New research facility signals shift from policy development to operational readiness The Federal Aviation Administration is taking another step toward integrating advanced air mobility (AAM) into the National Airspace System (NAS), breaking ground this week on a dedicated research facility designed to study how the next generation of vertical flight aircraft will safely … [Read more...] about FAA Moves from Planning to Building for Advanced Air Mobility
autonomous aircraft
As Disaster Risks Grow, WingXpand and Verizon Explore New Tools for Emergency Response
WingXpand will work with Verizon Frontline and emergency teams to explore new tools for disaster assessment and community resilience As severe weather events continue to affect communities across the United States, drone and autonomous aircraft technologies are gaining attention as tools to support emergency response. This week, St. Louis-based WingXpand announced its … [Read more...] about As Disaster Risks Grow, WingXpand and Verizon Explore New Tools for Emergency Response
From The Floor of XPONENTIAL: AIRO and Jaunt Reveal Dual-Use VTOL Aircraft for Defense and Cargo Missions
Jaunt Air Mobility's autonomous slowed-rotor platform targets defense ISR, cargo logistics, and remote operations in two mission variants. AIRO Group Holdings has publicly unveiled its full-scale autonomous VTOL aircraft at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2026 in Detroit. The Nasdaq-listed aerospace and defense company announced the reveal on May 12, 2026. The aircraft comes from AIRO's … [Read more...] about From The Floor of XPONENTIAL: AIRO and Jaunt Reveal Dual-Use VTOL Aircraft for Defense and Cargo Missions
Windracers ULTRA to Map Greenland’s Petermann Glacier
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
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
