Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Counter-drone protection for vehicles: Mehler Protection shows SCILT close-in system at Enforce Tac 2026
Attacks from short distances and shallow angles are the reason: with SCILT, Mehler Protection wants to bring counter-drone defence directly onto vehicles. The first version is due to be available from summer 2026, with more automation planned.
Drone conference in Vienna: speaker slots open for “DroneVation & Defence 2026”
Three speaking slots, three focus topics, submission deadline 13 March 2026: a call for papers is open for the second edition of the drone conference “DroneVation & Defence” on 21 May 2026 in Vienna. Substance is wanted, not sales pitches.
Drone trade fair in Vienna: “DroneVation & Defence” returns for its second edition on 21 May
After 49 exhibitors and around 700 trade visitors at the premiere, organiser Militär Aktuell expects more exhibitors and almost twice as many sponsors for the second “DroneVation & Defence” drone trade fair. The programme expands to two stages.
Loitering munition FV-014: Rheinmetall demonstrates system to a potential NATO customer in Cochstedt
Up to 100 kilometres of range, 70 minutes of flight time and constant operator control: Rheinmetall has shown its FV-014 loitering munition at the DLR test centre in Cochstedt and sees this as a further milestone.
Military drones at “Steadfast Dart 2026”: Baykar TB3 launches from “TCG Anadolu” in freezing cold
First time in an amphibious operation and first time in a NATO exercise: at “Steadfast Dart 2026” in the Baltic Sea, the Turkish Navy deployed three Bayraktar TB3 military drones from the deck of “TCG Anadolu”. The major exercise involves around 10,000 personnel from 13 nations.
Counter-drone defence from the air: US Army tests APEX ammunition for the Apache attack helicopter
A proximity fuze is to turn the AH-64 Apache into a drone hunter: in live-fire tests at Yuma Proving Ground, the new XM1225 APEX hit UAS targets air-to-air for the first time. This counter-drone capability requires no changes to the gun or fire control.
Unmanned systems in the CCA programme: US Air Force selects Shield AI as mission autonomy provider
The Hivemind autonomy software is already flying in Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury, with flight demonstrations expected in the coming months. Now the US Air Force has selected Shield AI for the TMRR phase of its programme for unmanned systems in air combat.
Counter-drone defence with APKWS II: BAE Systems wins US Air Force contract for new rocket variant
Laser plus infrared in the seeker: BAE Systems is to deliver a new variant of the APKWS II rocket for counter-drone defence. The ceiling is around 122 million euros, the delivery order around 56 million. The European counterpart used by Austria's Bundesheer is also being developed further.
Underwater drones put to the test: Belgian and Slovenian VSW teams train at the Lakes of l’Eau d’Heure
One week, two navies, one goal: learning from each other. During joint training in the province of Hainaut, special forces from Belgium and Slovenia tested autonomous underwater drones – and the Belgian team operated a Slovenian mine clearance drone for the first time.
Drone warfare at Hedgehog 2025: Ukrainian pilots knock out entire NATO battalions
Ten Ukrainian drone pilots, 17 armoured vehicles destroyed in simulation within half a day: the exercise in Estonia shows how drone warfare makes the battlefield transparent – and why the result has alarmed NATO.
Camcopter S-100 for Greece: Hellenic Navy equips new FDI frigates with Schiebel drones
Three new Belharra-class frigates, a land-based training system and the first trained crews by spring 2026: with the Camcopter S-100, the Greek navy is bringing Austrian reconnaissance technology on board.
R&D hub in Ukraine: Stark also announces a southern European office at the Munich Security Conference
Two expansion steps at once: on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Stark announces an R&D hub in Ukraine with room for more than 200 specialists, as well as an office in southern Europe. Local production capacity is to follow.
Quantum Systems: 150 million euros from EIB, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank and KfW
Shortly before the Munich Security Conference, Quantum Systems presented a long-term financing package in Gilching. Its centrepiece is a 70 million euro loan from the EIB – not the bank’s first investment in the drone manufacturer.