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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brien Disbro, a crew chief assigned to the174th Attack Wing, performs post-flight maintenance on an MQ-9 Reaper on Mar. 10, 2025 at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Shane Hughes)

Air Force to begin concept refinement of MQ-9 replacement by end of year

The Air Force will select multiple vendors to conduct early analysis to help the service shape its requirements and cost for the Massed Modular Aircraft program.
A Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a production representative test aircraft, performs a flyover during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 over Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, June 25, 2026. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrien Tran)

After Valiant Shield exercise, PACAF commander says he’s ‘impressed’ with Australia’s Ghost Bat drone program

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone recently flew with manned fighter aircraft during a recent multinational exercise in the Pacific.
Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, Commanding General of the III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, recognized, awarded and visited with Soldiers in the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade on Fort Hood Texas, Sept. 23, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Hayden Epperley)

Pentagon announces Trump nominee to lead U.S. Army Europe and Africa

Army Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral, currently commanding general of III Armored Corps, has been picked to command USAREUR-AF.
Spectators at Game of Drones observed small Unmanned Aircraft Systems testing and capabilities in various different situations during Game of Drones at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., July 16, 2026. GoD is a week-long event bringing together industry partners, military members, and engineers to conduct live experimentation of emerging sUAS and associated hardware. GoD amplifies the Department of War’s call upon both service and industry to rapidly accelerate testing, acquisition, and production of unmanned systems for the warfighter, referred to as Drone Dominance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Christian Rodriguez)

Pentagon adds ‘bombers’ to Drone Dominance Program

Officials issued a new request for solutions focused on “reusable bomber/dropper platforms.”
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A JUMP 20-X is displayed prior to takeoff during a flight launch at Service Level Training Exercise 4-26 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, July 16, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alexis French)

Marine regiment tests AeroVironment’s JUMP 20-X system for the first time, but faces lack of Group 3 drone operators

The 2nd Marine Regiment relied on the system’s vendor to employ the drone because the unit lacked trained operators.
U.S. Coast Guard Crew members assigned to Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) man their battle stations as the cutter prepares for a live-fire exercise while transiting the South China Sea, June 6, 2026. The Coast Guard Expeditionary Cutter Squadron is a deployable force of Fast Response Cutters with organic command, logistics and support capabilities, enabling sustained forward operations from partner nation locations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dakota L. David)

Coast Guard issues RFI as it considers arming vessels with high-energy lasers

Primary “targets of interest” that the service might want to zap include aerial and maritime drones.
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