Sikorsky’s Nomad 100 has completed initial flight tests as Lockheed advances its DARPA-backed autonomous VTOL drone.
Full Story (Aerospace Global News)
Tag: Autonomous Flight
Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Marks Milestone in U.S.-Led Pacific Exercise
Defense One reports the MQ-28 didn’t win the first U.S. CCA competition, but it’s flying in U.S.-led training exercises.
Full Story (Defense One)
MQ-25A Stingray Advances Toward Navy Service With Second Test Flight
Aerospace Global News reports Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tanker drone has completed its second test flight, bringing the aircraft closer to US Navy service.
Full Story (Aerospace Global News)
Ghost Bat Joins Crewed Fighters in Landmark Valiant Shield Demonstration
Aerotime reports, “Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat has made its debut in a major international exercise during Valiant Shield 2026, demonstrating for the first time how collaborative combat aircraft can integrate with crewed platforms in a multinational setting.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Autonomous EHang eVTOL Completes Landmark Swiss Test Flights
Aviation News reports, “EHang has successfully completed the first flights of its EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Switzerland. This milestone demonstration in Quinto, Ticino marks a significant step forward by proving the capability of autonomous aerial mobility in challenging environments.”
Full Story (Aviation News)
On-Demand Drone Deliveries Could Reach Texans Statewide by 2027
Flying Magazine reports, “By the end of 2027, the buzzing uncrewed aircraft (UA) could deliver everything from hot meals and cold drinks to pharmaceuticals for residents statewide, according to partners Zipline and Wonder. The drone delivery provider and food technology platform on Tuesday revealed plans to offer on-demand service in minutes out of Wonder locations across Texas, beginning with Dallas-Fort Worth in January.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
YFQ-42A Returns to Flight After Safety and Software Upgrades
Breaking Defense reports, “A drone wingman built by General Atomics has resumed flying roughly one month after crashing in the California desert shortly after takeoff. In a press release Thursday, the company said its YFQ-44A aircraft ‘returned to flight testing following a round of safety reviews and software enhancements.’”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Video
YFQ-42A drone by General Atomics
(Techno Thunder; YouTube)
AIR Lifts Off With First Flight of Heavy-Lift Cargo Drone
Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “AIR has successfully completed the first flight of its Production AIR Cargo-Heavy Lift UAS, a VTOL platform designed with a payload capacity of approximately 550 lbs and a 70-cubic-foot cargo bay.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Video
AIR Cargo Drone Takes Flight
AIR eVTOL; YouTube; Framegrab
U.S. Army Takes Delivery of First Optionally Piloted Black Hawk Helicopter
AVWEB reports, “The U.S. Army announced Friday that it has taken delivery of an H-60 Black Hawk helicopter configured for both autonomous and piloted flight, beginning a new phase of testing focused on optionally piloted aircraft. The platform incorporates autonomy technology developed through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program, which has been under development for more than a decade. According to the Army, the system is designed as a retrofit kit that can be installed on existing aircraft to automate flight functions and reduce pilot workload.”
Full Story (AVWEB)
General Atomics Names YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft ‘Dark Merlin’
Aviation Week reports, “General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) announced Feb. 23 that its collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) has a name: the Dark Merlin. The GA-ASI YFQ-42A is one of two CCAs being developed for the U.S. Air Force’s first increment of its program, along with the Anduril YFA-44A. After first flights in 2025, both of the prototypes now await a potential production award in 2026.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Video
The YFQ-42A drone by General Atomics
(Techno Thunder; YouTube)