Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Reconnaissance drones for the Bundesheer: 315 Magni-X from Elbit Systems arriving from August 2025
Around 100 soldiers have already been trained, and now the reconnaissance drones themselves follow: what Elbit Systems’ Magni-X can do and how the Bundesheer plans to build up the capability down to platoon level.
Military drones for the Arctic: Denmark procures four MQ-9B Sky Guardian from General Atomics
Four long-range military drones are coming to Denmark via the NATO agency NSPA. They are to operate in the Arctic, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea – but extensive airspace certification comes first, with delivery in 2028 and 2029.
Underwater drones from Plymouth: Helsing builds “Resilience Factory” in England
German start-up Helsing is investing 350 million pounds in the UK: SG-1 Fathom underwater drones and the Lura AI software are to be produced in Plymouth, with the first systems delivered this year.
Military drones for early warning: Saab and General Atomics develop unmanned AWACS based on MQ-9B
Saab is adding an unmanned variant to its manned early warning systems such as Global Eye: together with General Atomics, a UAEW solution based on the MQ-9B is being developed – an application of military drones for persistent situational awareness.
Drone manufacturer from Ukraine: Quantum Systems initially secures ten per cent of Frontline
With an option on up to 25 per cent, Quantum Systems is taking a stake in Ukrainian drone manufacturer Frontline from the Brave1 cluster. The focus is on production capacity, European components and the Zoom and Linza reconnaissance drones.
Drone start-up Pleno goes to Stark: Berlin specialist in autonomous flight control acquired
Navigation software for drones that work without satellite reception: with Berlin drone start-up Pleno, Stark brings in know-how for AI-driven autonomy and swarm behaviour – including for the Virtus platform.
Interceptor drones against Geran-2: Kyiv moves “Clear Sky” project into regular operation
Almost 550 Geran-2 intercepted in the pilot phase, now 5.3 million euros for expansion: Kyiv is relying on interceptor drones with “Clear Sky”. For now, the system is still considered vulnerable to saturation attacks.
Attack drone Ronni-13: Kyiv approves fibre-optic-controlled system for the troops
With the Ronni-13, the Ukrainian Armed Forces receive a new attack drone controlled via fibre-optic cable. It was developed by a Ukrainian company on the basis of combat experience.
Military drone R-34-T: Ukrainian Armed Forces introduce airborne laser target designator
The R-34-T military drone is designed to mark targets for artillery and air-launched munitions by laser. It has completed its tests and is now officially approved for units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Drone logistics: Booxit shows transport platform for drones at GDELS test site in Bürglen
Stackable reusable boxes with sensors and a self-centring adapter: at the GDELS Mobility Day, Austrian start-up Booxit presented its concept for drone logistics all the way to the front line.
Drone detection: MyDefence adds first wideband antenna for 350 to 1,300 MHz to Wingman
Adversaries are increasingly shifting their drones to low frequencies. MyDefence responds with a compact wideband antenna that extends drone detection with Wingman and ATAK to precisely these bands.
Drone manufacturer Quantum Systems and Fraunhofer FHR pool radar research in strategic partnership
A millimetre-wave SAR sensor on the Trinity Pro and a future R&D office in Rheinbach: at the Wachtberg Forum, drone manufacturer Quantum Systems and Fraunhofer FHR made their cooperation official.
Surveillance drone MAPS: Skydweller integrates Thales AI radar Air Master-S
Airborne for weeks to months, with a payload of up to 400 kilograms: Thales is now supplying the MAPS surveillance drone with a radar that calibrates itself and classifies targets using artificial intelligence.