Unmanned Systems: Air, Ground & Maritime
Unmanned systems across all domains: aerial, ground and maritime drones in defence and security.
Loitering munition for the Bundeswehr: Helsing and Stark to supply test systems
Test first, then procure at scale: the Bundeswehr plans to trial loitering munitions from at least two suppliers. Under discussion are Helsing with the HX-2 and Stark – two companies with a surprising personal connection.
FPV drones in the US Marine Corps: new Attack Drone Team MCADT to strengthen rifle squads
From less than one kilometre to more than 20 kilometres of reach: the US Marine Corps aims to upgrade small units with armed FPV drones. The new MCADT brings together training, tactics and competitions.
Drones for Ukraine: the Netherlands provides 500 million euros
During a visit to Dnipro and the eastern front, Ruben Brekelmans and Gijs Tuinman announced an accelerated support package worth 2 billion euros. 500 million of it goes to drones for Ukraine.
Interceptor drone Kreuger 100: Nordic Air Defence relies on software instead of jammers
Jammers and lasers are too expensive or not effective enough, says Swedish start-up Nordic Air Defence. Its Kreuger 100 interceptor drone is designed to defeat small drones at low cost – for military and civilian use.
Unmanned ground vehicles from Egypt: Havelsan and Kader agree joint UGV production
Turkey supplies technology and licences, Egypt the manufacturing: Havelsan and Kader Factory, part of the AOI, plan to build unmanned ground vehicles together. Both sides speak of more than a technology transfer.
Combat drone Bayraktar TB3 hits naval target with IHA-122 supersonic missile
A naval target more than 50 kilometres away, hit on the first attempt: Baykar's TB3 combat drone has tested Roketsan's new supersonic missile. At the same time, Baykar is deepening its cooperation with Leonardo.
Military drones: Airbus turns Do-DT25 target drone into LOAD air defence system
Until now, the Do-DT25 served as a target for air defence missiles. With LOAD, Airbus is converting it into one of the military drones for air defence – presented in Bonn, with up to three missiles and autonomous target search after authorisation.
Vector AI: Quantum Systems unveils new tactical UAS at the AUSA Global Force Symposium
With Vector AI, Quantum Systems aims to give armed forces a reconnaissance edge in contested environments. The company cites autonomous missions, greater range and resilience against electronic warfare.
Unmanned aircraft One 150: Interview with Primoco founder Ladislav Semetkovský
Our five questions this time go to Ladislav Semetkovský, founder of the Czech company Primoco UAV SE, which has been producing civilian and military unmanned aircraft of the One 150 type for autonomous flights since 2015. Read here what the Austrian connection is.
Maritime drones against mines: Thales delivers first autonomous mine-hunting system to the Royal Navy
Four systems this year: under the Franco-British MMCM project, the Royal Navy is receiving autonomous mine hunters from Thales that combine maritime drones, sonar and AI-supported data analysis.
Drone manufacturer Primoco UAV: One 150 receives NATO STANAG 4703 certification and EASA approval
Five years of testing, 170 test flights, 28,000 pages of documentation: Czech drone manufacturer Primoco UAV has obtained two approvals for the One 150, one military and one civil – and now hopes for more orders.
Reconnaissance drones: AeroVironment upgrades the Netherlands’ Puma drones
The Puma mini-UAS of the Dutch armed forces have reached the end of their service life. AeroVironment is upgrading the reconnaissance drones to Block III, supplemented by the larger Puma LE – the first systems reach the troops this year.
eVTOL for the military: Horizon Aircraft sees growing interest in Cavorite X7
Troop transport, rescue missions, special forces teams: Horizon Aircraft is promoting its hybrid eVTOL Cavorite X7 to the military. The aircraft is still in flight testing, but key data on weight, payload and range are available.