Events & Milestones[124]

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.

German Air Force Air Defence Missile Group 61 received first IRIS-T SLM fire unit.[6]

SOCOM FY2026 budget realigns funding to procure and integrate Air Launched Effects payloads and communication system upgrades to existing LEA/RQ-29 platform.

Deliveries of first San system components scheduled to begin in 2026.

Qatar FMS: MQ-9B ($2.0B). Status: approved. Value: ($2.0B)

Qatar FMS: MQ-9B ($2.0B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $2.0B

6-56 ADA conducted live drone flight demonstration at Fort Hood validating M-LIDS detection, classification, and neutralization.[2][4]

Successful integration of LUNA NG into C2-UMS Bw at Army Combat Training Centre in Saxony-Anhalt, demonstrating networked ISR with unmanned systems.

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.

Defense Ministry announced Iron Beam high-power laser interception system now operational.

Delivery of first operational Iron Beam laser system to Israel Defense Forces.

Protector RG Mk1 has not reached Initial Operating Capability despite operational deployments.

Taiwan FMS: ALTIUS 600M ($300M). Status: approved. Value: ($300M)

Taiwan FMS: ALTIUS 600M ($300M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $300M

Italy FMS: MQ-9 ($738M). Status: approved. Value: ($738M)

Italy FMS: MQ-9 ($738M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $738M

Italy FMS: MQ-9 ($738M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $738M

Completion of critical design review, advancing to prototype production stage.

Completed development and final tests, declared operational.

First prototype fully painted after ground testing, transferred to CEUS in Huelva for flight tests.

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.

Taiwan FMS: Switchblade 300 ($60M). Status: approved. Value: ($60M)

Taiwan FMS: Switchblade 300 ($60M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $60M

First operational deployment of Launched Effects technology by Army operational units in live field environment, held August 4-22, 2025.

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.

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.

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.

Prop. 87 S identifies maritime drone capability as priority

Completed four successful autonomous takeoffs and landings aboard TCG Anadolu.

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 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.

India FMS: MQ-9B ($4.0B). Status: approved. Value: ($4.0B)

India FMS: MQ-9B ($4.0B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $4.0B

Competitors Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems completed Modular Open System Approach conformance evaluations and flight demonstrations at Redstone Test Center.

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.

Netherlands FMS: MQ-9 ($438M). Status: approved. Value: ($438M)

Netherlands FMS: MQ-9 ($438M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $438M

Shift to counter-sUAS capabilities for critical assets.

Qatar FMS: FS-LIDS ($1.0B). Status: approved. Value: ($1.0B)

Qatar FMS: FS-LIDS ($1.0B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $1.0B

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.

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.

Project Land 156 approved.

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.

Conducted initial takeoff and landing test, achieving high speeds.

RNLAF announced doubling of MQ-9A Reapers from 4 to 8.

Launch of Replicator 1 to deliver thousands of ADA2 by August 2025.

Demo 4 focused on counter-Group 3 one-way attack (OWA).

France FMS: MQ-9 ($300M). Status: approved. Value: ($300M)

France FMS: MQ-9 ($300M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $300M

Dutch Ministry of Defence announced arming of MQ-9 Reapers with GBU-12 and AGM-114 Hellfire via FMS.

Greece FMS: RQ-4 ($1.5B). Status: approved. Value: ($1.5B)

Greece FMS: RQ-4 ($1.5B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $1.5B

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.

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]

UK Ministry of Defence announced cancellation of Project Mosquito, citing greater benefit and cost-effectiveness in smaller additive capabilities instead.

Australia FMS: MQ-9B ($1.7B). Status: approved. Value: ($1.7B)

Australia FMS: MQ-9B ($1.7B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $1.7B

Initial 4 MQ-9A Block 5 delivered to RNLAF, operational since 2022.

First unit delivered to Turkish Naval Forces.

The KGK-SiHA-82 payload of the UAV was tested, hitting target from 30km.

Turkish Aksungur UAV delivered.

Egypt FMS: UAS/Drone Systems ($417M). Status: approved. Value: ($417M)

Taiwan FMS: MQ-9B ($600M). Status: approved. Value: ($600M)

Taiwan FMS: MQ-9B ($600M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $600M

United Arab Emirates FMS: MQ-9B ($900M). Status: approved. Value: ($900M)

Last of five RQ-4D aircraft arrived at main operating base.

The UAV flew with 12 MAM-L ammunition for 28 hours at an altitude of 20,000ft.

Korea FMS: RQ-4 ($950M). Status: approved. Value: ($950M)

Korea FMS: RQ-4 ($950M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $950M

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.

United Arab Emirates FMS: RQ-21 ($80M). Status: approved. Value: ($80M)

Belgium FMS: MQ-9B ($600M). Status: approved. Value: ($600M)

Belgium FMS: MQ-9B ($600M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $600M

Introduced at the 2019 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.

Germany FMS: MQ-4C Triton ($2.5B). Status: approved. Value: ($2.5B)

United Kingdom FMS: MQ-9 Reaper ($500M). Status: approved. Value: ($500M)

Germany FMS: MQ-4C Triton ($2.5B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $2.5B

NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance system fully operational.

United Kingdom FMS: Predator ($1.0B). Status: approved. Value: ($1.0B)

Italy FMS: MQ-9 ($130M). Status: approved. Value: ($130M)

Italy FMS: MQ-9 ($130M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $130M

The Government of Spain FMS: MQ-9 ($243M). Status: approved. Value: ($243M)

The Netherlands FMS: MQ-9 ($339M). Status: approved. Value: ($339M)

The Netherlands FMS: MQ-9 ($339M). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $339M

Dutch Minister of Defense announced RNLAF selection of MQ-9 Reaper Block-V as new MALE UAV, based at Leeuwarden Air Base.

France FMS: MQ-9 Reaper ($1.5B). Status: approved. Value: ($1.5B)

France FMS: MQ-9 Reaper ($1.5B). FMS Congressional Notification. Value: $1.5B