Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Ground drone Themis: Milrem Robotics and Frontline put an automatic grenade launcher on the UGV
Ground drone with 40-millimetre armament: live-fire trials in Ukraine have validated the combination of the Buria weapon station and Themis. Further tests are to clarify how the system performs in different combat scenarios.
Combat drones for the French Army: Harmattan AI to deliver 1,000 quadcopters
Combat drones made in France: Harmattan AI has won the DGA's Europe-wide tender. The first 1,000 micro-drones will be delivered by the end of 2025, mainly to units taking part in the large-scale exercise “Orion” in 2026.
Loitering munition for Taiwan: first Altius-600M from Anduril Industries arrive
Loitering munition from the US reaches Taipei: after the handover of the Altius-600M, Defence Minister Wellington Koo met Anduril founder Palmer Luckey. How many systems were delivered remains undisclosed.
VTOL drone Wildcat: Aerovironment reaches milestones in DARPA's EVADE programme
VTOL drone for ship decks: Aerovironment's Wildcat has achieved the transition to forward flight and validated core systems. Simulated maritime missions with payloads are next.
Counter-drone defence around Moscow: Russia builds more than 50 new air defence positions
Counter-drone defence on the Soviet model: since the first Ukrainian drone attacks in May 2023, Russia has again been building a layered air defence ring around the capital. Towers, ramps and landfill mounds serve as sites – but not all positions are manned.
VTOL drone Gökhun: Esen relies on two-stroke engine from Sky Power International
VTOL drone from Türkiye: in the Gökhun, Esen combines the mobility of a small system with the performance of a tactical one. Propulsion comes from Sky Power International – with around nine hours of endurance carrying a 12-kilogram payload.
Drone warfare at a distance: Russia attacks with AI swarms and heavier warheads
Drone warfare in transition: at AUSA's Landeuro in Wiesbaden, experts traced how Russia uses long-range drones today – and what Ukraine deploys against them. RUSI analyst Justin Bronk draws a clear lesson for Western armies.
Drone factory in a trailer: French artillery prints quadcopters on site
Drone factory on wheels: the FMA 3D of the 17th Artillery Group in Biscarrosse produces up to 60 drones a day with ten 3D printers – close to the area of operations and for up to 19 hours without external supply.
FPV drones above 7 GHz: Ukraine opens a new round in the frequency war
Ukraine's FPV drones now transmit beyond Russia's frequency tables. Why warning devices and jammers miss them, what limitations the 7 GHz band brings and how long the lead could last.
Mine countermeasures without a crew: Royal Navy brings autonomous minesweeping system SWEEP into service
Mine countermeasures from a safe distance: SWEEP consists of an unmanned surface vessel with modular payloads and mimics ship signatures. For the Royal Navy, it is the first dedicated minesweeping capability since 2005.
Counter-drone training with rifles: Ukrainian VR simulator by Atmaraksi trains against FPV drones
Using virtual reality, soldiers are to learn how to hit incoming FPV drones with a rifle. For counter-drone training, Ukrainian company Atmaraksi relies on stress scenarios co-designed by former frontline soldiers.
Virtus loitering munition: TDW and Stark jointly develop shaped-charge warheads
A contract signed on 30 July links TDW and Stark: anti-armour warheads for the Virtus loitering munition are to be developed by 2027, and from 2027 thousands of units are to be deliverable at short notice if required.
Drone technology from Hyderabad: India’s first dual-stealth drone to evade radar and infrared
At the heart of the new drone technology is RAMA, a nanotechnology-based coating from Veera Dynamics. In initial tests the IR signature fell by 97 per cent, and the Indian Army has already trialled the drones.