Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Unmanned systems for air and ground: Hoverfly and Overland AI pair tethered drone with ground vehicle
A tethered drone powered by an autonomous ground vehicle: Hoverfly Technologies and Overland AI are linking unmanned systems in the air and on the ground into a joint capability for defence, national security and government agencies.
Kamikaze drone K2: Baykar unveils AI-supported swarm drone
With the K2, Baykar is also following the AI trend: the kamikaze drone is designed to fly in swarms, navigate without GNSS and reach more than 2,000 kilometres. First formation flights over the Gulf of Saros have been completed.
Counter-UAS by laser: Skylanx presents modular platform against drone swarms
FPV drones are cheap, hard to intercept and often a cost problem for conventional air defence. At "Medic Quadriga 2026", Munich-based Skylanx presented its answer: counter-UAS with compact lasers of 3 to 8 kilowatts.
Sea drones under Ukrainian command: NATO loses all five scenarios in naval exercise off Portugal
After "Hedgehog 2025" in Estonia, now at sea: a "red" team under Ukrainian command used sea drones, among other assets, at "REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 2025" and exposed weaknesses in NATO naval forces.
Military drones at "Hedgehog 2025": West Point analysts see a learning effect for NATO
Around ten Ukrainian drone pilots put entire NATO formations under pressure during the exercise in Estonia. Two retired officers assess what military drones really mean for tanks, doctrine and training – and what they do not.
Unmanned systems combined: Six Robotics and Stark agree recce-strike partnership
Norwegian swarm software meets Stark's loitering munition: under a memorandum of understanding, unmanned systems from both companies are to carry out recce-strike missions together. A first integration phase has already been tested.
Counter-drone defence in Belgium: Ministry of Defence seeks long-term industrial partners
Rather than buying a single system, Belgium wants to develop its counter-drone defence continuously together with industry. The tender focuses on national participation – bids can be submitted until 11 May 2026.
Unmanned ground vehicles: Quantum Systems and Daimler Truck network trucks with Mosaic
Daimler Truck lorries are to interact with drones and other systems via the Mosaic software. The MoU with Quantum Systems targets convoys, teleoperated driving and unmanned ground vehicles in military logistics.
Counter-UAS from the EU: Droneshield starts production at a European partner
For the first time, Droneshield is producing outside Australia: a European contract manufacturer is already building counter-UAS systems, with first deliveries planned for mid-2026. Behind this is a capacity expansion to around 2.1 billion euros.
Drone manufacturer Primoco UAV SE: Spain's Guardia Civil orders the One 150
The first major order of 2026 brings the Czech drone manufacturer around 4 million euros. The Guardia Civil wants to use the One 150 to monitor maritime and border areas – while Primoco is expanding production in Písek.
Kamikaze drones for the US armed forces: Pentagon plans to order 30,000
Following the "Gauntlet" trials at Fort Benning, the winners have been selected and the order for 30,000 kamikaze drones is being prepared. The goal: low-cost systems down to every infantry squad – criticism from the Senate included.
Counter-drone defence from the helicopter: UAE hunts Shahed drones with AH-64 Apache
A video from the UAE Ministry of Defence shows Apache attack helicopters intercepting incoming drones. The US Army is also expanding the Apache's counter-drone capabilities – with the new XM1225 APEX proximity ammunition.
Counter-drone defence needs a new class: the case for Gap Filler Air Defence
Cheap, modular drones meet expensive air defence that is hard to obtain. In his commentary, Moritz Vischer argues why counter-drone defence lacks an affordable, available and adequate class between VSHORAD and CAFAD.