Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Loitering munition from the main battle tank: GDLS and Aerovironment unveil PERCH launch system
Firing Switchblade 300 and 600 directly from the Abrams or Stryker: the PERCH kit from GDLS and Aerovironment turns loitering munition into vehicle armament. It was shown at the US Army's MARS event in Fort Hood.
EU drone wall: sensors, countermeasures and costs per 100 kilometres of border
How many sensors, jammers and radars does a brigade sector on the EU's eastern border need – and what do they cost? A paper from a border state calculates the drone wall of the European Drone Defence Initiative (EDDI) element by element.
Combat-proven drones: “One month in Ukraine replaces ten years of NATO peace” – Primoco UAV
Czech manufacturer Primoco UAV SE is one of the few European drone companies whose systems have been used, refined and certified under real combat conditions. Founder Ladislav Semetkovský on lessons from Ukraine, why subsidies slow innovation and why only combat-proven drones count.
Mini drones from Gazelle and A400M: France's DGA tests releases from airborne platforms
Released from the helicopter, taken over on the ground: France's DGA defence procurement agency is examining how mini drones can be safely deployed from crewed aircraft. Drop tests with Gazelle and A400M were successful; clearance for flight operations is the goal.
Kamikaze drones in Venezuela: videos point to US use in Operation “Absolute Resolve”
A characteristic howl before the impacts: footage from Venezuela suggests that the US used kamikaze drones. The US system Lucas by Spektre Works, unveiled in 2025, looks almost identical to the Iranian Shahed.
Mykhailo Fedorov to become Ukraine's defence minister – the Verkhovna Rada has yet to approve
From the digital ministry to the defence portfolio: Mykhailo Fedorov, under whose leadership the “Diia” app was created, has been designated Ukraine's new defence minister. Parliament decides on the appointment on the president's proposal.
Drone catapult on wheels: China's “arsenal ship” Zhong Da 79 is refitted again
First missile launchers with the firepower of a destroyer, now a mobile, presumably electromagnetic drone catapult: the freighter “Zhong Da 79” in Shanghai is puzzling experts – real weapons or mock-ups?
GPS-free navigation: dForce Technologies makes small drones autonomous through software
With Force AI, Austrian start-up dForce Technologies aims to give low-cost small drones GPS-free navigation – a capability so far reserved for large, expensive systems. No additional hardware is to be required.
Mine countermeasures from the air: Belgian Navy trains with Saab's Skeldar V-200 drone
The first training flights at Ursel are complete: Belgium is preparing Saab's Skeldar V-200 unmanned helicopter for mine countermeasures. Up to ten systems are to supplement the new mine countermeasures vessels.
Kizilelma formation flight: two prototypes fly together autonomously for the first time
After the reported BVR kill, Baykar has reached the next milestone: at Çorlu, two Kizilelma prototypes operated in the same airspace simultaneously for the first time – led by an autonomous “Combat Pilot”.
Counter-UAS in Russia: the LPD-2000 weapon turret from Laboratorija PPSch
Machine guns, laser and jammer on a stabilised turret: with the LPD-2000 from St Petersburg, Russia is getting a new system for mobile counter-UAS that is also said to be capable of fully automatic engagement.
Fibre-optic drone with 65-kilometre cable: Ushkuynik reports record range for “Prince Vandal”
Cast spool, single circuit board, remote detonation: after 18 months at the front, Ushkuynik has fundamentally revised its fibre-optic drone “Prince Vandal of Novgorod”. How far the cable will reach in future remains open.
Reconnaissance drones: Netherlands armed forces team up with Zephro on further development
Shortly before Christmas, the Netherlands signed a new industrial partnership: Zephro is to improve existing reconnaissance drones together with the drone task force. The contract is part of a series of Dutch drone initiatives.