UK axes elderly RAF helicopters and Watchkeeper UAVs to cut costs
The UK has confirmed the early retirement of 17 Puma HC2 helicopters, 14 of its older Boeing CH-47 Chinooks and the Watchkeeper uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) in a bid to slash costs.
Baykar TB3 demonstrates carrier take-off and landing
A Baykar TB3 unmanned air vehicle has successfully taken off from and landed on Turkey’s sole aircraft carrier.
China unveils new ‘swarm carrier’ UAV at Zhuhai air show
The Jetank heavy uncrewed aerial vehicle, produced by Chinese state aerospace corporation AVIC, can carry a full load of conventional armaments or be used to deploy so-called swarms of smaller drones.
Airbus launches final assembly work on unmanned SIRTAP prototype
Airbus Defence & Space expects to complete final assembly work early next year on a first prototype SIRTAP unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for the Spanish military.
South Korea launches short take-off Gray Eagle UAV from amphibious assault ship
In a first of its kind flight, a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Gray Eagle short take-off and landing uncrewed aircraft has launched from a South Korean amphibious assault ship, the equivalent of a light aircraft carrier
US Navy completes first test flight using carrier-based uncrewed control station
As part of the evaluation, the navy controlled a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed aerial vehicle using the Lockheed Martin control station that will be installed in the service’s fleet of aircraft carriers.
Boeing and US Navy simulate MQ-25 carrier recovery using F-35 automated landing system
To land aboard US Navy aircraft carriers, Boeing’s unmanned MQ-25 Stingray tanker jet will make use of the Joint Precision Approach Landing System – a technology originally deployed to autonomously land Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters.
GA-ASI, BAE Systems demonstrate EW capabilities aboard MQ-20
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and BAE Systems have teamed up to demonstrate new electronic warfare (EW) capabilities via a datalink using the MQ-20 Avenger unmanned air vehicle.
Think tank outlines command and control requirements for CCAs
The Center for Strategic and International Studies has outlined the importance of the correct command and control (C2) balance for collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) in combat scenarios.
F-35s team with uncrewed jet in latest USMC exercises
The US Marine Corps successfully teamed an XQ-58 Valkyrie autonomous jet with four F-35Bs, with the uncrewed Valkyrie providing forward threat targeting data to the flight of stealth fighters.