The Swiss Government is to buy 28 unmanned aerial vehicles from Oerlikon Contraves in a deal worth SFr 280 million ($240 million). Delivery is due in 1998/9. They will be used for reconnaissance and artillery fire control, and are part of a recently approved arms-procurement programme.
Source: Flight International
EHang’s EH216-S autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) has completed its first test flight using solid-state lithium batteries.
Chinese aerospace firm Air White Whale has assembled its first unmanned cargo aircraft – also the world’s largest – as it works towards eventual certification and delivery in 2026.
UK regulators have set out the steps needed to open the country’s airspace for widespread operation of uncrewed air systems (UAS) by 2027 to “maximise [their] economic and social benefits”.
