Unmanned Systems: Air, Ground & Maritime
Unmanned systems across all domains: aerial, ground and maritime drones in defence and security.
Combat drone YFQ-44A: Anduril begins flight testing its CCA aircraft
Just 556 days after the first design, Anduril's YFQ-44A is in the air. The semi-autonomous combat drone from the CCA programme is now to demonstrate speed, stealth, range and weapons integration – while mass production is still held back by a lack of capacity.
Ground drone swarms: Swarmbotics AI bets on ground swarm robotics with Fire Ant
One operator, many small robots: with Fire Ant, Arizona start-up Swarmbotics AI is developing low-cost, modular robots for ground drone swarms. They are intended to bring reconnaissance and attack closer to the enemy without putting soldiers at risk.
Unmanned systems combined: ARX Robotics and Helsing demonstrate recce-strike with British Army in Kenya
At “Haraka Storm” in Kenya, ARX Robotics and Helsing ran through the entire chain with British soldiers: a UGV reconnoitres, an HX-2 strikes. The exercise showed how unmanned systems keep troops at a distance and let them act faster.
Reconnaissance drone Falke: first Bundeswehr operators complete training at Quantum Systems
Two weeks at the Munster training area, and the first course was done: operators of the Bundeswehr have completed their training on Quantum Systems' Falke reconnaissance drone. In future, simulator training is to account for a far larger share.
Reconnaissance drone “Prince Oleg”: Ukraine's 63rd Brigade downs Russian decoy drone
It looks almost identical to Ukrainian models, costs little and needs no satellite navigation: with the “Prince Oleg” reconnaissance drone, Russia is relying on deception and mass. Ukraine's 63rd Brigade has nevertheless intercepted one.
Ground drones for Ukraine: Netherlands funds more than 150 Themis from Milrem Robotics
For a long time the donor country remained unnamed; now it is official: the Netherlands is behind the donation of more than 150 Themis ground drones to Ukraine. Most will be assembled at VDL Defentec in Born, and Milrem Robotics is training operators and technicians.
Drone traffic management for all of Sweden: LFV awards Frequentis contract for UTM platform
Swedish air navigation service provider LFV is relying on Frequentis for drone traffic management. The order covers a digital UTM platform including implementation and support, intended to coordinate low-level drone flights nationwide.
Baba Yaga: how Ukraine organises and deploys its heavy bomber drones
A Ukrainian original with no real imitators: the heavy Baba Yaga multirotor drone is so successful that Russia has set up dedicated hunter units. A look at origins, company structure, equipment, costs and countermeasures.
AI fighter jet X-BAT: Shield AI unveils autonomous vertical take-off aircraft with Hivemind pilot
In Washington D.C., Shield AI has shown a mock-up of the X-BAT – an autonomous AI fighter jet that takes off and lands vertically. It is to be operational from 2027/28. What lies behind the concept and which questions remain open.
Underwater drone for the German Navy: Intec and C2 Robotics cooperate on the Speartooth LUUV
Intec Industrie-Technik and C2 Robotics aim to strengthen the German Navy with the Speartooth LUUV. The underwater drone is around eleven metres long, carries up to one tonne of payload and fits into a shipping container.
Interceptor drones: how drones against drones are becoming a new class of air defence
Expensive guided missiles against cheap attack drones do not add up. That is why defence companies and start-ups worldwide are developing interceptor drones – from the Ukrainian hackathons to the Sting from Wild Hornets.
Military drones procured jointly: Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark form drone alliance
In Helsinki, the national armaments directors of four Nordic states agreed to procure military drones jointly in future. Nordic purchases of micro and mini drones via NSPA and Denmark are also planned.
Drone manufacturer Quantum Systems acquires Spleenlab, gaining AI expertise for autonomous missions
With Spleenlab, Quantum Systems brings the Visionairy AI suite and edge-perception know-how in-house. The drone manufacturer is tripling its software and AI team and aims to deliver more autonomous mission systems.