In an aviation tech breakthrough that could change naval warfare, Chinese aerospace engineers have unveiled what could be the world’s first high-speed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone powered by a jet engine. Continue reading
Category Archives: VTOL
Piasecki Aircraft Unveils KARGO II: Next-Generation Autonomous VTOL
– Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has announced the next evolution in autonomous VTOL logistics: KARGO II, a new larger-capacity version of the KARGO UAV medium-lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) acquired from Kaman Air Vehicles in April 2025. Continue reading
France Signs Framework Agreement for Airbus VSR700 Programme
– Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces has signed a framework agreement with Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters and Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Naval Group for the future acquisition of the Systèmes de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM: unmanned aerial systems for the Navy). The agreement also paves the way for cooperation with other nations via government to government agreements. Continue reading
Alpha Unmanned Systems and Airbus Helicopters España to Integrate Tactical UAVs into Next-Generation Helicopter Operations
– Alpha Unmanned Systems, a Spanish company developing unmanned helicopters, has signed a collaboration agreement with Airbus Helicopters España. This strategic alliance follows the successful joint participation of both companies in Spanish military exercises and marks a significant step toward integrating Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming capabilities, or collaboration between manned and unmanned helicopters. Continue reading
NAVAIR to Recompete MARV-EL Unmanned Logistics Rotorcraft Contest
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to recompete the Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle – Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) programme, meant to result in a vertical take-off unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that could move up to 600 lb (272.1 kg) of cargo as far as 25 n miles (46 km). Continue reading
US Army Selects Near Earth Autonomy and Honeywell to Deliver Autonomous Black Hawk Logistics Solution
The U.S. Army selected Near Earth Autonomy to lead a new $15 Million program to develop and field an optionally piloted contested logistics solution by retrofitting UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with advanced autonomy kits. Continue reading
AeroVironment Gets $47M JUMP 20 VTOL Contract for Italy
– AeroVironment has announced it has been awarded a $46.6M contract by the Italian Ministry of Defence for the delivery of its JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS). The five-year contract encompasses the procurement of JUMP 20 air vehicles, engineering services, initial sustainment and onsite technical support – ensuring rapid fielding and operational readiness from day one. Continue reading
Near Earth Autonomy Gets $11M US Army Heavy VTOL Demo Contract
– Near Earth Autonomy Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was awarded an $11,499,839 firm-fixed-price contract to design, develop and conduct a demonstration of heavy vertical takeoff and landing systems. Continue reading