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12 Mar 25. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted its first flight test series of the Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) using a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite constellation for aircraft communications. Contracted by the U.S. Army, the flight tests began in January 2025 and mark a significant milestone, making GE-ER the first U.S. Army aircraft to be controlled over the new satellite service. Gray Eagle is also the only U.S. Army UAS capable of leveraging Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and PLEO constellations for secure, inflight adaptable and resilient communication, navigation and data management. The initial testing focused on flight-critical operations, including core aircraft control functions as well as sensor and communications systems. To date, GA-ASI has conducted two GE-ER flights and a series of ground test events using PLEO. Future flight testing is in the planning stages and includes operations across the full flight regime. The Gray Eagle family of UAS is built on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) design that includes standardized interfaces and protocols. This approach has enabled rapid integration of the PLEO constellation and other significant capabilities without major technical efforts or extended timelines for integration and testing so new capabilities can be fielded faster.
“The PLEO integration and flight testing continue to show that the current GE-ER open architecture is real. We are practicing rapid integration now which will prove critical to the platform’s survivability and mission success in Multi-Domain Operations,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Army Programs Don Cattell.
Building on the GE-ER, the Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M), takes MOSA to the next level with a government-owned, government-controlled open architecture that enables plug-and-play capabilities to ensure the platform’s rapid, low-cost adaptability to changing threats. GE 25M incorporates open architecture with ground systems, advanced and modular datalinks, and an upgraded propulsion system. These powerful additions significantly enhance the platform’s ability to rapidly add new capabilities, provide resilience to electronic threats, and deliver expeditionary employment to austere locations. PLEO will be a baseline capability for the 25M system. The PLEO capability for the GE 25M is just one of several features of the system that maximizes the survivability of the platform. It also provides a low-cost opportunity to drastically increase the operational flexibility of both the Gray Eagle ER and Gray Eagle 25M. The 25M’s MOSA architecture enables use of the higher data rates available on the PLEO system and supports flight operations across the globe from pole to pole. These capabilities, combined with longer-range sensors, anti-jam navigation, and expeditionary ground control systems allow the Gray Eagles to operate outside the threat weapons envelope, but deliver effects hundreds of kilometers beyond the Forward Line of Own Troops, making GE 25M the most survivable aircraft in the Army inventory.
12 Mar 25. Introducing HELIUS – a 249g Coaxial Nano UAV from Ascent AeroSystems.
- All-new sub-250g Coaxial nano drone fills a durability and affordability gap in the 250g American-Made sUAS market
- A rugged, all-weather, NDAA-compliant option for law enforcement, emergency response and industrial enterprise operators
Ascent AeroSystems, the world’s leading manufacturer of compact, high-performance, aircraft-grade coaxial unmanned aerial systems, today introduced HELIUS™, the company’s first entry into the sub-250g UAV sector. Debuted at VERTICON (formerly HAI Heli-Expo), in Dallas, Texas, HELIUS is designed to be an affordable AI-enabled, American Made, NDAA-compliant option for law enforcement, emergency response, government, and industrial enterprise operators looking to upgrade or replace other systems.
“Bringing our coaxial propulsion technology to a sub-250g platform while maintaining the durability, performance, and reliability Ascent products are known for has been one of the most rewarding challenges we’ve undertaken,” said Peter Fuchs, Co-founder and CEO of Ascent AeroSystems.
“HELIUS delivers unmatched capability in its class at a competitive price. It is the drone we’ve wanted to make from the beginning; small enough to fit in your pocket but powerful enough to meet the rigorous demands of public safety, emergency response, and critical industrial missions.”
Ascent’s HELIUS features:
- Ultra-portable, ultra-light weight airframe
- 4G/LTE connectivity
- AI-enabled obstacle avoidance & object tracking
- 4K, 12.3MB Electro Optical, Ultra-low-light sensor with digital tilt, pan and zoom
- Field-swappable, rechargeable batteries
- Up to 45mph max speed
- 30+ min endurance
“We know that the future of aviation isn’t about choosing between crewed and uncrewed systems—it’s about teaming. Our acquisition of Ascent AeroSystems was a strategic move to lead that evolution, HELIUS is a key step in realizing that vision,” said David Smith, CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company.
With an MSRP of $4,499, HELIUS is available for pre-order now, with initial shipments expected to begin in Q4 2025. Customers can purchase directly from Ascent AeroSystems or through Robinson Helicopter Company dealers who are also authorized Ascent resellers.
“HELIUS expands our growing product line and sets a new benchmark for compact UAVs,” Fuchs added. “For operators demanding durability, portability, and next-gen technology in a secure, American Made sub-250g platform, this is the solution.” (Source: ASD Network)
10 Mar 25. Türkiye’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA drone completes flight test. The prototype, designated PT3 with tail number TC-OZB3, took off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center. Türkiye-based Baykar has confirmed a successful aerodynamics system identification test of its Bayraktar KIZILELMA uncrewed fighter jet. The drone, funded entirely by Baykar’s own financial resources, continues to progress through its planned series of tests. The project commenced in 2021. The prototype, designated PT3 with tail number TC-OZB3, took off from the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, and executed a sequence of aerodynamic system identification tasks. Leveraging insights from earlier prototypes, Baykar notes that it has made several enhancements to the production prototype of Bayraktar KIZILELMA. These improvements encompass both structural and avionics architecture upgrades. Additionally, the aircraft has flown with an alternative engine equipped with an afterburner. Bayraktar KIZILELMA is outfitted with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which bolsters its situational awareness and equipping it to undertake complex missions, notes the company. The aircraft, bearing tail number TC-OZB, emerged from the production line on 14 November 2022 and was promptly dispatched to the AKINCI Flight Training and Test Center. Following rapid completion of ground tests, it embarked on its initial flight on the same day. On 1 May 2023, Bayraktar KIZILELMA joined a fleet formation flight with the F-16 fighter jet SOLOTURK and the Turkish Stars, comprised of F-5 aircraft, soaring over Istanbul. Baykar has used its own resources for its projects since its establishment and has seen 83% of its revenue stem from exports since starting its UAV research and development in 2003. In 2023, Baykar’s exports reached $1.8bn (TL65.8bn). The company has secured export agreements with 34 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and with 11 countries for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, bringing the total number of countries with agreements to 36. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
11 Mar 25. Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 Selected for UK Police Trials. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has selected global manufacturer Schiebel to support its most ambitious trial so far of ‘Beyond the Visual Line of Sight’ (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft operations. The trial – which, in 2024, successfully achieved a place in the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) BVLOS integration sandbox – will evaluate the feasibility of using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to work alongside crewed police helicopters and aeroplanes in support of policing operations across England and Wales.
David Walters, NPAS Head of Futures and Innovation, said the aim of the trial was to determine if advancements in aviation technology can bring future benefits to policing and, if they can, how they could be safely introduced into UK airspace. “We will be evaluating how we might integrate uncrewed aircraft into the existing NPAS operating model, under the current management of our CAA-approved Accountable Manager and Form 4 certificate-holders, who are qualified and accountable for the delivery of safe police air operations over England and Wales,” said David Walters.
Schiebel will be flying the CAMCOPTER S-100 in a carefully selected and controlled environment to assess the UAS capabilities, as part of the concept for a future blended fleet, operated by NPAS.
“The CAMCOPTER S-100 is being operated worldwide with over 40 customers so far, including the UK Royal Navy. With its unrivalled experience and outstanding capabilities, the S-100 is the ideal UAS for this trial,” said Neil Hunter, Head of Global Sales at Schiebel.
“Schiebel prides itself at being at the forefront of delivering UAS technology globally and is continually looking to support the expansion and growth of UAS, specifically in the commercial market. In Western Europe alone it has won contracts with the European Maritime Safety Agency, and with Bristow Group supporting their UK Search and Rescue operations. Being chosen to fulfil this exciting and ground-breaking NPAS trial is testament to the S-100 pedigree and maturity,” he added.
Schiebel will join the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) as part of the team supporting the NPAS Futures and Innovation team with the trial, which is funded by the Home Office and scheduled to see its first test flight in summer 2025.
After extensive consultation, an area in the Severn estuary, in South West England, has been selected for the trial flights, away from any built-up environments.
For the last 24 months, NPAS has been building a robust safety case, which has included testing a ‘detect and avoid’ solution, to ensure the trial can operate safely and with minimum disruption to the public and other airspace users.
Along with the potential capabilities for policing operations, the trial will also evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘detect and avoid’ solution.
“We cannot predict the outcome of the trial, but it is imperative we deliver the same, or improved, capability that we have today with our crewed aircraft. The desired outcome is to be able to offer police forces in England and Wales a way of supporting their operations in an even more flexible way, with a continued emphasis on public safety,” added David Walters.
The National Police Air Service was formed in 2012 as part of a collaboration between all police forces in England and Wales to deliver efficient, borderless air support. With an existing fleet of 19 helicopters and four aeroplanes, operating from 15 regional bases, the service responds to around 100 calls for service each day. Air support deployments most commonly range from high-risk missing people and vehicle pursuits to firearms containments, public order and crowd control, intelligence-gathering, counter-terrorism, major incidents and aerial searches. (Source: UAS VISION/National Police Air Service)
10 Mar 25. TEKEVER and USSOCOM Successfully Complete Operational Exercise. TEKEVER has successfully completed an operational exercise with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at Camp Roberts, California. The exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of TEKEVER’s cutting-edge technology in supporting special operations missions. The exercise highlighted the advanced capabilities of TEKEVER’s UAS platforms, combining highly reliable hardware with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. This combination ensures superior situational awareness, rapid responsiveness, and enhanced resilience, even in highly contested electronic environments where secure communications and continuous intelligence gathering are critical. At the centre of the successful demonstration was the TEKEVER AR3 UAS, whose Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability allows it to operate without the need for additional launch or recovery equipment. This unique feature makes it particularly well-suited to supporting discreet, high-impact operations in remote and austere environments. With a low acoustic and visual signature, the AR3 ensures effective, covert surveillance and reconnaissance. The AR3’s interchangeable multi-sensor payload, which includes electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, radar, and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities, provided real-time intelligence gathering across a wide range of operational scenarios. This flexibility ensures that forces on the ground receive actionable intelligence in even the most complex environments. Reflecting on the successful completion of the exercise, Paulo Ferro, TEKEVER Strategic Development Director, highlighted the company’s continued focus on innovation and operational excellence:
“By combining cutting-edge AI with highly reliable and field-proven hardware, TEKEVER provides special operations forces with the best tools to enhance their decision-making and effectiveness in the most challenging environments. This exercise demonstrated our ability to operate in electronically contested environments while ensuring reliable intelligence and secure communications at all times.” (Source: ASD Network)
10 Mar 25. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT) has successfully validated the advanced control laws to successfully fly a ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in both helicopter and airplane modes. Powered by batteries, the 115 pounds (52kg) twin prop-rotor prototype has demonstrated operational stability and maneuverability across all flight regimes, and the potential to scale the unique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design to larger sizes requiring hybrid-electric propulsion.
“Combining helicopter and airplane flight characteristics onto a flying wing reflects Sikorsky’s drive to innovate next-generation VTOL UAS aircraft that can fly faster and farther than traditional helicopters,” said Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager Rich Benton. “Our rotor blown wing platform is a prime example how we are leveraging the breadth of our 102-year aviation heritage to develop new designs that meet the emerging missions of commercial and military operators.”
Innovation Breakthrough
Sikorsky Innovations, the company’s rapid prototyping group, heads the effort to develop and mature the rotor blown wing design. In just over a year, Sikorsky Innovations has progressed through preliminary design, simulation, tethered and untethered flight to gather aerodynamic, flight control and quality data. Breakthrough was achieved in January 2025 with the 10.3-ft composite wingspan aircraft when Sikorsky Innovations successfully completed more than 40 take-offs and landings. Notably, the aircraft performed 30 transitions between helicopter and airplane modes, the most complex maneuver demanded of the design. In horizontal flight mode, the aircraft reached a top cruise speed of 86 knots. Simultaneous wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 1:1 scale model providing valuable validation of the newly developed control laws by correlating them with real-world experimental data.
“Our rotor blown wing has demonstrated the control power and unique handling qualities necessary to transition repeatedly and predictably from a hover to high-speed wing-borne cruise flight, and back again,” said Sikorsky Innovations Director Igor Cherepinsky. “New control laws were required for this transition maneuver to work seamlessly and efficiently. The data indicates we can operate from pitching ships decks and unprepared ground when scaled to much larger sizes.”
Applications of future UAS rotor blown wing aircraft include search and rescue, firefighting monitoring, humanitarian response, and pipeline surveilling. Large variants will enable long range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and piloted drone teaming (crewed/uncrewed teaming) missions.
All rotor blown wing variants will include Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ flight autonomy system to navigate the aircraft during flight.
Family of Systems
The rotor blown wing design is one of a future family of systems in development by Sikorsky. The family will include winged VTOL UAS and single main rotor aircraft. Also in development by Sikorsky is a 1.2 megawatt hybrid-electric demonstrator (HEX) configured with a tilt wing and a fuselage to carry passengers or cargo across long distances. A HEX power system test bed is expected to demonstrate hover capability in 2027.
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BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.
The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:
LAND:
BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.
Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.
FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.
SEA;
Our patented Floating Body Armour is unique, versatile and sensibly protects both you and your life jacket, under the soft and hard armour. Designed to be low bulk, it`s massive 275 newtons of buoyancy is self-righting. We say it will “save your life twice”.
Our range of Boat Stopping Systems, provided a layered non-lethal stopping capability against all sizes of vessels, including unmanned threats. So you can stop and search, defeat pirates from boarding, prevent terrorists from getting near your vessel or close off quickly a waterway, port or maritime borders.
AIR;
BCB`s sister company UAVE have been manufacturing since 2013, the Dragon MK3, large, long range (1,000km) long endurance (12hours), versatile and mission-ready UAV. It is proven and operational from the polar regions to 45deg C heat in the Middle East and Asia. The larger of the 3 models, carries 25 kilos payload.
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