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Drones

UAVs, UCAVs, loitering munitions, autonomous swarms, and counter-drone systems across land, sea, and air.

480 articles indexed · 430 in archive

◆ This Week

50 articles
01
EuropeDrones

Germany to form unmanned regiment, finance C-UASs for Ukraine

Germany will establish an uncrewed-systems regiment in 2027 within the 10th Panzer Division, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced during experimental land-force trials at Bergen on October 1. The formation will combine reconnaissance, attack and interception drones across different ranges and include an electronic-warfare company. Other infantry, reconnaissance and armoured formations are also scheduled to integrate drone capabilities during 2026 and 2027. Separately, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced in Kyiv that Germany would fund Ukrainian production of 20,000 interceptor drones for the winter of 2026–27, linking organisational changes at home with a distinct procurement commitment supporting Ukraine.

JanesOct 7
02
North AmericaDrones

AFOSI Certifies Six Drone Instructors Ahead of Skydio X10D Fielding

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations certified its first six drone operators and instructors after a week-long course at Quantico in September 2026. The cadre will help introduce five Skydio X10D aircraft expected in January 2027 and establish a train-the-trainer approach for investigation-specific missions. Planned applications include crime-scene mapping and remotely observing locations, with training tailored to the office's technical operations rather than a generic flying syllabus. The programme starts a new investigative drone capability, while the reported certification and forthcoming equipment deliveries do not yet establish operational use in a specific criminal case.

Defense WarRoomOct 7
03
EuropeDrones

Wearable drone detector unveiled for individual soldiers

MyDefence has launched Wingman Edge, a wearable radio-frequency drone detector weighing less than one kilogram and approximately 17% less than its predecessor. The device combines stored signal signatures with onboard artificial intelligence to recognise unfamiliar transmissions, including drone-controller links, Wi-Fi and analogue video signals. Passive sensing avoids transmitting a detection signal, while local processing allows use without network access and optional sharing with nearby personnel or vehicle systems. The launch presents a lighter individual warning device with expanded signal analysis, although the manufacturer did not announce a detection range or independently validated performance figures.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukOct 7
04
Indo-PacificDrones

U.S. Army Tests Mk VI Patrol Boat With Autonomous Drones to Extend Pacific Littoral Reconnaissance

The U.S. Army demonstrated a crewed Mk VI patrol boat leading uncrewed surface vessels during Bayonet Quest 2026 in Michigan. The 7th Infantry Division and Multi-Domain Command Pacific conducted the exercise from September 26 to October 6, with October 2 imagery from Alpena showing the mixed formation and associated unmanned aircraft activity. A fixed-wing drone was recovered onto the patrol boat's stern deck while the vessel remained under way, testing another element of maritime teaming. The trial explored coordination of crewed and uncrewed assets for littoral operations, but the account did not confirm the types of accompanying autonomous vessels.

Army RecognitionOct 7
05
North AmericaDrones

US Navy tests autonomy that adapts a plan in flight

General Atomics and the U.S. Navy demonstrated adaptable mission autonomy using an MQ-20 Avenger during Gray Flag 2026 on September 10. The Navy's strike-planning organisation supplied mission context, objectives, constraints and threat information through its A-GRA planning system to General Atomics' TacACE autonomy software. The aircraft then adjusted its behaviour in real time while working alongside human pilots in a combined live, virtual and constructive environment, including a passive-sensing targeting sequence. The trial demonstrated how Navy planning tools can direct autonomous aircraft within a coordinated mission, without establishing that the tested integration has entered operational service.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukOct 7
06
EuropeDrones

Airbus prepares for U145 first flight as customer interest builds

Airbus plans the first flight of its U145 uncrewed helicopter demonstrator during the opening two weeks of November 2026 at Donauwörth, Germany. Derived from the H145, the demonstrator will initially retain a safety pilot in the cockpit before moving to Marignane, France, for subsequent uncrewed trials. The concept is intended for missions including cargo transport and weapons delivery in contested environments, using an established helicopter platform as the basis for autonomous operation. Airbus displayed a full-size mock-up at the June ILA show and reported customer interest, but the upcoming flight remains a development milestone rather than an operational delivery or confirmed production order.

JanesOct 7
07
south asiaDrones

ideaForge launches hybrid and UCAV variants of Zolt UAV

India's ideaForge unveiled hybrid-powered intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and battery-powered combat versions of its Zolt drone on October 6. The hybrid model combines a combustion engine with batteries and offers company-stated endurance exceeding six hours, a 100-kilometre line-of-sight operating radius and operation at 4,000 metres. The existing battery-powered vertical-take-off-and-landing model has stated endurance above three hours, a 50-kilometre radius and a 3,500-metre operating altitude. Indian Army deliveries are already under way against multiple contracts, although the announcement does not clearly assign those orders to the new variants, and a further high-altitude configuration remains in development.

JanesOct 7
08
EuropeDrones

Lithuanian Drone Maker UDS Opens Ukraine Venture for ISTAR, Strike Drones

Lithuanian defence company UDS announced the creation of UDS Ukraine in Kyiv on October 6, establishing a permanent local presence through a joint venture. The organisation will work with Ukrainian military users and partners on surveillance, reconnaissance, precision strike and command-and-control capabilities linked by a shared software architecture. Its approach emphasises interoperability and open interfaces, with local teams supporting deployment, training and cooperation with operational units. Establishing the venture provides a route for battlefield feedback to inform product development and integration, but the announcement does not establish a factory, a specified production capacity or a disclosed equipment order.

Defense WarRoomOct 7
09
EuropeDrones

Ukraine's NC13 plans expansion of strike UGV operations

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps plans to expand strike missions by uncrewed ground vehicles over the next six months, the commander of its NC13 unit said on October 6. The effort brings infantry assault personnel, technical teams and developers together to turn battlefield experience into revised tactics and procedures. Vehicles use a mix of digital mesh networks and encrypted analogue control links, allowing operators to change communications methods when conditions require and work from positions distant from the front. The announced expansion concerns practical mission development and additional use of ground robots, while larger scaling ambitions remain targets rather than a confirmed procurement volume.

JanesOct 7
10
North AmericaDrones

EOS plans U.S. serial production of next-generation Slinger counter-drone system

EOS Defense Systems USA plans to begin serial production of its next-generation Slinger counter-drone weapon system in Huntsville, Alabama, during 2027. The company is expanding its facility while completing development of improved sensing and selectable autonomy, including an automated sequence from target detection through engagement. Slinger uses a stabilised remote weapon station intended to engage drones and ground targets while the host vehicle moves, without changing between separate configurations. The announcement establishes a manufacturing plan and capability goals, but does not identify a new customer award, production quantity or confirmed delivery schedule for the upgraded system.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 7
11
North AmericaDrones

US Pentagon pushes procurement of dismounted counter-UAS capabilities

The Pentagon and U.S. military services are accelerating purchases of counter-drone equipment for troops operating on foot, following multiple contract awards and market-research efforts during 2026. Requirements emphasise lighter equipment, automated targeting and links to tactical networks so mobile units can detect and respond to unmanned aircraft without adding excessive operator workload. Software licensing is also becoming a procurement priority, alongside efforts to lower the cost of each engagement. The initiatives use streamlined acquisition mechanisms and shorter delivery periods to obtain portable, increasingly autonomous capabilities, reflecting specific purchasing preferences rather than a single announced fleet-wide system selection.

Shephard MediaOct 7
12
North AmericaDrones

Lockheed Martin brings stealth to CCA market with Vectis

Lockheed Martin is funding five Vectis collaborative combat aircraft, including a prototype intended to make its first flight in late 2027. The Skunk Works programme began from a clean-sheet design in March 2025 and was presented publicly at the September Air and Space Forces Association conference. Powered by a Williams FJ44 turbofan, the proposed stealthy aircraft has a company-stated combat radius exceeding 1,100 miles and is intended to operate alongside crewed fighters. Lockheed is positioning Vectis for multiple competitions and discussing it with American and international customers, but has not announced a government production award.

JanesOct 7
13
EuropeDrones

Rheinmetall AERIE Prototype Fits 20+ Drone Interceptors in a Container

Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Praetorian Aeronautics have unveiled AERIE, a containerised counter-drone prototype combining Arrow interceptors with the Hadrian artificial-intelligence command-and-control system. Developed in twelve months, the launcher holds more than twenty interceptors within a standard twenty-foot container and is designed for transport by road, rail or ship. Its self-contained architecture can accommodate different interceptor types, while full demonstrations with operators are scheduled for the final quarter of 2026. The unveiling establishes a deployable prototype concept rather than a fielded acquisition, with no announced customer order, engagement range, unit cost or independently demonstrated interception rate.

Defense WarRoomOct 7
14
black seaDrones

UK MoD: Ukraine's Sargan-3000 USV Fought First Known Drone Boat Duel

A Ukrainian Navy Sargan 3000 uncrewed surface vessel destroyed a Russian attack drone boat in the Black Sea on September 12, according to an October 6 British intelligence assessment. Ukrainian military intelligence detected the target and directed the boat toward it, with released footage showing machine-gun fire followed by the Russian vessel sinking. The Ukrainian craft carried a Kongsberg Protector remotely operated weapon station with a 12.7 mm gun and exchanged targeting information through the Delta network. Britain assessed the encounter as almost certainly the first direct uncrewed surface-vessel engagement between Russia and Ukraine.

Defense WarRoomOct 7
15
EuropeDrones

France's Harmattan AI Unveils 2,000 km IRIFI Drone for GNSS-Denied Strikes

Harmattan AI unveiled IRIFI on October 6 as an expendable long-range strike drone with a manufacturer-stated reach of up to 2,000 kilometres. The combustion-powered aircraft launches from a mobile canister and combines onboard processing with multiple navigation inputs intended to maintain operation without satellite positioning. Its proposed terminal-guidance approach uses visual sensing, with the company claiming precision at the metre level. Commanders approve targets and set mission limits before launch, after which IRIFI is intended to execute the authorised flight and strike autonomously without continuous human control.

Defense WarRoomOct 7
16
EuropeDrones

MBDA says Remote Carrier Compact passes design review with approval from three nations ahead of planned first flight in 2029

MBDA's Remote Carrier Compact demonstrator passed its preliminary design review during the summer, receiving approval from France, Germany and Spain ahead of a planned first flight in 2029. Developed by MBDA's French and German teams with Spain's SATNUS, the uncrewed aircraft is intended to accompany crewed combat aircraft on reconnaissance and strike missions. Preparatory work includes mock-ups, digital modelling, structural and wind-tunnel testing, and subsystem simulation within the Next Generation Weapon System effort. The review clears the demonstrator for detailed design and construction, rather than confirming an operational aircraft selection or a deployment timetable.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 7
17
EuropeDrones

AeroVironment delivers first batch of Switchblade 600 loitering munitions to Lithuania

Lithuania has received its first batch of AeroVironment Switchblade 600 loitering munitions, together with launch and control equipment, a training simulator and maintenance support. The anti-armour weapon uses electro-optical and infrared sensing to locate stationary or moving targets and can approach them from above before striking. Operators control the system through a tablet interface and can abort an engagement or redirect the munition before committing to the attack. The delivery adds a remotely controlled precision-strike capability to Lithuanian forces, although the defence ministry's announcement did not specify the number delivered or the precise Switchblade configuration.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 7
18
North AmericaDrones

U.S. Military Tests Low-Cost Drone Defenses After 378 Border Incursions in 30 Days

The U.S. military is evaluating layered counter-drone defenses after detecting 378 drone incursions along the U.S.-Mexico border in a 30-day period. Falcon Peak 26.2 at Yuma Proving Ground brought together radars, interceptor drones and automated gun systems, including the Bullfrog M240, to assess detection, tracking and engagement against small unmanned aircraft. The effort focuses on homeland operations, where military protection must account for populated areas and civilian airspace. The trials assess combinations of lower-cost sensors and effectors rather than establish a completed operational architecture, and published reporting does not provide comparative interception results.

Army RecognitionOct 6
19
North AmericaDrones

Directed Energy Pilot Program to Field 3 Lasers and 1 Microwave at US Bases

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 selected three laser weapons and one high-power microwave system for a year-long counter-drone pilot at U.S. military installations. The systems are AeroVironment's Palletized High-Energy Laser, Kord's Firefly, Boeing's Compact Laser Weapon System and Epirus's Leonidas microwave weapon. Troops will operate them in installation-defense conditions to assess effectiveness, sustainment, power requirements, costs and airspace coordination, with the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Northern Command involved. Five host bases were previously identified, but the October 5 announcement did not assign individual systems to sites or disclose procurement quantities.

Defense WarRoomOct 6
20
North AmericaDrones

U.S. tests drone swarms for near-peer war, cuts field to some 25 firms

The U.S. Department of War narrowed its Swarm Forge drone program from more than 130 competing companies to approximately 25 industry partners after successive field evaluations. September trials at Fort Bragg tested heterogeneous air and ground systems in electronic warfare, darkness and complex terrain, using an AI battle manager with human oversight. A fourth field evaluation is scheduled for late January 2027 at Camp Lejeune, when finalized swarm packages are expected to be selected and validated for operational units. The program began in January 2026 and combines operators, software developers and hardware suppliers through iterative testing.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 6
21
Indo-PacificDrones

Rheinmetall and Breaker demonstrate voice-controlled drone swarms for Australian Army Boxer combat vehicles

Rheinmetall and Breaker demonstrated voice control of autonomous drone swarms from an Australian Army Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle and signed a teaming agreement for further integration. One crew member commanded the drones using the vehicle's standard microphone and headset after less than 30 minutes of training, while continuing normal vehicle duties. Breaker's tactical orchestration software connects robot teams through the Boxer's open electronic architecture, with simulator integration completed within weeks. The companies demonstrated a working vehicle capability within six months of initial discussions, but have not announced a fleet-wide procurement or operational fielding decision.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 6
22
North AmericaDrones

U.S. Army Opens Depots To Drone Part Production To Fill Massive Demand

The Pentagon directed approximately six U.S. Army depots to manufacture drone components, supplementing private-sector production with government equipment and personnel. Facilities are being retooled for brushless motors, propellers, airframes, circuit cards, battery packs and other subassemblies, while Tobyhanna Army Depot opened a motor line capable of scaling above 500,000 units annually. The initiative forms part of the Army's $18.1 billion modernization of its 23-site Organic Industrial Base. Overall production targets remain undisclosed, while the separate Drone Dominance program supports private suppliers as the military expands both training stocks and operational drone manufacturing.

aviationweek.comOct 6
23
EuropeDrones

Leonardo DRS Plans Tactical Radar Production In The UK

Leonardo DRS established DRS UK and launched local tactical radar manufacturing on October 5 to support British defense customers and European demand. A purpose-built production site provides an in-country manufacturing and support capability for radars used in counter-drone defense, air defense, force protection and active protection systems. The sensor portfolio detects, tracks and classifies airborne and ground threats, including unmanned aircraft and rockets, artillery and mortars. The announcement concerns an industrial expansion and dedicated local subsidiary, with no specific new customer order, annual production rate or contract value disclosed.

aviationweek.comOct 6
24
North AmericaDrones

US Army extended-range CUAS missile ramjet work to continue through December 2029

Northrop Grumman's $18.8 million U.S. Army agreement for eXtended Range Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System propulsion will continue through December 2029. Awarded by the Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center, the effort covers solid-fuel ramjet development, production of propulsion hardware, testing and validation of system performance. The work supports a longer-range counter-drone missile intended for maneuvering forces, with propulsion maturity assessed before any operational fielding decision. Individual test milestones, numerical performance targets and the path to a deployable interceptor have not been disclosed, so the end date defines development activity rather than service entry.

Shephard MediaOct 6
25
Indo-PacificDrones

US Army demonstrates C-UAS capability in India

The U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division demonstrated the Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System to Indian forces during September's Yudh Abhyas exercise. The M-LIDS event took place at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, where U.S. personnel practiced rapid deployment and integration in high temperatures and airborne dust. Indian Army personnel examined external components and discussed counter-drone tactics, techniques and procedures with their American counterparts. The activity supported bilateral familiarization and interoperability in detecting, identifying and defeating small drones, without establishing an Indian acquisition or technology-transfer agreement.

JanesOct 6
26
Indo-PacificDrones

Thales and 3ME Unveil BladeHAUL UGV, a Bushmaster-Inspired 10-Tonne Hauler

Thales Australia and 3ME Technology unveiled BladeHAUL on October 6, a hybrid-electric extra-large unmanned ground vehicle designed to carry a 20-foot container or up to 10 tonnes. Inspired by Bushmaster vehicle features, the off-road hauler combines 3ME's BladeVOLT energy storage, BladeDRIVE propulsion and BladeNET control architecture for remote or autonomous operation. Manufacturing responsibilities span Thales' Bendigo facility and 3ME's Newcastle operation, with the concept presented at Land Forces in Perth. The unveiling targets heavy logistics support, while output, operating range, a launch customer and any production order remain undisclosed.

Defense WarRoomOct 6
27
Indo-PacificDrones

Shield AI Hivemind to Power Australia's OWL-B Loitering Munition

Shield AI and Innovaero signed a memorandum of understanding on October 6 to integrate Hivemind autonomy into Australia's One-Way Loitering munition family. Hivemind is already installed on OWL-B ahead of flight testing, with multi-agent strike missions being simulated and commands issued through the Android Team Awareness Kit. The software is intended to support route replanning and coordinated operation when navigation or communications are degraded, with performance still subject to flight evaluation. OWL-B is undergoing certification under Mission Talon-Strike for targeted Australian Defence Force service in 2027, while the memorandum establishes cooperation rather than a production award.

Defense WarRoomOct 6
28
North AmericaDrones

McAlester Army Ammunition Plant to Arm Perennial Autonomy Drones

McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma will manufacture, load and deliver explosive payloads for Perennial Autonomy drones under a new production partnership announced by the Army on October 2. Perennial supplies the airframes and guidance equipment, while the government-owned installation contributes its ordnance production capabilities. The work draws on civilian chemists, load-assemble-pack specialists and quality inspectors to prepare combat-ready drone munitions within the Army's Organic Industrial Base. The agreement's value, production volumes, first delivery dates and specific warhead designs have not been disclosed, and neither party identified which Perennial aircraft will receive the payloads.

Defense WarRoomOct 6
29
Indo-PacificDrones

US Firm Aevex to Build Ukraine-Tested Vandal and Onyx Drones in Taiwan

Aevex and Taiwan's Coretronic Intelligent Robotics Corporation announced an agreement on October 2 to produce Vandal and Onyx unmanned aircraft in Taiwan using locally supplied avionics, payloads, motors and batteries. Aevex describes both platforms as combat-tested in Ukraine and plans to combine its airframe designs with Taiwanese manufacturing. The electric Vandal supports surveillance, electronic warfare and strike missions with a stated 4.5-kilogram payload, while the larger Onyx is a one-way attack aircraft carrying up to 13.6 kilograms. Both incorporate CompassX vision-based navigation for degraded satellite positioning, but production quantities, contract value and delivery dates were not announced.

Defense WarRoomOct 6
30
North AmericaDrones

U.S. Army robot mule contest gets BLADE’s Hunter WOLF

BLADE, formerly HDT, is one of six companies selected for the U.S. Army's Infantry Last Tactical Mile prototype effort, offering its Hunter WOLF unmanned ground vehicle. The six-wheel platform combines diesel-electric hybrid propulsion with autonomous mobility for frontline resupply, casualty evacuation and mobile electrical power. BLADE states that Hunter WOLF can carry approximately 2,800 pounds and negotiate steep terrain, supporting infantry formations without requiring troops to carry the full logistics load. Production-ready prototypes are due for Army unit assessments in early 2027, with the results intended to inform subsequent procurement decisions rather than guarantee a production award.

Defence BlogOct 6
31
GlobalDrones

Rafael-linked firm gets first orders for drone laser pod

Microcon Vision received initial orders for its MICRO-D laser-designation payload, with deliveries planned before the end of 2026, although customers, quantities and values were not disclosed. The CONTROP and Rafael-linked company combines a 30-millijoule STANAG 3733-compatible laser designator with day and thermal imaging in an approximately 1.9-kilogram pod for small unmanned aircraft. Seven sensors and functional channels share a two-axis gyro-stabilized gimbal, supporting surveillance, tracking and designation for compatible precision-guided weapons. Ethernet integration and a software development kit are standard, with optional MAVLink connectivity, while the manufacturer has not published effective designation range.

Defence BlogOct 6
32
North AmericaDrones

US Army tests counter-drone tech at Mexican border as cartel drone use rises

The US Army tested counter-drone systems near the Mexican border during September’s Falcon Peak exercise in Arizona, seeking faster adaptation to growing cartel drone activity. US Northern Command hosted demonstrations of radars, interceptor drones and autonomous gun systems for detecting, tracking and defeating small aircraft. A senior border task-force officer reported 378 incursions in the preceding 30 days, largely involving commercial surveillance drones associated with smuggling and human trafficking. Officials said the border provides an operational environment for equipment evaluation and soldier training, while emphasizing that cartel aircraft differ from sophisticated battlefield drones used in Ukraine.

ReutersOct 5
33
North AmericaDrones

Boeing says Link 16 software test advances plans for Super Hornet crews to control MQ-25A Stingray tankers and extend mission reach

Boeing has flight-tested Link 16 software intended to let Super Hornet crews command MQ-25A Stingray tankers, advancing the Navy’s plans for teaming between crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The demonstration took place during Emerald Flag at Eglin Air Force Base using a Beechcraft 1900D and an E90 King Air as surrogate platforms. The software supports command and control through an open architecture, with Boeing’s Phantom Works, MQ-25, F/A-18 and F-22 teams participating in the effort. The flights validated the communications approach ahead of integration with operational aircraft, rather than demonstrating an MQ-25 controlled in flight by a Super Hornet.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 5
34
North AmericaDrones

USS Ronald Reagan Now Ready to Fly MQ-25A Stingray, Three Years Before IOC

USS Ronald Reagan has received the Unmanned Air Warfare Center needed to control MQ-25A Stingray aircraft, becoming the second US carrier equipped with the facility after USS Theodore Roosevelt. Installation was completed in August during a 17-month maintenance period that included 11 associated modifications. The center integrates the Navy’s MD-5 carrier ground control station and Lockheed Martin’s mission-control technology, with pier-side and at-sea validation supporting readiness for future operations. The milestone prepares the carrier’s command infrastructure ahead of the MQ-25’s planned 2029 initial operational capability and does not indicate that Stingrays are already operating from the ship.

Defense WarRoomOct 5
35
North AmericaDrones

US Air Force shortlists seven companies to replace MQ-9 Reaper with 500 new MMA combat drones

The US Air Force has shortlisted seven companies for its Massed Modular Aircraft program, seeking an affordable, modular uncrewed fleet with a target of 100 aircraft by 2029 and 500 by 2032. Anduril, Chaos Industries, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Grid Aero, Otto Aerospace, Shield AI and Swarm Aero were selected on September 30. The proposed aircraft would accommodate interchangeable equipment for surveillance, strike, electronic warfare and communications missions, with a baseline cost target of roughly $10 million excluding mission systems. The competition seeks prototypes about a year after award, ahead of selecting and scaling a production design.

Army RecognitionOct 5
36
Indo-PacificDrones

U.S. Navy delivers digital test range to Australia to prepare autonomous aircraft for combat missions alongside crewed fighters

The US Navy has delivered the first Joint Digital Autonomy Range (JDAR) framework capability to Australia, making it the first international partner to receive the software-based environment for testing aircraft autonomy. Developed by Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, the range uses an open architecture that allows different autonomy software to be evaluated through millions of simulated flights. It supports testing in demanding threat scenarios before aircraft operate alongside crewed platforms. The Navy also plans an unclassified, autonomy-enabled Joint Simulation Environment for future multi-aircraft missions, extending the partnership beyond the initial digital range without implying those later capabilities have already been delivered.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 5
37
EuropeDrones

Kraken and Saab integrate Giraffe 1X radar on K3 Scout USV

Kraken Technology Group and Saab UK integrated the Giraffe 1X three-dimensional radar into the K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel and completed sea trials of the experimental configuration. The approximately 150-kilogram radar occupies the modular mission bay, creating an autonomous surveillance platform intended to warn of airborne threats, particularly small drones. Development took less than seven months, with the partners testing radar operation in maritime conditions and reporting that their trial objectives were met. The prototype targets protection of shipping, ports, offshore energy assets and critical infrastructure, while customer orders and quantified maritime performance remain undisclosed.

JanesOct 5
38
Indo-PacificDrones

New Zealand Seeks Polar-Capable Shipborne UAS

New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence has opened market research for polar-capable uncrewed systems that could operate from Navy ships and conduct maritime surveillance. The request for information seeks industry capabilities and indicative costs for operations across the Southern Ocean and from New Zealand toward the equator. Potential missions include search and rescue and monitoring illegal fishing, with the work informing Maritime Fleet Renewal under the 2025 Defence Capability Plan. The exercise is an information-gathering stage for future business cases and Cabinet decisions, rather than an equipment selection, funded purchase or commitment to a particular system or delivery schedule.

aviationweek.comOct 5
39
EuropeDrones

ARX Robotics and Roboneers sign partnership to integrate and jointly develop unmanned ground systems for Ukrainian forces

ARX Robotics and Ukraine’s Roboneers signed a strategic technology partnership in Kyiv on October 4 to integrate and jointly develop uncrewed ground systems for Ukrainian forces. The agreement expands cooperation across vehicles, software and supporting systems, incorporating operational feedback from battlefield users. It builds on the ARX Industries joint venture established in June to manufacture the Rys Pro platform in Ukraine and Germany, alongside ARX’s existing Gereon activities. The partners intend to accelerate industrial development and supply, but the new partnership announcement does not specify an additional contracted vehicle quantity, financial value or delivery timetable.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 5
40
EuropeDrones

Dutch MoD and EOS sign LOI on development of company's HEL into operational C-UAS

The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence and EOS signed a letter of intent on September 24 to develop the company’s Apollo high-energy laser into a fully operational counter-drone capability. The agreement provides a framework for further technical work and discussions about acquiring an unspecified number of systems. EOS also proposes Dutch manufacturing, a European headquarters in the Netherlands and a supply chain led by local industry. The initiative advances cooperation on laser-based air defense, but a letter of intent does not establish a final procurement contract, agreed production quantity, total program value or operational fielding date.

JanesOct 5
41
Indo-PacificDrones

Turkish arms group eyes Japan ties in air defense and underwater drones

Aselsan is seeking partnerships with Japanese companies in air defense and underwater-drone technologies as it expands its Asian business, according to remarks published on October 4, 2026. The proposed cooperation includes cost-effective systems against suicide drones and equipment to protect ships from unmanned underwater threats, drawing on Aselsan's radar, electronic-warfare and air-defense portfolio. The company plays a central role in Türkiye's Steel Dome integrated air-defense architecture and reported defense revenue of $4.46 billion in 2025, up 26%. The outreach follows September 22 talks between Japanese and Turkish leaders, with no Japanese partner or contract announced.

asia.nikkei.comOct 4
42
EuropeDrones

Russia Fields 500 km/h Dan-T Loitering Munition in Strikes on Ukraine

Russia has deployed the jet-powered Dan-T weapon against Ukraine after Rosoboronexport presented it at Egypt's El Alamein airshow on September 8, 2026. Export specifications list a 268 kg maximum takeoff weight, a 130 kg warhead, a maximum range of 450 km, a top speed of 500 km/h and GNSS/INS guidance. Rostec says the weapon is intended for launch from aircraft and helicopters, including foreign platforms, and Russian representatives said it is already in service and has been used in combat. Its external similarity to the S8000 Banderol suggests a related design, although the precise relationship has not been officially clarified.

Defense WarRoomOct 4
43
EuropeDrones

Germany Funds Tens of Thousands of Quantum Systems Interceptor Drones

Germany will finance several tens of thousands of Quantum Systems interceptor drones manufactured in Ukraine under its winter 2026/2027 military assistance package, announced in Kyiv on October 4. Developed by Quantum WIY Industries, the interceptors are already used to protect cities and critical infrastructure and integrate with Quantum Systems' MOSAIC UXS mission software. The funding will expand Ukrainian production as Russian attacks increasingly employ faster, jet-powered drones, while a separate agreement covers testing and procurement of interceptors for those threats. The exact quantity, drone configuration, contract value and delivery timetable have not been disclosed.

Defense WarRoomOct 4
44
Indo-PacificDrones

Ukraine believes Russia shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, says Zelenskiy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 4 that he believes Russia has shared technology for its latest jet-powered attack drones with North Korea, without identifying a specific system or providing evidence of the transfer. His remarks followed a sharp increase in Russia's use of jet-powered drones against Ukraine, which have proved difficult to intercept. North Korea has supplied Moscow with millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, while thousands of North Korean soldiers have served in Russia's war effort. South Korea and Western governments have previously expressed concern that Pyongyang could receive Russian weapons-development assistance in return.

ReutersOct 4
45
EuropeDrones

Poland Trials AI Smart Border System to Sift Drone Feeds on Belarus Border

Poland is trialing an AI-assisted Smart Border system along a section of its Belarus frontier during Operation Safe Podlasie, covering several dozen kilometers. Developed by the military’s CISI artificial-intelligence center with the Border Guard, the system processes imagery from drones, cameras and other sensors to recognize objects and flag activity for operators. Military personnel provide AI expertise and operational use, while the Border Guard deploys and maintains sensor infrastructure and supplies surveillance data. The trial combines automated image analysis with human decision-making, seeking to reduce the volume of footage personnel must inspect while supporting border monitoring and threat assessment.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 3
46
EuropeDrones

US Army PBAS Drone Strike: 2nd Cavalry Flies Soldier-Built FPV With C-4

Soldiers from the US Army’s 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducted a live FPV drone strike at Grafenwoehr, Germany, on September 30, 2026, destroying a staged target. The unit assembled and operated an Orqa MRM2-10 quadcopter carrying a 250-gram C-4 payload under the Purpose Built Attritable System programme. The squadron described the event as the first such live kinetic strike by a conventional Army unit without contractor or outside-unit assistance. The exercise tested whether soldiers could generate and employ expendable attack drones within their own formation, extending the programme from platform preparation to a live training engagement.

Defense WarRoomOct 3
47
North AmericaDrones

Epirus Leonidas Microwave Weapon Joins US Army C2 in Operation Jailbreak

Epirus reported integrating its Leonidas high-power microwave counter-drone system into a broader US Army command-and-control architecture during Operation JAILBREAK FALCON FURY. The demonstration linked sensors, the microwave effector and shared command functions through the Army’s open-architecture integration effort, enabling operators to allocate weapons against different drone threats. Leonidas uses solid-state, software-controlled microwave emissions to disrupt drone electronics and can address multiple closely grouped aircraft within its beam. The development programme also includes two Generation II systems ordered for $43.5 million in July 2025, while Epirus plans to exhibit a mobile Leonidas GV variant at AUSA 2026.

Army RecognitionOct 3
48
EuropeDrones

Leonardo tests land version of its 40mm naval gun

A newly published photograph appears to show Leonardo’s Hystrix 40 ADS counter-drone gun undergoing testing, following the system’s unveiling in February 2026. The land-based design adapts the Marlin 40 naval turret in its Independent Line of Sight configuration, combining a 40 mm L70 cannon with an electro-optical director incorporating daylight and infrared cameras and a laser rangefinder. Leonardo plans programmable airburst and proximity-fuzed ammunition for engaging drones and other low-flying threats within its Michelangelo Dome architecture. The 40 mm design forms the middle layer of a planned family that also includes 76 mm and 30 mm gun systems, with a prototype targeted for 2026.

Defence BlogOct 3
49
North AmericaDrones

Northrop Grumman’s Talon Blue Collaborative Combat Aircraft Has Flown

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completed its first fully autonomous flight at Mojave, California, the company announced on October 3, 2026. The aircraft autonomously performed taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing, advancing the internally funded Project Talon portfolio of uncrewed combat aircraft. Its design incorporates a high air intake, wide landing-gear stance and internal weapons bay, while modular construction and manufacturing changes are intended to reduce weight, component count and production cost. Built by Northrop subsidiary Scaled Composites, the demonstrator is intended to support future US and allied autonomous airpower missions through flexible operational concepts.

The War ZoneOct 3
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Indo-PacificDrones

Australian 3D-Printed ASTRA 460 USV Hits 40 Knots in First Sea Trial

Australia’s Hyperion Systems reported that its 3D-printed ASTRA 460 unmanned surface vessel reached 40 knots during its first remotely operated sea trial. The craft uses a recycled high-density polyethylene hull manufactured through large-format additive manufacturing, with Hyperion citing approximately 40 hours for hull printing and seven days for a completed vessel. Further trials are intended to validate a 20–30-knot cruising speed, payload exceeding 200 kilograms and range of up to 200 kilometers. Greenroom Robotics’ GAMA autonomy is planned for the platform, but the initial test demonstrated remote operation rather than autonomous navigation or a military deployment.

Defense WarRoomOct 3

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