Unmanned Systems Industry News
Contracts, partnerships, product launches and market moves from manufacturers and suppliers of unmanned systems.
Sea drones for the Baltic: Sweden buys surveillance from Saildrone as a service
Four Saildrone Voyager sea drones supply the Swedish Navy with data from the Baltic Sea. The procurement agency FMV is not buying vehicles but surveillance as a service. The contract was concluded within the Nordefco framework.
Unmanned cargo aircraft Lifter: Oshkosh Defense and Grid Aero plan series production
Oshkosh Defense is backing an unmanned cargo aircraft from Grid Aero: the Lifter is to be built cheaply and in large numbers. Orders, production figures and delivery dates have not yet been disclosed.
Counter-UAS laser: US Army puts Locust X3 into production with Aerovironment and Leonardo DRS
From testing to production: for the first time, the US Army has ordered a high-energy laser weapon system for drone defence. Quantities, contract value and delivery dates remain undisclosed.
Drone factory in a container: Sentinel AMS targets the Arctic with StarForge
Instead of shipping spare parts over thousands of kilometres, Sentinel AMS from Québec wants to print drones where they are needed. The mobile drone factory StarForge combines production, a command post with radar and its own power supply.
Laser counter-drone system: Inleap Photonics starts series production of Fastlight Held in Hanover
Inleap Photonics is starting series production of its laser counter-drone system in Hanover. The first turnkey Fastlight Held units go to partner Stark, and the new hall will be officially opened on 30 October.
Drone manufacturer Quantum Systems aims to become a defence prime through acquisitions and new markets
From drone manufacturer to major prime contractor in Europe: co-CEO Florian Seibel describes how Quantum Systems intends to grow through acquisitions, markets such as Japan and the P19 aircraft – and why the supply of chips worries him.
Reconnaissance drones for US Special Operations Command: Tekever reports completion
Validation and acceptance tests are complete, and Tekever's reconnaissance drones are now in service with USSOCOM. The Lisbon-based manufacturer does not name the quantity, model or contract value – much points to the AR3.
Reconnaissance drone AR5: British Army orders from Tekever for up to £400 million
Under Project CORVUS, the British Army is acquiring the AR5 from Portuguese manufacturer Tekever. The contract for the reconnaissance drone is worth up to £400 million; production will mainly take place in Swindon, and introduction is to begin in 2026.
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.
Counter-UAS via the mobile network: Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom develop a joint protective shield
The goal is a protective shield against drones and cyber attacks: for counter-UAS, Rheinmetall contributes its effectors and Deutsche Telekom its mobile network. The aim is to protect critical infrastructure, civilian sites and major events.
Steyr Motors in Red Cat’s sights: US drone group offers 39 euros per share
Rumours have turned into a concrete offer: Red Cat Holdings is making a voluntary public takeover offer for Steyr Motors through a Vienna-based subsidiary. A majority of the shares and regulatory approvals are required; closing is planned for the first half of 2027.
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.