By Dronelife Features Editor Jim Magill An international team of researchers plans to deploy Windracers’ dual-use heavy-lift drone technology to study the interactions of ice and ocean water in the frigid Arctic region of northwestern Greenland. The study, which is expected to get under way this summer, will be a critical part of the so-called GIANT (Greenland Ice sheet … [Read more...] about Windracers ULTRA to Map Greenland’s Petermann Glacier
autonomous aircraft
AeroVironment Acquires ESAero in $200M Deal, Expanding Engineering Capabilities for Defense and Autonomous Aircraft
Acquisition adds advanced aircraft design and manufacturing expertise as the defense drone industry continues to consolidate. U.S. drone manufacturer AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has acquired aerospace engineering firm Empirical Systems Aerospace in a deal valued at approximately $200 million, expanding the company’s engineering capabilities as demand for unmanned aircraft … [Read more...] about AeroVironment Acquires ESAero in $200M Deal, Expanding Engineering Capabilities for Defense and Autonomous Aircraft
From Drones to Helicopters: Robinson, Ascent Build a Scalable Autonomous Rotorcraft Ecosystem
In an exclusive interview with Ascent AeroSystems CEO Paul Fermo: how Robinson and Ascent aim to scale autonomy from small drones to full-size helicopters The rotorcraft industry is entering a new phase as established helicopter manufacturers move deeper into autonomous aviation. A recent announcement revealed a collaboration between Sikorsky and Robinson Helicopter Company to … [Read more...] about From Drones to Helicopters: Robinson, Ascent Build a Scalable Autonomous Rotorcraft Ecosystem
Archer Aviation Brings Starlink Connectivity to Midnight Air Taxi
Archer Aviation announced on February 27, 2026 that it will integrate Starlink's low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite internet system into its Midnight electric air taxi aircraft. The collaboration marks Starlink's first entry into the urban air mobility sector. Starlink Connectivity in the Midnight eVTOL: Technical Details Midnight is a piloted eVTOL designed to carry up to … [Read more...] about Archer Aviation Brings Starlink Connectivity to Midnight Air Taxi
Zipline Surpasses 2 Million Deliveries with Expansion to Houston and Phoenix
Autonomous logistics company Zipline has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 2 million commercial deliveries as it expands its drone delivery operations to Houston and Phoenix in early 2026. The achievement reflects the accelerating demand for autonomous on-demand delivery across the United States. The South San Francisco-based robotics company announced the milestone … [Read more...] about Zipline Surpasses 2 Million Deliveries with Expansion to Houston and Phoenix
