Aerial Drones & UAV Systems
UAVs, loitering munitions and the systems that fly them — from tactical quadcopters to long-endurance platforms.
FPV drone costing 425 euros shoots down Russian Mi-8: hit by Ukraine's 59th Brigade
A Ukrainian Shrike FPV drone has brought down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. The 59th Brigade published the video. The drone costs 425 euros, while the helicopter is estimated to cost at least 6 million euros.
Unmanned systems at sea: NATO exercise off Portugal tests drones in the air, on and under water
32 countries, more than 260 systems, two weeks of trials: off Portugal, the Royal Netherlands Navy and its partners tested unmanned systems. The focus was on swarm technologies, counter-drone defence and mine countermeasures.
FPV drones: “The battlefield will change”
Austrian Armed Forces officer candidate Moritz Böhm examined the military use of FPV drones in his bachelor's thesis. He explains his key findings, the challenges in procurement and training, and the role of drones on the future battlefield.
Fibre-optic drones in the drone war: video shows a field covered in cables in eastern Ukraine
Filmed from a Ukrainian Mi-24 attack helicopter, a video shows a frontline field full of glittering fibre-optic cables. They come from fibre-optic drones, whose control link can be neither located nor electronically jammed.
Military drones from China: KZ-2 from the Chinese Academy of Sciences appears in Changchun
Only a few weeks after the victory parade in Beijing, the KZ-2 reveals another previously unknown type of Chinese military drone. Its purpose and development status are unclear – but its two engines are a novelty.
Combat drone CA-1 Europa: Helsing unveils autonomous combat aircraft at Grob Aircraft in Tussenhausen
With the CA-1 Europa, Helsing presents a full-size combat drone that combines the Centaur AI pilot with Grob Aircraft's aircraft-building expertise. The jet is to fly in series-ready form in four years.
Unmanned systems at Schiebel: “All these systems also serve civilian tasks”
At “DroneVation & Defence 2025” in Vienna, Austrian company Schiebel presents its latest developments in unmanned systems. Founded in 1951, it is one of the leading manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems and is known above all for the Camcopter S-100.
Drone collision avoidance at Airlabs Austria: “Existing systems are not sufficient”
Airlabs Austria is the national innovation lab for unmanned aircraft systems. At “DroneVation & Defence 2025” we spoke with technical product manager Robin Deutsch about drone collision avoidance, icing forecasts and other current projects.
Counter-UAS from Czechia: LLP Holding shows JWI-4000 UAV interceptor at DSEI
Up to 4,000 metres altitude, 300 km/h top speed and a directional fragmentation warhead: with the JWI-4000, LLP Holding brings a counter-UAS building block to London. The manufacturer did not give dimensions.
Military drone for electronic warfare: Thales and Autonomous Devices show EW-UAS1 at DSEI
Jamming, deception, passive surveillance: the EW-UAS1 military drone is to give naval and land forces a flying platform for electronic warfare – initially intended to protect warships against anti-ship missiles.
Military drones for the Royal Canadian Navy: MDA Space orders up to six Camcopter S-100 from Schiebel
MDA Space is ordering military drones from Schiebel for Halifax-class ships: up to six Camcopter S-100 for ISTAR tasks. The order comes one day after the presentation of the weapon-capable S-101 and S-301.
Drone manufacturer Quantum Systems to invest up to 50 million euros in the United Kingdom
The acquisition of Nordic Unmanned UK has given rise to Quantum Systems UK. The German drone manufacturer is targeting the British Ministry of Defence's 20-40-40 strategy; the new subsidiary is led by former Royal Marine Vito Tomasi.
Drone industry: Cologne engine maker Deutz buys propulsion specialist Sobek
By purchasing the Sobek Group, Deutz is entering the drone industry. The company makes electric drives and controls for drones and is considered profitable; the purchase price is around eleven times operating profit.