Unmanned Systems: Air, Ground & Maritime
Unmanned systems across all domains: aerial, ground and maritime drones in defence and security.
USV “Seetaube”: Bundeswehr takes over its first autonomous surface vehicle from Stark
Six metres long and built on the Vanta platform: with the USV “Seetaube”, the Bundeswehr is testing maritime reconnaissance. Training of the operating personnel and further trials at sea will follow in the coming months.
MALE drones become multi-mission platforms: new capabilities for General Atomics' MQ-9B
From pure reconnaissance asset to multi-mission platform: at “DroneVation & Defence 2026”, General Atomics Europe showed how MALE drones are changing. Tests with a Saab radar and 70-millimetre rockets are under way on the MQ-9B.
Drone testing in Romania: army opens training areas to private companies
Romania's Land Forces are inviting companies onto their firing ranges in September and October. The drone testing will focus on drones and counter-UAS systems under near-combat conditions – following the American model.
Long-range drone Dovbush T40: Ukraine clears system with a range reaching Siberia
More than 2,000 kilometres of range, over 24 hours in the air: Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has codified the Dovbush T40 long-range drone. It was developed from experience with the smaller T20.
MQ-9 Reaper: Iran war costs US forces around a quarter of their fleet
Shoot-downs and lost links: according to the Washington Post, the USA has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reapers in the Iran war. The losses hit stocks that were already shrinking – and come amid a planned overhaul of the fleet.
Geran drones with jet propulsion: Russia turns to faster Geran-4 and Geran-5 against Ukraine
Up to 600 km/h, up to 90 kilograms of explosives, video partly via satellite: Russia is switching production of its Geran drones to the new Types 4 and 5. Ukraine is responding with faster interceptor drones.
Maritime surveillance with the AR5: Portuguese Air Force procures Tekever unmanned system
A budget ceiling of around 7.8 million euros, delivery in September, training in two phases: the Portuguese Air Force will rely on the Tekever AR5 for maritime surveillance. Quantity and contract value remain undisclosed.
Drone swarms in urban operations: NIKE-ROBComm networks drones and ground robots
The research project NIKE-ROBComm aimed to develop robust, autonomous communication and navigation for drone and robot swarms in urban environments. Project manager Christian Raffelsberger talks about goals, challenges and possible military applications.
Portuguese Air Force receives Tekever AR5 with ground station and training
In unmanned systems news, the Tekever AR5 is to be handed over to the Portuguese Air Force as early as September. Besides the platforms, the contract covers the ground control station, the ATLAS mission system and operator training – for maritime surveillance, wildfire fighting and coastal security.
UGV against Starlink outages: Roboneers retrofits “Rys Pro” and “Rys+” with Wi-Fi antenna
Tunnels, forest or a Starlink unit hit by an FPV drone: for such cases, Roboneers is fitting its “Rys Pro” and “Rys+” UGV with an additional Wi-Fi channel. The “Rys+” also gets red light for maintenance at night.
Interceptor drones of the next generation: Spys, Skyron 400, P1-Sun Jet Killer and Sting
Whether Spys from WIY Drones, Skyron 400 from Quantum Systems or Skyfall's Jet Killer version: new interceptor drones are getting faster and climbing higher. An overview of projects in development and systems already flying.
Unmanned systems instead of recruits: South Korea selects Hanwha Aerospace's Arion-SMET ground vehicle
With its pool of conscripts shrinking, South Korea is turning to unmanned systems: in July, the procurement agency DAPA selected Hanwha Aerospace's Arion-SMET unmanned ground vehicle. Global Data sees this above all as a response to the personnel shortage.
Mine countermeasures: France orders twelve more drones under the Slam-F programme
With additional surface and underwater drones and chartered mothership vessels, France aims to expand its mine countermeasures. Slam-F is being implemented together with the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands.