Aerial Drones & UAV Systems
UAVs, loitering munitions and the systems that fly them — from tactical quadcopters to long-endurance platforms.
Interceptor drone wanted: Ukraine reports first successes against Russian reconnaissance drones
Air defence missiles are not to be wasted on Orlan, SuperCam or ZALA. Kyiv has therefore been looking for an interceptor drone since April – via Brave1 and a hackathon in London. The first videos of interception missions have already emerged.
Drone army for Germany? Bundestag debates CDU/CSU motion for the first time
On 16 May, the Bundestag will debate a drone army for the first time. The CDU/CSU accuses the federal government of having done too little on drones and their defence – 21 Eurodrones by 2032 are not enough, it argues.
Unmanned systems: UK puts 5.2 billion euros into new DE&S strategy
Over the next ten years, the UK's Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) plans to invest billions in unmanned systems. The strategy draws on experience in Ukraine, which is itself to continue receiving British-made drones.
Reconnaissance drones from Ukraine: Quantum Systems opens plant for up to 1,000 Vector a year
Robert Habeck has opened Quantum Systems' new production site in Ukraine during a delegation visit. Vector reconnaissance drones and spare parts are to be built there; up to six million euros will be invested in the site.
Combat drone MQ-28 Ghost Bat: Boeing Australia builds dedicated production facility
Boeing is building a new production facility in Australia for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drone. A Global Data market study expects the country to invest around 4.7 billion euros in unmanned aerial vehicles over the next decade.
FPV drones in the Ukraine war: attack on a vehicle shed and a kill in mid-air
Two videos from a single week show how versatile FPV drones have become: as a cheap weapon against tanks parked in a shed and as an unarmed interceptor against a Russian fixed-wing drone.
Mini drones for the navy: France's DGA orders 15 more SMDM from Survey Copter
With a contract worth almost 30 million euros, France is expanding its fleet of ship-based mini drones. What Survey Copter's SMDM can do and when the new systems will be handed over to the navy.
Unmanned systems as a separate service: Zelensky orders review of drone forces for Ukraine
In a decree of 6 February, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a review of whether unmanned systems in Ukraine should form a separate branch of the armed forces. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov supports the move.
Military drones in the Austrian Armed Forces: commercial training drones pave the way for instruction
Before the first small military drones reach the land forces, the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) are training their instructors on civilian training devices. Around 300 systems are planned initially; all battalions are to be equipped by early 2025.
Reconnaissance drone MQ-4C Triton: Northrop Grumman flies Australia's first aircraft for the first time
The first MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drone for Australia has made its maiden flight in Palmdale, California. Handover is to follow this year; the country has four systems under contract.
Autonomous drones in the Ukraine war: intercepted video shows Russian FPV drone with target acquisition
A Ukrainian electronic warfare specialist reports the first use of a self-targeting Russian FPV drone. The same evening, Ukrainian military intelligence shows its own attacks in which autonomous drones were used.
Drone war in Ukraine: FPV swarms, night operations and AI shape 2024
Drone war instead of artillery duel: as shells and barrels run short, cheap aircraft dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. The trends that are emerging – from night flights and turbojets to autonomous target search – and what remains unclear.
Camcopter S-100 in Portugal: Schiebel shows submarine hunting and mine countermeasures at NATO exercises
Camcopter S-100 as a flying tool carrier: at “Repmus” and “Dynamic Messenger 2023”, Schiebel deployed sonobuoys, searched for mines with LiDAR and launched underwater vehicles. The Royal Navy and the US Office of Naval Research sponsored its participation.