Also: Black Hornet 4, Archer Part 141, 2024’s Greatest Aerospace Achievements, Diamond DA62 MPP 

The CIA has been flying unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to locate cartel operations and fentanyl labs, according to a senior U.S. official. 

The program, which has spanned multiple administrations, is conducted in coordination with the Mexican government. Despite comparisons to past U.S. drone operations elsewhere, a U.S. official was quick to clarify, "This is not the Pakistan model." In other words, these drones are strictly for surveillance. AeroVironment, producer of intelligent, multi-domain autonomous solutions, announced the launch of its JUMP 20-X next-gen, modular Group 3 UAS to address the dynamic demands of modern warfare. AeroVironment revealed the JUMP 20-X at the 2025 International Defense Exhibition & Conference as a VTOL medium UAS designed to significantly improve shipboard UAS operations. CAE and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced a long-term agreement to develop and produce the next-generation mission trainer for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian remote piloted aircraft system, with GA-ASI placing a firm order for 11 trainers and options to purchase up to a total of 50 units over the next five years. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-NextGen!!!

Airborne-NextGen 02.25.25 is chock full of info in this Weekly News Episode, Tuesday, February 25th, 2025... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Holland Lee, Sophie Hurlock, Brianne Cross, Christopher Odom, and Laura Hutson, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, and Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, this episode covers:

• CIA Drones Put To Work As Drug Dogs
• AeroVironment Introduces JUMP 20-X For Autonomous Maritime Ops 
• CAE And GA-ASI Enter Agreement To Develop Trainers 
• Black Hornet 4 Wins DIU Blue UAS Challenge
• FAA Approves Archer Part 141 Pilot Program
• 2024’s Greatest Aerospace Achievements Come Together
• Diamond DA62 MPP Completes 9-Hour 20-Minute Surveillance Mission

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne-NextGen" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, next week!

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