Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Counter-UAS and drones: European Commission seeks founding members of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance
After repeated airspace violations over EU states, the Commission is drawing on Ukraine's experience in drones and Counter-UAS. An industry-led alliance is to bring together manufacturers, start-ups and end users.
Arms dealer Springer goes defence
The long-established Viennese arms dealer Joh. Springer’s Erben is expanding its portfolio towards defence. In an interview, managing director Christian Johann Springer talks about new products, including counter-drone systems.
Ground drones for frontline logistics: Arx Robotics quintuples its Gereon fleet in Ukraine
Several hundred more Gereon vehicles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Arx Robotics is responding to demand for ground drones, while Kyiv plans to procure 25,000 new systems in the first half of the year alone.
FPV drones in the Austrian Armed Forces: the lessons training aims to draw from drone warfare
Two weeks to basic FPV skills, drone building within a few days: at the Theresian Military Academic Forum (TMAF) in Wiener Neustadt, speakers showed how the Theresian Military Academy intends to bring FPV drones into training.
Interceptor drone Sting: Wild Hornets report shooting down jet-powered Shaheds
Jet-powered Shaheds were long considered too fast and too high for small interceptors. Ukrainian manufacturer Wild Hornets now reports several hits by its Sting interceptor drone, in some cases controlled from hundreds of kilometres away.
Sea drones from Aselsan: Kiliç and Tufan debut at SAHA 2026 in Istanbul
Aselsan used a launch event in Istanbul to show new sea drones for operations above and below the water. In focus: the Kiliç platform family and the Tufan surface vehicle, both designed for swarm operations.
Counter-UAS by laser: Bundeswehr trials Fastlight Shield from Inleap Photonics
Over six months, trials on Bundeswehr training areas are to show whether industrial laser beam steering works against single drones and entire swarms. For counter-UAS in the “Laserdome” project, the Cyber Innovation Hub is working with Inleap Photonics.
Counter-drone defence made in and for Austria: Guardaero
Founded in 2025, the Styrian defence tech start-up Guardaero is developing a counter-drone solution to protect vehicles and soldiers at close range. In an interview, founder Lukas Kerschdorfer also talks about close cooperation with the Austrian Armed Forces.
MQ-9B SkyGuardian for Austria: what the GA-ASI drone is meant to offer the Austrian Armed Forces
Austria faces a turning point in defence procurement. GA-ASI is positioning the MQ-9B SkyGuardian as the answer: with reconnaissance, precision strike, certification for civil airspace and de-icing for operations in the mountains.
Drone warfare in Ukraine: drone pilots are running out of targets
Kyiv aimed to take out up to 50,000 Russian soldiers a month in 2026; actual Russian losses currently stand at more than 30,000. An adviser to the defence minister offers a surprising explanation for the gap in drone warfare: there are enough drones, but not enough enemies.
Counter-UAS with 70 mm rockets: Belgian F-16s test the FZ275 LGR, which the Bundesheer is also receiving
For counter-UAS use, the Belgian Luchtmacht has tested Thales Belgium's FZ275 LGR guided rocket on F-16s near Lombardsijde on the North Sea coast. This is relevant for Austria: the same weapon is to arm the Bundesheer's AW169MA and M-346FA.
Unmanned tanker MQ-25A Stingray: first aircraft for the US Navy completes maiden flight
An unmanned tanker for aircraft carriers is drawing closer: Boeing has flown the US Navy's first MQ-25A for two hours, including the MD-5 ground control station. Further test flights and carrier qualification at Patuxent River will follow.
Cardboard drones: Japan's military turns to Air Kamui's Airkamuy
Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi has visited the start-up Air Kamui in Nagoya. The Japanese navy already uses its cardboard drones as aerial targets; one-way swarms for reconnaissance would be a further option.