Aerial Drones & UAV Systems
UAVs, loitering munitions and the systems that fly them — from tactical quadcopters to long-endurance platforms.
Drone manufacturer Tekever opens subsidiary in Munich – Bundeswehr tests first drone
Munich becomes the home of Tekever Germany. At the same time, the Bundeswehr is evaluating a system from the Portuguese drone manufacturer – a heavy-lift drone for autonomous logistics and support tasks.
V-BAT for Taiwan: Coast Guard takes delivery of first drones from Shield AI
Twelve vertical take-off V-BAT are set to strengthen maritime surveillance around Taiwan. The first Shield AI systems have been handed over, and training and local maintenance are being set up together with AIDC.
Drone ecosystem: first Drohnenforum Schweiz in Thun calls for more speed and less bureaucracy
How can technological innovation be turned into military capability faster? The first Drohnenforum Schweiz in Thun focused on building a drone ecosystem, on new models of cooperation – and on blunt words from Chief of the Armed Forces Roos and Armaments Chief Loher.
Defence procurement: Swiss Armaments Chief Urs Loher calls for a rethink – “too slow along the entire chain”
Tactics change within weeks, procurement programmes take years: at the first Sicherheitsforum Drohnen Schweiz in Thun, Armaments Chief Urs Loher explained why defence procurement needs new models – and what role the “Eiger” project is to play.
Swiss Armed Forces: Lieutenant General Roos calls for a radical rethink – “enough books written”
Billions for drones, a new drone battalion – and still not enough: at the first Sicherheitsforum Drohnen Schweiz in Thun, Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos called on the Swiss Armed Forces to show less perfectionism, less bureaucracy and more speed.
Grille drone: Steyr Motors generators secure the power supply for Avilus
While Avilus’s Grille drone is in the air, the next battery set is already charging on the ground, made possible by the M12 Power Unit from Steyr Motors. The cooperation targets military field operations; the generators are already in use with the Bundeswehr.
Net-launcher drones for the Bundeswehr: contract worth up to 1.1 billion euros
The budget committee gave the green light, and a day later the BAAINBw signed: the Bundeswehr is acquiring net-launcher drones that capture targets instead of shooting them down. Quantities and contract value remain open – media name the A1-Falke from Argus Interception.
Interceptor drones in the lead: Ukraine orders more than 590,000 drones via Brave1 Market
For the first time, interceptor drones top the order statistics of the Ukrainian armed forces, ahead even of FPV combat drones. Behind this is a procurement model that converts combat successes into points and is now also attracting Airbus Defence and Space and Canada.
Drone manufacturer UDS opens production facility in Ukraine
With the joint venture “UDS Ukraine”, the Lithuanian drone manufacturer Unmanned Defense Systems intends to stay in the country for the long term. Training, advice and feedback from operations are planned – Lithuania's ambassador to Ukraine welcomes the move.
Reconnaissance drones made at home: Poland orders FlyEye from FlyTronic
A billion-złoty contract financed through the EU's SAFE programme: Poland is buying FlyEye reconnaissance drones from a domestic manufacturer. The first systems are with the troops, training is under way and the final deliveries are due by the end of 2030.
VTOL drones in a container: Sikorsky packs four Nomad 100 into the Fast Pack
With the Nomad 100 Fast Pack, Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky aims to bring VTOL drones and their infrastructure rapidly to any location. Two aircraft are to be ready for launch in less than 15 minutes; the company is silent on customers and prices.
Loitering munition TYR: Heaviside Industries shows lightweight weapon at AUSA
Just over two kilograms, four warhead variants from Nammo, more than 60 minutes in the air: with TYR, Heaviside Industries is presenting a portable loitering munition that is even intended to engage main battle tanks.
Interceptor drones from Ukraine: Japan buys P1-Sun from SkyFall
For the first time, Tokyo is sourcing interceptor drones made in Ukraine. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed the contract with SkyFall for the P1-Sun – the quantity, contract value and which variant will be delivered remain undisclosed.