defense
EASA updates Easy Access Rules, adds SORA 2.5 to UAS compliance baseline
EASA’s June 2026 Easy Access Rules update adds SORA 2.5 and a redesigned platform, tightening Europe’s shared baseline for higher-risk UAS authorisations.
regulation
Coverage of EU and national drone laws, certification standards, and policy debates defining operational frameworks.
defense
Spain greenlights first SAIL III BVLOS drone cargo over populated areas
Spain’s AESA has issued its first SAIL III authorisation, allowing CATUAV to fly BVLOS cargo missions over populated areas with the RigiTech Eiger 3—an important EU regulatory precedent for scaled unmanned logistics.
defense
EASA eyes 100g threshold: registration, training and Remote ID from 2028
EASA stakeholder talks signal that from 2028, EU operators of drones above 100g may face registration, training and Remote ID under NPA 2026-103.
defense
UK Future Flight hits regulatory and financing headwinds
An official evaluation warns the UK’s £300m Future Flight programme is being hampered by regulatory delays, funding gaps, and missing infrastructure, risking loss of competitive momentum.
defense
UK CAA grants Manna SAIL III, widening the corridor for higher-risk drone delivery
Manna has secured UK CAA SAIL III under SORA, joining a small set of operators cleared for more advanced, higher-risk Specific-category drone delivery operations.
defense
UK CAA leverages 1,600-flight BVLOS dataset to harden future UAS rules
UK CAA T&E data from 1,600+ flights and 350 hours is shaping a regulatory path toward routine BVLOS drone operations, with implications for European harmonisation.
defense
EASA/EUROCONTROL advance Electronic Conspicuity to integrate drones in shared airspace
EASA and EUROCONTROL published two Electronic Conspicuity use cases to improve traffic awareness and support safer drone integration in Europe’s shared airspace.
defense
Unifly buys EuroUSC-Benelux, scaling EU drone compliance consulting
Unifly acquired EuroUSC-Benelux, expanding its drone regulatory and compliance consulting footprint across Benelux and France alongside its UTM business.
regulation
European consortium defines 'trusted drone' criteria to secure critical operations
A Deloitte-led consortium held an initial workshop to outline cybersecurity and supply-chain requirements for a European Trusted Drone Label, targeting public-sector procurement within the EU Drone Strategy 2.0 framework.
regulation
Brussels proposes software-enforced operator ID requirement for EU drones above 100 grams
The European Commission's Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security proposes that drones heavier than 100g be technically incapable of take-off without a valid operator registration number, extending Remote ID obligations to nearly all consumer and professional platforms.
defense
Cyprus halts all civil drone flights, citing regional tensions
Cyprus has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on all civil drone flights, extending to surrounding airspace up to 12 nautical miles from the coastline under a 4 March 2026 decree.
innovation
Laser charging system seeks indefinite drone flight
A laser power‑beaming system could allow drones to stay aloft for extended periods by beaming energy from ground or airborne transmitters, but technical, safety and regulatory hurdles limit near‑term operational use.