Loading data...
Key dates, deadlines, conferences, and program milestones
Approximately $150 million in prototype delivery orders placed after evaluation, with deliveries over five months.
📍 Brussels, Belgium
The European Drone Forum 2026 is a one-day conference on March 24, 2026, in Düsseldorf, Germany, organized by UAV DACH – Association for Unmanned Aviation. It convenes manufacturers, operators, regulators, and policymakers to discuss regulatory updates, UAS operations, airspace integration, and commercial scalability of uncrewed aviation.
US Army ISR Task Force planning demonstration of ultra-long-range launched effects (1,000+ miles beyond prime mover) using commercial aircraft. Three to four contenders expected to participate. Location on US soil to be determined.
📍 Rome, Italy
The German Pegasus SIGINT program awarded Hensoldt a €1.05 billion contract in June 2021 to develop and deliver three Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft equipped with advanced SIGINT systems. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the Luftwaffe in 2026.
📍 Brussels, Belgium
No source confirms an EDA Drone Industry Day on 2026-05-20. EDA events in 2026 include the Annual Conference on 28 January and a Defence Industry Conference on 26 February.
📍 Berlin, Germany
ILA Berlin 2026 is an international aerospace trade show held from June 10 to 14, 2026, at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport in Schönefeld, Germany. It features exhibitors in aviation, space, defense, and related sectors, along with conferences and air displays.
📍 Farnborough, UK
Farnborough International Airshow 2026 is scheduled for 20-24 July 2026 as a biannual aerospace and defence event with no show in 2025. It features exhibitions, conferences, flying displays, and networking for industry professionals.
Begin range of flight testing activities following integration on tactical platform. Conduct live-fire demonstrations planned.
Planned FY2026 production award for Increment 1.
MQ-9 Reaper deployment in Romania extended through end of September 2026.
📍 Washington DC, USA
Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting
More info ↗📍 Paris, France
Euronaval 2026 is a naval defense exhibition and conference held from November 3-6, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte Hall 6. It gathers political and military decision-makers, buyers, and manufacturers to view naval equipment and conduct business meetings.
📍 Wiesbaden, Germany
AUSA LANDEURO 2026 is an exhibitor-listed conference organized by the Association of the U.S. Army in the European theater. It features defense companies displaying land power technologies and serves as a forum for military professionals, industry, and officials.
Target deployment date for new San counter-drone system.
Planned transition to launch ultra-long-range launched effects from aircraft platforms, incorporating lessons learned from 2026 ground demonstrations.
First flight planned for January 2027.
First prototype flight planned for January 2027.
Basic qualification for SLWÜA and first aircraft delivery to German Armed Forces.
Planned delivery of first system to Spanish armed forces.
First drone wall system units expected to roll off production lines
French Navy to begin operating VSR700 from BRF supply ships.[1][4][7]
Expected completion of San system within two years from contract signing.
First operationally configured MQ-28 Block II in ground test, flying in next couple months.
European Commission publishes comprehensive Action Plan establishing coordinated EU approach against drone threats, including EUDIS counter-drone initiatives and European Drone Defence Initiative.
Air Defence Missile Group 61 in Todendorf received first IRIS-T SLM fire unit in national configuration
German Air Force Air Defence Missile Group 61 received first IRIS-T SLM fire unit.[6]
Military operators fly and evaluate 25 vendor systems at Fort Benning, Georgia.
📍 Amsterdam, Netherlands
XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 is a trade fair for autonomous technologies and robotics organized by AUVSI and Messe Düsseldorf. Multiple sources confirm the event dates as March 24-26, 2026, in Düsseldorf, Germany, not February 18.
SOCOM FY2026 budget realigns funding to procure and integrate Air Launched Effects payloads and communication system upgrades to existing LEA/RQ-29 platform.
HCDI plans to advance C-UAS programs including integrated solution to counter hostile drones to competitive bidding in 2026.
Deliveries of first San system components scheduled to begin in 2026.
Comprehensive flight-test campaign throughout 2026 at CEUS Huelva, leading to airworthiness certification.
Joint Interagency Task Force 401 awards first contract under Replicator 2.
NATO opens proposals for 2026 Innovation Continuum prioritizing layered counter-UAS initiative among eight themes.
DGA awards contract to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for six VSR700 UAS.[1][2][4][5][7]
6-56 ADA conducted live drone flight demonstration at Fort Hood validating M-LIDS detection, classification, and neutralization.[2][4]
Production representative MQ-25 completed first low-speed taxi test.
Defence Project Land 156 Standing Offer Panel with 28 companies announced.
Successful integration of LUNA NG into C2-UMS Bw at Army Combat Training Centre in Saxony-Anhalt, demonstrating networked ISR with unmanned systems.
First operational MQ-25A Stingray completed autonomous taxi test.
Contract signed for San counter-drone system between Polish Armaments Agency and PGZ-Kongsberg-APS consortium.
Confirmed Protector RG Mk1 has yet to reach Initial Operating Capability programme milestones despite operational deployments.
The US Army initiated production of the second tranche of SRR UAS with Teal Drones and Black Widow system as one of two vendors, incorporating lessons learned and soldier feedback from tranche one.
First modified Bombardier Global 6000 arrives from Wichita to Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg for SIGINT integration.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat successfully teamed with E-7A Wedgetail and F/A-18F Super Hornet in missile engagement exercise.
Australian Government announced approximately $1.4 billion investment for additional six Block 2 MQ-28A aircraft and Block 3 prototype development.
First order for 360 Warmate 3 strike drones under framework for 10,000.
Defense Ministry announced Iron Beam high-power laser interception system now operational.
Naval Group contract for five CAMCOPTER S-100F systems for FREMM frigates.[2]
Delivery of first operational Iron Beam laser system to Israel Defense Forces.
End of Phase 1B, with first flight demonstrations targeted for 2028-2029.
Expected to declare Initial Operating Capability in 2025 but milestones not met.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat conducted a live AIM-120 AMRAAM missile launch during a mission teaming with F/A-18F fighters and E-7A aircraft, destroying an aerial target drone.
Multi-billion €6-8B/$7-9B order for significant number of systems, deliveries phased to 2035.
Protector RG Mk1 has not reached Initial Operating Capability despite operational deployments.
Completion of critical design review, advancing to prototype production and ground tests.
Completion of critical design review, advancing to prototype production stage.
Skydio in partnership with SAIC awarded $7.9 million contract to deliver X10D sUAS under SRR Tranche 2 Low-Rate Initial Production contract.
Completed development and final tests, declared operational.
First prototype rollout in full paint after ground testing, transfer to CEUS in Huelva for further ground and flight tests.
First prototype fully painted after ground testing, transferred to CEUS in Huelva for flight tests.
📍 London, UK
DSEI 2025 was a defence and security conference held at Excel London starting 9 September 2025, focusing on themes like 'Preparing the Future Force' with topics including rapid innovation, digital transformation, and supply chain security. It featured zones for land, air, sea, medical, and tech domains, exhibitors from multiple countries, and networking opportunities.
Complete wind tunnel ground test vehicle fabrication, conduct full-scale wind tunnel testing, continue airworthiness certification and host aircraft integration, conduct pit drop testing of missile mass simulant.
First operational deployment of Launched Effects technology by Army operational units in live field environment, held August 4-22, 2025.
Contract signed for San anti-drone system, described as breakthrough for eastern border security.
Deputy PM announces acceleration of Pilica+ production at Tarnów Mechanical Works.
Norway actively pursuing HALE/MALE drones for Arctic maritime patrol
RAF Protector RG Mk1 entered service, providing ISTAR and strike capabilities from RAF Waddington.
Public procurement notice 2025-117490 for drone systems
Estonia initiates deployment of drone wall detection systems along portions of border
The Eurodrone program completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in May 2024, led by Airbus Defence and Space with OCCAR and the four partner nations (France, Germany, Italy, Spain). This milestone validated the initial design through technical assessments including wind tunnel testing and digital twin validation.
UK MOD signed support and sustainment contract with GA-ASI for logistics and maintenance of Protector RG Mk1.
📍 Le Bourget, France
The Paris Air Show 2025, its 55th edition, was held from June 16 to 22 at Paris-Le Bourget Airport, organized by SIAE (subsidiary of GIFAS). It featured exhibitors from 48 countries, aircraft displays, flying demonstrations, and innovations in aerospace.
Completion of the first SIRTAP prototype assembly, prior to ground testing.
UK Military Aviation Authority issued first-of-its-kind Military Type Certificate to Protector RG Mk1, certifying safe operation without geographic restrictions including over populous areas.
Army halts FTUAS competition after prototypes did not meet needs, as part of broader review; no clear plan forward but intent to invest in similar capabilities.
Drone summit to be held in Riga in spring 2025.
Prop. 87 S identifies maritime drone capability as priority
Completed four successful autonomous takeoffs and landings aboard TCG Anadolu.
Deadline for submission of proposals.
OCCAR announced the successful completion of the Eurodrone Critical Design Review on 15 October 2025, concluding the design phase and enabling prototype production and ground tests. The CDR was launched on 25 August 2025 after industrial completion on 31 July 2025, verifying compliance with partner nations' requirements.
Northrop Grumman proposes MQ-4C Triton for Norwegian maritime surveillance
Textron Systems delivered two prototype sets of MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde (YRQ-10A) for developmental testing including transportability, network, and cybersecurity.
PT3 completes afterburner-assisted maneuvering system identification tests
Boeing Australia and RAAF achieved the 100th flight in the MQ-28 test program.
Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force achieved a major milestone in the MQ-28 flight test program, completing the 100th flight.
Construction of Arrow 3 system started with intent to establish initial capability in 2025 and full operational capability by 2030
First Skyranger 30 test vehicle delivered for training and testing.
Nordic Unmanned declared bankrupt by Sor-Rogaland District Court. Later restructured.
Munitions test conducted with MAM-T after carrier operations.
Leidos Australia awarded $30-45.9M contract as systems integrator.
US Army RFI for mobile UAS integrated defeat system on Stryker-like vehicle.[1]
Competitors Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems completed Modular Open System Approach conformance evaluations and flight demonstrations at Redstone Test Center.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed on 30 January that the MQ-9B Protector RG Mk1 has not reached Initial Operating Capability, despite earlier 2025 expectations and ongoing operational deployments for ISR support. The system replaces the MQ-9A Reaper and is based at RAF Waddington.
Market research for Fixed Site LIDS.[5]
World first: two Kizilelma jets complete autonomous close-formation flight
First UAV to takeoff and land on short-deck carrier TCG Anadolu.
Project Land 156 launched.
Red Cat Holdings announced selection of Teal Drones' next generation system as the Army's Program of Record SRR sUAS following rigorous multi-tranche competitive evaluation.
NSPA-initiated logistics and service support agreement with Baykar for three years, extendable by two.
Fourth executive agreement under FlyEye framework.
Shift to counter-sUAS capabilities for critical assets.
Germany declared initial operational capability with its first IRIS-T SLM battery.[3]
Production prototype PT3 (TC-OZB3) completes maiden flight
Program concluded FY2024 after 2v2 within-visual-range flight tests.
Deployed for Paris 2024 Olympics, now permanent.
Airbus reveals full-scale concept model of Wingman drone at ILA Berlin.
Critical Design Review completed, maintaining program schedule.
Counter-drone swarm demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground evaluating nine C-sUAS systems against over 40 UAS targets.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) 2024 call had a submission deadline of June 30, 2024. This is documented on the official European Commission EDF webpage, which includes EDF 2024 Call Topic Descriptions and related materials.
Preliminary design review of the aircraft was completed.
Preliminary design review of the aircraft was completed.
Completion of all 4 sets at ceremony in Mirosławiec; full operational capability achieved.
Wind tunnel testing in progress ahead of first flight. Original 2023 flight target slipped to FY2025.
RNLAF and GA-ASI agreement for upgrades including maritime radar, ESM, weapons, over next 3 years.
Project Land 156 approved.
€595M/$695M contract for 1 prototype + 18 production vehicles on Boxer.
Initiative proposed by Latvia and coordinated with the United Kingdom.
Skydio X10D systems were delivered to the 1st Brigade Combat Team under the Army's Transforming in Contact 2.0 initiative within one month of request.
Demonstrated AI vs human pilot dogfighting with X-62A VISTA F-16.
Germany signed contract for Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system from Israel following Bundestag authorization of €4 billion in June 2023
Successful completion of TB3's first test run.
Conducted initial takeoff and landing test, achieving high speeds.
Framework agreement for over 400 FlyEye sets signed.
Amendment contract for 12 production systems plus one pilot system after original manufacturer insolvency.
RNLAF announced doubling of MQ-9A Reapers from 4 to 8.
Launch of Replicator 1 to deliver thousands of ADA2 by August 2025.
General Atomics awarded $94 million contract to manufacture and conduct flight tests of LongShot system.
Demo 4 focused on counter-Group 3 one-way attack (OWA).
Dutch Ministry of Defence announced arming of MQ-9 Reapers with GBU-12 and AGM-114 Hellfire via FMS.
General Atomics selected as sole prime contractor to create detailed designs and conduct ground demonstrations of key subsystems.
Entry into Phase 1B with €3.2B budget for demonstrators and technology maturation.
First prototype of the TB3 made public.
NATO’s biggest JISR exercise involving 18 NATO countries and industry experts testing intelligence sharing from seabed to space.
Framework agreement with DGA unveiled at Paris Air Show 2025.[1][5]
First flight from Corlu, Tekirdag, lasting 18 minutes
15 European states signed declaration to join German-led initiative: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, United Kingdom
Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, UK signed letter of intent to join German-led ESSI.[1]
Delivery of first set of 6 UAVs to 12th UAV Base, Mirosławiec.
Initial fielding of SRR tranche one began in September 2022 with Skydio RQ-28A systems. Over 16 brigades have been fielded with this capability.
UK Ministry of Defence announced cancellation of Project Mosquito, citing greater benefit and cost-effectiveness in smaller additive capabilities instead.
DGA initial commitment of €33M.
Initial 4 MQ-9A Block 5 delivered to RNLAF, operational since 2022.
First unit delivered to Turkish Naval Forces.
UK MOD exercised option to acquire 13 Protector RG Mk1, bringing total to 16.
Poland signed contract for 24 Bayraktar TB2 drones worth $270 million.
The KGK-SiHA-82 payload of the UAV was tested, hitting target from 30km.
DARPA selected General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin to provide preliminary designs for Phase 1.
Turkish Aksungur UAV delivered.
Last of five RQ-4D aircraft arrived at main operating base.
First Protector RPAS system completed maiden flight.
The UAV flew with 12 MAM-L ammunition for 28 hours at an altitude of 20,000ft.
Secretary of Defense designated Secretary of the Army as Executive Agent for C-sUAS, leading to JCO establishment.
First of five RQ-4D aircraft arrived at main operating base.
Introduced at the 2019 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.
Aksungur UAV made its first flight.
U.S. Navy awarded Boeing $805 million development contract for four MQ-25A aircraft.
Dutch government signed Letter of Acceptance for MQ-9 acquisition through Foreign Military Sales process.
NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance system fully operational.
Aircraft's flight test program underway at Edwards Air Force Test Center; preparations for arrival at Sigonella.
Allied Defence Ministers declared initial operational capability for NATO’s JISR capability.
Subscale demonstrator Kaori-X for KUS-FC began flight testing in 2015 to test low observability, aerodynamic control, stability, and propulsion concepts.
Dutch Minister of Defense announced RNLAF selection of MQ-9 Reaper Block-V as new MALE UAV, based at Leeuwarden Air Base.
Procurement contract signed for the AGS core system.