Aerial Drones & UAV Systems
UAVs, loitering munitions and the systems that fly them — from tactical quadcopters to long-endurance platforms.
UAV partnership for the UK: GKN Aerospace and Anduril Industries UK team up with Archer
With British contracts expected early next year, GKN Aerospace and Anduril Industries UK are joining forces on the next generation of UAVs. Archer contributes eVTOL expertise, and new jobs could be created at the Cowes plant.
Twister reconnaissance drone: Bundeswehr procures Quantum Systems design as Aladin successor
The budget committee has given its approval: 147 Twister systems will replace the Bundeswehr's Aladin reconnaissance drone, and a framework contract allows up to 600 more. The Quantum Systems aircraft is already being built in Ukraine.
Drone training in live simulation: Thales adds drone scenarios to its training solution
Friendly or hostile drone: with a new drone training function in its live simulators, Thales aims to prepare armed forces for changing operational conditions. A kit makes drones from a few hundred grams to several dozen kilograms ready for exercises.
One-way attack drones in the Middle East: US CENTCOM forms first drone squadron with Lucas
The US military has set up its first squadron for one-way attack drones – in the Middle East, under the umbrella of Task Force Scorpion Strike. It operates the Lucas from Spektre Works, a clone of the Iranian Shahed-136. The location remains undisclosed.
Gambit combat drone for Europe: General Atomics presents CCA concept in Oberpfaffenhofen
A flight-proven GA-ASI platform combined with a European mission system: in Oberpfaffenhofen, GA-Europe and GA-ASI showed German industry representatives what a European version of the Gambit combat drone could look like. Workshops and talks are to follow.
DJI Matrice 4T cracked: Russian hackers militarise the drone's firmware
The Telegram channel Ural Drone Hub reports that the firmware of the DJI Matrice 4T can now be flashed for military use. Remote ID and no-fly zones have been disabled, but FCC unlocking has apparently not yet succeeded.
Loitering munition in a drone network: Bundeswehr tests reconnaissance and effects live in the Altmark
Reconnaissance drones, AI-supported command software and loitering munitions from several manufacturers: at the Army's combat training centre, the Bundeswehr has tested a drone-based network live for the first time. Its in-house C2-UMS Bw played a central role.
Drone industry: Leonardo and Baykar to manufacture in Italy through LBA Systems
The TB2, TB3, Akinci and Kizilelma are to be built at three Italian sites. What the LBA Systems joint venture plans for the drone industry in Europe – and why certification for civil airspace remains the biggest hurdle.
Combat drone Kizilelma: Baykar UCAV engages F-16 beyond visual range in test
Off Sinop, the Turkish stealth combat drone Bayraktar Kizilelma engaged a jet beyond visual range with a Gökdogan missile. What role the UCAV could play in the GCAP programme in future – and what remains open about the test.
Loitering munition: NATO customer orders several hundred Hero systems from Rheinmetall
An order in the low three-digit million range, deliveries from early 2026, production in Italy: Rheinmetall is supplying Hero loitering munitions to an unnamed NATO state. An overview of the order and the Hero family.
Drone manufacturer Zala promotes “combat-efficient” Lancet drones in Dubai
With 4,000 attack videos, Russian drone manufacturer Zala backs up the claims for its Lancet-E system at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The T-20 and the “Geokosmos” system are also on show.
Combat drone Bayraktar Kizilelma: Aselsan's Toygun targeting system sits inside a stealth UCAV fuselage
A targeting system previously reserved for fifth-generation fighter jets is now inside a Turkish combat drone: Baykar has integrated Aselsan's Toygun into the Kizilelma and tested it in two flights. According to the manufacturer, the way is clear for series integration.
Drone industry: BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace explore strategic UAS alliance
A memorandum of understanding is set to bring BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) together on unmanned systems. The drone industry partners are splitting the roles: TAI contributes development and production, BAE Systems sales in Europe.