Americas
Collins Aerospace, a company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has won a contract worth about $80 million to create a new avionics system for the Army’s H-60M helicopters. The new system will use a Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), which means it will be easier to upgrade and modify in the future. The contract was awarded by the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. Only one company submitted a bid for this project, which was advertised online. The work is expected to be completed by March 7, 2029. The H-60M is a newer version of the Black Hawk helicopter, used by the Army for various missions. This upgrade will improve the helicopter’s electronic systems, potentially enhancing its capabilities and making it easier to maintain.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently showcased the advanced autonomy capabilities of its MQ-20 Avenger drone during a flight test. The demonstration involved sequential use of two autonomy software systems, highlighting significant advancements in unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) technology. The initial phase of the flight was controlled by the U.S. government’s reference autonomy stack, focusing on air-to-air combat scenarios. A government-provided Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) enabled seamless control and monitoring of the system. Mid-flight, control transitioned to another autonomy software, showcasing the drone’s ability to switch between different systems. Michael Atwood, GA-ASI’s Vice President of Advanced Programs, described the test as a major step toward operationalizing autonomy for UCAVs. This achievement marks a significant milestone in integrating advanced autonomous capabilities into military platforms, ensuring adaptability and faster integration of emerging technologies. The MQ-20 Avenger continues to serve as a testbed for next-generation autonomous systems under various military initiatives.
Middle East & Africa
On Saturday, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy backed an Arab League-backed plan to rebuild Gaza. This initiative, crafted by Egypt and endorsed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), aims to reconstruct Gaza under the Palestinian Authority’s administration without displacing its 2.4 million residents. The plan is seen as a counterproposal to US President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion to relocate Gaza’s population and develop the area under U.S. control. The Arab plan, estimated to cost $53 billion, focuses on improving living conditions in Gaza through a phased approach involving recovery, reconstruction, and governance. It proposes temporary administration by independent experts before transferring control to the Palestinian Authority. Unlike Trump’s widely condemned proposal, the Arab initiative emphasizes preserving Palestinian land rights and avoiding forced relocation.
Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar and Italian aerospace giant Leonardo have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop and produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the European market. The agreement, signed on March 6, 2025, establishes a 50-50 joint venture that will leverage Baykar’s expertise in UAV platforms and Leonardo’s strengths in mission systems, payloads, and aerospace certification. The collaboration envisions assembling drones in both Turkey and Italy, which will facilitate certification processes for the European market. The companies estimate the European drone market will reach $100 billion over the next decade. The partnership also positions Baykar to expand its presence in Europe while offering a Turkish drone as a potential “Loyal Wingman” candidate for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter. Baykar Chairperson Selçuk Bayraktar highlighted the deal as an opportunity to achieve “aerial supremacy” through advanced AI-driven technologies. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani emphasized the potential for innovation in UAVs of varying sizes and capabilities, including applications in space technologies. This partnership not only addresses Europe’s growing demand for UAVs but also aligns with broader defense and aerospace goals in the region.
Asia-Pacific
Taiwan detected 11 Chinese balloons near the island in a 24-hour period, the defense ministry said Friday. The balloons were spotted along with five Chinese aircraft and six warships in the 24 hours to 6:00 am (22:00 GMT on Thursday), the ministry said in its daily report. It was the highest number of balloons recorded, according to an AFP tally of the data dating back to December 2023. China insists democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects.