Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
MQ-9B for Canada: first two drones in production at General Atomics in San Diego
Canada ordered eleven MQ-9B long-range drones together with ground control stations in December 2023. According to the procurement agency, the project is progressing quickly: tests are scheduled for 2026, and delivery of the first systems is expected in 2028.
Bayraktar TB2 for Croatia: Baykar reports sale of six drones for 67 million euros
The contract was signed in Zagreb, but the exact timetable remains open: Croatia is receiving six Bayraktar TB2 including training. The Ministry of Defence has not said whether operations start at the end of 2025 or deliveries only begin in early 2026.
Ground drones: Ukrainian Armed Forces open first school for UGV operators
Around ten UGV types, dedicated software tools and training models: with support from Victory Drones, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are now training operators for ground drones in a targeted way. The first future operators are said to be in training already.
Bayraktar TB3 takes off from “TCG Anadolu”: Baykar reports take-off and landing on a short deck
46 minutes over the open sea, then a landing on the same short runway without landing aids: after the flight from the drone carrier “TCG Anadolu”, Baykar regards the Bayraktar TB3 as the world's first UCAV to achieve this on an aircraft carrier of this kind.
AI drones in series production: Ukrainian makers and Helsing bring autonomous strike drones to the front
Jam-resistant, cheap and in large numbers: according to the Wall Street Journal and Bild, AI drones in Ukraine are moving from trials to mass production. At the centre are Auterion's Skynode S module and 4,000 drones from Helsing.
Target drone Delta B-15 from Rheinmetall: Qinetiq completes first flight for the Bundeswehr
At the Todendorf training area, the Delta B15 has flown successfully for the first time as part of the Uncrewed Aerial Training Services (ATS). The Rheinmetall target drone is to support training of the Bundeswehr's ground-based air defence (GBAD).
Counter-UAS: fighting drones with Bullfrog, Skyranger & Co
Counter-UAS is moving ever further into focus for all armed forces in view of the threat situation in current conflicts. Recently, the call for so-called hard-kill systems in particular has grown louder.
Kamikaze drone Molniya-2: Russia reports use of upgraded plywood drone near Kharkiv
Two motors under the wings, plastic over the fuselage, electronics from China: the Molniya-2 kamikaze drone remains simply built. Russian sources cite a five to seven kilogram warhead and a range of up to 40 kilometres.
Military drone Integrator: Insitu adds P-LEO satellite control for up to 2,000 nautical miles
Controlled via satellites in proliferated low Earth orbit, the Integrator military drone from Boeing subsidiary Insitu is set to stay on mission for up to 27.5 hours – without occupying any of its six payload bays.
Solar-powered military drones: US Army orders K1000ULE for the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force
The US Army is investing almost 20 million euros in solar-powered military drones from Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. The K1000ULE holds an endurance world record and is to take on tasks for the “1st Multi-Domain Task Force”.
AI drone swarm: Thales tests COHESION demonstrator in flight trials
One operator per drone and a permanently stable data link – Thales wants to overcome these two limits with artificial intelligence. In flight tests on 16 October, the COHESION demonstrator showed how autonomously an AI drone swarm could operate.
Camcopter S-100: interview with Schiebel managing director Hannes Hecher
Schiebel is known for its Camcopter S-100. But what can the system actually do? What capabilities does it have, how is it best deployed and which customers rely on the product “Made in Austria”?
Counter-UAS in Switzerland: armasuisse tests systems against mini drones
Payerne and St. Stephan hosted a series of tests in August and September: the Federal Office for Defence Procurement evaluated Swiss and foreign counter-UAS systems as a basis for the Armed Forces Dispatch 2027 and further procurement.