Tag: Aeronautics

Leonardo’s Proteus Naval Autonomous Helicopter Makes First Flight

Aviation International News reports, “Leonardo has made the first flight of what it described as the UK’s ‘first autonomous full-size helicopter,’ the ‘Proteus’ technology demonstrator. The milestone was reported on January 16 by the Royal Navy, which is working with the Italy-based aerospace and defense group on the project.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)

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Viral Vantage Vista; YouTube

Advanced Autonomy Critical for Future Air Superiority

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Chuck Yeager predicted that autonomous aircraft would someday dominate the future of air combat. Last October, Yeager’s vision was realized when Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A Fury became the first next-gen autonomous fighter jet to fly its full mission profile without direct human intervention.

Textron Aviation Delivers First Citation M2 Gen2 as Jet Enters Service

Aviation Week reports, “Textron Aviation announced delivery and entry-into-service of its Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 light jet equipped with Garmin autothrottles. The Citation M2 Gen2 received FAA certification in October 2025. First delivery and ferry flight took place on Nov. 24 to a customer in Wausau, Wisconsin, according to Aviation Week Network data.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

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MotorPowerForce; YouTube

Army’s First HADES ISR Jet Set for Spring Flight Tests, SNC Confirms

Defense Daily reports, “The Army’s first prototype aircraft for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program will begin flight testing this spring, lead integrator Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) confirmed to Defense Daily.  SNC noted the first Bombardier Global 6500 jet outfitted for the HADES program will then be delivered to the Army this fall to support operational testing.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)

AIAA Welcomes RTX as an AIAA Corporate Partner

AIAA announced today that RTX has elevated its engagement with the world’s largest aerospace technical institute to the Corporate Partner level. RTX joins Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman in an elite group of Corporate Partners – the highest level of support and engagement in AIAA.

Durand Lecture Highlights 30-Year Journey Deploying Autonomous Drones to Understand Tornadoes

As a child growing up in Oklahoma, Brian Argrow had two passions: meteorology and aerospace engineering. He never imagined one day he would combine both interests — deploying tornado-chasing drones that showed how tornadoes form, key to increasing warning times. On Monday, Argrow, Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, delivered the 2026 Durand Lecture for Public Service.

Electric Air Taxis Inch Closer to City Skies After Landmark FAA Move

Flying Magazine reports, “The FAA in October 2024 published a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) with seismic implications for the aviation industry—a framework for the early integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. As 2026 begins, these new entrants, capable of both vertical lift and wingborne flight, may be months or even weeks away from flying in a city near you.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)