Apex Recordhunter becomes the world's fastest electric drone

A four-rotor drone built by N3XT, the experimental arm of German company Quantum Systems, has reportedly reached 699 km/h (434 mph) in level flight. That speed makes it the fastest battery-powered drone ever recorded.

https://newatlas.com/drones/quantum-systems-electric-drone-speed-record/ 

[España] El JEMA presenta la Visión del Ejército del Aire y del Espacio

NdP: Un documento que nace de nuestra vocación de servicio y compromiso con la defensa de España. No marca un objetivo a conseguir en el futuro, sino un camino, una referencia estable y funcional acorde al contexto geoestratégico actual, pero con la flexibilidad necesaria para anticiparse a los cambios que vayan surgiendo.

miércoles, 29 de julio de 2026

Europe is unprepared and underinvested in face of wildfire surge, according to new report commissioned by Avincis

Published last March, 2026:
A new Avincis report warns Europe is dangerously unprepared for worsening wildfires. Following record 2025 fires (1.03M hectares burned), experts cite an ageing fleet, insufficient investment, and severe pilot shortages (12 EASA license conversions vs 1-2 in US). Though EU committed €600M for 22 DHC-515 aircraft (2027-2030), capacity remains inadequate. Industry calls for bulk procurement frameworks, faster licensing, and sustained funding shifting from reactive response to preparedness. The workforce gap alone could take a decade to close, leaving Europe under-equipped for longer, more intense fire seasons across six countries receiving delayed deliveries


Marcos Aerospace lanza Quencher, un UAV antiincendios

 La start-up griega Marcos Aerospace, con sede en Atenas, acaba de lanzar su aeronave no tripulada Quencher, un avión sin piloto que dicen que se podrá coordinar con las aeronaves tripuladas y realizar vuelos masivos en enjambre gracias a su cerebro con iA y que podrá operar de noche y de día.

Marcos Aerospace lanza Quencher, un UAV antiincendios - Sandglass Patrol

De Havilland poised to start final assembly of first DHC-515, eyes 2028 delivery - FlightGlobal


https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/2026/07/de-havilland-poised-to-start-final-assembly-of-first-dhc-515-eyes-2028-delivery/

Inside the Rushed Effort to Get Trump His New Air Force One - The New York Times



A deep investigation by The NYT of shortcuts taken to get President Trump his Qatari-donated plane in time for POTUS to show it off during 250th anniversary events-compromises that leave the plane more vulnerable to potential threats 

Split in half from space: satellite images confirm Ukraine's 800km drone strike destroyed an irreplaceable Russian Tu-95 bomber | TechRadar

https://www.techradar.com/pro/split-in-half-from-space-satellite-images-confirm-ukraines-800km-drone-strike-destroyed-an-irreplaceable-russian-tu-95-bomber



EU dispatches firefighting aircraft to France and Spain



"We are preparing for a severe situation, as these kinds of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense," the Commission said.

Seaplane accident, 11 aboard, near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands

All 11 people, a pilot and 10 passengers, aboard the Kenmore Air seaplane have been accounted for after the plane made an emergency landing and caught fire near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands, the US Coast Guard told CNN. https://cnn.it/4wWXgWZ

L'A400M, le mastodonte de l'armée de l'Air, devient aussi pompier volant, voici ce qu'il a dans le ventre



Le ministère des Armées et celui de l'Intérieur ont signé une convention avec Airbus pour équiper un A400M d'un système de largage de retardant. Ce renfort inédit doit intégrer l'opération Sentinelle contre les feux de forêt dès cet été.

https://www.clubic.com/actualite-622489-l-a400m-le-mastodonte-de-l-armee-de-l-air-devient-aussi-pompier-volant-voici-ce-qu-il-a-dans-le-ventre.html

VIC Properties and Vertical Aerospace explore Electric Air Mobility as Pinheirinho Estate looks beyond traditional transportation infrastructure

Companies to explore how electric air travel could connect travelers directly to Portugal’s most coveted addresses, starting with Pinheirinho, the 400-hectare estate that includes Six Senses Comporta 

https://vertical-aerospace.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260722-VIC-Press-Release_v2.pdf

Airbus launches new flight test programme for Wing of Tomorrow

  •  https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-07-airbus-launches-new-flight-test-programme-for-wing-of-tomorrow
  • https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2023-09-how-to-make-a-wing

General Atomics Plans New Drone Design for Low-Cost Reaper Replacement

 In a July 21 statement to Air & Space Forces Magazine, General Atomics spokesman C. Mark Brinkley confirmed the company will propose a clean-sheet approach in response to a Pentagon call for a new type of drone it calls Massed Modular Aircraft, or MMA.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/general-atomics-new-drone-design-low-cost-reaper-replacement/

Operational pilot flies B-21 as top general pushes urgency

The B-21 Raider program has achieved a new milestone by combining developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) flights into a single phase, with both a developmental and an operational test pilot flying together in the cockpit. Traditionally, DT and OT are conducted sequentially—first verifying technical specs and safety, then later assessing combat effectiveness. By merging the two, the program eliminates the gap between proving the aircraft works and proving it's combat-ready, potentially accelerating the bomber's path to operational deployment. 

Elbit Hermes 650 Spark: Turning Commercial Ships Into Unmanned Drone Carriers

  •  Compact maritime drone carrier concept: Elbit's Hermes 650 Spark enables converting commercial vessels into floating UAV bases, offering long-range unmanned airpower without the massive cost of a traditional aircraft carrier.
  • Purpose-built aircraft design: The Hermes 650 Spark features a front-mounted engine for greater power, STOL capability, dual payload bays, and satellite communications—optimized for demanding maritime missions from short-deck ships.
  • Operational flexibility and integration: Compatible with existing Hermes 900 ground control infrastructure, the system allows mixed-fleet operations, distributed mission control, and reduced manpower requirements for navies monitoring vast maritime spaces.

Elbit Systems' Hermes 650 Spark is a maritime unmanned aircraft designed to operate from converted commercial vessels, carrying 9–12 platforms per ship. With a front-mounted engine enabling STOL capability, dual payload bays, and satcom, it bridges the gap between limited small drones and expensive naval helicopters. The system is compatible with existing Hermes 900 ground control infrastructure, enabling mixed-fleet operations with distributed mission control between land and ship. Aimed at countries like Japan, Denmark, and Germany that must monitor vast maritime areas, the concept offers a cost-effective "floating drone base"—extending naval reach without requiring aircraft carrier-scale investments

continue reading: https://www.elbitsystems.com/blog/small-deck-long-reach

EL GOBIERNO RESTITUYE (A TÍTULO PÓSTUMO) A EMILIO HERRERA LINARES SU EMPLEO DE GENERAL DE LAS FUERZAS AÉREAS DE LA REPÚBLICA.

Comunicado de ADAR:

En el proyecto de recuperación de las figuras históricas de Emilio Herrera e Irene Aguilera promovido por la Fundación ENAIRE y en la que participa activamente ADAR, se ha dado un paso muy importante. En el BOE del 9 de julio se publicó el Real Decreto 569/2026, por el que se restituye el empleo de General, a título póstumo, a don Emilio Herrera Linares  https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2026/07/14/pdfs/BOE-A-2026-15307.pdf
ADAR agradece el trabajo de coordinación a la Fundación ENAIRE y a todas las personas e instituciones implicadas en este gran proyecto

BAE Systems’ FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works Unveil Blizzard Modular, Multi-Mission UAS


The secretive FalconWorks and Skunk Works are working together to develop the new Blizzard modular, multi-mission uncrewed air system, offering multiple launch options and payloads.

https://theaviationist.com/2026/07/20/falcon-works-skunk-works-blizzard/ 

Anduril unveils Thunder: Autonomous Attack Tilt-rotorcraft for the Near-Surface Fight

Anduril unveiled Thunder, a Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft designed to restore maneuver dominance in modern land warfare where drone proliferation has made near-surface combat extremely lethal for traditional helicopters.
  • Key features: Tiltrotor design developed with Archer Aviation, combining VTOL capability with efficient wingborne cruise for runway-independent operations and global self-deployment
  • Hybrid-electric powertrain with Optimum-Speed Tiltrotors for extended range, endurance, and reduced acoustic signature
  • Heavy payload capacity: up to 10 missiles, 16 air-launched effects, or 76 rockets plus counter-UAS systems via modular internal bays
  • Autonomous teaming: pairs with crewed platforms (e.g., 3 Thunders per Apache increases munitions 3x without risking additional pilots)
  • Lattice autonomy software: enables formation flight, terrain-aware navigation, and real-time data fusion for collaborative operations in GPS-denied/degraded environments

First flight scheduled for 2027. Thunder represents a shift toward affordable mass production through dual-use commercial technology integration, addressing the challenge of contested logistics, long-range fires, and ubiquitous ISR threats that have rendered traditional attack aviation vulnerable.

Continue reading

https://www.anduril.com/news/thunder 

Trump says new Air Force One will Be taken out of service to be ‘maxed out’

 President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Boeing luxury jet donated by Qatar that he recently took overseas would soon be “maxed out,” suggesting it could get additional defensive capabilities to match the standards of the older jets used for presidential travel.

domingo, 19 de julio de 2026

Sikorsky Proposes Production Of NGRC Rotorcraft In Europe

https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/sikorsky-proposes-production-ngrc-rotorcraft-europe

In a July 16 announcement ahead of the Farnborough Airshow and the upcoming launch of the NGRC Concept Design phase by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the airframer says it would develop, produce and conduct component manufacturing in Europe, although it does not say where these facilities would be located.

Air and space power – it’s a game of two halves | Tim Robinson FRAeS

With my brain still buzzing from insights from this week’s superb Royal Air Force (RAF) Chief of Air Staff’s Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference, Farnborough prep underway, and a World Cup final this weekend, I thought I would offer six quick takeaways in the style of The Fast Show’s legendary football pundit Ron Manager.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tim-robinson-fraes-9220493a9_air-and-space-power-its-a-game-of-two-activity-7483820349768364033-MVhZ?




Uncrewed vessels airdropped in pioneering trial supported by Royal Navy

 The Royal Navy is a step closer to launching drone boats from the skies after a pioneering trial which saw the first airdrop of its kind from a military transport aircraft.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/july/08/20260708-uncrewed-vessels-airdropped-in-pioneering-trial-supported-by-royal-navy 

South Korea To Get Huge Electronic Attack Boost With Global 6500 Jammer Jets

The aircraft have been acquired by Korean Air, which will modify them for the electronic warfare role. Specifically, these will be standoff jammer (SOJ) aircraft, intended to disrupt enemy electromagnetic signals from a safe distance.


https://www.twz.com/air/south-korea-to-get-huge-electronic-attack-boost-with-global-6500-jammer-jets

What the Air Force’s New Software Approach with CCAs Means

The Air Force’s “software sold separately” plan to buy critical autonomy software decoupled from the physical air vehicle for its nascent Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet could help the drones evolve quickly, foster competition, and avoid vendor lock-in, experts and service officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine. continue reading: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/software-sold-separately-air-force-ccas/

Boeing to Showcase Global Programs and Partnerships at Farnborough International Airshow

  • MQ-28 Ghost Bat to make Farnborough debut
  • Commercial products on display include an interactive exhibit featuring a full-size 777X cabin section  
  • Defense systems at the show include a CH-47 Chinook on static display and a T-7 flight simulator in the Boeing Exhibit Pavillion
  • https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2026-07-13-Boeing-to-Showcase-Global-Programs-and-Partnerships-at-Farnborough-International-Airshow
  • First bird-scale robot to swim, dive, and launch back into flight

    A robot that swims like a diving bird and then flies like, well, a bird, sounds like the setup for two different machines bolted together. But researchers at MIT and EPFL built one that does both with a single set of wings. No propellers, no legs, and no origami-style folding mechanism to switch mode

    https://newatlas.com/robotics/first-bird-robot-swim-dive-launch-mit-epfl/


    NAMIB, the New Electronic Warfare Payload Successfully Completes a Collaborative Flight with a Rafale | Harmattan AI

    Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI today announced the successful execution of a collaborative in-flight engagement between a Rafale F4 and an unmanned aerial system equipped with the NAMIB payload, a new electronic warfare device jointly developed by both companies.

    NAMIB is an electronic warfare payload capable of detecting, identifying, and geolocating electromagnetic emissions, in particular those from air defense systems. It can be carried by tactical drones, including quadcopters, as well as by longer-endurance, fixed-winged unmanned aircraft. 


    https://www.harmattan.ai/blog/namib-the-new-airborne-electronic-warfare-payload-successfully-completes-a-collaborative-flight-with-a-rafale/

    Blue Origin New Glenn rocket aims for quick launch return

    Blue Origin is racing against the clock to undo the damage caused by its New Glenn rocket exploding in May.

    Continue Reading
    https://newatlas.com/blue-origin-hybrid-could-allow-2026-launch

    Apache Pilots’ Suspension Lifted After Pentagon Review

     The Pentagon appears to have intervened to lift the suspensions of eight South Carolina Army National Guard pilots, who were recorded flying AH-64 Apache helicopters low over a crowded beach on the Fourth of July.

    The pilots were suspended immediately after landing, a source close to one of the airmen told WPDE-TV in Florence, South Carolina.

     

    https://www.flyingmag.com/apache-pilots-suspension-lifted-pentagon/

    United Airlines faces lawsuit over “window seats” without actual windows

    The lawsuit claims United misled customers by selling certain seats as “window seats” during the booking process, even though some aircraft configurations—such as certain Boeing 737s, […] continue reading

    https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/united-airlines/united-airlines-faces-lawsuit-over-window-seats-without-actual-windows/


    Air Force and DIU Want Cheap Drones to Take on MQ-9 Missions

     In a solicitation posted July 7, the Defense Innovation Unit asked companies to submit their pitches for a drone concept called massed modular aircraft, or MMA. Under this system, multiple drones would fly alongside one another, in numbers great enough that they could still overwhelm the enemy even if several were shot down.

    https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-wants-cheap-drones-to-take-on-mq-9-missions/

    Air Force to Train Weapon System Officers to Fly B-21s

     The Air Force is establishing a transition program for WSOs and CSOs to become pilots and take follow-on assignments flying the new bomber.

    https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-to-teach-weapon-system-officers-to-fly-b-21s/

    martes, 7 de julio de 2026

    Reflections on ILA Berlin

     



    The 2026 ILA Berlin trade show provided a convergence of autonomous systems, networked combat legacy architectures, AI and innovation. 

    https://www.aerosociety.com/news/reflections-on-ila-berlin/

    NATO selects Saab’s GlobalEye

    At the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will begin formal negotiations with Saab regarding the acquisition of up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems. 

    https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2026/nato-selects-saabs-globaleye

    Russia’s UAV Campaign Over Europe

     Russia’s UAV campaign over Europe, likely enabled by shadow-fleet vessels operating in international waters, exposed critical gaps in allied air defences, legal authority and political cohesion, revealing that the threshold for collective response is higher than European deterrence has assumed.

    1. Press Release
    2. Download the executive summary
    3. Download the research report

    The UK’s £298B Defence Investment Plan At A Glance: 6th Generation Force Design or Creative Accounting?

    1.  The long awaited Defence Investment Plan has finally been published for public viewing and it seemingly generates more questions for UK Defence than it answers. Continue reading: https://theaviationist.com/2026/07/04/uk-defence-investment-plan-at-a-glance/
    2. The Defence Investment Plan Equipping our forces, defending our future 2026 [pdf] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a44e989167a99cf0018da38/The_Defence_Investment_Plan.pdf