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Explore UST’s round-up of our five most read articles in the industry this week, including new technologies, collaborations, and industry successes.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed a test that successfully demonstrated a simulated autonomous shoot-down, using multiple aircraft and advanced software.
A GA-ASI-owned MQ-20 Avenger® unmanned jet used the latest government reference autonomy software in an exercise involving multiple live and virtual aircraft, as well as software supplied by Shield AI.
2. Evolito to Develop Electric Propulsion System in New Aerospace Collaboration
Evolito has partnered with VÆRIDION to develop an electric propulsion system for the Microliner aircraft, with the agreement revealed at the 2025 Paris Air Show.
Evolito has been at the forefront of the electric propulsion industry and is believed to be the first company to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority for electric propulsion systems. Designed with certification, manufacturability, performance, and efficiency in mind, Evolito’s technology is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of electric aviation.
3. Black Swift Technologies Wins Small UAS of the Year at XPONENTIAL 2025
Black Swift Technologies, a leading innovator in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has been awarded the prestigious Small UAS of the Year – Commercial Applications accolade at the inaugural Innovation Vanguard Awards ceremony, held during XPONENTIAL 2025 in Houston.
The awards celebrate outstanding achievements by companies pushing the boundaries of unmanned and autonomous technologies worldwide.
4. Exail Showcases Integrated USV & AUV Operations in Collaborative Trial
Exail’s unmanned surface vessel (USV), DriX H-8, and Ifremer’s 6000m-depth autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), Ulyx, developed with Exail’s contribution, were jointly deployed in a collaborative mission for Ifremer.
This operation, conducted off the coast of La Ciotat in southern France, demonstrated both partners’ capabilities in autonomous systems and sensor technologies. Ulyx was deployed from Ifremer’s vessel L’Europe, while DriX was operated remotely from the Exail Remote Operation Center at the La Ciotat shipyard.
5. Nokia to Lead European Robotics & Unmanned Technology Initiative
Nokia has been chosen to lead PROACTIF, a major European Union initiative focused on advancing robotics and unmanned technologies across the continent.
Backed by the EU’s Chips Joint Undertaking, the multimillion euro project is designed to boost Europe’s resilience and competitiveness in electronic components and systems while accelerating the strategic autonomy of its drone and robotics sectors.
