UPS has fully retired its McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter fleet, bringing an end to decades of trijet cargo operations after a fatal crash in 2025. In its fourth-quarter earnings report, UPS confirmed the retirement of all 26 MD-11Fs it still owned.
Breaking Defense spoke with Tim Saffold, Vice President, Autonomous and Unmanned Systems, Amentum, about the role of autonomous and unmanned systems in modern logistics. The use of unmanned systems can increase or expand reach, reduce risk to personnel, and enable more distributed, resilient operations.
Ukrainian forces are revolutionizing military logistics through blockchain-enabled drone delivery systems, eliminating traditional warehouses in favor of on-demand manufacturing and 24-hour battlefield deployment. Speaking at the Sydney Dialogue, Dignitas Ukraine leader Lyuba Shipovich highlighted how this innovation mirrors commercial e-commerce models while addressing urgent front-line needs.
Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of US Space Command, called for a foundational pivot to maneuver-based space operations, echoing the Marine Corps doctrine.
Riyadh Air has unveiled Riyadh Cargo as its freighter operations division, marking the beginning of belly-hold cargo flights across its wide-body aircraft fleet. According to AeroTime, the new service is a 'core pillar' of the airline's commercial operations, reflecting a deliberate approach to building a scalable and integrated cargo business.
JALCARGO and the JR East Group have announced a new transportation service that combines Japan's Shinkansen high-speed rail network with Japan Airline's global air cargo operations. The 'JAL de Hako-byun' service, set to launch on January 13, 2026, aims to connect local Japanese producers with international markets through a streamlined one-stop logistics solution.
Emirates SkyCargo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VTOL aircraft developer LODD Autonomous to explore next generation air cargo solutions. The partnership aims to validate the use of VTOL aircraft across Emirates' global network, with a view toward commercial deployment in regional and global markets.
The US Army is preparing to integrate small drones into its forces, with a goal of fielding one-way attack drones to every squad by October. To achieve this, the Army is hosting a drone warfighter competition to explore training and tactics changes.
Airbus Helicopters has inaugurated a new logistics hub in Singapore, positioning the city-state at the heart of its global support network. The facility serves customers across 21 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific, with an initial inventory worth €10 million.