Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Drone procurement on the Ukrainian model: US Army launches its 'drone Amazon'
Brave1 Market and DOT-Chain Defence showed in Ukraine how drones can reach the front via an online portal. Since 24 March, the US Army has also been relying on a marketplace of its own for drone procurement.
FPV drone with 35 kilometres of range: Russia unveils KVN-35 'Prince Vandal of Novgorod'
Fly further or hit harder: the new long-range KVN-35 variant of the Russian FPV drone lets operators choose between range and warhead – outranging the M-109A5Ö self-propelled howitzer of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer).
Drone strike on Spirit-030: Ukraine destroys Russian satellite antenna for the first time
With Starlink blocked for Russia, Moscow is bringing small GEO terminals of the Spirit-030 type to the front. A Ukrainian drone strike has now hit one of these stations for the first time – which satellite it uses remains unclear.
Counter-drone system for Sweden: FMV orders mobile C-UAS system from Saab
Sweden is investing around 2.6 billion Swedish kronor in a mobile, modular system against drones. Saab's counter-drone solution is to protect the armed forces and civilian infrastructure; deliveries are scheduled for 2027 to 2028.
Bayraktar TB3 for the 'Cavour': Italian Navy to acquire Turkish drone via Leonardo
Italy apparently intends to procure the Bayraktar TB3 for the aircraft carrier 'Cavour' (C 550). Before a Senate committee, Vice Admiral Berutti Bergotto named Leonardo as the procurement route and surveillance and armed missions as its tasks.
Linza drones: first batch from Quantum Frontline Industries goes to Ukraine
The first batch of Linza drones from the Quantum Frontline Industries co-production is complete. Over the course of the year, capacity is set to grow and deliveries to the Ukrainian armed forces are to speed up.
Counter-drone protection for military vehicles: Graz start-up Guardaero closes seed round
Angels United and BKIemen lead the round, joined by several business angels: Guardaero raises capital for active short-range counter-drone protection – and plans its next funding round in the millions later this year.
Counter-drone defence for Belgium: Cobbs Belux, Anduril Industries and Nokia form consortium
Military sites and critical infrastructure across the country are to be better protected against drones. To this end, three companies are combining autonomous defence technology and secure communications into a software-centric counter-drone system designed and operated in Belgium.
Friend-or-foe identification: Ukraine marks its drones with “invasion stripes”
Hundreds of drone models share the sky over Ukraine, and their origin and purpose are often impossible to tell. For friend-or-foe identification, drone units are reviving an idea used over Normandy in 1944 – but without a uniform scheme.
Counter-UAS: Droneshield and Origin Robotics sign memorandum of understanding
Sensor fusion meets interceptor drone: Droneshield and Origin Robotics intend to pursue joint counter-UAS projects in future. Shahed-type threats are explicitly named as a focus of the cooperation.
Bomber drones: Ukraine tests a new generation at the Brave1 test site
More range, more payload, a more robust link: 18 teams have tested new bomber drones in Ukraine under electronic warfare conditions. Next, the suitable systems are to show what they can do under real combat conditions.
Interceptor drone Bird of Prey: Airbus reports first demonstration flight
Nine months after the project started, Airbus's Bird of Prey autonomously detected and engaged a kamikaze drone at a training area in northern Germany. The interceptor drone is armed with Mark I missiles from Frankenburg Technologies.
NATO training: Ukraine must “retrain” its soldiers, says Reisner
Bundesheer Colonel Markus Reisner sharply criticises European self-perceptions and Western training programmes. According to him, Ukrainian soldiers must undergo extensive retraining after their NATO training to hold their own in the war against Russia.