Unmanned Systems: Air, Ground & Maritime
Unmanned systems across all domains: aerial, ground and maritime drones in defence and security.
Sea drone Magura-7 brings down Russian Su-30SM Flanker
For the first time, a Ukrainian sea drone has shot down a Russian supersonic combat aircraft. Budanov names the missile used, while Russian military bloggers draw a sobering conclusion for the Black Sea Fleet.
Reconnaissance drones: Quantum Systems wins two tenders in Spain
A framework contract for 91 Vector systems for the army and marine infantry, plus Twister for the air force's special forces: Spain is relying on two reconnaissance drones from Quantum Systems at once.
Drone warfare as a points game: Ukraine rewards hits on Russian soldiers with points
Anyone who proves a drone hit on video collects points and exchanges them for equipment on the “Brave 1 Market”. The bonus system in Ukraine's drone warfare is constantly being adjusted – with measurable effects at the front.
Combat drones from China: DR Congo procures three Wing Loong II from Catic
Kinshasa is relying on air support from Beijing in the east of the country: three Wing Loong II are to help the armed forces fight the M23-RDF/AFC rebels. It is not the first delivery of Chinese combat drones to the DRC.
Jet-powered military drones: Royal Navy concludes two-year Banshee project
The Banshee military drones will not enter service, yet the Fleet Air Arm project team has met its goals. The experience of 700X Naval Air Squadron is to underpin future projects – the Malloy T-150 is next on the programme.
Drone start-up Hydra Drones: MBDA takes a minority stake
European defence group MBDA is investing a six-figure sum in British drone start-up Hydra Drones. Its heavy-lift transport drone, the Hydra 400, carries up to 400 kilograms, and a complete prototype is due later this year.
Ground drones from Munich: ARX Robotics raises 31 million euros in Series A round
HV Capital leads the round, with Omnes Capital, NATO Innovation Fund and Project A participating. The Munich-based ground drone maker plans to scale up production massively, expand across Europe and further develop Mithra OS.
Drone training centre in Nurmsi: Estonia to train Kaitseliit, armed forces and allies
Estonia's first drone training centre has started operations at Koigi airfield. Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur and Peeter Karja of the RKIK stress how important training on unmanned systems has become.
Drone warfare: General Valerii Zaluzhnyi sees the West lagging behind in the drone revolution
The front in Ukraine is frozen and drones make attrition warfare cheap: in a commentary, Valerii Zaluzhnyi urges the West to grasp the lessons of drone warfare quickly – or risk the fate of the victims of Blitzkrieg.
Unmanned systems: Sweden prepares for drone warfare with “Demo UCAV”
FMV, FOI and the armed forces are joining forces in Sweden: the “Demo UCAV” demonstration project is not meant to deliver an operational system but to build knowledge of unmanned systems – drawing on experience from Ukraine.
Bayraktar TB3 combat drone: Baykar completes trials on the aircraft carrier “TCG Anadolu”
Four sorties in one day, all take-offs and landings autonomous: with tests in the Gulf of Saros, the Bayraktar TB3 combat drone has completed its trials on “TCG Anadolu”. The Turkish Ministry of Defence considers the tests a success.
Military drones as a gift: Türkiye hands two Bayraktar TB2 to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina receives drones, control stations and training free of charge. Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia are also relying on military drones – from the Bayraktar TB2 and Chinese CH-95 to domestic developments.
MQ-9 Reaper shot down over Yemen: Yemeni armed forces report another US loss
According to Tasnim, this would be the 24th Reaper the US Air Force has lost over Yemen. Other sources recently counted twelve or 17 MQ-9 Reapers; if the figure of 24 is correct, losses would amount to around 600 to 700 million euros.