Aerial Drones & UAV Systems
UAVs, loitering munitions and the systems that fly them — from tactical quadcopters to long-endurance platforms.
Hezbollah drone over Ramat David: video shows undetected overflight of an Israeli air base
A few days after a Houthi drone struck Jerusalem, a video is circulating that shows a Hezbollah drone over Ramat David military airfield. It also revealed the identity of the base commander.
Drone manufacturer Schiebel: a tour of Camcopter production in Wiener Neustadt
It grew up on mine detectors and is now one of the world’s leading drone manufacturers: at Schiebel in Wiener Neustadt, the Camcopter S-100 is built from 163 carbon fibre layers, in-house engines and a great deal of advance planning.
Reconnaissance drones without GPS/GLONASS: how Russia navigates its drones across the front
Russian reconnaissance drones are penetrating deep into the Ukrainian rear in radio-silence mode. Ukraine is trying to establish how they find their way despite jammed satellite navigation – radio navigation and on-board terrain maps play the key role.
FPV drone Maus: Donaustahl cleared to export to Ukraine
Green light from Berlin: Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs has approved Donaustahl's export of the FPV drone Maus to Ukraine. The drone unit Kraken is to be the first user to evaluate the modular system.
Military drones in miniature: “Nobody will survive!”, warns Alexander Kochetkov
Rather than ever larger drones, Ukrainian analyst Alexander Kochetkov expects tiny, AI-controlled swarms. With military drones of this kind, he sees the end of infantry in its current form – and names the USA and China as pioneers.
Military drones of its own: Switzerland brings industry and DDPS to a roundtable
Armasuisse has brought industry and the DDPS together in Bern: Switzerland wants to develop small and medium-sized military drones itself, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and begin initial trials with the troops from 2025.
AI drones in Ukraine: how artificial intelligence is changing drone warfare
According to Russian sources, Ukraine has gained a drone advantage of at least 6:1 with the help of artificial intelligence. An overview of AI drones for reconnaissance and attack on both sides – and why caution is advised with the videos.
Drone manufacturer Nordic Drones goes to Patria: agreement signed for all shares
Patria intends to acquire the entire share capital of Nordic Drones Oy. The purchase price for the Finnish drone manufacturer and training provider remains undisclosed, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM) still has to approve.
Combat drone Bayraktar TB3: Baykar reports successful tests and ramp take-off
Altitude above 11,000 metres, a successful ski-jump test in Keşan and trials on the “TCG Anadolu” soon to follow: Baykar's combat drone Bayraktar TB3 is moving closer to deployment on the Turkish aircraft carrier.
Loitering munition Hero-120SF: UVision and Mistral to supply US Special Operations Command
Around 69 million euros are flowing from the US government to UVision Inc and Mistral Inc. The delivery comprises Hero-120SF loitering munitions plus spare parts and training; completion is planned for 2029.
Reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea: Russia intends to act against US drones
Defence Minister Andrei Belousov is demanding rapid responses from the General Staff to US drone flights over the Black Sea. Russian military bloggers warn against a shootdown and point to the limits at high altitude – including for reconnaissance drones.
Drone carriers: Turkey and China are close to commissioning their first ships
Ankara is preparing the “TCG Anadolu” for a squadron of Bayraktar TB3s, while a suspected drone carrier lies in a Chinese shipyard. Plus a look back at pioneer Schiebel and the question of how vulnerable MALE drones are.
Reconnaissance drone Vector: Quantum Systems supplies Romania's Ministry of Defence
Romania is receiving Vector systems from Quantum Systems via the agency Romtehnica S.A. The contract worth around 18.4 million euros runs for 36 months – according to the manufacturer, quality and price were decisive for the reconnaissance drone.