Prototype UAV Expected to Fly in 2025

Airbus finalized a deal with the Spanish Ministry of Defence for the development and acquisition of SIRTAP, a "High Performance Tactical UAS that will reinforce the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Force." The contract will include 9 total systems, each including a suite of 3 uncrewed aircraft and one control station. To help provide cost-effective training, a pair of simulators will be included too. SIRTAP sports a payload of 330 lbs and a range of 1,200 sm. Its 20-hour endurance provides a flexible, stationable, responsive day/night operator even in controlled airspace. All of that remains somewhat theoretical at the moment, with the first prototype flight expected to take plac

Finished with Testing and Evaluation, the 6th Aircraft Delivery Heralds Start of Mass Production

Boeing has begun its move towards low rate initial production for the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after tending the 6th and final test aircraft to the USAF in October, ending its Research, Development, Test & Evaluation phase. LRIP will begin assembling 13 new aircraft as contracted, with up to 80 more on order should they be chosen. The first of the new batch has already headed into final assembly, and Boeing believes they can have the first completed unit of the batch in customer hands in 2024.