As modern battlefields continue to evolve, one of the greatest challenges facing military planners is how to defeat a weapon that is both inexpensive to build and costly to intercept. Airbus Defence and Space believes it has found part of the answer with its latest development, the Bird of Prey, a reusable uncrewed interceptor designed specifically to hunt and destroy one-way attack drones. The rapid proliferation of one-way attack drones, often referred to as Suicide drones

As wildfires become larger, more destructive and increasingly difficult to control, the aviation industry is searching for innovative ways to support traditional aerial firefighting operations. One of the most intriguing concepts currently under development is the FLYOX I, a large amphibious uncrewed aircraft developed by Spanish company Singular Aircraft. Unlike the small drones that have become commonplace for aerial photography and infrastructure inspections, the FLYOX I o

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat has reached another significant milestone in its development, becoming the first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to participate in the multinational Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, providing valuable insight into how autonomous aircraft could operate alongside crewed fighters in future coalition operations. Held across the Western Pacific in June, the biennial exercise brought together forces from the United States and allied nations to refine joi

Air cargo connectivity between China and Africa has received another boost with the restart of Astral Aviation's dedicated freighter service linking Haikou, China, with Johannesburg, South Africa. The renewed operation, launched in partnership with Fly Noor Aviation Services, is expected to strengthen one of the world's fastest-growing trade corridors while supporting the continued expansion of e-commerce and high-value freight between the two regions. The agreement was forma

NATO has taken a major step toward modernising its airborne surveillance capability by selecting Saab's GlobalEye as its preferred Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform. During the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the Alliance will begin formal negotiations with Swedish defence and aerospace company Saab for the potential acquisition of up to ten GlobalEye aircraft. While the announcement represents a significant m

Electra has taken another significant step toward bringing its innovative EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft to market after achieving an important certification milestone with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Virginia-based aerospace company announced that the FAA has officially closed the G-1 Issue Paper for the EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, establishing the certification basis for the company's nine-passenger hybrid-electric design. The milestone marks the complet

By Garth Calitz The United States Air Force has officially commenced the operational preparation phase at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to serve as the aircraft's first permanent operating base for the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The development marks a significant step in one of the U.S. Air Force's largest modernisation programmes, as the service prepares to transition from the long-serving B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit to the sixth-generation B-21 R

By Garth Calitz Long before ultra-realistic cockpits, virtual air traffic controllers and flight simulators that required computers with the processing power of a small nation, there was Google Earth Flight Simulator. Hidden away like an aviation Easter egg in the original desktop version of Google Earth, it allowed anyone with a keyboard and a sense of adventure to leap into the cockpit and explore the world. It wasn't particularly realistic, the aircraft seemed to have an i

When millions of Americans looked skyward during the recent America 250 celebrations, they witnessed a breathtaking spectacle unlike anything seen during previous Independence Day commemorations. Instead of relying solely on traditional fireworks, thousands of illuminated drones painted giant images across the night sky, telling the story of 250 years of American history through light, movement and precision choreography. The display, created by Texas-based Sky Elements, feat

Air Europa has launched a new scheduled direct service between Madrid and Johannesburg, marking the airline's first route into sub-Saharan Africa and adding another long-haul connection to South Africa's largest international gateway. The inaugural flight arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport on 25 June 2026 aboard one of the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, where it was welcomed by representatives from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), South African Touris