Author name: Aviation World

Sofia( Bulgaria) and Taufkirchen( Germany),11 November 2026 : Dronamics and HENSOLDT have demonstrated Europe’s first unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) system combined with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability. As part of the campaign, HENSOLDT’s MissionGrid sensor suite was integrated, test-flown and validated on board a full-scale Dronamics Black Swan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the combined platform was subsequently demonstrated in flight in Bulgaria in front of prospective end users and representatives of various armed forces and government operators, generating significant customer interest. This is the first time HENSOLDT’s MissionGrid sensor suite with MissMarvin mission management software, PrecISR radar and electro-optical Argos sensor have been demonstrated on an unmanned platform in a fully integrated solution. Furthermore, the outstanding operational performance of HENSOLDT’s software suite MDOcore was successfully demonstrated in flight. Integrated into the Black Swan UAV, MDOcore ensured secure, real-time, cross-domain networking as part of Multi-Domain operations scenarios. Named Dronamics Detect & Defend, the combined solution was first announced at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year. This fully European AEW system combines the endurance, payload capacity and range of Dronamics’ drone technology with HENSOLDT’s state-of-the-art mission sensor systems, making the Black Swan among the most versatile NATO Class III UAS. ITAR-free, it has capabilities to detect and identify targets across ground, maritime and air domains. Expected to cost significantly less than legacy manned AEW platforms, the unmanned solution seeks to provide significant operational improvement at a time of escalating security concerns across Europe’s Eastern Flank including the Black Sea. At a time when European NATO members are ramping up their defense spending, the integrated HENSOLDT AEW and ISTAR capabilities of the Dronamics Detect and Defend solution can make it relevant for four of the recently adopted five European Defense Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) – Drone and Counter-Drone European Resolve, Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defense, EU Federated Integrated Air and Missile Defense, including Early Warning, and Eastern Flank Watch. Its EU origin can make it relevant for Made in EU procurement under the SAFE Instrument and other EU programs. The demonstration covered several mission sets of the joint solution, including air-to-ground detection and tracking of ground targets, including moving vehicles, stationary assets, as well as geolocation, and air-to-maritime detection of vessels on the Danube River. Announced in Q1. Integrated in Q3. Demonstrated in Q4. When the partnership launched in February 2026, Dronamics and HENSOLDT set out to build a 100% Made in Europe unmanned AEW and ISTAR solution. The aim: give countries the ability to continuously detect and target multi-domain threats from the air and keep European skies under European control. The companies had planned demonstrations for later in the year with that program milestone now achieved. The Black Swan is a long-range, fixed-wing unmanned aircraft, designed for multiple missions, with payload-agnostic capacity. Its heavy-lift capability allows HENSOLDT’s ISTAR systems to be integrated in several configurations. MissionGrid fuses data from HENSOLDT’s radar and electro-optical sensors so that a single aircraft can deliver multiple missions. PrecISR is software-defined and built to operate 24/7 in all weather conditions against conventional and asymmetric threats on the ground, at sea and in the air. Dronamics and HENSOLDT intend to continue their collaboration with a view towards operational deployment. As set out at the launch of the companies’ partnership in February 2026, the focus is on strengthening Europe’s capabilities, addressing urgent security needs along its Eastern Flank and in the Black Sea region. “In February we said we would demonstrate European sensors on a European unmanned aircraft in front of the people tasked with defending Europeans. We have done exactly that. A NATO Class III strategic unmanned platform carrying out airborne early warning, built in Europe, for a significantly lower cost than traditional manned AEW platforms. That is what sovereign EU capability looks like and it is what follow-through looks like. We are grateful to the HENSOLDT team for a partnership that delivers and we are excited about being able to contribute to the defense of Europe,” said Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and President, Dronamics. “With these successful flight demonstrations, we have underlined our expertise as a leading systems integrator and pioneer of Software-Defined Defence. Together, we have taken an important step towards realising our shared vision of providing a sovereign, EU-manufactured capability in the NATO Class III UAV category for strategic surveillance, including the detection of low-flying targets,” said Dietmar Thelen, Member of the HENSOLDT Group Executive Board and Head of Division Multi-Domain Solutions at HENSOLDT.  

(Banner Image Caption: A Beechcraft King Air 360CER configured for the U.S. Marine Corps UC-12W+ mission) Multi-mission Beechcraft King Air 360CER provides flexible passenger, cargo and medical transport for time-sensitive Marine Corps operations Wichita, Kansas,10th Nov 2026: The Naval Air Systems Command has ordered Textron Aviation a firm-fixed-price contract for one Beechcraft King Air 360CER aircraft, designated the UC-12W+, and an initial package of spare parts for the U.S. Marine Corps. The award supports the Corps’ need for fast, flexible passenger and cargo transport. THE AWARD: Naval Air Systems Command awarded the $18.6 million contract on Sept. 28, 2026. It includes one UC-12W+ aircraft plus initial spares. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2028. WHY IT MATTERS: The UC-12W+ is a tactical airlift platform built for short-notice, time-sensitive and high-priority missions. Its cabin is easily reconfigurable to support passenger, cargo and mixed-use utility layouts. It can also carry medical evacuation litters, giving Marine units one aircraft for many transport needs. BUILT FOR THE MISSION: Based on the rugged King Air 360CER, the aircraft pairs extended-range fuel tanks and a large cargo door with Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines. Mission equipment includes secure military avionics and communications, night-vision-compatible lighting, weather detection, gravel-runway protection and aircraft survivability systems. An eight-seat passenger layout can be reconfigured when the mission calls for cargo or medical transport. The U.S. Marine Corps’ active Operational Support Airlift inventory includes nine operational UC-12W and UC-12W+ aircraft. With this latest award, four additional UC-12W+ aircraft are in production and expected to be delivered in 2028. The program calls for a projected fleet of 30 UC-12W aircraft. These modern, multi-mission turboprops are steadily replacing legacy, nondeployable UC-12F, UC-12M and UC-35D utility aircraft. The fleet operates from various U.S. Marine Corps Air Stations and transportation squadrons, to include Camp Pendleton, California.  

Mumbai, 9th November 2026: India’s defence manufacturing priorities are increasingly shifting from assembly-led production towards indigenous technology ownership and innovation, observed General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (Retd.), Former Chief of the Army Staff, while addressing the first stakeholders meeting of the ASSOCHAM Maharashtra Aerospace and Defence Council. Emphasising the government’s evolving approach, he stated, “The focus is clearly shifting from Make in India to Owned by India,” underscoring the importance of developing indigenous intellectual property, technologies and subsystems to strengthen India’s defence capabilities and strategic self-reliance. He added, “People have realised that it is no longer enough to get a transfer of technology (ToT) from outside and simply assemble things here. You need to have your own IP in technologies and subsystems. I think that is where the government wants to move.” The Aerospace & Defence Committee Stakeholders Meeting, organised by the ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, brought together eminent industry leaders, defence sector representatives and key stakeholders to deliberate on emerging opportunities and the evolving landscape of India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. The meeting provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, exchange of industry perspectives and strengthened stakeholder engagement, with a focus on fostering collaboration and positioning Maharashtra as a leading destination for defence manufacturing, innovation and technological development. Addressing the meeting, Arun T Ramchandrani, Sr VP & Head – L&T Precision Engineering & Systems, and President, SIDM, said, “The scale of the domestic industry today, the output of the industry, is about ₹1,80,000 crore in the last financial year. We are seeing regular growth and a large thrust on self-reliance and domestic product development, so there is huge evolution.” Speaking at the meeting, Milind Hardikar, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, said, “Today, this industry sits at the intersection of national security, strategic autonomy, advanced technology, and industrial competitiveness. The future will be shaped not just by manufacturing capacities, but it will be increasingly dependent on ability to design a product, develop, manufacture and continuously upgrade advanced technologies and systems.” Addressing the meeting virtually, Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, said, “Our focus therefore must now be to move beyond import substitution towards indigenous design, technology development, manufacturing, innovation and exports. Maharashtra is particularly well positioned to contribute to this national ambition, given its strong industrial base, engineering capabilities, aerospace and automotive ecosystem, MSMEs, research institutions and skilled workforce.” At the meeting, Sanjay Chakraborty, Chairman, Aerospace & Defence, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council; and Vice President & Head – Corporate Center, L&T Precision Engineering and Systems, said, “The strength of an ecosystem lies not merely in the capabilities of its individual constituents, but in how effectively they connect, collaborate and complement one another. Our aim is to build a defence and aerospace ecosystem in Maharashtra that is greater than the sum of its parts.” The discussion highlighted the growing scope for indigenous manufacturing, technology development and domestic sourcing, while emphasising the need to move beyond conventional production and retrofit-based activities towards greater ownership of technology and intellectual property. Participants also highlighted opportunities in specialised alloys, submarine components, stealth and signature management technologies, aerospace engineering, MRO services, advanced manufacturing and dual-use technologies. A key area of deliberation was the need to address industry-wide challenges through stronger institutional and policy-level engagement. Participants highlighted the need for greater interaction between industry, the armed forces and government stakeholders to better understand operational requirements, facilitate technology adoption and improve the responsiveness of procurement processes. Concerns were also raised regarding high production costs, limited flexibility in design modifications, delayed payment cycles, working capital constraints and difficulties in accessing institutional finance. The availability and retention of skilled manpower emerged as another important concern, with suggestions to explore structured skilling initiatives and greater industry participation in developing job-ready talent. The need to integrate banking and financial institutions into the council’s engagement framework was also proposed. The establishment of a dedicated testing and validation facility or sandbox in Maharashtra also emerged as a key proposal during the discussion. Discussions revolved around transitioning from individual industry dialogue towards structured collective action through dedicated working groups, member-led initiatives and clearly defined responsibilities. It was proposed that the council identify priority areas, appoint initiative champions, engage relevant government departments and institutional partners, and develop a member-owned charter with measurable outcomes. The proposed roadmap envisages consolidating priorities over the coming months, finalising the charter and working group structures by March 2027, and commencing implementation from April 2027. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Perminder Jeet Kaur, Head – States & Union Territories, ASSOCHAM, who expressed her gratitude to the speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and reiterated ASSOCHAM’s commitment to fostering a collaborative defence and aerospace ecosystem. She highlighted the importance of stronger industry–government engagement, greater interaction with the armed forces and the need to move towards indigenous technology ownership. She also suggested exploring the learnings from IIT Kanpur’s proposed technology sandbox for drones and aerospace to support the development of a similar facility in Maharashtra. ( The news is published unedited)