Air defense

President Trump’s June 6, 2025 executive order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” sets an aggressive timeline for FAA BVLOS rulemaking, launches an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, and prioritizes domestic manufacturing and export of U.S. drone technologies—aiming to modernize logistics, public safety, and defense while securing global leadership in advanced air mobility.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveils its new IRON BEAM 450 HELWS with an upgraded laser beam director at the Paris Air Show. The system features a 450mm aperture with Coherent Beam Combining technology, enabling precision targeting of coin-sized objects beyond 10km while maintaining speed-of-light threat neutralization capabilities.

Hermeus Corporation achieved the first flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic demonstrator on May 27, 2025. Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from a clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The...

India formally approved its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, officially joining the fifth-generation stealth fighter market with a stealth, twin-engine advanced fighter jet. The new development, approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will follow...

On June 1, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service launched “Web,” a covert FPV drone operation targeting four Russian airbases. Containerized launch modules smuggled drones deep into Russia, striking more than 40 bombers and AEW&C platforms. This unprecedented long-range attack signals a shift in drone warfare and compels Russia to rethink rear-area air defenses.