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Loitering munition Virtus from Stark: 45th Armoured Brigade “Litauen” tests it at “Freedom Shield 2026”
Stark's Virtus loitering munition is to be tested for the first time in Lithuania during “Freedom Shield 2026”. The setting is a six-day combat exercise at the Rudninkai training area, while the 37th Armoured Infantry Brigade trains in parallel at “Grand Eagle 26”.
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Across the domainsAll stories
Aerial Drones
UAVs, loitering munitions and the systems that fly them — from tactical quadcopters to long-endurance platforms.
Ground Robotics
Unmanned ground vehicles for logistics, reconnaissance and support — tracked, wheeled and increasingly autonomous.
Maritime Drones
Uncrewed surface and underwater systems for survey, patrol and naval operations.
Aerial Drones / In focus
Unmanned cargo aircraft Lifter: Oshkosh Defense and Grid Aero plan series production
Oshkosh Defense is backing an unmanned cargo aircraft from Grid Aero: the Lifter is to be built cheaply and in large numbers. Orders, production figures and delivery dates have not yet been disclosed.
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Get the free digital editionFirst issue: November 2026 · Twice a yearTechnology & perspectivesAll technology
Drone electronics from Finland: Arctic Ravn secures 2.5 million euros within five days
Instead of the targeted two million euros, Arctic Ravn received commitments of 2.5 million euros in five days. The Finnish company intends to use the funds to advance the production and development of its drone electronics.
Interceptor drone Skyron set to benefit: Quantum Systems flies Apex Recordhunter at 777 km/h
On a military training area in central Germany, the Apex Recordhunter breaks 777 km/h, but the flight in the opposite direction fails. For Quantum Systems, more than a world record is at stake: the know-how is to flow into a faster interceptor drone.
Counter-UAS with microwaves and hypervelocity projectiles: BAE Systems presents MDACS and HPM
At AUSA 2026 in Washington, BAE Systems is pursuing two paths against drone swarms and missile attacks: kinetic effect with MDACS and directed energy via HPM – a dual approach to counter-UAS for which no orders or timelines have yet been named.
Startups & InnovatorsAll startups
Drone electronics from Finland: Arctic Ravn secures 2.5 million euros within five days
Instead of the targeted two million euros, Arctic Ravn received commitments of 2.5 million euros in five days. The Finnish company intends to use the funds to advance the production and development of its drone electronics.
Counter-drone protection for vehicles: Graz start-up Guardaero wins “Protection Award” in Munich
At the Defence Innovation Pitch Day 2026 in Munich, the “Protection Award” went to Graz. Guardaero won it for APS1, an active counter-drone system designed to protect military vehicles automatically against FPV drones. Market readiness is planned for 2027.
Jet drone Nightshade Mk-2: Apollyon Dynamics from Hyderabad publishes first images
A real fuselage instead of computer graphics: Indian start-up Apollyon Dynamics offers a first look at its Nightshade Mk-2 jet drone. Technical data are still missing, and the date of the first flight is also open.
People & AppointmentsAll appointments
Thales in Switzerland and Austria: Matthias Zoller becomes Vice President and Country Director
After his time as Secretary General of SWISS ASD, Matthias Zoller is moving to Thales, where he will be responsible for two markets. Who will succeed him at the industry association Swissmem is still open.
TechnologyTriada Robotics CEO Artem Veselov: “The market is turning away from expensive legacy systems”
In summer 2026, first information and sighting reports of a new Ukrainian jet drone appeared on social media. We spoke to Artem Veselov, CEO of Triada Robotics, about the company, its team and the future of long-range strike.
Counter-UASCounter-UAS: Karner, Tanner and Leichtfried present the working group's interim report
Counter-UAS spread across several ministries: a joint drone situation centre, a larger exercise later this year and an amendment to the Telecommunications Act for critical infrastructure operators – these are the key points of the interim report of 24 September.
