
- Regulation. FAA rules for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, EASA’s U-space framework, remote ID, and the certification of larger uncrewed aircraft for cargo and passenger roles.
- Commercial operations. Drone delivery, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, public safety and the airspace-management systems that let them scale.
- Manufacturers and funding. The established defence primes, the drone start-ups raising capital, and the consolidation between them.
- Autonomy. The software, sensors and detect-and-avoid systems that move aircraft from remotely piloted to autonomous, and the test flights that prove them.
Latest UAV and drone coverage
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Boeing Wins $552M Navy Contract for MQ-25A Stingray Production
The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing up to $552M to begin low-rate initial production of the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tanker.
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Airbus Delivers First NH90 Standard 2 to France
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to France on July 30, 2026, launching an 18-aircraft order for special forces.
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US Air Force Names FQ-42A Vengeance and FQ-44A Fury CCAs
The U.S. Air Force officially designated its first two CCAs, targeting 500 platforms in service by 2032 out of a 1,000-unit buy.
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EDGE Group Delivers Six HT-100 NAVAL Drones to Angolan Navy
EDGE Group completes delivery of six ANAVIA HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters to Angola under a EUR 1 billion naval modernization program.
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Robinson Unmanned R44 AIRTRUCK Demos Offshore Cargo Ops
Robinson Unmanned completed R44 AIRTRUCK demo flights in Louisiana, validating heavy-lift uncrewed cargo ops for offshore energy logistics.
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Italian Air Force Orders Two More MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers
Italy orders two MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper drones under a $738M FMS deal, with deliveries scheduled for late 2027.
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France Orders Four Airbus U050 Capa-X Drone Systems
France’s DMAé orders four Airbus U050 Capa-X UAS for the French Navy and Army, with deliveries scheduled for 2027.
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Canada Awards Volatus Aerospace C$25M Tactical ISR Drone Contract
Canada awarded Volatus Aerospace a 5-year, C$25M contract for up to 5,000 tactical ISR UAS under the Defence Drone Initiative.
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JAL and Donecle Launch Autonomous Drone Aircraft Inspections
Japan Airlines and Donecle begin autonomous drone exterior inspections using manufacturer-approved technology in a Japan-first MRO initiative.
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Hermeus Selects Anduril Lattice for Quarterhorse Mk 2
Hermeus partners with Anduril to integrate Lattice autonomy software into the Mach 3 Quarterhorse Mk 2, targeting autonomous flight in 2027.
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NAVAIR Issues RFI for Carrier-Based Autonomous Combat Drone
NAVAIR seeks industry proposals for a carrier-capable autonomous combat drone with a 24-month first flight requirement and $30M unit cost goal.
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FAA Completes First Remotely Piloted eVTOL Cargo Flight
FAA, Elroy Air, and Louisiana complete first remotely piloted hybrid-electric cargo demo under the eIPP on Aug 31, 2026.
Related topics
UAV & Drones category · eVTOL & AAM · Automation · AI · Military aircraft · FAA · Startups
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