Unmanned Systems

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

October 17, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

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15 Oct 25. Britain starts work on Atlantic surveillance drone network. The Ministry of Defence has issued a new tender for Atlantic Net, the opening phase of Project CABOT, which aims to advance the Royal Navy’s use of uncrewed and data-driven systems for anti-submarine warfare and maritime intelligence. According to the tender, “the Ministry of Defence would like to announce the intention to publish an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to contract a Commercial Mission Partner(s) (CMP) as part of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Net (AN) initiative in the near future.” The MOD says Atlantic Net “will deliver Underwater Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) as a service through a Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated, Naval Oversight (COCONO) model.” The system, it continues, “will be data focussed, providing information direct to the Maritime Operational Commander ashore to inform decision making.” The framework, valued symbolically at £1 for each of its two lots, will operate between 17 December 2025 and 31 March 2026, according to the entry on the Find a Tender portal. The first lot will appoint Commercial Mission Partners, each of whom will be awarded an individual call-off contract “detailing the milestones, deliverables and commercial terms that are specific and relevant to them.” The second will establish a Potential Supplier Pool for additional firms whose technologies or services “may be of interest to the Authority and, consequently, may be contracted for through a Call-Off Contract at any point during the Term of the Open Framework.” The notice also specifies that the procurement is “exempt from the Procurement Act 2023 under Defence Intelligence and National Security Grounds.” However, the MOD added that it intends to “follow the spirit of the Procurement Act where possible, hence the open publication of this notice.”

Atlantic Net represents the first phase of Project CABOT, which the MOD has described as designed to “accelerate the RN’s pivot to autonomy with a specific focus on Anti-Submarine Warfare.” It builds on prior innovation efforts under Project CHARYBDIS and the Defence Innovation Unit’s ASW Spearhead programme, and aligns with NATO’s wider Smart Defence initiative to create an automated anti-submarine warfare barrier using digital, networked systems. Future phases, including Atlantic Bastion, are expected to bring those capabilities under direct Royal Navy control, employing government-owned Type 92 Sloop drone ships and Type 93 Chariot autonomous submarines. The two phases aim to reduce reliance on crewed platforms and create a persistent undersea surveillance network capable of tracking submarine activity across the North Atlantic. (Source: UKDJ)

15 Oct 25. Airbus streamlines its tactical uncrewed aerial system offering. Airbus has streamlined its small and medium tactical uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from Survey Copter, Aliaca and Capa-X, into a single comprehensive portfolio that will be managed by its Airbus Helicopters division. The aim is to deliver a focused market approach for defence and security customers across both the Helicopters and Defence and Space divisions.

“By incorporating Aliaca and Capa-X into our UAS portfolio, we are building a cohesive family of products and solidifying Airbus’ position as a market leader in the tactical drone segment,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “With this move, we are setting up a centre of excellence that consolidates a comprehensive and complementary portfolio of uncrewed aerial systems and facilitates synergies across the teams that are working to further develop and support them. It will also accelerate the cooperation between drones and helicopters thanks to our HTeaming solution,” he added.

Uncrewed aerial systems provide essential, real-time capabilities for diverse missions. They offer high-resolution sensing for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) and long-endurance ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), benefiting naval and expeditionary forces while also supporting target acquisition on the battlefield. UAS can also support parapublic missions where surveillance is required such as firefighting and law enforcement. Based in Pierrelatte in the South of France, Survey Copter has been designing, producing and maintaining light tactical drone systems since 1996. The company specialises in light drone systems for both civil and military applications, and has sold over 300 UAS to national and international customers since its creation. Airbus Helicopters now offers a diverse portfolio of tactical drones designed to meet the evolving needs of modern defence. The Aliaca is a 25 kg UAS that can carry up to 3 kg of equipment for 6 hours, making it a robust imagery tool that enhances reconnaissance and decision-making. The Flexrotor is a 25 kg UAS that can carry up to 8 kg of equipment for 10 to 12 hours making it ideal for long-endurance missions. For ultimate flexibility, the Capa-X is a 120 kg UAS that can carry up to 20 kg of equipment making it a highly adaptable system that can be modified for various missions and terrains. The VSR700 is a 750 kg multi-mission drone with a discreet design, specifically developed for demanding maritime, cargo, and combat roles. This range of uncrewed systems provides customers with cutting-edge capabilities for surveillance, intelligence, and operational flexibility. Complementing this consolidated portfolio of small and medium drones, Airbus continues to develop and offer a wide variety of multi-mission UAS technologies and services as part of its Defence and Space division, building on its expertise in air power solutions. Ranging from Eurodrone, the new generation large long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft system designed to bolster European defence and strategic sovereignty; the high-end tactical UAS SIRTAP, for day and night ISR missions over land and sea; the solar-electric stratospheric Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) to aerial target drones. Airbus has also developed crewed-uncrewed teaming solutions allowing aircraft and helicopter crews to take full control of UAS in flight. Crewed-uncrewed teaming offers additional mission capabilities by extending sensor range far beyond the aircraft’s line of sight, preserving them for the essential missions that only they can perform.

15 Oct 25. Boeing Launches New Family of Tiltrotor Combat Drones. Boeing has announced plans for a family of new, tiltrotor drones that are intended to support existing crewed military helicopters, especially those of the U.S. Army, providing something like an equivalent to the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Indeed, the company describes the drones as “collaborative rotorcraft” and expects them to serve alongside more conventional helicopters undertaking attack, logistics, and other types of missions. Renderings were revealed on October 13 by Boeing at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) tradeshow. At least two rotary-wing drones are currently projected, both based on a tiltrotor design, drawing upon the company’s experience with the proven V-22 Osprey. However, the modular concept means more mission versions of the drones will be possible. Boeing describes the drones as “completely uninhabited,” with no plans for them to be offered as optionally piloted platforms. In each case, the drone has a high wing and a V-tail. Each will be powered by a single turboshaft engine driving a pair of prop-rotors. Boeing chose this “classic” powerplant option as it considered it the most mature technology, making it easier to get the drones into service rapidly. As part of its evolution, however, other propulsion systems might well be offered in the future, Boeing says, including hybrid electric/gas turbine. Boeing has said that the drones will likely have a maximum gross weight in the region of 5,000 to 7000 pounds, including a payload in the range of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds, depending on range and specific mission load-out. Speaking to journalists ahead of AUSA, Chris Speights, chief engineer for Boeing Defense’s Vertical Lift division, said the drones will have “relevant range [and] relevant payloads […] to truly be collaborative,” meaning they can keep up with a crewed helicopter’s mission profile. The drones will be in the Group 4 or 5 category. Of these, Group 4 encompasses drones weighing over 1,320 pounds, and operating at altitudes usually below 18,000 feet, while Group 5 covers the same weight category, but typically flying above 18,000 feet.

An overview of Federal Aviation Administration drone categories (FAA)

The first of the drones to be described in detail is the CxR, or Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft. Speights explained:

“The idea is that the CxR is a modular core that we can adapt for things like a loyal wingman, collaborative rotorcraft, that would partner with an aircraft like the Apache or even the Little Bird or whatever else you may have.”

The CxR would be able to carry various types of effectors and other payloads, including launched effects (LE), which are smaller drones capable of being configured to strike, reconnoiter, and jam targets far from their launch platform. LEs are increasingly seen as being critical to the future survival of combat helicopters, especially when operating in higher-threat areas. One rendering shows the drone carrying a pair of tubes on stub wings on each side of the fuselage, likely signifying launched effects. Speights outlines Boeing’s vision of Apaches, collaborative rotorcraft, and launched effects all working together as “layers of capabilities that we can apply to different situations.” The first rendering of the new collaborative rotorcraft were released by Boeing at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) tradeshow. Boeing

Speights said the CxR’s tiltrotor configuration is ideal for missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, or RSTA, “where you need very good maneuverability, nap-of-the-earth [flying], hide behind hills, mountains and trees, and have the maneuverability to be able to perform that mission with the level of survivability that’s really needed to be successful. That would enable it to fully support the types of attack, reconnaissance, and scout missions that the Apache performs,” Speights added. “It would be able to carry the payloads that are relevant for Apache-type missions.”

While the CxR is currently primarily being pitched as a drone that can operate collaboratively with the Apache, Boeing expects that it will have the relevant speed, range, and endurance to complement the Army’s forthcoming MV-75 tiltrotor assault transport as well. With this in mind, the company is targeting a speed in the range of 200 to 250 knots. At the same time, the CxR will be designed to be expeditionary, so that it can be rapidly deployed aboard fixed-wing C-130 Hercules transports. A logistics version of the new rotary-wing drone is also being proposed. This is the CLR (Collaborative Logistics Rotorcraft), which would be expected to augment the H-47 Chinook and other logistics platforms, especially in contested environments. The logistics version of the drone would make use of the CxR’s common core, including the propulsion system, Boeing sees the new drones very much in the context of a broader “family of systems” approach, meaning they can work together with a range of platforms used by the U.S. Army and other forces around the world. (Source: UAS VISION/ The War Zone)

15 Oct 25. UK Seeks Strike and Refuelling Drone for Aircraft Carriers. The UK’s Ministry of Defence has published a preliminary market engagement notice under Project VANQUISH, seeking industry views on a new “Fixed Wing Short Take Off and Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platform” (FW STOL ACP) for Royal Navy carriers. The Find a Tender listing describes the effort as a technical demonstration intended to inform future procurement options for the UK’s “Hybrid Air Wing”.

The notice, identifier 2025/S 000-062294, sets out the requirement in stark terms:

“Project VANQUISH seeks to deliver a technical demonstration at sea of an attritable (Tier 2) Fixed Wing Short Take Off and Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platform (FW STOL ACP); nominal target date by the end of 2026, with options for delivery within an 18 month window from the target date also considered.”

The MOD is explicit that the platform must be able to embark and operate autonomously from a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. It is to be jet turbine powered, capable of high subsonic speed, and launch and recover from carriers without catapults or arrested recovery systems. The system is expected to carry a credible payload with sufficient endurance, with a clear exploitation path for roles such as ISR, strike, and air-to-air refuelling. The RFI highlights that this effort should “complement F-35B Lightning, as part of QEC and its Carrier Air Wing”. Officials also stress that the work must be “aligned with the principles of Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) and build on previous trials and demonstrations of ACPs from QEC.” (Source: UAS VISION/UK Defence Journal)

13 Oct 25. PDW’s flagship C100 platform now supports a new suite of Multi-Mission Payloads (MMP) specifically focused on transforming and enhancing mission sets in contested environments. Providing critical battlefield capabilities to operators, MMPs enable the C100 to navigate through contested environments without GPS, expand the operational reach of the forward line of troops, and provide an added layer of situational awareness to ground force commanders for EM Spectrum Operations. PDW was recently awarded a $20.9m award from the U.S. Army to supply C100 UAS and MMPs in support of the Army’s ‘Transformation in Contact’ (TiC) initiative. Initially designed for the Army’s emerging requirements, this new solution set is now in production and available to new and existing customers looking to expand operational capability. Built to complement the C100 platform’s capabilities, the MMP lineup provides teams with a position of advantage and organic overwatch capabilities during direct action missions, all while maintaining the C100’s signature portability and tactical edge. This product update enhances capabilities through native software and partner hardware upgrades, including Communications Relay and Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) Extension; Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT); and Spectrum Awareness (SIGINT).

“The C100’s MMPs provide three specific capabilities identified as critical needs by the Army,” said PDW CEO and cofounder Ryan Gury. “Any military unit operating in contested environments would benefit from these capabilities and we are actively producing and ready to deliver on this need.”

To bring these capabilities to the market, PDW partnered with industry leaders that are existing Army suppliers with high technology readiness level (TRL) products. The three payloads for MMP are the CACI Mastodon FireBeast, Silvus StreamCaster MANET communication relay, and PDW A-PNT Vision-Based Navigation.

Spectrum Awareness (Mastodon FireBeast): A Multi-Channel Transceiver designed to support signal detections and direction-finding of adversary signals of interest (SOIs). This capability significantly enhances the C100’s situational awareness, threat mitigation, and operational flexibility.
MANET Communications Relay (Silvus StreamCaster): A single-radio solution that unites multiple assets in a self-forming mesh network to enable BVLOS relay, and extended MANET. Designed to provide radio and network extension across the formation, StreamCaster greatly boosts the C100’s communication range, enables high-bandwidth radio transmission for ISR missions, and increases signal resilience in contested environments.
PDW A-PNT (Vision Based Navigation): A software agnostic sense and compute module complete with a Visual Based Navigation (VBN) software solution. This will enable the C100 to start and complete missions via visual cues when traditional navigation methods are unavailable due to jammed, spoofed, or unavailable GPS signals.

MMPs can be integrated into new or existing C100 Mission Systems with the addition of preconfigured mounts and software updates. C100s can also be acquired in the MMP configuration, with payloads pre-integrated and ready to rapidly swap as required. PDW’s training has been updated to provide MMP-focused interoperability and best practices. Learn more about the C100 capabilities and MMP payload suite at www.pdw.ai. (Source: PR Newswire)

13 Oct 25. Cummings Aerospace recently completed a flight test demonstrating Hellhound S3’s extended range capability. During the test, the man-portable loitering munition flew more than 30 kilometers (18 miles) with an inert warhead and landed with more than 50 percent fuel remaining, indicating a potential maximum range exceeding 60 kilometers (37 miles).

“Hellhound [is] ideally suited for both loitering munition missions and counter-unmanned aircraft system operations against Group 2 and Group 3 threats, such as the Shahed”

The Cummings Aerospace Hellhound S3 loitering munition is designed for strike and counter-unmanned aircraft system missions against Group 2 and Group 3 unmanned aircraft systems, such as the Shahed drone. It is light enough and small enough for one person to carry, has a proven range of more than 30 kilometers, and features a modular, open-architecture design. The Cummings Aerospace Hellhound S3 loitering munition launches during a Sept 18th, 2025 test. The Hellhound S3 is designed for strike and counter-unmanned aircraft system missions against Group 2 and Group 3 unmanned aircraft systems, such as the Shahed drone. It is light enough and small enough for one person to carry, has a proven range of more than 30 kilometers, and features a modular, open-architecture design.

Why It Matters

“This test validates Hellhound S3’s persistent loitering capability at extended ranges,” said Sheila Cummings, chief executive officer of Cummings Aerospace. “That range, combined with speed and modularity, makes Hellhound ideally suited for both loitering munition missions and counter-unmanned aircraft system operations against Group 2 and Group 3 threats, such as the Shahed.”

Ongoing Testing

The most recent flight test is part of an ongoing test series validating Hellhound S3’s performance across a wide range of speeds and flight profiles. Cummings uses modular open systems architecture and 3D printing, allowing the company to rapidly iterate the design based on test data and Soldier feedback.

Details of the Most Recent Test:

When and where: Pendleton UAS Range, Oregon, Sept. 18, 2025
Vertical launch from canister
Transition to target area
Extended loiter using tight figure-eight patterns over designated target
Carried an inert warhead
Flew more than 30 kilometers before engineers concluded data collection
Flew at speeds of 80 meters per second (roughly 180 miles per hour)
Landed with more than 50 percent fuel remaining, indicating potential maximum range exceeding 60 kilometers
Results: All primary objectives achieved

This approach directly supports the Department of War’s initiative to unleash U.S. military drone dominance, using 3D printing to enable rapid production at lower cost.

About Hellhound

Flexible speed: Documented top speed of 384 miles per hour enables it to chase and destroy Group 2 and Group 3 UAS.
Mission flexibility: The modular design supports warhead, Electronic Warfare, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance payloads.
Soldiers can field-swap payloads in less than 2 minutes without tools.
Affordable: Combines 3D printing and U.S. Department of War-approved commercial components to reduce production costs, simplify logistics and deliver advanced capabilities at lower costs than traditional systems.
Manportable: All-up round (vehicle, launch canister and ground control system) weighs less than 25 pounds, allowing single-Soldier deployment and enhancing Infantry mobility.
Proven performance: Achieved Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7), demonstrating reliable performance in operationally realistic conditions.
Manufacturing ready: Achieved Manufacturing Readiness Level 7 (MRL-7), with established production processes and capability.

On the horizon

In the coming months, Cummings Aerospace will:

Continue flight testing to validate automatic target recognition algorithms.
Continue developing hunter-killer concepts of operations for Hellhound.
Conduct additional demonstrations for U.S. Army and Department of War customers across multiple mission sets.

Hellhound is a family of UASs with multiple specialized variants. The Hellhound S3 variant is a Group 1 UAS. The Hellhound S4 variant is a Group 2 UAS designed to support missions including gap-filling ISR coverage for Golden Dome. (Source: PR Newswire)

13 Oct 25. IAI and AEVEX to Announce the OmniRaider Next-Gen Vertical Take off and Landing Unmanned Aircraft System.

OmniRaider is the U.S. version of the new ThunderB-NG, representing the latest evolution in Group 3 (DOD) VTOL UAS platforms for the U.S. Army

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-class aerospace and defense leader, with its subsidiary BlueBird Aero Systems and U.S. based partner AEVEX Aerospace, will be jointly debuting at AUSA 2025 this week, the OmniRaider, the U.S. version of the ThunderB-Next Generation (NG) Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The OmniRaidar VTOL will be fully manufactured and fielded in the U.S. by AEVEX Aerospace, a Tampa-based UAS leader. This UAS represents the latest evolution in Group 3 (DOW) VTOL UAS platform from the ThunderB-VTOL family. The OmniRaidar VTOL system features a maximum take-off weight of 110 lbs and more than 20lbs in multi-payload configuration to support simultaneous missions from a single platform. The core strength of the OmniRaider is its mission-ready flexibility to carry multiple types of payloads. The legacy ThunderB platform was integrated with 11 different payloads to execute multiple distinct missions. These include pairing airborne intelligence (EO/IR) with Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), conducting mapping and reconnaissance in parallel or combining intelligence gathering with the ability to support strike capability. The system’s smart integration architecture enables operators to maximize operational output from every sortie, increasing mission effectiveness and flexibility in the field. The system offers endurance of 12–14 hours and a range of 100 miles, providing persistent Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) support for brigade-level operations, ensuring survivability in contested environments, while capable of operations in GPS-denied environments and congested Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) airspace.

Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO: “The OmniRaider brings a new level of operational flexibility to tactical UAS, combining multi-payload endurance with VTOL agility in a one platform, developed in close partnership with AEVEX. The system is manufactured in the U.S. as part of our strategy to combine advanced Israeli technology with U.S.-based production to meet the evolving needs of allied forces while contributing to local economic growth and job creation that supports the domestic U.S. defense industry.”

Bob Horky, AEVEX’s Chief Growth Officer: “AEVEX is proud to bring the OmniRaider to the U.S. Army. This platform offers a unique balance of endurance, payload flexibility and survivability – critical for today’s operational environment. The manufacturing of the OmniRaidar VTOL in America will support jobs in our Tampa-based facility and we look forward to fielding this latest evolution in the Group 3 (DOW) VTOL platforms for the Army Brigade”.

Based on the operational and field-proven ThunderB UAS already deployed by several customers worldwide and following ThunderB’s successful integration of 11 different payloads over the past two years, the new OmniRaider is built for RSTA missions, combining long endurance, multi-payload capabilities and operational flexibility for a broad range of mission requirements.

13 Oct 25. Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK® into U-Hawk™, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS.

S-70UAS™ U-Hawk™ helicopter is configured to lead and resupply air assault missions.

From concept to reality in 10 months, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), has transformed a UH-60L Black Hawk® helicopter into the S-70UAS™ U-Hawk™, a versatile autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that has 25% more cargo space than a typical Black Hawk. Sikorsky replaced the cockpit section with actuated clamshell doors and ramp, and swapped conventional flight controls with a third-generation, low-cost, fly-by-wire system integrated with MATRIX™ autonomy technology.

The S-70UAS U-Hawk aircraft on display at this week’s Association of the United States Army exposition shows a larger cabin space to:

Accept longer cargo, such as missiles,
Drive on/off an uncrewed ground vehicle,
Roll-on/off supplies,
Launch swarms of reconnaissance or strike drones, and
Carry internal fuel tanks for increased range or extended time on station.

“Sikorsky is innovating a 21st century solution by converting UH‑60L Black Hawks into a fully autonomous utility platform,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “We developed this prototype from concept to reality in under a year, and the modifications made to transform this crewed Black Hawk into a multi-mission payload UAS can be replicated at scale quickly and affordably. The U-Hawk continues the Black Hawk legacy of being the world’s premier utility aircraft and opens the door to new capabilities as a UAS.”

Redesign and structural modification of the UH-60L aircraft into its uncrewed U-Hawk configuration is led by rapid prototyping group Sikorsky Innovations. First flight is expected in 2026.

U-Hawk-enabled missions

By eliminating the cockpit and internal components, the U-Hawk has 25% more cargo space than the UH-60L Black Hawk.

Forward loading and additional useable cabin space of the U-Hawk aircraft now offers the flexibility to accommodate oversized loads up to the same maximum gross weight.

Air-ground team — Drive on/off an uncrewed ground vehicle, such as the HDT Hunter Wolf 6×6 UGV.
Cargo — Transport up to four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers (vs. two today).
Missile transport — Carry a HIMARS pod of six rockets, or two Naval Strike Missiles.
Launched effects — Deploy launched effects carrying sensors/munitions from quivers secured to the cabin.
Endurance — Self-deploy over 1600nm or loiter for up to 14 hours without refueling.

Like a UH-60L aircraft, a U-Hawk variant retains the ability to load cargo from the side door, and externally lift 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg) using its cargo hook.

Operators – not pilots – fly U-Hawks

A tablet gives an operator full command of the U-Hawk aircraft from start-up to shut down.

At the touch of a button, the two clamshell doors open and a ramp lowers to allow easy cargo loading or drive-on capability. To prepare for flight, the automated sequence is reversed.

Once loaded, an operator inputs mission goals via the tablet. The MATRIX autonomy system automatically generates a flight plan, relying on cameras, sensors and algorithms to help navigate the U-Hawk aircraft safely to its destination.

Affordable utility UAS

By removing the cockpit, all seats and crew stations from the aircraft, the U-Hawk helicopter becomes the first fully autonomous Black Hawk utility helicopter.

“The U‑Hawk offers a cost‑effective utility UAS by leveraging commonality with the existing UH‑60 fleet, and its uncrewed nature reduces both operating and maintenance costs,” said Igor Cherepinsky, Sikorsky Innovations director. “We focused on efficiencies in the retrofit by designing and manufacturing vehicle management computers, actuation components and airframe modifications. We will incorporate those efficiencies into future modifications and manufacturing for our family of UAS products.”

For more information, visit https://lockheedmartin.com/uhawk.

13 Oct 25. Sensor solution provider HENSOLDT and AVILUS, a specialist in unmanned aerial systems (UAVs), announce their strategic partnership. The aim of the collaboration is the joint development and marketing of state-of-the-art sensor and ISR systems based on proven technologies and agile production capacities ‘Made in Germany’. The integration of powerful HENSOLDT sensors – including a high-performance electro-optical system, AMPS-M and the ‘PrecISR’ radar – with the innovative ‘MissMarvin’ mission operating system will result in scalable UAV platforms that meet both military and civilian requirements.

“With AVILUS, we have an agile UAV specialist at our side who can optimally leverage our state-of-the-art sensor solutions. Together, we are focusing on technological sovereignty and short paths from development to operational readiness – for powerful and resilient UAV expertise in Germany,” says Christina Canitz, Head of Division Optronics at HENSOLDT.

“AVILUS closes specific capability gaps in casualty evacuation, logistics and reconnaissance with robust, unmanned aerial systems. The focus is on operational proximity, reliability and rapid availability. Through close cooperation with HENSOLDT, we combine our platforms with state-of-the-art sensor technology, thus creating immediate added value for forces in the field,” says AVILUS CEO Ernst Rittinghaus.

The electro-optical system enables the detection, classification and tracking of objects thanks to multispectral sensor technology and AI-supported real-time processing. It combines HD thermal imaging, colour/low-light, SWIR and wide-angle cameras for comprehensive situation assessment – all sensors are available simultaneously and can be controlled via a high-precision 4-axis gimbal. AMPS-M combines a self-protection system with up to 16 intelligent decoy launchers and integrates various warning sensors and protective measures against missile, laser and radar threats. The platform benefits from high modularity, minimal maintenance and more than 700 systems in use worldwide with thousands of flight hours – tested in cooperation with NATO partners. PrecISR, a software-defined X-band radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA), detects and tracks more than 1,000 objects simultaneously, including ground, sea and air targets, regardless of weather conditions and at great distances. The system is easy to integrate, ITAR-free and, thanks to its scalability, suitable for a wide range of UAV platforms. With the Federal Aviation Authority’s approval for civil flights already granted and the ‘company owned, company operated’ operating model, the partners are addressing a wide range of application scenarios – from disaster control and critical infrastructure monitoring to national border security. The cooperation is part of HENSOLDT’s strategy to create innovative solutions in line with ‘software-defined defence’ through targeted partnerships. Initial demonstrations and pilot projects are already in preparation. The aim is to set new standards for ISR capabilities in unmanned aviation, both nationally and internationally.

About HENSOLDT

HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with a global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company develops sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a system integrator, HENSOLDT offers platform-independent, networked sensors. At the same time, the company is driving forward the development of defence electronics and optronics as a technology leader and investing in new solutions based on software-defined defence. In addition, the company is expanding its range of offers to include new service models and is extending its portfolio of system solutions. In 2024, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 2.24 bn euros. Following the acquisition of ESG GmbH, the company employs around 9,000 people. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the MDAX.

www.hensoldt.net

About AVILUS

AVILUS is a manufacturer and certified operator (EASA LUC) of a new class of unmanned aerial systems with take-off weights of up to one tonne. This closes an existing technological gap between small UAVs with limited range and payload on the one hand and manned aircraft or type-certified large drones on the other. Due to its high payloads, AVILUS’ new class of drones is suitable for casualty evacuation, logistics, reconnaissance and support missions. The portfolio includes the ‘Grille’, a fully electric multicopter for evacuation missions up to approx. 50 kilometres, the ‘Wespe’, a versatile rotary wing aircraft with a combustion engine for transport, casualty evacuation and support up to approx. 300 kilometres, and the Bussard, a fixed-wing aircraft with a range of up to 2,500 kilometres, 14 hours of flight time and a payload of 150 kilograms for strategic long-range reconnaissance and deep missions.

www.avilus.com

10 Oct 25. Kosovo inducts Skydagger quadcopters from Türkiye. The Kosovo Security Force (Forca e Sigurisë së Kosovës: KSF) has received “thousands” of Baykar Skydagger first-person view (FPV) quadcopters from Türkiye, acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, announced on 8 October. The shipment was received into Pristina International Airport on 8 October, Kurti said on his official Facebook account. Kurti posted images showing Kosovo’s newly acquired Rheinmetall MAN HX2 tactical military trucks loaded with drone containers which, he noted, were delivered three months ahead of schedule. There are three known and advertised Skydagger models. The smallest RTF 7 has a range of 10 km, speed of 130 km/h, and carries a 2 kg payload while having a maximum flight time of 20 minutes without load and 12 minutes loaded. The mid-sized RTF 10 has the same range as RTF 7 but is slower at 120 km/h, carries a 3 kg payload, and has a maximum flight time of 30 minutes unloaded and 12 minutes loaded. The biggest RTF 15 also has a 10 km range, 130 km/h speed, but carries a 5 kg payload achieving 36 minutes flight time without load and 14 minutes loaded. It is not clear what type of Skydagger quadcopters were delivered to Kosovo, although local media reports suggest delivery of the RTF 15. (Source: Janes)

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EOS

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is an Australian technology company with a global presence, delivering advanced solutions across defence and space. With operations in Australia, the United States, Europe, Singapore, the Middle East and New Zealand, EOS has been designing and manufacturing precision technologies for more than four decades.

In defence, EOS is a leader in remote weapon systems, with more than 2,500 delivered and proven in operational service with allied forces. The company designs, develops and manufactures highly accurate counter-drone solutions for force and asset protection. These include both kinetic and high energy laser options that defeat drone threats effectively and at a comparatively low cost per shot. In August 2025, EOS secured the world’s first export contract for a 100 kW-class high energy laser weapon, with delivery scheduled between 2025 and 2028.

In the space domain, EOS is internationally recognised for its expertise in space domain awareness and space control. Its ground-based optical systems track and characterise satellites and debris to support both defence and commercial operations worldwide. Through its New Zealand subsidiary, EOS also designs and manufactures precision optics for space and astronomy applications.

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

October 9, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

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09 Oct 25. Aurora Flight Sciences and Uvision USA Unite to Offer Advanced Launched Effects Solutions. The collaboration establishes a fast path to fieldable launched effects that reliably support and extend the operations of manned platforms. Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, and Uvision USA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing Launched Effects (LE) solutions to enhance operations for the U.S. Army. This MOU brings together Aurora’s expertise in collaborative autonomy, modular open systems, and mission integration with Uvision’s proven loitering munitions and launch mechanisms to create a field-ready solution that meets modern warfare requirements. In an April 2025 memo, the U.S. Secretary of War directed the U.S. Army to field launched effects in every Division by the end of 2026. Launched effects represent a critical pillar of a capability-based approach by providing commanders with collaborative air and ground systems that extend reach, accelerate kill chains, and integrate seamlessly across the joint force. The systems’ enhanced reconnaissance, targeting, situational awareness, and precision strike capabilities give warfighters a decisive edge in complex operational environments. Aurora Flight Sciences has previous experience as the lead systems integrator for the U.S. Army’s Air-Launched Effects (ALE) program, where the company played a critical role in design, integration, and flight testing. The program required a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), which Aurora continues to employ to create flexible LE technologies that integrate into existing Army networks and are capable of scaling to increasingly advanced systems. Uvision’s HERO family of loitering munitions and launch mechanisms have already been deployed in operational environments worldwide. These systems offer combat-proven capabilities, reliability, and adaptability, making them ideal for launched effects integration. By leveraging the American-made HERO 120 system as the foundation, the team can fast-track deployable short-range LE solutions, while also developing the option to incorporate longer range munitions in future capability offerings.

“UVision’s loitering munitions are known for their precision, effectiveness, and scalability,” said Jarmin “JB” Blanton, vice president of Marketing, BD & Sales at Uvision. “Working with Aurora allows us to integrate our proven air vehicles and launch mechanisms into advanced LE solutions. We are leveraging each of our organizations’ strengths to offer reliability and rapid deployment to the U.S. Army.”

“Aurora and Uvision are committed to advancing the Pentagon’s call to action,” said Graham Drozeski, chief technology officer at Aurora Flight Sciences. “Pairing Aurora’s expertise in autonomy and systems integration with Uvision’s combat-proven platforms creates the most fieldable short-range LE system in the market. We will deliver systems that are adaptable, resilient, and interoperable to ensure overmatch in contested environments.” (Source: ASD Network)

09 Oct 25. Red Cat Introduces FANG – A Low-Cost, NDAA-Compliant Line of FPV Drones. Red Cat Holdings, Inc., a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security, today announced the launch of its FANG line of NDAA-compliant First Person View (FPV) drones, starting with the 7-inch FANG F7. Initially developed through a U.S. military lab program, FANG has progressed from concept to field-ready, providing secure, retrievable FPV systems that meet federal procurement requirements. The FANG line, part of Red Cat’s Arachnid Family of Systems, provides operators with secure, American-made FPV drones that combine performance with significant savings. The FANG F7 features a 7-inch carbon fiber frame engineered for durability and stability, paired with a retrievable design that makes it reusable and cost-efficient. This balance of rugged construction and affordability ensures the drone is equally effective as a training tool and as a mission-ready asset. The FANG line was created to strengthen domestic drone production by reshoring manufacturing and replacing components traditionally sourced from China. Built to meet federal purchasing requirements, FANG offers NDAA-compliant solutions for defense, public safety, and other government agencies. All critical components are independently certified and listed on the DIU Blue UAS Framework, with the full system pending inclusion on the Blue UAS cleared list.

Setting a New Standard for FPV Drones

Unmatched Affordability: The FANG line is designed as the lowest-cost family of NDAA-compliant FPV drones on the market, addressing demand for attritable systems for training and practice.
Retrievable & Reusable: Unlike one-time-use loitering systems, FANG drones are recoverable, reducing total cost of ownership.
Training Advantage: Enables operators to build proficiency and mission readiness through repeated, cost-efficient practice.
Precision Effects: Dual-use design supports ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) and precision effects missions, broadening tactical flexibility.
Ecosystem Integration: Future models in the FANG line will integrate with Red Cat’s Arachnid ecosystem and UAS Tool (ATAK) command-and-control environment.
NDAA-Compliant Components: FANG drones incorporate UMAC-manufactured motors and other key parts, ensuring trusted, U.S.-sourced components.

Availability

The FANG F7 is now available for purchase by defense, public safety, and government agencies operating under NDAA restrictions. Red Cat will fulfill orders directly and through authorized procurement channels. Technical specifications and ordering details are available here.

Event Debut

FANG was announced at the Premier Drone Competition in Cumberland County, North Carolina, hosted by the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC). (Source: UAS VISION)

08 Oct 25. Today, Seguritech, a leader in advanced security technology integration, announced a strategic partnership with Technicalis, the developer of Overflight™, the world’s leading Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) software platform. Together, the companies will deliver cutting-edge drone-enabled public safety solutions across the United States, with planned expansions into Mexico and Colombia. This collaboration brings together Seguritech’s deep expertise in complex public safety systems and Technicalis’ advanced drone operations technology, including FAA-compliant BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) capabilities, mission management, and regulatory frameworks.

Strategic Collaboration Highlights:

Joint Market Pursuit: The companies will pursue government and commercial opportunities for drone-enabled security and safety solutions in the U.S.
Showroom Demonstration Sites: Integrated solutions will be showcased at demonstration sites to drive market adoption and serve as trusted reference points.
End-to-End Value Delivery: From sales outreach and solution design to FAA-compliant deployment, training, and long-term support.
Technology Integration: Overflight™ will be embedded into Seguritech’s broader technology stack, creating a comprehensive next-generation public safety platform.

The partnership positions Seguritech and Technicalis at the forefront of next-generation systems to improve public safety, where drones, AI, and integrated platforms converge to create smarter, safer communities. By combining Seguritech’s integration and client relationships with Technicalis’ technology and compliance expertise, the companies aim to accelerate the adoption of drone-based emergency response solutions.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and real-world impact,” said Ariel Picker, CEO of Seguritech. “Together, we’re redefining what’s possible in public safety.”

About Seguritech

Seguritech is a pioneer in the integration of advanced security technologies, with over 30 years of experience transforming and evolving to become a benchmark in the industry. The company delivers comprehensive, innovative solutions that combine surveillance, communications, and data systems to support residential, institutional, and governmental clients. Seguritech is recognized for its commitment to performance, reliability, and the development of smart, integrated safety systems that help create safer, more resilient communities. (Source: PR Newswire)

25 Sep 25. During the Estonian Defence Week, Defsecintel Solutions (Estonia) and Origin Robotics (Latvia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming the launch of a partnership that will offer a significant contribution to the Drone Wall—Europe’s first operational, cross-border system purpose-built to detect and defeat hostile drones. The rapidly growing threat of hostile drones requires mobile and cost-effective C-UAS systems capable of detecting and neutralizing different types of UAVs with a wide range of countermeasures and various effectors. Defsecintel Solutions, drawing on operational insights from Ukraine, has developed and manufactures the EIRSHIELD system – a modular, turn-key C-UAS platform that integrates advanced technologies from leading European companies with combat-proven performance.

“Politicians have called for a Drone Wall. We are ready to build it,” said Jaanus Tamm, CEO of Defsecintel Solutions. “This is not a concept. This is a live, integrated system that’s ready today and already protecting Europe’s eastern flank. This is not a roadmap or a PowerPoint. We offer European end-users a turnkey C-UAS solution with the best available combat-proven effectors in the Baltic region against low-flying hostile drones.”

Together, the companies offer a system providing long-range radar and signal disruption with autonomous aerial interceptors to deliver a fast, modular, and scalable defence against unmanned threats. The system is specifically designed to counter:

Loitering munitions
Fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs
Swarming drone tactics

It is fully operational, built on combat-proven platforms, and designed to adapt to fast-changing threat environments.

Defsecintel Solutions, the developer of the EIRSHIELD system, brings advanced long-range detection, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and multi-layer sensor fusion—refined through active deployments in Ukraine. Origin Robotics contributes its autonomous drone interceptor, BLAZE, a man-portable, operator-supervised platform that can track, identify, and destroy high-speed aerial targets using onboard AI and computer vision. BLAZE has been engineered to counter drones that evade conventional air defense systems. Equipped with an HE fragmentation warhead, it ensures precise and effective threat elimination, even in contested environments.

“The need for a system like BLAZE is immediate; it’s driven by real-world operational demands that are unfolding right now,” said Agris Kipurs, CEO of Origin Robotics. “It delivers fast-launch interception at a fraction of the cost. No theory—this is already in the hands of real users.”

This cooperation is a direct response to the increasing scale and complexity of aerial threats in the region, especially along Europe’s eastern border. With UAV attacks now a daily feature of modern warfare, nations cannot afford to wait for traditional procurement timelines. The Baltic Drone Wall concept is launched by Defsecintel Solutions and Defence Estonia Cluster with partners from other Baltic States.

08 Oct 25. China’s CH-3D Challenges Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2. China is advancing efforts to challenge one of the world’s most widely exported combat drones, the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2, with a new domestically developed system undergoing flight testing. At the AVIC test range, engineers are putting the CH-3D combat drone through a series of evaluations. The aircraft, developed by China’s state-owned aviation giant AVIC, is designed to compete in the same class of medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles where the Bayraktar TB2 has established itself as a global leader. The TB2 gained wide recognition after a string of combat successes in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Nagorno-Karabakh, and, most notably, Ukraine. Its battlefield record and relatively low cost have made it one of the most sought-after UAVs on the international arms market. While many manufacturers from other countries have attempted to replicate the Turkish drone’s success by producing near-identical copies, AVIC is pursuing a different strategy. The CH-3D introduces several technical advancements intended to give it an operational edge over the TB2, particularly in scenarios requiring extended range and beyond-line-of-sight control. One of its most notable features is a satellite communications (SATCOM) antenna system, which enables the CH-3D to operate over long distances without relying on line-of-sight radio links. This capability allows operators to maintain control and conduct missions in environments where conventional communications would be limited or ineffective — a feature that could offer a decisive advantage over the Bayraktar TB2 in certain operational contexts. The CH-3D also incorporates retractable landing gear, a design element that improves aerodynamic efficiency. The result is longer flight endurance and an expanded operational radius, extending the drone’s reach and mission duration. According to available specifications, the CH-3D can remain airborne for up to 20 hours, with a maximum service ceiling of 7,200 meters and a cruising speed of around 280 kilometers per hour. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 700 kilograms and is capable of carrying a range of precision-guided munitions, including air-dropped bombs and guided missiles. The platform’s payload flexibility positions it as a versatile strike asset suitable for reconnaissance, close air support, and precision strike missions. The combination of extended endurance, improved communication systems, and a heavier weapons loadout suggests that AVIC is seeking to capture market share not just by imitating the TB2, but by offering a more capable and adaptable system. China’s push into this segment comes as global demand for armed drones continues to grow, with many countries seeking affordable yet capable alternatives to U.S. and Israeli-made UAVs. The Bayraktar TB2’s success has set a high benchmark, forcing new entrants to either match or surpass its operational capabilities to compete effectively. For Beijing, the CH-3D is more than just another drone — it represents an attempt to expand China’s presence in the lucrative UAV export market and challenge Turkey’s dominance in a category that has reshaped modern warfare. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)

09 Oct 25. REMUS 620 Conducts 1st Torpedo Tube Recovery and Swimout.

Joint Team Hits Key Milestone in Submarine-Launched UUV Ops

A joint team from HII (NYSE: HII), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWC Division Newport) has successfully completed the first recovery of a second-generation REMUS 620 into a Virginia-class submarine torpedo tube and shutterway test fixture at Seneca Lake, New York. This milestone, achieved less than seven months after integrating WHOI’s Yellow Moray torpedo tube launch and recovery (TTL&R) technology into the next-generation REMUS 620 medium unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV), marks a major step forward in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force’s efforts to launch and recover autonomous undersea vehicles from submarine torpedo tubes. An in-water test by the joint team confirmed the ability of REMUS 620 to conduct complex autonomous navigational and communication protocols in safely docking with the shock and fire enclosure capsule (SAFECAP) loaded into a submerged Virginia-class submarine fixture. The REMUS 620 also successfully demonstrated reverse swimout launch and safe separation during this test period.

“This successful docking validates the research and development investments and efforts of HII; specifically the REMUS 620 engineers working in close cooperation with our WHOI teammates. We leveraged WHOI’s previous three years of TTL&R work, lessons learned, and expertise to greatly accelerate our progress in successfully getting to this important milestone,’ said Duane Fotheringham, president of the Unmanned Systems group in HII’s Mission Technologies division.

Carl Hartsfield, director and senior program manager at Oceanographic Systems Lab (OSL) of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, stated: “Despite a highly compressed schedule, our teams rapidly conducted testing runs, quickly evaluated the data, and made substantive adjustments to the vehicle. This is a real testament to the teamwork and professionalism between our three organizations. The REMUS 620 team’s thorough preparation working hand in hand with our technical experts at the OSL in advance was clear during all phases of the successful testing. We were also extremely impressed with the Seneca Lake NUWC support provided throughout the test schedule.” (Source: ASD Network)

07 Oct 25. Allient Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNT) (“Allient” or the “Company”), a global designer and manufacturer of specialty Motion, Controls and Power products and solutions for targeted industries and applications, today announced its expanded capabilities and commitment to the drone market. Building on its proven track record and leveraging advanced technologies and a global network of engineering and manufacturing facilities, Allient is expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of drone manufacturers worldwide. Allient brings decades of engineering expertise and high-volume U.S. manufacturing to the forefront of drone system requirements. We are expanding our robust technology foundation to deliver advanced motion and power solutions for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), starting with COTS propulsion motors and extending to ESCs, gimbals, propellers, mission-ready kits, and power/electronic solutions. Allient has an unmatched track record for providing motors and electronics for mission-critical applications, manufacturing more than 5 m motors annually, with drone market-specific solutions that includes:

Minimized weight, high efficacy and high torque Motors from 43mm to 148mm in diameter with rugged and reliable bearing designs based on proven Allient motors made globally
Motor winding options from 3Strand to 12Strand and optimized cooling for thrust applications
Designed with or without electronic drive and control capabilities
Lightweighting technology with superior weight-to-strength ratios, no weld joints or seams, and embedded EMI shielding while supporting extreme environmental conditions, including defense applications
Efficient and lightweight drive electronics with sensorless- and sensored-FOC manufactured in the USA, enabling longer flight times and quieter operation
Intelligent diagnostics, including voltage, current, temperature, vibration, throttle-loss, and battery current
High-performance autopilot communication, including DroneCAN, Ardupilot, Piccolo, Veronte, and Single Pair Ethernet (SPE)

Designed, built, and supported in the USA, our components meet the demanding standards of Defense applications. What sets us apart is not only the performance and availability of our products, but our ability to customize and optimize them for each application, including military drone platforms, special KV, and mechanical features.

Multiple Allient Technology Units work together to provide BLDC inner/outer rotor, axial air gap, and custom motor and actuator solutions for propulsion and gyro applications. Additionally, Allient structural composite technologies are deployed in nest designs to house and launch multiple drones from a platform.

“Allient is uniquely positioned to provide the technology, design expertise, and global manufacturing capabilities needed to meet the evolving demands of the drone market,“ said Richard S. Warzala, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO at Allient. “By delivering tailored solutions, we enable our customers to achieve their next breakthrough in drone applications.”

For more information about Allient’s comprehensive range of solutions for the drone market, visit https://allient.com/drone-capabilities/

06 Oct 25. Less than a year after proving the flight efficiency and reliability of a novel rotor blown wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT) is unveiling its Nomad™ future family of aircraft. The twin proprotor design combines the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane. A Nomad aircraft can take off, hover, and land vertically, plus cruise on the wing for extended periods. Nomads are operated via Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ autonomy technology and predominantly use hybrid-electric propulsion, while larger variants will feature a conventional drivetrain.

“We use the term ‘family’ to point to a key attribute of the design; its ability to be scaled in size from a small Group 3 UAS to the footprint equivalent of a Black Hawk helicopter,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “The resulting Nomad family of drones will be adaptable, go-anywhere, runway independent aircraft capable of land and sea-based missions across defense, national security, forestry and civilian organizations. Nomads are a force multiplier, complementing the missions of aircraft such as the Black Hawk to retain the strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific and across broader regions.”

Sikorsky announced in March 2025 the successful extended flight test of its 10.3-ft wingspan prototype Nomad 50 aircraft. Today, Sikorsky is building its Nomad 100 aircraft. This is a Group 3, 18-ft wingspan variant with first flight expected in the coming months.

Nomad VTOL UAS

Nomad UAS are designed for reconnaissance, light attack, contested logistics and more.
The Nomad family can be scaled from a Group 3 UAS (56 pounds to 1,320 pounds) to Group 4/5 (1,320 pounds and up). The Nomad family is powered by fuel-efficient hybrid-electric drivetrains, with larger variants featuring a conventional drivetrain.
MATRIX technology, developed by Sikorsky Innovations and DARPA, is an open system, which allows seamless integration with rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. MATRIX has already been demonstrated across a range of applications, including aerial firefighting, logistics resupply, and advanced aerial mobility.

“Nomad represents new breakthroughs for Sikorsky and the next generation of autonomous, long-endurance drones,” said Dan Shidler, director of Advanced Programs. “We are acting on feedback from the Pentagon, adopting a rapid approach and creating a family of drones that can take off and land virtually anywhere and execute the mission – all autonomously and in the hands of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen.” For more information, visit https://lockheedmartin.com/Nomad.

06 Oct 25. UK’s Project Vanquish sets sights on ACP carrier demonstration. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has outlined plans to test a Fixed-Wing Short Take Off and Landing Autonomous Collaborative Platform (FW STOL ACP) from a Royal Navy (RN) aircraft carrier before the end of 2027. In a request for information (RFI) released on 3 October, the MoD said the technical demonstration – known as Project Vanquish – was intended to inform capability and procurement options for a carrier-capable ACP able to operate as part of a future hybrid crewed/uncrewed carrier air wing. The move comes less than a month after First Sea Lord General Gwyn Jenkins revealed the ambition to fly an ACP from a Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) aircraft carrier as soon as 2026. Under the Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) strategy, the RN is developing a road map for the transition of the Fleet Air Arm to a largely uncrewed aviation force by 2040. The RN’s ambition is to have the bulk of airborne logistics; strike; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles uncrewed by this point. Speaking at the DSEI 2025 exhibition on 10 September, Gen Jenkins set out his intention to begin the transition to a hybrid air wing by the end of this decade. “We intend to launch the first jet-powered collaborative platform drone as a concept demonstrator off a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier as soon as next year,” he added. (Source: Janes)

06 Oct 25. Roboteam, a leading developer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned solutions for defense and security missions, today announced the launch of Roboteam HUB, a centralized command-and-control platform designed to manage autonomous robotic operations across domains. This new platform represents a significant evolution in the deployment and coordination of unmanned systems, enabling defense, homeland security, and commercial users to control diverse robotic fleets through one intelligent, mission-ready interface. Roboteam HUB brings together multiple advanced robotic platforms under a single, unified operational environment. By integrating real-time command with AI-powered autonomy, it provides users with a seamless, scalable solution to execute complex missions with precision and speed. The platform supports joint-force interoperability and is designed for tactical environments where rapid, smart, and data-based decision-making is critical. Roboteam HUB is already fully integrated across Roboteam’s portfolio of unmanned systems, ensuring immediate compatibility and operational continuity. Platform-agnostic and capable of supporting third-party systems, Roboteam HUB enables users to command and control mixed fleets through a single, unified interface. With robust capabilities for secure communications, real-time monitoring, and autonomous coordination, Roboteam HUB gives operators full situational awareness and control over multi-robot operations. Driven by advanced AI, the platform continuously interprets the operational environment, prioritizes mission objectives, and autonomously directs robotic assets. By doing so, it reduces operator workload and increases mission efficiency across diverse scenarios.

“Roboteam HUB is not just a technological advancement. It’s a shift in how robotic systems are deployed and coordinated across missions,” said Yossi Wolf, CEO and Founder of Roboteam. “With Roboteam HUB, we advance beyond standalone systems to deliver a cohesive ecosystem that reflects the realities of modern, multi-domain operations. By consolidating control into one intelligent platform, we enable our users to scale and streamline robotic deployments with greater confidence and operational effectiveness.”

Roboteam HUB addresses the operational challenges of defense and homeland security missions with capabilities such as secure mission dispatch and coordinated control of robotic assets. Additionally, it is well-suited for commercial sectors like energy and logistics, due to its ability for multi-site deployment, real-time alerts, and seamless integration with third-party systems. Roboteam’s family of unmanned systems – ranging from lightweight 1.5 kg units to 1.2-ton platforms – has been fielded by Tier-1 defense and law enforcement agencies in over 30 countries. These systems are currently deployed by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Israel Defense Forces, and defense and security forces worldwide. For additional information, visit www.robo-team.com

03 Oct 25. Kratos/Taiwan Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone to Fly Next Year A long-range kamikaze drone that U.S. firm Kratos is working on together with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is set to make its maiden flight early next year. The jet-powered Chien Feng IV (Mighty Hornet IV) will feature artificial intelligence (AI) enabled systems and is being developed with a particular eye toward use as an anti-ship weapon. It could also be employed against targets on land and act as a decoy.

Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, offered new details about the Chien Feng IV while speaking with TWZ‘s Howard Altman on the sidelines of the Air & Space Forces Association’s 2025 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference yesterday. A model of the design, which is derived from Kratos’ MQM-178 Firejet target drone, was shown to the public for the first time last week at the biennial Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition. NCSIST is a government-run organization in Taiwan charged with conducting advanced military research and development and test and evaluation work.

Chien Feng IV will fly “soon, early next year,” Fendley said. “The basic aircraft exists. So what we’re doing is we’re integrating mission capability. Our Fire Jet performance characteristics are public, and it’s [Chien Feng IV] a little bit better, pretty much in every category, a little bit more speed, a little bit more altitude, a little bit more endurance,” Fendley added. The modified MQM-178’s high-speed capabilities, including a speed of Mach 0.8, high G maneuvering, and a service ceiling of greater than 35,000 feet, make it an ideal base platform for this transformation,”

At the time of writing, the company’s website also says the MQM-178 can fly at altitudes anywhere between 20 and 35,000 feet, can pull turns down to -2 and up to +9 Gs, and carry around 70 and a half pounds of payload internally, as well as 35 pounds more under each wing and an additional 20 pounds in pods on each wingtip. Range and endurance figures for Firejet are not provided, but are offered for an existing derivative called Airwolf, which is configured for tactical mission sets, including acting as a ‘loyal wingman’ for crewed aircraft. Airwolf, also known as Tactical Firejet, has a stated maximum range of 400 nautical miles and a maximum endurance of 1.3 hours. Both Firejet and Airwolf are designed to be launched via pneumatic catapult, and the latter design at least can be recovered at the end of a mission via parachute.

The Chien Feng IV is “our aircraft and NCSIST, so the Taiwanese government, [their] mission systems and warhead,” Fendley said, and deferred to the Taiwanese side for more details about the latter components of the drone’s design.

A brief video on the Chien Feng IV that NCSIST released around the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition, seen below, highlights an electro-optical/infrared camera system (EO/IR) in the nose, as well as an AI-driven computer and datalink, as being among the design’s features. In terms of terminal guidance, an EO/IR system would make sense as it is immune to electronic warfare and is passive in nature, meaning it doesn’t pump out signals that can alert the target to the incoming threat. The Chien Feng IV model shown at the exhibition in Taipei was fitted with small underwing pods, which might be able to hold defensive countermeasures or other equipment, or even just more fuel. It also had an opaque nose cone, which could point to additional sensor options, such as a radar seeker. The NCSIST video also mentions at least a degree of swarming capability, though it is unclear if Chien Feng IVs will be able to operate in a fully networked collaborative manner. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

30 Sep 25. AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) today announced the launch of capability enhancements for its Puma LE small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS): an integrated Laser Target Designator payload and Universal Gimbal Kit enabling rapid, field-swappable payload configurations. The new Laser Target Designator Kit transforms the Puma LE into a cutting-edge precision targeting platform while the Universal Gimbal Kit further enhances operational flexibility by allowing operators to rapidly integrate a variety of gimballed payloads. With these upgrades, Puma LE evolves beyond intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to support multi-mission operations—delivering unmatched portability, modular adaptability, and precision targeting in a compact Group 2 UAS platform

“With a laser target designator now integrated into the Puma LE, we are delivering a significant tactical advantage,” said Trace Stevenson, president of Autonomous Systems at AV. “Operators can now seamlessly transition from reconnaissance to precision target designation using the same lightweight, man-portable system – a capability previously reserved for larger, more complex platforms.”

Featuring Trillium Engineering’s HD59 Laser Target Designator payload, this advanced lightweight electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) gimbal system delivers unmatched capability in the 2kg payload class. The system integrates a 50mj STANAG 3733-compliant laser designator, an EO camera, mid-wave infrared (MWIR) sensor, long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, and short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensor with See Spot, allowing for long range identification and prosecution of targets during day and night. These features give small units the ability to independently identify and designate targets, dramatically accelerating find-fix-finish timelines and enhancing mission autonomy.

“We are proud to partner with AV on the integration of our HD59 Laser Designator payload for the Puma LE,” said Matt Carreon, Vice President of Business Development at Trillium Engineering. “This collaboration brings a powerful, lightweight, multi-sensor EO/IR gimbal system to the field, enabling precision laser designation, something previously confined to larger platforms. The lightweight and versatile design of our payload, combined with Puma LE’s unmatched portability, will empower tactical teams to identify and designate targets, dramatically enhancing their operational independence and effectiveness.”

The Universal Gimbal Kit further enhances operational flexibility by allowing operators to rapidly integrate a variety of payloads – including advanced EO/IR gimbals, laser designators, and other specialised gimbal sensors – directly onto the Puma LE airframe in the field without depot-level support.

“Battlefields are dynamic, and mission requirements can change within minutes,” said Jason Hendrix, vice president and general manager of Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at AV. “The Universal Gimbal Kit ensures Puma LE remains mission-relevant by enabling payload reconfiguration in minutes, empowering forces to deploy the right sensor for any tactical need.”

Puma LE is a rugged, ultra-lightweight Group 2 aircraft suitable for operations in the harshest environments. With the Trillium HD59 payload, it provides over 3.5 hours of flight endurance to enable dynamic, multi-domain missions – perfect for dismounted troops, Special Operations Forces, and militaries worldwide. (Source: joint-forces.com)

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EOS

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

October 3, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

03 Oct 25. UK sets IOC goal for submarine AUV launch and recovery capability. A torpedo tube launch and recovery (TTL&R) autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system is planned to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) on UK Royal Navy (RN) Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs)during the 2026–27 financial year, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disclosed. Known as Project Scylla, the TTL&R AUV capability will support AUKUS Pillar 2 objectives “by providing submarines with deployable autonomous vehicles capable of seabed warfare, intelligence operations, and covert surveillance missions”, the MoD said in a 1 October case study bulletin on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) testbeds funded through the ASW Spearhead programme. Trials of the TTL&R AUV technical solution have already been completed from an Astute-class boat. Project Scylla is intended to confer SSNs with the ability to launch and recover an AUV through a standard 533 mm torpedo tube while moving and submerged. “The vehicle is designed to be launched then autonomously conduct missions and recover itself back into a submarine torpedo tube, enhancing submarine capabilities without requiring platform modifications,” the MoD said. First at-sea testing of Project Scylla was performed from an unidentified Astute-class SSN in December 2024. A second set of tests – including successful TTL&R AUV launch and recovery operations – was undertaken from HMS Astute in May 2025 while the submarine was operating in the Mediterranean. Project Scylla, which is being delivered by the Submarine Delivery Agency’s Autonomy Unit in partnership with L3Harris, is using an Iver4 900 medium AUV. “[This] features a modular mid-section, which allows mission-specific payload configurations,” the MoD said. (Source: Janes)

02 Oct 25. Submarine Launched USVs from Gabler Break Surface at German Naval Industry Work. Gabler, a leading provider of submarine technologies, today unveiled concepts for their highly anticipated uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) designed for torpedo tube launch (TTL). The reveal took place on the opening day of 27th DWT Naval Workshop meeting being held in Dobbin-Linstow, Germany where Gabler also debuted its new brand identity. Gabler, known globally for its submarine masts, vessel components and tactical gateway products, announced earlier this summer its decision to enter the USV market with sub-surface deployed platforms configured for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as single-use tactical missions. Today’s announcement marks the next milestone in the company’s high tempo USV programme, alongside its strategic development partner, FLANQ, to deliver cutting-edge, autonomous systems for NATO and European naval forces. The two USV variants will be known as Ranger for ISR, and Raider for strike. Both are fully compatible with standard submarine torpedo tubes, and feature a common 4.5- metre long, 300 metre depth rated hull, folding mast and keel, electric drivetrain, and multiple payload bays. Ranger is reusable and equipped with a sensor suite providing real-time surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, crucial for naval forces operating in contested waters. Ranger will allow submarines to discreetly deploy and recover the USV without exposing themselves to risk, thus ensuring mission success while maintaining stealth and operational advantage. Raider, designed for single-use tactical missions can carry a user-supplied effector payload in its forward payload compartment, empowering naval forces to neutralise high-value targets without exposing themselves to direct threats. The partnership has accelerated its development timeline to bring these USVs to technology readiness level as swiftly as possible. Gabler and FLANQ are working closely with sovereign partners and European defence suppliers to ensure interoperability and seamless integration into existing naval systems.

“As we unveil these USVs at DWT 2025 – less than two months since our original announcement – our focus is clear: deliver uncrewed-first operational capabilities for European and NATO naval forces that are fast, flexible, and cost-effective,” said Lars Wischnewski, Director of Sales and Products at Gabler. “These platforms will shape the future of naval operations, providing unmatched versatility in complex and contested environments. Ranger and Raider also mark a new chapter for Gabler – reflected in our exciting and modern brand identity and tagline: We Dive Deeper.” (Source: ASD Network)

01 Oct 25. A Proven Partner in Pioneering Undersea Autonomy. Leading the way in naval undersea systems, L3Harris has achieved a series of historic “firsts” that are ready to scale for the fleet. L3Harris Technologies has firmly established itself as a leader in the advancement of autonomous systems, earning a reputation as a trusted partner to both the U.S. Navy and the U.K. Royal Navy. Through a series of historic “firsts,” L3Harris continues to set the standard for innovation, reliability and mission readiness in maritime operations: First company to launch and recover an unmanned underwater vehicle from an underway U.S. Navy submarine in January 2023: This groundbreaking capability, developed by L3Harris, revolutionized how autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are deployed and retrieved — enabling seamless operation in real-world maritime environments. First lithium-ion technology approved for submarine use by the U.S. Navy in November 2024: L3Harris was the first to integrate advanced lithium-ion battery systems into unmanned platforms, enhancing endurance, safety and energy efficiency. This milestone reflects the company’s proactive response to evolving power needs. First torpedo tube launch and recovery (TTL&R) technology with the U.K. Royal Navy in 2025: Extending its expertise globally, L3Harris successfully delivered the first TTL&R capability to the Royal Navy, further solidifying its position as a leader in autonomous systems and a trusted partner in international defense.

Pioneering Hybrid AUV Technology for Engagement Superiority

L3Harris’ Iver AUVs are redefining the standard for hybrid autonomous systems by merging the strengths of manned and unmanned capabilities. As outlined in the July 2025 article, these AUVs are engineered for engagement superiority in complex undersea environments. Equipped with modular payloads, advanced autonomy and integrated sensors, the Iver AUV provides unparalleled situational awareness and flexibility. This hybrid design supports seamless collaboration between operators and unmanned platforms—delivering consistent mission success, even in the most demanding conditions.

Capable of operating in both shallow coastal zones and deep-ocean theaters, the Iver AUVs showcase L3Harris’ practical understanding of real-world mission requirements. This adaptability is vital as the industry accelerates toward integrated and hybrid operational models.

Advancing Power Solutions with Lithium-Ion Technology

In November 2024, L3Harris achieved a major milestone with the delivery of unmanned systems powered by advanced lithium-ion battery technology. This breakthrough represents a significant leap forward in endurance, reliability and safety for autonomous platforms. Lithium-ion batteries offer superior energy density and longer operational life compared to traditional power sources, enabling AUVs to perform extended missions without compromising performance. The integration of lithium-ion technology into L3Harris’ unmanned systems reflects the company’s forward-thinking approach to addressing the evolving needs of its customers. By prioritizing energy efficiency, L3Harris is not only enhancing the capabilities of its platforms but also aligning with global trends toward more efficient technologies. This achievement further solidifies the company’s reputation as a leader in the development of next-generation autonomous systems.

Mastering the Challenge of Launch and Recovery

Launch and recovery remain some of the most complex operations in maritime robotics. In July 2023, L3Harris achieved a landmark success by launching and recovering an AUV from an underway U.S. Navy submarine — a feat never before accomplished. The success of this operation emphasizes L3Harris’ commitment to operational excellence and its deep understanding of the complexities involved in maritime missions. By mastering launch-and-recovery techniques, the company has addressed a key challenge faced by operators, further enhancing the usability and effectiveness of its AUV platforms.

A Legacy of Innovation, a Vision for What’s Next

The achievements outlined above are a testament to L3Harris’ unwavering dedication to innovation, reliability and customer mission success. From pioneering hybrid AUV technology to advancing power solutions and mastering operational challenges, the company has consistently demonstrated its ability to create and implement solutions that address the needs of today while anticipating the demands of tomorrow. As both a trusted partner and a proven leader, L3Harris is ready to scale this technology to enable the AUKUS submarine forces. Backed by a history of steadfast commitment to mission success, the company is well positioned to lead the future of autonomous maritime operations, bringing modular payloads in support of seabed and subsea warfare operations—not only as a top-tier defense contractor, but as a visionary force in global security. (Source: ASD Network)

01 Oct 25. UK retires Reaper as Protector takes on unmanned ISTAR and strike roles. The United Kingdom has officially retired its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) from service, with the larger and more capable GA-ASI MQ-9B Protector RG1 now taking on its roles. Janes understands from sources that the withdrawal from service happened on 30 September, although the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had not offered official comment at the time of publication. The retirement of the last of the 10 Reapers that have been in service since 2007 marks the formal transfer of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) unmanned intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and strike roles to the 16 Protectors that are now being received into RAF Waddington in England. The Reaper retirement came weeks after the RAF disclosed earlier in September that it was preparing the Protector platform and its crews to take on the UK’s ongoing mission to counter the remnants of the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, known as Operation ‘Shader’. While the Reaper typically carried up to four Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface low-yield missiles and two RTX GBU-12 Paveway IV 500 lb precision-guided bombs on its five external hardpoints for a Middle East mission, the Protector will be able to carry more of the same on its nine hardpoints. It also carries the MBDA Brimstone 3A air-to-surface missile. (Source: Janes)

30 Sep 25. Windracers Earns UK’s First International Civil Drone Approval. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has has approved Windracers, a British civil and defence drone manufacturer, to conduct the UK’s first civil unmanned aerial system (UAS) international operation. Windracers has been given approval by the CAA and Luftfartstilsynet (Civil Aviation Authority Norway) to fly its dual-use heavy-lift drone, Windracers ULTRA, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) from Tingwall Airport in the Shetlands to Haugesund Airport in Norway. This is the first time a long-distance drone has been approved to fly for civil purposes between UK airspace and the adjoining airspace of another state. The approval was enabled by the creation of temporary danger areas, providing a controlled corridor to facilitate the flight. The airspace will cover a distance of 378 kilometres (235 miles) from Shetland, over the North Sea, and across the Scottish/Polaris Flight Information Region (FIR) boundary into Norwegian airspace.

Simon Muderack, CEO at Windracers, said: “This airspace approval is a major landmark for both Windracers and the wider UAS sector, and shows how the UK and Norway CAAs are acting as enabling regulators supporting the future of aviation. Windracers ULTRA is already flying real-world missions today. We can now prove those capabilities across international airspace – opening new possibilities for how we connect remote communities and deliver essential services. Many assume the autonomous air cargo industry is still years away, something in the future. Windracers, with the support of the UK and Norway CAAs, is affirming that it is here today.”

The approval process focused on how current day regulations could be used and how best to overcome a range of challenges, including safety, liability, international obligations and environmental mitigations around the planned flight.

Jon Round, Head of Airspace, Air Traffic Management & Aerodrome Airspace at UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Our airspace regulation team rose to the challenge by enabling an airspace change request through smart use of existing structures and regulatory processes. Innovation isn’t always about new technology or future frameworks – it can also mean reimagining how current systems can be applied. We’re proud to have helped make this possible, showing that we are an enabling regulator.”

Lars E. de Lange Kobberstad, Director General at Civil Aviation Authority of Norway, said: “Together with our British colleagues, we are facilitating technology that can strengthen preparedness, protect the environment and improve accessibility—while keeping safety as our top priority.”

At the heart of this milestone is Windracers ULTRA – a dual-use drone capable of transporting a useful load of up to 150 kg with a range of up to 1,000 km. Windracers ULTRA is multi-mission and offers an optional 3-door drop bay floor to safely and accurately parachute aid and supplies if required. (Source: UAS VISION)

29 Sep 25. Denmark: Temporary civilian drone ban will likely precede wider commercial drone disruption. On 28 September, the Danish authorities ordered a temporary ban on civilian drone flights ahead of two key European summits in the capital Copenhagen. The European Council will meet on 1 October to discuss defence and support for Ukraine, followed by a European Political Community summit on 2 October. The civilian drone ban runs from 29 September to 3 October, as part of broader security measures prompted by a wave of drone incursions targeting Danish airports and military sites since 22 September. The Danish authorities suspect a coordinated hybrid attack by a ‘professional’ drone operator aimed at critical national infrastructure (CNI). The drone suspension will disrupt operations for companies that use drones for deliveries and surveillance purposes, including in the construction, delivery and energy sectors. A report by the Danish radio broadcaster DR also indicates that there is uncertainty among certain businesses as to whether the ban applies to them. Several European countries have expressed support for Denmark’s anti-drone measures given the recent incursions and the upcoming summits in Copenhagen. (Source: Sibylline)

29 Sep 25. EDA, NATO Enable Real-World Testing of Unmanned Systems. The European Defence Agency (EDA), NATO and the Portuguese Navy co-organised the 15th Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS), the world’s largest event for testing unmanned maritime systems, held off the coast of Portugal. Running from 1 to 26 September in the waters south of Lisbon, the Portuguese-led exercise brought together 24 nations and tested some 300 uncrewed platforms across sea, air, and land domains. It also marked the first time NATO’s military exercise ‘Dynamic Messenger’ was linked with REPMUS, combining operational training with experimental testing. REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 25 gave both militaries and industry the chance to trial robotics and artificial intelligence in real-world scenarios, including electronic jamming and dummy underwater mines.

“This was an opportunity to experiment on unmanned vehicles across all domains and in a real environment,” said Captain Nuno Palmeiro Ribeiro, Director of the Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Centre (CEOM). “What’s special about this zone is that we can do experimentation that is not possible elsewhere.”

Swarms, standards

Scenarios included Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) in coastal zones, electronic warfare in GPS-denied environments, and amphibious landings supported by robotic scouts and logistics drones. One highlight saw multiple uncrewed aerial vehicles performing ‘swarm’ operations, demonstrating the ability to operate autonomously in coordinated missions. EDA, the EU agency tasked with strengthening defence cooperation among Member States, hosted seminars to highlight the importance of interoperability and ensuring allied and partner nations’ systems can work together. “Unmanned underwater vessels have different batteries, different chargers. We need to develop standards to improve interoperability and even interchangeability,” said Juergen Scraback, Head of EDA’s Maritime Domain Unit. EDA is also establishing best practices. To address the lack of common regulations and safety procedures, the Agency is leading the Safety and Regulations for European Unmanned Maritime Systems (SARUMS) which provides a safety framework and guidance for design, operations, and legal compliance. EDA has also supported a project to develop a swarm of biomimetic underwater vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (SABUVIS). EDA’s leadership in such projects emphasises its aim to accelerate Europe’s use of tested, mission-ready autonomous technologies in NATO and EU operations. Several start-ups supported by NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) used the event to test technologies for communications resilience, protecting undersea infrastructure and improving mine countermeasures. The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto and NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation were also contributors.

Undersea warfare

The addition this year of Dynamic Messenger, led by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), added a more operational dimension. While REPMUS focused on experimentation and integration, Dynamic Messenger provided a live operational framework, showing how new technologies can be deployed with NATO fleets. More than 2,000 participants from 22 NATO nations took part, alongside observers from 13 other countries including Australia, Brazil, and South Korea. Ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 also joined, highlighting the alliance’s focus on maritime readiness. Unmanned systems are not intended to replace crewed forces, but to support them, taking on tasks such as high-risk reconnaissance or supply runs in contested environments.

With EDA now firmly embedded as a co-organiser in REPMUS, officials expect the annual event to continue serving not only as NATO’s largest unmanned systems exercise, but also as a platform for closer EU-NATO cooperation in defence technology. (Source: ASD Network)

25 Sep 25. EUROCAE invites comments on UAS communications standards. EUROCAE has published a new draft document prepared by its working group on uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) known as WG-105. ED-340: Minimum Operational Performance Standard for UAS Communications by Cellular Networks outlines the standards for airborne equipment using 3GPP Cellular Networks based on 4th Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) and 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR) technologies. The primary focus is on supporting UAS for small package delivery and urban air taxi operations. Open consultation will be closed the 7th of September 2025. Members can review the proposed draft on the EUROCAE Workspace and complete the comment form. Replies are invited by November 11, 2025. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

26 Sep 25. Wave Engine Corp. Debuts Scitor-P UAV at the Department of Defense Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 25-2 Exercise. The North American Wave Engine Corporation (“Wave Engine Corp.”), a technology leader in next-gen propulsion and aircraft systems, flight demonstrated its latest UAV, the Scitor-P, at the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering’s Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 25-2 event. Scitor-P (“Production”) is the third and latest iteration of the Scitor series of UAVs, which feature a top-mounted wave engine to maximize design simplicity, affordability and modularity in response to customer demand.

“With multiple successful flight demonstrations for customers this year, we are advancing on our mission to forever change the rules for flight propulsion,” said Daanish Maqbool, CEO of Wave Engine Corp. “We believe the impact will be widespread, including for the rapidly growing counter-UAS sector that requires high interception speeds at low cost and high volume.”

Scitor-P’s enabling technology is the company’s J-1 wave engine. Wave engines are a class of aircraft engines that operate using pressure waves instead of rotating machinery. Intermittent combustion inside a hollow tube produces pressure waves that push hot gases and produce thrust. Wave Engine Corp.’s proprietary technology enables high speeds and allows for an order-of-magnitude reduction in the cost and complexity of jet propulsion. T-REX is one of the premier demonstration events for new capabilities for the Department of Defense. Wave Engine Corp.’s participation in the event capped a successful summer flight test season that started with a flight featuring a simulated tactical payload at the Bush Combat Development Complex.

A video of the T-REX 25-2 flight test was also made available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKIk-FpKA9Q

About Wave Engine Corporation

Based in Baltimore, MD, Wave Engine Corp. is a focused group of scientists, engineers and former Fortune 500 executives that is leveraging recent technological developments in propulsion, acoustics and combustion control to develop the next generation of propulsion and aircraft systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

26 Sep 25. European navies test new drone tech for undersea operations. An hour from Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, on a clear sunny day in late September, a large, penguin-like robot peeks above the sea surface. It circles a Portuguese Navy ship from a distance, hardly visible to the human eye, concealed by the deep blue waters of the Atlantic ocean. The system is the Greyshark from Germany’s EuroAtlas, an autonomous underwater vehicle measuring 6.5 meters in length and weighing as much as a delivery van. It is one of the naval drones the German Navy brought to the Portuguese coastal town of Sesimbra to partake in NATO’s Dynamic Messenger and REPMUS exercises. These drills, which focused on testing over 200 unmanned systems, ran for three weeks in local waters. An important portion of the training was dedicated to mine countermeasures warfare and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. European navies are in the process of retooling their naval de-mining procedures with the help of autonomous systems and forward-deployed sensors to keep human divers away from the dangerous work. Exercise participants employed different types of naval drones to perfect mine hunting operations, which entails the complex work or coordinating the work of multiple robots simultaneously.

“Command and control, for instance, is much more complicated than it was before, because you’re bringing more [robotic] systems into the network – it requires more coordination, more people and a bigger orchestration of small tasks,” Cmdr. Andreas Montag, head of the maritime unmanned systems 3rd Minesweeping Squadron at the German Navy, said.

During REPMUS, the Greyshark, equipped with four high-resolution sonars, LIDAR scanners, electromagnetic detection and two camera systems, was tested for hunting submarines and searching for decoy mines. Officials said that it can reach ranges of up to 8,000 nautical miles, or from Sesimbra to New York and back. The German Navy also demonstrated two other naval drones from vendor EvoLogics: the Sonobot unmannedsurface vessel and the Quadroin AUV. The Sonobot was described as acting as a “surface gateway” throughout the exercise, providing underwater positioning and data networks – both wifi and GPS underwater – to other autonomous systems. It is also in use with the Ukrainian military to survey water bodies and detect dangerous objects. The Quadroin is the underwater variant of the Sonobot, and up to six were used simultaneously during certain missions to look for mines as a swarm.

“For the first time this year, we were able to not only detect mines but also identify them and get a video picture from each one during a single mission – for this the Quadroins split up their roles, some ran a sweep search of the sea floor while others directly swarm to the target and took a picture,” Rui Madeira, commander of the divers group of the Portuguese Navy said during a demonstration on Sept 23.

From manual to machine

Each week, the scenarios and tasks assigned increased in difficulty to test the readiness of the different units. For example, diver groups initially knew the zone they had to work in, but would later on find out only shortly before their missions and faced strict time constraints to complete the objective.

The French Navy tested the A9-M AUV, manufactured by Exail, during naval mine warfare operations. The platform was first deployed to survey the seabed, the sonar data were then evaluated on shore, and the potential mines were confirmed by divers or remotely operated vehicles.

For Louis, an officer with the French EOD diver group, the next phase regarding the use of unmanned technology in mine warfare operations will be the integration of artificial intelligence.

“Integrating AI into these drones would allow them to independently classify the threats they detect in the field – currently, the majority of the classification of sonar data is done by human operators after they’ve extracted the data from the system and analyzed on a computer onshore,” the officer, who withheld his last name for security reasons, told Defense News.

While technology is progressing quickly, some hiccups remain.

This was the case with the British Navy, which relied on the REMUS 100 AUV from the company HII to carry out collaborative missions with the U.S. and Dutch Navies.

One naval officer said that on a few occasions during the training, the vehicle overheated due to high temperatures experienced earlier this month. Ad-hoc solutions included keeping the drone cool with blankets and deploying it earlier in the day.

Another mishap involved two Sonobots from the German Navy that collided during a demonstration. Plus, at one point, a Portuguese fishing boat ventured into the exercise zone and struck the French A-9M system, damaging the drone enough that officials had to take it out of the demonstration. (Source: Defense News)

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EOS

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 26, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

25 Sep 25. Turkey’s Havelsan to produce UAVs in Egypt. Havelsan on 27 August said the agreement covers the assembly and joint production of UAVs to meet the needs of Egypt and the African market by offering price-performance solutions suitable for the region.

“We are delighted to be working with a strong partner like AOI. This partnership will bring autonomous UAV technologies to the region, increase domestic production capacity, and enable us to enter the African market strongly,” said Havelsan General Manager Dr Mehmet Akif Nacar. “As a brand and strong player that offers reliable, effective, and innovative solutions on a global scale, we will continue to develop advanced technologies and add value to regional markets.”

Major General Engineer Mukhtar Abdullatif, President of the Arab Industrialisation Authority, stated that Havelsan’s experience in technology, combined with AOI’s production capabilities, will support Egypt’s defence and technology vision.

“This collaboration is a big step not only for production but also for technological independence and sustainable exports,” Abdullatif said.

Havelsan offers field-proven solutions with the Baha, Bulut and Bozbey unmanned aerial vehicles it has developed.

In its initial announcement, Havelsan included a video of its Baha fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing UAV, which entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces earlier this year. The electrically powered UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 28 kg with a 2 kg payload, a communications range of 50 km, and an endurance of up to 2 hours. Established in 1982, Havelsan operates primarily active in the defence and IT sectors. Key areas of activity include Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance systems (C4ISR); naval combat and combat management systems; simulation and training systems, including simulators for land, naval, and air platforms; homeland security and cyber security systems; e-government applications such as election systems, land registry, cadastral systems, and judiciary networks; management information systems; reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence systems; and logistics support and energy management systems. Havelsan has developed a number of unmanned air, land, and sea systems, including the tracked Barkan unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) series and wheeled Kapgan UGV. Its Baha, Bozbey, and Bulut are fixed wing vertical takeoff and landing UAVs, while the Poyraz is a quadcopter. Unmanned surface vessels include the Sancar armed unmanned vessel and Caka submersible kamikaze vessel. Havelsan exports its defence and simulation products internationally and is one of Turkey’s leading companies in both national and international defence markets. It provides services to armed forces, public and private sectors at home and abroad, and continues to expand its business globally, including in Africa. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

24 Sep 25. FlySight Joins MANGROVE Consortium to Support NATO Underwater Security Project. FlySight has joined the Saab-led MANGROVE consortium, supporting NATO’s new Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime security among allied militaries. FlySight, a developer of geospatial software solutions for mission-critical military, security, and defense applications, has joined the Saab Kockums-led multinational MANGROVE consortium. The MANGROVE consortium, unveiled at DSEI 2025, was selected by NATO to lead the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project (AUWB-MN), commencing on September 1, 2025 to provide underwater interoperability between allied militaries. The project aims to develop a reference architecture for a mission network integrating both manned and unmanned systems operating above and below the water. The mission network will enable the fast and secure exchange of information, supporting coordinated operations across all military branches to set a new standard for NATO.

Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Kockums, stated, “Saab is delighted to lead this pivotal project for NATO. All of the MANGROVE consortium’s expertise and collaborative focus for the next 12 months will be on the successful development of a mission network for NATO’s operations in the underwater battlespace. As all aspects of the underwater domain grow in their strategic significance, this will be a critical contribution to our collective maritime security and defence.”

David Burton, Project Director of NATO’s Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative, added, “The AUWB-MN project is a significant step forward in the modernisation of our warfighting capabilities and the ability for NATO allies to operate effectively together in the underwater domain of the future. We are confident that Saab and the Mangrove consortium will deliver a robust and effective mission network that strengthens NATO’s maritime defence.”

MANGROVE, consisting of CETENA, FlySight, GraalTech, IDS, Miraya, Saab UK and BlueBear, S2IX, SubSeaPulse, and the University of Plymouth, was selected on July 16, 2025. The project is part of NATO’s Digital Ocean and Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative. The project is sponsored by twelve nations, led by the UK and including Sweden, the US, Australia, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway, all committed to adopting the standard developed through this initiative. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

24 Sep 25. Element U.S. Space & Defense, a leader in naval and defense testing, announced the successful test of Advanced Acoustic Concepts, LLC’s Angler 2.0 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV). The test was conducted at Element U.S. Space & Defense’s testing facility in Rustburg, Virginia, which features a deep freshwater quarry that is uniquely equipped to support the rigorous testing of complex underwater systems, advanced sensor arrays, and explosive systems for U.S. defense and national security missions.

The facility recently demonstrated its technical expertise by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the Angler 2’s core functions. Being strategically located by a quarry lake allowed for heavyweight metal fabrication, crane lifting for targets and mooring, energetics storage, and climate-controlled rooms for assembly, meetings, and remote-control operations.

“Testing weaponized UUV’s in our quarry is a great demonstration of the unique capabilities of the Rustburg laboratory and a testament to the versatility of our team. We are excited to see how Element U.S. Space & Defense will continue to be a dedicated testing partner to the U.S. government and industrial base,” said John Granier, PhD., Chief Engineer of Munitions & Energetics at Element U.S. Space & Defense.

As a Naval Sea Systems Command Shock Certified test center, Element U.S. Space & Defense’s Rustburg laboratory is set up to provide a secure, controlled, and realistic environment for testing and evaluating critical technologies. Key capabilities include a deep-water quarry for comprehensive mobility and systems testing, heavyweight and lightweight shock testing, a Medium Weight Deck Simulation Shock Machine (DSSM), and on-site engineering support that ensures that customers can conduct testing with precision, safety, and efficiency. This allows industry partners to move seamlessly from prototype assembly to full-scale systems evaluation in a single, secure location.

To learn more about Element U.S. Space & Defense’s award-winning test and engineering services, please visit www.elementdefense.com.

About Element U.S. Space & Defense: Element U.S. Space & Defense, (formerly NTS Technical Systems) stands at the forefront of testing innovation, as a trusted government testing partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Today, Element U.S. Space & Defense brings more than 60 years of experience and expertise in navigating the most complex projects and programs in the world. From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System (SLS), or environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, Element U.S. Space & Defense is the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. Visit www.elementdefense.com or call 833-673-8773 to learn more. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

25 Sep 25. Germany’s Helsing unveils ‘Europa’ combat drone.

Summary
Companies
Helsing unveils plans for autonomous UCAV military drone
Defence AI startup aims for first flight in 2027
Planning investments of hundreds of ms of euros

German defence startup Helsing unveiled a new autonomous combat drone on Thursday, joining a race to build remote-piloted systems that can swarm into battle with fellow robots or team up with crewed fighters to help reshape the future of air warfare. Unveiling a full-size model of the angular, V-tailed drone at a factory outside Munich, Helsing said the “CA-1 Europa” would stage a first flight in 2027 and become available for military operations within the following four years. (Source: Reuters)

25 Sep 25. During the Estonian Defence Week, Defsecintel Solutions (Estonia) and Origin Robotics (Latvia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming the launch of a partnership that will offer a significant contribution to the Drone Wall—Europe’s first operational, cross-border system purpose-built to detect and defeat hostile drones. The rapidly growing threat of hostile drones requires mobile and cost-effective C-UAS systems capable of detecting and neutralizing different types of UAVs with a wide range of countermeasures and various effectors. Defsecintel Solutions, drawing on operational insights from Ukraine, has developed and manufactures the EIRSHIELD system – a modular, turn-key C-UAS platform that integrates advanced technologies from leading European companies with combat-proven performance.

Loitering munitions
Fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs
Swarming drone tactics

It is fully operational, built on combat-proven platforms, and designed to adapt to fast-changing threat environments. Defsecintel Solutions, the developer of the EIRSHIELD system, brings advanced long-range detection, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and multi-layer sensor fusion—refined through active deployments in Ukraine. Origin Robotics contributes its autonomous drone interceptor, BLAZE, a man-portable, operator-supervised platform that can track, identify, and destroy high-speed aerial targets using onboard AI and computer vision. BLAZE has been engineered to counter drones that evade conventional air defense systems. Equipped with an HE fragmentation warhead, it ensures precise and effective threat elimination, even in contested environments.

23 Sep 25. SANCAR AUSV Completes Acceptance Tests and Is Ready for Delivery to Security Forces. SANCAR, the Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV) developed by HAVELSAN—one of Türkiye’s leading defense technology companies—has successfully completed acceptance processes following its firing tests. Now ready to serve the nation’s security forces, SANCAR will be delivered to its designated unit.

Acceptance Tests Successfully Completed

Providing details on the test campaign, HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar said the acceptance tests were successfully concluded last week:

“We are developing our SANCAR AUSV in cooperation with Yonca Shipyard. We successfully conducted its firing tests. The platform hosts five of HAVELSAN’s indigenous solutions. The most important is ADVENT Rota, a command-and-control mission management software that integrates the Turkish Navy’s ADVENT combat management system into autonomous platforms. In addition, our SUBSTAR Ship Data Distribution System (GVDS), NAUTIS, the BLUEVISION autonomous navigation system, and the GNSS-KASK precision satellite positioning solution are all deployed on SANCAR.”

HAVELSAN’s Robust Architecture

Dr. Nacar underlined that SANCAR is not only integrated with ADVENT, but can also be operated as a standalone platform:

“We have a mature command, control and mission management capability. Moreover, we can integrate these five indigenous products into other platforms to make them autonomous. In other words, it doesn’t have to be this platform—we’re ready today to autonomize any suitable platform.”

Referring to the recent live-fire activities, Dr. Nacar noted that the 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon system successfully engaged targets and confirmed that, with acceptance completed, series production will enable more SANCAR units to be delivered to the security forces.

Broad Potential for Military and Civil Missions

Dr. Nacar also emphasized SANCAR’s civil potential in addition to military use, noting that logistics and other non-combat roles can be supported by such vehicles.

Technical Features of SANCAR

SANCAR stands out with its advanced technical suite. Measuring 12.7 meters in length and 3.3 meters in beam with a displacement of 9 tons, the platform uses twin diesel engines with twin waterjets to achieve speeds above 40 knots. It offers a range of 400 nautical miles at 10 knots and is capable of operating in Sea State 4. Onboard systems include radar, sonar, electro-optical cameras, Automatic Identification System (AIS), 360-degree surveillance cameras, depth sounder, GPS compass, and GNSS-assisted navigation. COLREG-compliant autonomous navigation enables safe maneuvering in complex maritime environments. SANCAR supports modular payloads, including a 12.7 mm Remote-Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), tactical missile systems, and mine countermeasure (MCM) payloads. A mobile ground control station provides rapid deployment and portability, while redundant RF, satellite, and LTE communications ensure continuous, resilient command-and-control—positioning SANCAR as a strong asset within the inventory.

Next-Generation Capabilities and NATO Standards

With its engagement capability, mine detection proficiency, and autonomous mission functions, SANCAR is the first and only AUSV fully integrated with HAVELSAN’s ADVENT Combat Management System. Distinguished by its role in mine countermeasure operations, SANCAR can deploy from next-generation mine countermeasure vessels and conduct independent missions—offering an important operational advantage. Ongoing software developments in line with NATO Interoperability Standards will further expand the platform’s potential user base internationally.

New Products on the Way from HAVELSAN

As the first member of HAVELSAN’s unmanned surface vehicle family, SANCAR will be joined by new products addressing both military and civil domains, broadening the company’s portfolio of autonomous maritime solutions. (Source: ASD Network)

23 Sep 25. GE Aerospace and Merlin, a leading developer of assured, autonomous flight technology for defense customers, today announced a new effort to pursue autonomy core development. This next-generation autonomy and pilot-assist platform will be designed to bring AI-enabled capabilities to existing and future military and civil aircraft and meet the growing demand for crew reduction and uncrewed flight capabilities. GE Aerospace’s current Flight Management System footprint includes more than 14,000 aircraft globally, creating an opportunity to introduce Merlin’s advanced capabilities to legacy military platforms, which will define state of the art technology for next generation aircraft. The autonomy core aims to become the system of record for high assurance aerial systems to satisfy customer needs for reduced crew workload and enable single pilot operations (SPO).

“At GE Aerospace we’re constantly working to find innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Working with Merlin, we’re able to combine our proven Flight Management System expertise and Modular Open System Architectures with Merlin’s autonomy software to unlock new capabilities that will redefine what’s possible for next-generation autonomous flight. This represents an important step forward in aviation autonomy,” said Matt Burns, general manager, Avionics Systems with GE Aerospace.

The autonomy core initiative represents a strategic fit between the companies’ capabilities and technologies. GE Aerospace’s proven expertise in flight management systems and open system architecture coupled with Merlin’s autonomy software suite, avionics packages, and Datalink solutions, provides operators with a scalable, certifiable, and future-ready solution to meet the growing demand for crew reduction, SPO, and uncrewed flight capabilities.

“Our national security relies heavily on our continued air power dominance, and integrated systems that allow for the use of autonomy-focused solutions are essential to that ongoing strength. GE Aerospace’s legacy of providing systems of record to commercial and government customers enables us to rapidly bring complementary capabilities to market,” said Matt George, CEO of Merlin. “By teaming with GE Aerospace, we are able to pair their open system architecture with Merlin’s autonomy capabilities to create and deliver the next generation of avionics systems, extending our work with existing customers, expanding the volume and types of platforms we support, and accelerating our revenue growth.”

The KC-135 Center Console Refresh (CCR) program, a critical modernization effort to replace aging and out-of-production cockpit components is targeted as the first teaming opportunity to introduce the autonomy core. CCR addresses Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) challenges, ensuring sustainment and mission readiness for the Air Force’s refueling fleet. This builds upon Merlin’s existing agreement with the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) to integrate autonomy onto the KC-135 as a first step toward uncrewed flight capabilities. Expansion of the teaming is expected across transport, refueling, and civil aviation applications.

23 Sep 25. Kratos to be Exclusive U.S. Manufacturer for the Elroy Air Chaparral VTOL Cargo Drone. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today announced that Elroy Air, a leading developer of autonomous aerial cargo systems for middle-mile logistics and military resupply, has selected Kratos as Elroy Air’s exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner for the Chaparral in a new five-year strategic manufacturing agreement to accelerate expected high-volume production of the Chaparral hybrid-electric autonomous vertical takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) cargo drone.

“Kratos is an established and trusted producer of military UAS and is unique in their manufacturing focus on affordability. Kratos has produced and delivered thousands of uncrewed aircraft, with a well-established and reliable supply chain for these systems. Their expanded production capabilities make them the ideal partner to bring Chaparral to market at scale,” said Elroy Air CEO Andrew Clare. “This partnership accelerates our ability to deliver Chaparral systems to the many customers waiting for them, across both defense and commercial markets.”

Kratos, a proven leader in the development and production of affordable, jet-powered composite unmanned aircraft for the U.S. Department of Defense, recently expanded its manufacturing capacity to support next-generation drone production. This new partnership leverages Kratos’ deep expertise and scaled infrastructure to put the Chaparral into high-volume production.

Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said, “Kratos is the recognized industry leader for rapid development, production, and delivery of affordable, leading technology unmanned aerial drone systems, which is a perfect fit with Elroy Air’s UAV roadmap, incredibly large forecasted addressable market and related future high volume production plans, including for the U.S. military. Kratos provides Elroy an immediate and unique competitive, customer differentiating, value-multiplier advantage, with Kratos’ up and running manufacturing facilities, qualified and executing supply chain and relevant past performance qualifications. Kratos’ partnership with Elroy Air is a recent example of Kratos delivering relevant products, not promises, power points and renditions, with expected tangible value creation for our stakeholders.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Elroy Air to produce their industry-leading drone for the dual-use market,” said Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division. “Elroy Air’s market opportunity for Chaparral is already large and continuing to grow. With this growth, Kratos is ideally suited to transition the system to production. The Kratos team is the best in the world at establishing UAS production lines and optimizing affordability.”

Chaparral is designed to autonomously transport up to 300 pounds of cargo over 300 miles, affordably bridging critical logistics gaps for military resupply, disaster relief, and commercial express delivery. The vehicle’s unique hybrid-electric powertrain enables rapid refueling, extra power for recharging batteries and powering payloads in cruise flight, and longer-range cargo transport than similar-sized battery-electric aircraft. Kratos will perform initial production of Chaparral at their Sacramento, California aircraft production facility and over time, transition to high-rate production at Kratos’ facilities in Oklahoma City. These efforts are expected to bring aerospace jobs to both regions and expand the current supply chain infrastructure that includes many other states across our nation. The first production Chaparral aircraft are planned to be built in 2026.

“Kratos’ proven ability to produce large, composite drones in high volumes makes them the perfect partner to help us scale production of the Chaparral,” said Dave Merrill, Elroy Air’s Founder and Executive Chairman. “Our customers are eager to expand their operations with our systems, and Kratos’ deep production expertise and track record will enable us to deliver robust, world-class Chaparral vehicles in high volumes.”

Kratos and Elroy Air will have their unmanned aircraft systems on display together at the upcoming Miramar Air Show held September 26-28 at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. (Source: ASD Network)

23 Sep 25. Gabler, a leading provider of submarine technologies, today unveiled concepts for their highly anticipated uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) designed for torpedo tube launch (TTL). The reveal took place on the opening day of 27th DWT Naval Workshop meeting being held in Dobbin-Linstow, Germany where Gabler also debuted its new corporate identity. Gabler, known globally for its submarine masts, vessel components and tactical gateway products, announced earlier this summer its decision to enter the USV market with sub-surface deployed platforms configured for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as single-use tactical missions. Today’s announcement marks the next milestone in the company’s high tempo USV development programme, alongside its strategic technology partner, FLANQ, to deliver cutting-edge, autonomous systems for NATO and European naval forces. The two USV variants will be known as Ranger for ISR, and Raider for strike. Both are fully compatible with standard submarine torpedo tubes, and feature a common 4.5- metre long, 300 metre depth rated hull, folding mast and keel, electric drivetrain, and multiple payload bays. Ranger is reusable and equipped with a sensor suite providing real-time surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, crucial for naval forces operating in contested waters. Ranger will allow submarines to discreetly deploy and recover the USV without exposing themselves to risk, thus ensuring mission success while maintaining stealth and operational advantage. Raider, designed for single-use tactical missions can carry a user-supplied effector payload in its forward payload compartment, empowering naval forces to neutralise high-value targets without exposing themselves to direct threats. The partnership has accelerated its development timeline to bring these USVs to technology readiness level as swiftly as possible. Gabler and FLANQ are working closely with sovereign partners and European defence suppliers to ensure interoperability and seamless integration into existing naval systems.

22 Sep 25. Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) unveiled a new small-thrust-class engine, the HON1600, for the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) market during the annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference organized by the Air & Space Forces Association in Washington, D.C. The CCA engine, HON1600, meets all mission-critical performance parameters, including high-altitude capabilities up to 40,000 feet, rigorous G-level performance and ability to reach maneuvering targets. The CCA program proposed by USAF is a multi-pronged initiative to test, develop and implement new autonomous and manned-unmanned aircraft teaming concepts. The HON1600 propulsion system is designed to go “from model to metal” quickly. A significant percentage of the materials in the engine are capable of being additively manufactured or produced with high-volume manufacturing techniques like metal injection molding, enabling both speed and supply chain resilience.

“We’ve designed this engine to meet the new generation of CCA and UAS platforms that require unprecedented performance to keep pace with mission demands,” said Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Our propulsion system is based on proven and tested technology in use today, plus the latest advancements in digital modeling and manufacturing, to enable a cost-effective and efficient solution for military operators.”

The HON1600 engine’s low-cost, flexible and scalable architecture supports both turbojet or turbofan variants from 800-to-1600 pound-force thrust and scalable for additional thrust as required. The core engine has been demonstrated at rated thrust. Honeywell is leveraging a systems engineering approach with digital modeling, which enables faster design and build, seamless integration and more accurate evaluation at the air vehicle level to assist in development. This engine family also supports long-term storage prior to use.

21 Sep 25. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT) introduces Vectis, a Group 5 survivable and lethal collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to advance unparalleled air dominance for American and allied militaries. This system embodies the company’s pedigree in fighter aircraft, autonomous systems and open mission architectures. As the future of air power takes shape, Skunk Works is charting a critical path with Vectis to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point.

“Vectis is the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development and autonomy,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “We’re not simply building a new platform – we’re creating a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework.”

What You Need to Know About Vectis

Integration:

Seamlessly integrates with 5th and next-gen aircraft to advance the Family of Systems vision for next-gen air dominance.
Proven Lockheed Martin performance on common control systems like the MDCX™ ensure compatibility across the command and control spectrum.

Mission Flexibility:

Capable of executing precision strike, ISR targeting, electronic warfare and offensive and defensive counter air missions.
Provides multi-domain connectivity, whether standalone or as part of integrated teaming missions with crewed aircraft like the F-35.
Extended Range: Endurance ranges compatible with Indo-Pacific, European and Central Command theaters.

How We’re Making It:

Stealth: Leverages decades of experience in stealth advancement to deliver best in CCA class survivability.
Affordable: Applies advanced manufacturing and digital engineering techniques learned from next-gen aircraft development to drive affordability and speed. Vectis will be offered at a CCA price point.
Open Systems: Built to avoid vendor lock by aligning to Government Reference Architectures.

Vectis’ development is underway. Parts are ordered and a team is executing. Skunk Works is investing the funds and manpower necessary to build and test survivable systems to meet customers’ evolving needs while broadening alignment with new tri-service architectures and global requirements as they are defined. Skunk Works has decades of experience leveraging speed, altitude, shape, advanced materials and more to keep crewed and uncrewed platforms safe in the most challenging environments to solve the warfighter’s hardest problems. All of this pioneering work is reflected in Vectis, which delivers class-leading survivability in an agile, multi-role package. With Vectis, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is acting on a bold vision to deliver high-end survivability and mission systems capability at aggressive cost targets and design, build and fly within two years.

22 Sep 25. UK maritime USV manufacturer ZeroUSV has achieved a series of world-firsts during the opening week of NATO’s REPMUS Dynamic Messenger 2025, taking place off the coast of Portugal. The Plymouth designed Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel (USV), competitively selected by the Royal Navy for this year’s exercise, has become the first USV to autonomously launch and recover a thin-lined towed acoustic array without human involvement. Until now, arrays were typically pre-deployed and clipped on or required manual crew handling during launch and recovery. Oceanus12 has also been deploying on a daily basis 4/day of the G-sized sonobuoys using ZeroUSV’s prototype SOIL (SOnor Integrated Launch) system, with the running total now into the teens, this marks a key milestone in autonomous underwater sensor delivery. Over the course of the week, the vessel has also logged more than 40 operational hours at sea with 100% uptime, reinforcing its reliability in live multi-nation exercises and ability to deliver results at a fraction of the cost of crewed vessels. REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems) is NATO’s largest annual exercise for uncrewed naval systems, hosted by the Portuguese Navy off the Tróia Peninsula and Setúbal Bay. The exercise brings together more than 20 allied nations, global defence primes and leading innovators to test how uncrewed and crewed fleets can operate together in live missions. Integrated with NATO’s Dynamic Messenger exercise, REPMUS provides a proving ground where emerging technologies are trialled at scale in complex real-world scenarios.

Matthew Ratsey, founder and managing director at ZeroUSV, said: “Achieving the first fully autonomous launch and recovery of a towed array is a landmark moment, not just for ZeroUSV but for naval operations worldwide. Demonstrating that this can be done entirely uncrewed, safely and reliably, shows how far the technology has come. When combined with extended endurance, reduced fuel costs and seamless sensor deployment, Oceanus12 is proving what uncrewed systems can deliver now, today in real-world NATO missions.”

Upgraded ahead of REPMUS25 with advanced sonar, radar and communications payloads, Oceanus12 is leading the charge, demonstrating extended-duration, over-the-horizon autonomous operations as part of NATO’s live experimentation programme. Zero’s vessels will remain in Portugal throughout September for further integration, live exercises and the closing showcase. The 12-metre vessel’s autonomy software stack has been developed by autonomy software engineers, Marine AI.

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 18, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

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17 Sep 25. Saab to lead NATO’s new underwater battlespace project. The Saab-led MANGROVE consortium has been selected by NATO to lead the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project (AUWB-MN). The project formally commenced 1 September 2025 and will deliver interoperability for Maritime Uncrewed Systems and conventional platforms across allied nations.

The project is designing a Reference Architecture and a Test and Reference Environment for a mission network that leverages both crewed and uncrewed systems, above, on and below the water.

The mission network will facilitate rapid and secure information exchange, and integration across domains, supporting combined operations between all branches of the military. The outcome is expected to become a new standard for NATO.

“Saab is delighted to lead this pivotal project for NATO. All of the MANGROVE consortium’s expertise and collaborative focus for the next 12 months will be on the successful development of a mission network for NATO’s operations in the underwater battlespace. As all aspects of the underwater domain grow in their strategic significance, this will be a critical contribution to our collective maritime security and defence,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Kockums.

“The AUWB-MN project is a significant step forward in the modernisation of our warfighting capabilities and the ability for NATO allies to operate effectively together in the underwater domain of the future. We are confident that Saab and the Mangrove consortium will deliver a robust and effective mission network that strengthens NATO’s maritime defence,” said David Burton, Project Director, NATO Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative.

The consortium was selected on 16 July, 2025 and the project is part of NATO’s Digital Ocean and Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative. It is sponsored by twelve different nations led by the UK, together with Sweden, the US, Australia, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. Together they have committed to adopting the standard developed through this project.

Saab’s business area Kockums is leading the multinational consortium, MANGROVE, comprising CETENA and IDS part of Fincantieri Group, FlySight, GraalTech, Miraya, Saab UK and BlueBear, S2IX and the University of Plymouth.

17 Sep 25. Royal Navy clears Malloy T-150 drone for front-line use. The Royal Navy has declared the Malloy T-150 uncrewed air system ready for front-line operations, following two years of trials and development with Royal Marines and 700X Naval Air Squadron, the service announced. According to the Royal Navy, the T-150 will be used to deliver ammunition, weaponry, food, medical supplies and other stores to Royal Marines operating in demanding environments. Trials were conducted in locations ranging from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean, after which the system was granted Release to Service status.

The T-150 is capable of carrying underslung loads of up to 68 kilograms, has a top speed of 60 miles per hour, and can remain airborne for up to 40 minutes. Operated by a two-person team, the aircraft can be flown manually or follow pre-set autonomous waypoints.

Neil Appleton, CEO of Malloy Aeronautics, was quoted in the press release as saying: “The UK Release to Service of our T-150 platform is a milestone we’re incredibly proud to be a part of. As a multi-role UAS, the T-150 can be used for Replenishment at Sea one day and resupplying deployed Royal Marines Commandos the next.”

He added: “It’s a game-changer for the modern battlefield and we are proud to deliver this capability to those who need it most.”

Brigadier Chris Haw, Head of the Commando Forces Programme, said: “The introduction of logistic drones represents a significant expansion in the Commando Force’s use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems, beyond those already in-service for surveillance/reconnaissance, and importantly reduces the risk to personnel during tactical re-supply.”

The Royal Navy also noted that the T-150 has recently been tested with the UK Carrier (Source: ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)

14 Sep 25. Thales details progress in arming Peregrine drone. Thales told is exploring ways to expand the capabilities of its Peregrine rotary-wing uncrewed system already in service with the Royal Navy. The company is developing a product line based on Peregrine that could integrate new sensors, improved data processing, and potentially a weapons fit. According to Thales, there is “no formal requirement from the Navy,” but the service has expressed interest in options for greater lethality, particularly for smaller ships that lack kinetic punch. “They’re struggling, particularly on some of the smaller ships, with kinetic effects. We picked that up and ran with it and thought, well, we could probably build it.”

The initial concept has already been proven. Thales said the weapon itself is cleared and the plan is to conduct a live firing demonstration in 2026, ideally in the UK. The company noted that while early tests could involve the S-100 platform, the ambition is to build up to the larger S-300 system, which can carry up to ten stores. Funding for the project is already secured. What is now needed, Thales explained, is sponsorship in terms of access to ranges, support from the Ministry of Defence’s certification bodies, and buy-in from stakeholders to accelerate trials. “It’s aspirational, but it’s funded. It’s something we want to do on our own scheme.” (Source: ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)

15 Sep 25. New drone factory to open in Swindon, creating skilled jobs and strengthening British manufacturing. The Defence Secretary today announces that the UK’s largest drone production facility is to open next year, creating 1,000 highly skilled jobs in the UK. A major new drone production factory is set to open in Swindon, creating 1,000 high-skilled British jobs and boosting sovereign manufacturing as the Government delivers the Plan for Change. The new factory, operated by Tekever, will be announced by the Defence Secretary John Healey, on a visit to the site today. The factory is expected to open in 2026 and will position Swindon as a centre for UK drone manufacturing, creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships and showing the defence dividend of the Government’s record defence spending uplift.

Swindon has strong historical ties to defence, helping to produce the Supermarine Spitfire in World War Two. This new site will now bring large-scale production of Tekever platforms to the UK — including the Royal Air Force’s StormShroud capability.

This comes as figures show government investment in UK defence industries reached £31.7 bn last year and follows the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which will make defence an engine for growth, ensuring investment is felt by communities across the UK through new jobs and rising incomes for working people, putting more money in their pockets.

In May, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an additional £19 m of investment by the Royal Air Force into Tekever’s AR3 StormShroud drones, underlining government support for home‑grown defence technology. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has purchased approximately £270 m of Tekever drones to provide to Ukraine, including contributions from international partners through the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine. These drones have been used extensively in destroying highly advanced Russian air defence systems.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “This new factory is a clear demonstration that this government is making defence an engine for growth across the UK. Tekever’s expansion will bring high-skilled jobs and world-leading drone manufacturing to Swindon, while strengthening defence supply chains. By backing Britain’s defence industry, we strengthen both our economy and national security. ”

Tekever’s new facility will be its fourth location in the UK and largest to date. The 254,000 square foot site will support the full drone production lifecycle – from rapid prototyping to manufacturing and research and development. It will bring core production of the AR5 unmanned aerial system to the UK for the first time, while scaling up existing work on the AR3 platform. This builds upon the acquisition of West Wales Airport and marks a critical next step in the delivery of Tekever’s Strategic Investment Programme OVERMATCH, that is designed to transform UK’s defence capabilities by accelerating innovation in AI and autonomy.

Tekever’s arrival to Swindon aligns with the government’s broader economic strategy to foster high-tech hubs, drive inclusive growth and unlock new opportunities for local talent and supply chains.

Karl Brew, Director of Tekever Defence, said: “Our decision to establish a new facility in Swindon reflects Tekever’s commitment to the UK and to the ambitions of the £400 m Overmatch programme. The site will play a central role in the production of our new AR3 EVO system and in creating up to 1,000 highly skilled jobs over the next five years. This investment will ensure we deliver advanced, sovereign capability at pace and in close partnership with the UK defence ecosystem.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

16 Sep 25. Red Cat Collaborates with Safe Pro Group to Embed Real-Time AI-Powered Threat Detection Onboard the Black Widow Drone Platform. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based provider of advanced, all-domain robotic solutions for defense and national security, today announced a strategic collaboration with Safe Pro Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAI) (Safe Pro), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-computer vision technologies.

Through this collaboration, Safe Pro’s patented AI-powered image analysis technology will be embedded into Red Cat’s Black Widow drones, enabling U.S. and allied ground personnel to rapidly identify and locate more than 150 types of explosive threats including landmines, anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in real-time.

The integration will allow Safe Pro’s Object Threat Detection (SPOTD) system to process real-time 4k video onboard the Black Widow at the tactical edge and deliver live threat data directly to military situational awareness platforms such as the U.S. Army’s Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) software ecosystem, enhancing and accelerating decision making critical to mission success.

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The Black Widow will also integrate with Safe Pro’s new SPOTD Navigation, Observation and Detection Engine (NODE), a powerful, edge-based solution designed to process, map and share mission critical information collected by drones. Supporting rapid deployment at the edge, the SPOTD NODE “kit” enables end users to collect real-time visual data, receive threat alerts, and utilize that imagery to create 2D and 3D interactive maps and plot hazard detections. This capability provides enhanced situational awareness, supporting a wide array of ground missions even in connectivity-denied environments.

Powering Safe Pro’s SPOTD technology is one of the world’s largest real-world landmine and UXO datasets consisting of high-resolution imagery and GPS-tagged geospatial data encompassing over 1.88 m drone images analyzed to date, and 34,200+ threats identified across 8,119 hectares (20,062 acres) in Ukraine.

“The Black Widow continues to distinguish itself as a leading sUAS platform for defense and security, ideally suited to supporting the evolving needs of the U.S. Army and its global allies. By incorporating field-proven innovations such as Safe Pro’s unique AI-powered threat detection technology, we continue to redefine the future of force protection and battlefield awareness,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO.

“As demonstrated in Ukraine, the battlefield is dramatically evolving, establishing a critical need to provide today’s warfighter with access to enhanced, real-time situational awareness. By harnessing the power of the Black Widow with Safe Pro’s battle-tested threat detection technology, we have created a platform that can uniquely support the needs of the U.S. Army for real-time battlefield intelligence, and we look forward to bringing this capability to our warfighters,” added Dan Erdberg, Chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group Inc.(Source: ASD Network)

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 14, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

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12 Sep 25. HII and Babcock Join Forces to Integrate UUVs with Submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems. Today, Babcock International Group (Babcock) and HII (NYSE: HII), signed a memorandum of understanding to bring together HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and Babcock’s world-leading submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS). The goal of the collaboration is to deliver autonomous launch and recovery of UUVs via submarine torpedo tubes, strengthening the undersea advantage of allied navies. This is the first program of its kind within the Babcock Mission Systems business.

As UUVs become increasingly vital to future undersea operations, HII and Babcock seek to work together to jointly pursue future opportunities within the unmanned space. This joint initiative builds on Babcock and HII’s strategic partnership started in 2023, and the U.S. Navy’s first successful forward-deployed UUV launch and recovery via torpedo tube, using an HII REMUS. Babcock’s WHLS are currently in service with the submarine fleets of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Spain and South Korea.

Chris Kastner, HII, president and chief executive officer, said: “This partnership demonstrates the promise of pairing Babcock’s handling and launch system technology with the capabilities of HII’s REMUS UUVs to strengthen the undersea advantage of our allies. I am proud of HII’s leadership in advancing autonomous maritime manned-unmanned teaming operations and excited about the opportunities this collaboration will unlock.”

Sir Nick Hine, Babcock, chief executive marine, said: “Partnering with HII, we’re combining over a century of expertise in surface and sub-surface systems to further explore marine technologies and strengthen defense capabilities — this is just the beginning of future collaborations across marine programs.”

Babcock has been responsible for the design, manufacture and support of submarine WHLS for the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and overseas customers for more than 50 years. Together with HII’s autonomous REMUS, Babcock and HII can offer customers more capability through the integration of the latest UUV technology into existing and new build platforms.

The U.S. Navy’s milestone operation underscores a broader transformation in undersea warfare: the growing demand for integrated manned-autonomous operations that extend reach, enhance stealth, and reduce operational risk. HII and Babcock’s collaboration positions both companies, and their allied navy customers, to lead this transformation.

To date, HII has sold more than 700 REMUS vehicles to over 30 countries, including 14 NATO members. Notably, more than 90% of REMUS units delivered in the past 23 years remain in service, demonstrating platform durability and lifecycle value — critical in defense acquisition decision-making. (Source: ASD Network

12 Sep 25. BAE, Lockheed Martin plan large jammer drone as door opener in combat. BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin are teaming up to develop a family of uncrewed autonomous air systems, with an initial focus on electronic warfare, the companies said at the DSEI UK defense show here on Tuesday. Details remained scant as the companies announced their collaboration. The system will be in the 1-tonne range and able to carry different payloads, according to Dave Holmes, the managing director of BAE Systems’ FalconWorks division. The goal is a cost-effective vehicle that’s easy to modify as well as easy to deploy, be that air dropped or launched from ground or maritime platforms, said OJ Sanchez, the general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The design will include “modularity and adaptability,” according to the partners, who cited a need to quickly develop and field affordable combat mass.

Drone and missile makers are increasingly touting systems that can be tinkered with to keep them relevant, as well as cheaper and faster to produce.

Pan-European missile maker MBDA presented a one-way effector with 800 kilometer range at the show on Tuesday that can be built using different off-the-shelf components and armed with various warhead types.

BAE and Lockheed Martin will disclose specific applications for the system as those are being developed, with cost “an important variable” for the design team, Sanchez said.

The system is not considered a missile and will be designed to return, while still being of “an attritable nature,” according to Holmes. The return mechanism would be something other than landing gear, possibly a parachute, the executive said.

The past three years have demonstrated a need for armed forces to have a capability to “punch a hole through these very complex and denied electronic warfare environments,” Holmes said. The uncrewed air systems will have capabilities that can be deployed from day one of a conflict, he said.

The concept is for an open system approach that allows to integrate users’ capabilities, while having modular architecture both in terms of firmware and software will be key to refreshing the system and keeping it current, he said.

BAE Systems sees the collaboration with Lockheed Martin as “highly complementary” to what MBDA can offer, according to Holmes. The British company is a major shareholder in MBDA, with a 37.5% stake, together with Airbus and Leonardo. (Source: Defense News)

11 Sep 25. Rotron Aerospace has unveiled its latest uncrewed platform, the Defendor Uncrewed Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), at DSEI 2025, engineered for sovereign capability in the field of One-Way Effectors (OWE). The system, developed around Rotron’s R350-FDS (Fan Drive System), is optimized for extended range and cost-efficient mass manufacture. According to the company, the propulsion innovation enables Defendor to achieve up to four times the operational endurance of conventional turbojet architectures while maintaining the agility and high subsonic speeds required for tactical strike operations.

Combat Mass and Affordability

Defendor has been engineered to address the UK’s growing demand for scalable strike options in contested environments. Leveraging simplified supply chains and low-complexity design, Rotron aims to provide a platform that can be produced at volume and at cost levels competitive with existing expendable air systems.

The company highlights that this approach ensures the platform is not only a disposable one-way effector but also configurable for attritable UCAV roles, offering flexibility in both offensive strike and force multiplication.

Expanding the OWE Landscape

The launch comes at a time when both NATO and UK defense planners are seeking cost-effective solutions to counterbalance adversary A2/AD strategies. Recent conflicts have underscored the effectiveness of attritable strike drones and loitering munitions; however, endurance and payload limitations remain key constraints.

By integrating the R350-FDS, Defendor is positioned as a bridge between traditional loitering munitions and full-spectrum combat drones, a system that offers persistence, speed, and payload capacity within a sovereign, UK-origin platform.

Strategic Sovereignty

The unveiling of Defendor at DSEI underlines the company’s commitment to strengthening UK sovereign capability in the aerospace and defense domain.

Alex Head, Rotron Aerospace CEO, commented, “Defendor demonstrates what can be achieved when propulsion innovation is directly applied to the pressing challenges of modern warfare. By combining our R350-FDS with a design philosophy rooted in affordability and combat mass, we’ve created a system that gives UK and allied forces strategic options at scale.”

SME Agility in Defense

Rotron also emphasizes the importance of SME-driven innovation in meeting urgent operational requirements. Unlike large primes, which often face long development cycles and high cost structures, SMEs such as Rotron are able to move at speed, iterate rapidly, and field novel solutions at lower cost.

This agility aligns with the UK Ministry of Defence’s stated aim to enable SMEs to play a greater role in the defense industrial base, bringing fresh innovation, competitive pricing, and sovereign capability. Defendor is presented as a tangible example of how smaller, specialist firms can outpace legacy suppliers and deliver operational impact in real-world timeframes.

Future Development

Rotron confirmed that Defendor will undergo further flight trials in late 2025, including demonstrations of strike profiles and integration with electronic warfare payloads. The system is expected to attract interest from both MOD and allied export markets seeking to bolster resilience and capability against peer threats.

As the OWE domain continues to mature, the Defendor represents a significant step in the UK’s ability to field attritable, long-range UCAVs, offering both sovereign autonomy and interoperability with NATO partners. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

12 Sep 25. Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation debuts one-way attack UAV. Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation (MIC) recently unveiled its new Safaroog one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in what is a notable milestone for the country’s defence industry. The Safaroog is a kamikaze or suicide drone designed specifically for precision strikes against ground targets. The piston engine aircraft has a wingspan of 3.38 metres and a length of 2.88 metres. With a maximum takeoff weight of 120 kg, it can carry payloads of up to 40 kilograms depending on the configuration, with variants allowing 20 kg or 30 kg payloads. The Safaroog cruises at 160 km/h and reaches a maximum speed of 200 km/h. It can operate at altitudes up to 15 000 feet and sustain flight for 4 to 4.5 hours, covering operational ranges of 300 to 600 kilometres, Army Recognition reported following the Safaroog’s debut at the IDEF exhibition in Turkey.

The drone is equipped with an AI-based autopilot system alongside GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and INS (Inertial Navigation System) for precise navigation and guidance. Launching options for the Safaroog include catapult and pneumatic systems, allowing flexible deployment in different combat scenarios.

Of particular note is its terminal attack angle exceeding 60 degrees, enabling high-angle or near-vertical strikes against armoured or fortified ground targets with high precision, reportedly achieving a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters.

The Safaroog represents a leap forward for Sudan’s defence industrial capabilities. Operationally, the Safaroog drone addresses Sudan’s evolving battlefield needs, especially relevant given the conflict dynamics between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) where unmanned aerial systems have played an increasing role. The Safaroog is already reportedly in service with the Sudanese military, according to Janes, and has attracted interest from Middle Eastern countries, suggesting potential export opportunities.

Also on display at IDEF 2025 was MIC’s BK-3 a precision guided 270 kg bomb that can used on a variety of aerial platforms, and Kamin-25 loitering munition, designed to be launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle. This was first displayed in 2023. The munition can carry either a 5 kg anti-tank warhead or a 7 kg anti-personnel warhead, with a 25 kg total weight. Flight duration is 45–60 minutes, depending on the altitude it is released, and it loiters at an altitude of 250 metres. It can operate up to 50 km from the UAV, which relays the signal from the munition’s day/night camera to the ground control station.BK-3 guided bomb.

Other products promoted by MIC at IDEF included the SAFAT 03 light aircraft, 122 mm eight-barrel rocket launcher, SAFAT 02 light helicopter, and Mirsaal heavy lift multi-rotor UAV.

Since the 1990s Chinese, Russian and Iranian companies have helped Sudan develop its domestic military industry after an international arms embargo placed on the country. The Military Industry Corporation was established in 1993 to manufacture weapons and equipment for the Sudanese military and is now marketing its products internationally, including main battle tanks (based on Chinese designs), small arms, recoilless rifles, mortars, rocket launchers, upgraded armoured vehicles, ammunition, electronics and uniforms.

The company has an extensive product range which includes armoured vehicles, tanks, trucks, artillery, light aircraft, boats and ships, as well as uniforms. It also has interests in the auto and agricultural and mining equipment industries. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

12 Sep 25. HII Unveils AI-Enabled ROMULUS Family of Unmanned Surface Vessels Powered by Odyssey to Strengthen the Fleet. HII (NYSE: HII), America’s largest military shipbuilder and a global leader in autonomous maritime systems, today introduced ROMULUS, a modular, AI-enabled family of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) powered by HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS) software suite.

ROMULUS 190, the flagship of the ROMULUS family, is currently under construction. Built on a commercial-standard hull, it is engineered for rapid, repeatable production and immediate mission readiness. Designed for speeds exceeding 25 knots, the 190-foot vessel is capable of a minimum range of 2,500 nautical miles (nmi) carrying 4 x 40 foot ISO intermodal containers on the payload deck. ROMULUS 190 is being developed in partnership with Breaux Brothers, Beier Integrated Systems, and Incat Crowther.

ROMULUS is designed to meet the current and emerging requirements of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, joint forces, and allies. It delivers high-endurance, sustained open-ocean autonomy with a focus on lethality, cost efficiency, and scalability.

“The future fight demands speed, agility, and resilience, all embedded in the Odyssey-powered ROMULUS family,” said Chris Kastner, HII president and CEO. “By matching world-class shipbuilding with decades of unmanned systems expertise, we are delivering a mission-ready, swarm USV capability built for the next generation of operations.”

Odyssey: Proven, Open, and Evolving

Odyssey ACS software suite has demonstrated performance on more than 35 USV platforms with over 6,000 operational hours in U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and international allied programs. Odyssey’s intuitive interface and enhanced, customizable features generate the required mission behaviors for greater lethality and survivability with simplified control of unmanned swarms across domains, making it a force multiplier for the modern fleet.

The software suite’s open-access, government-aligned architecture enables rapid integration of new sensors, payloads, and third-party autonomy technologies. It allows industry, government, and academia to test and refine capabilities, ensuring ROMULUS evolves in step with emerging naval concepts of operations.

ROMULUS integrates technologies from Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI with HII’s Odyssey for enhanced autonomy, object classification, and lifecycle sustainment.

Multi-Mission, Multi-Domain Flexibility

ROMULUS’s reconfigurable design supports teaming across surface, subsurface, and air domains for missions including counter-unmanned air systems (C-UAS), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), strike operations, and the launch and recover of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

Enhanced-Domain Advantage with HII’s REMUS UUV

Paired with HII’s proven REMUS UUVs, ROMULUS significantly extends undersea reach, closing anti-submarine warfare sensing gaps and keeping manned platforms at a safer standoff distance. REMUS’s decades-long track record in mine counter-measures (MCM) missions accelerates clearance operations and reduces fleet risk. Together, ROMULUS and REMUS deliver a scalable dual-domain solution across surface and subsurface missions.

Reinforcing HII’s Leadership

With ROMULUS, HII reinforces its position as the global leader in durable, autonomous unmanned systems. Developed with support from HII’s Dark Sea Labs Advanced Technology Group, ROMULUS takes its place alongside the proven REMUS UUV line, of which more than 700 have been delivered to over 30 nations and more than 90% are still operational after more than two decades. Together, ROMULUS and REMUS, powered by HII’s Odyssey autonomy, form a dual-domain family of unmanned platforms that expands operational reach, maximizes mission flexibility, and ensures dependable performance across the full maritime spectrum.

Key ROMULUS Capabilities:

Modular, Open Architecture: Built on open standards, including Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA), Robot Operating System (ROS), and Data Distribution Service (DDS), Odyssey ensures compatibility with U.S. Navy autonomy requirements and control stations now and into the future. Odyssey’s modular architecture also allows for rapid reconfiguration and integration with modular payloads, new sensors and systems.
Multi-Agent Autonomy: Odyssey enables control of either individual assets or swarms, a key capability for enabling the future fight. Odyssey’s mission library delivers high-level autonomy with ease in executing rapid single-agent tasks or complex, multi-agent scenarios in coordination with crewed and unmanned platforms. Secure data management enables instant analytics or detailed post-mission review, while its modular design supports seamless integration of customer or third-party sensors, payloads, algorithms, and interfaces.
Intelligent Operations: Autonomous health monitoring, sensor fusion, and perception deliver intuitive mission planning, real-time situational awareness, and diagnostics. Navigation is compliant with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), ensuring operational reliability in all conditions.
Fleet Integration: Designed to align with future fleet Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), supporting unmanned and optionally manned missions and integrated operations with aircraft carrier strike groups and surface action groups. (Source: ASD Network)

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EOS

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 10, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

10 Sep 25. Australia announces $1.7bn investment in next-gen autonomous sub fleet. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has announced a $1.7 bn, five-year contract to deliver a fleet of next-generation, extra-large autonomous submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. Defence Connect can officially reveal that the Australian government will commit $1.7bn over five years to add a fleet of locally designed and built extra-large autonomous submarines, known as Ghost Shark, under a new five-year contract with Anduril Australia. The deal covers delivery, sustainment and further development of the cutting-edge uncrewed undersea platform, which is designed for long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. Ghost Shark is expected to provide a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capability, complementing both the Navy’s future surface combatants and conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the acquisition would enhance Australia’s ability to respond to an increasingly complex security environment.

“The Ghost Shark is a world-leading platform made right here in Australia. Over the next five years and beyond, it will give Navy the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Since 2022, the federal government has invested about $145 m in Ghost Shark’s development, payloads and production facilities. The latest contract will support around 120 existing roles and create more than 150 new long-term, highly skilled jobs at Anduril Australia. Minister Conroy said the program was also driving growth through the supply chain.

“This is a critical capability that the Albanese government is delivering at pace – with all three prototypes delivered on budget and ahead of schedule. Our investment backs 120 existing workers and creates more than 150 new high-skilled, local jobs,” Minister Conroy said.

Another 42 Australian companies are contributing to the Ghost Shark program, with an estimated 600 additional jobs to follow from this broader supply chain involvement.

David Goodrich OAM, executive chairman and CEO of Anduril Australia and Asia-Pacific, celebrated this announcement, saying, “Ghost Shark has reached Program of Record status in just three years – a remarkable milestone made possible through an unprecedented co-development and co-investment partnership with Navy, DSTG and ASCA. This achievement reflects what is possible when Defence and industry work shoulder to shoulder: ideating, innovating and inspiring each other to deliver extraordinary advancements in subsea technology.”

The 2024 National Defence Strategy identified uncrewed undersea and surface vessels as a priority for delivering asymmetric advantage to the Australian Defence Force. The Ghost Shark is classified as an Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV) which will provide the Navy with a cost-effective, stealthy and persistent platform to help secure Australia’s vast maritime approaches. Beyond meeting domestic needs, the program also offers opportunities for sovereign design, engineering and manufacturing, with strong export potential. (Source: Defence Connect)

09 Sep 25. Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), today introduced its revolutionary SkyCarrier™ platform at the DSEI tradeshow in London, showcasing a breakthrough in autonomous drone operations for military and civil applications. Designed for launch and recovery of Teledyne FLIR’s SkyRaider® and SkyRanger® unmanned aerial systems (UAS), SkyCarrier enables fully autonomous, on-the-move drone deployment from land vehicles, maritime vessels, or fixed sites. SkyCarrier’s ruggedized container fully protects the drone when closed and opens to unfold an articulating launch and landing pad, allowing drones to autonomously take off and return – even while in motion or on uneven terrain. The pad maximizes the UAV landing area, centers aircraft, and reduces storage space. Using visual markers such as NIR landing beacons and QR codes or AprilTags, the drone can precisely navigate back to the platform without operator input.

“SkyCarrier represents a major leap forward in autonomous drone operations,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Its ability to launch, recover, and manage drones from moving platforms – without GPS or constant operator control – makes it a game-changer for missions ranging from battlefield surveillance and disaster response to critical infrastructure protection.

“SkyCarrier offers both military and non-military users a versatile UAS solution that reduces operator workload while boosting efficiency,” Lei added.

Key Features of SkyCarrier:

Autonomous Launch & Recovery – Actively compensates up to 20°, enabling UAS to land on moving or stationary platforms without manual control
Environmental Protection – Protects the drone from brush, debris, and other environmental factors when not operating
Optionally Tethered – Supports either free-flight or tethered operation over a variety of radio and network configurations, even while the unit is fully closed
Autonomous Management – Supports rapid charging and active thermal management, enabling fully remote operations in extreme environments
‘Follow Me’ Mode – Drones can track and return to designated vehicles, personnel, or locations
Autonomous In-air Replacement (AIR) – A single operator can manage up to 16 drones, maintaining persistent surveillance by autonomously swapping drones mid-mission
Dark Mode & GPS-Denied Navigation – Operates in RF-silent and GPS-degraded environments using computer vision and dead reckoning; also features NIR beacons for low-visibility environments, obstacle avoidance, and jam-resistant RTK GPS
Extended Endurance with XL Batteries – Enables up to 45 minutes of flight time with a 2kg (4.4lb) payload.

SkyCarrier has been successfully trialed on multiple maritime vessels, including fast attack boats and rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and from ground vehicles traveling over rugged terrain at speeds up to 50km/h (30mph), demonstrating its reliability in real-world conditions.

SkyCarrier leverages the capabilities of multiple FLIR Defense- and partner-developed payloads. These include long-range daylight, thermal imaging, targeting, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, remote CBRN detection, and kinetic effects. Its versatility makes SkyCarrier ideal for a wide range of missions – from ISR to convoy and border security to hazmat operations, even as a communications relay.

Visit Teledyne FLIR Defense at Stand #S3-110 to see SkyCarrier at DSEI from Sept. 9-12, or learn more about our Unmanned Aerial Systems portfolio online. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

09 Sep 25. The UK’s BAE Systems and Canadian company Cellula Robotics have signed a 10-year exclusive agreement to continue working together on Herne, a new autonomous submarine developed specifically for military use, and have announced that they expect to deliver a market ready craft for customers by the end of 2026. The announcement follows successful trials last November during which the submarine conducted a pre-programmed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission powered by Nautomate, BAE Systems’ platform agnostic autonomous control system. BAE Systems has configured Herne to give militaries a cost-effective option to conduct various missions. It can support anti-submarine warfare, undertake covert surveillance missions and monitor and help protect underwater infrastructure across the vast expanses of the seabed. Without the need to resupply or carry life support systems, it can work in tandem with crewed platforms or by itself to provide a persistent presence underwater for longer, at greater scale and a fraction of the cost of traditional submarines.

Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime & Land Defence Solutions business, said: “The trials last year were a huge success and I’m delighted that we’re building on that momentum with this new collaboration agreement to maintain the phenomenal pace at which we’re developing Herne. It’s a game changer in the underwater battlespace and will enable us to offer our customers a cost-effective autonomous capability providing them with more endurance, efficiency and scale, whilst keeping their people out of harm’s way.”

Neil Manning, Chief Executive Officer, Cellula Robotics Ltd, said: “Herne, the result of this partnership, embodies the fusion of cutting-edge engineering from both companies to create a platform with unmatched endurance and operability, setting it apart from others in the field. At Cellula, we believe Herne, powered by our hydrogen-based energy solution, represents a cost-effective force multiplier. It helps to fill an essential gap, complementing Navy’s operational needs while seamlessly integrating with other marine defense systems. Cellula is honored to be selected by BAE Systems, recognising their foresight and vision in forming this partnership.”

This successful collaboration has so far resulted in a ‘whiteboard to water’ capability in just 11 months, culminating in a series of successful trials in the UK and Canada throughout 2024. The trials informed a number of design enhancements and BAE Systems and Cellula Robotics continue to refine the Herne submarine, with the aim of delivering a market ready craft for customers by the end of 2026.

09 Sep 25. BMT, a leading international multi-disciplinary engineering and ship design consultancy, today unveiled its Modular Uncrewed Ship concept MODUS – highlighting its commitment to research and innovation in ship design and naval engineering. With a fundamentally modular approach at its core, BMT’s vision stands apart in the autonomy space by focusing on adaptable solutions for specific operational needs, not just a one-size-fits-all vessel. The concept reflects the ambitions set forth in the United Kingdom’s Strategic Defence Review and broader industry trend towards larger more capable uncrewed vessels with greater use of autonomy. MODUS presents new opportunities for collaboration with industry and customers worldwide seeking cost-effective and more sustainable, high-technology maritime solutions that can be tailored for a range of user cases. Challenging everything we know about traditional crewed vessel design; MODUS aims to unlock the benefits of autonomy and uncrewed vessels at scale. Working to a new design philosophy focussing on pace (speed of production), price (cost effective mass) and persistence (high availability) the project has developed pre-concept designs for a medium USV (40 metres) and a large USV (75 metres). These vessels are designed for specific use cases including offshore survey, seabed warfare and anti-submarine warfare. With a flexible modular architecture, MODUS is ready to meet the next generation of hybrid maritime operations where a mix of crewed and uncrewed vessels will work together in concert. Responding to the growing demand for medium and large uncrewed surface vessels and signals from the Royal Navy and international markets, MODUS addresses a core challenge many naval operators are facing, delivering affordable mass into fleets at pace to meet evolving threats and growing demand. The project is built on over 6 years of research, beginning with the Highly Autonomous Warship Technology (HAWT) programme, completed in 2021, which advanced the safe and secure integration of autonomous technologies, lean-crewing and digital automation into vessel design. Building on these foundations, the Large Uncrewed Surface Vessel (LUSV) initiative, showcased at DSEI in 2023, demonstrated how large uncrewed vessels can add scalable, interoperable mass to naval fleets – delivering flexibility, endurance and greater efficiency. Together, these programmes have culminated in the MODUS concept.

Will Alexander, Global Business Development Lead – Maritime Autonomous Systems at BMT, commented: “Many navies are facing challenges including lack of mass, crew shortages, spiralling cost of building, operating and sustaining complex warships and keeping up with the pace of technology development. The need to adapt is clear and urgent. This requires a change of mindset. MODUS represents a new way of thinking and is a step towards a hybrid fleet where crewed and uncrewed platforms operate together to overcome these challenges. Our intent with MODUS is to help shape thinking, provide a credible vision and invite collaboration,” adds Alexander. “From autonomy providers to system integrators, we are open to working with partners to accelerate this concept to its next stage of maturity.”

Jake Rigby, Global Head of Innovation & Research at BMT, commented: “MODUS is not just one design; it is a family of designs with an intrinsic design philosophy to minimise vessel cost and add affordable mass to existing naval fleets: working alongside crewed assets as a mixed fleet solution. Crucially, our approach allows us to adapt each MODUS variant for specific user cases – enabling true scalability and customisation in response to operational needs, which distinguishes BMT from traditional design thinking in this space. We started with a fresh slate, working from the ground up first focusing on three core use cases of Military Data Gathering, Seabed Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare. We focused on simplicity of design, which ironically is often harder than a traditional design, as every decision is value engineered and scrutinised. In addition, by moving to an uncrewed design, we had the daunting but brilliant opportunity to throw out the rulebook of conventional design, answering questions of how we can build in survivability and questioning standard deck heights/ subdivision if there is no-one on board to use it.”

MODUS isn’t just modular in form; its very philosophy is about enabling flexible, scalable solutions that respond to real-world needs – helping navies and operators evolve at speed as requirements change. By fusing design ingenuity with operational practicality, BMT is offering its multidisciplinary expertise and innovative approach to ship design – as well as proven insights from established projects – to ensure MODUS serves as both a testbed and blueprint for future exploitation of autonomous and uncrewed systems. MODUS also exemplifies BMT’s commitment to national prosperity and skills, designed from the outset to draw upon UK shipbuilding capability and supply chain strengths. This approach supports ambitions set by government for “whole-of-nation” collaboration on security, economic growth and technological advancement. While currently a research and development concept, MODUS possesses scalability and adaptability for a range of future missions, from naval operations to offshore hydrographic survey, asset inspection, environmental monitoring and maritime logistics. Its development positions BMT to offer credible, carefully engineered design options in a sector seeing fast evolution and growing global demand. A fuller technical paper, authored by BMT’s Maritime Autonomous Systems experts, will be released following DSEI. This will provide deeper insight into MODUS’s modular architecture, operational concepts and the design innovations shaping the future of uncrewed naval capability. SEE US AT DSEI 2025, STAND S11-120

09 Sep 25. AIRO, Nord Drone partner to boost UAS deployment. The alliance aims to bolster AIRO’s defence and aerospace presence through Nord Drone’s tested drone systems. Aerospace and defence technologies company AIRO has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LoI) with uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) provider Nord Drone, setting the stage for both companies to potentially form a joint venture (JV). The collaboration’s focus is to expedite the delivery of combat-proven UASs to the US, Ukraine, and other Nato allies. The proposed JV is expected to leverage AIRO’s experience in manufacturing, research and development, government procurement, and strategic corporate support. In turn, Nord Drone is anticipated to contribute its proprietary drone technologies, production capabilities, supply chain access, and established relationships with defence ministries, including that of Ukraine. AIRO executive chairman Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria said: “This strategic partnership represents a significant opportunity to deliver proven, battlefield-tested technology to our allies when they need it most. By combining our engineering, manufacturing capabilities, and Nato relationships with Nord Drone’s exceptional technical expertise, we believe we can rapidly scale production of critical defence systems.” The joint venture stands as a “strategic move” to address immediate conflict response needs and support “long-term defence modernisation initiatives” across key markets. It signifies a concerted effort by both companies to respond swiftly to the demands of modern warfare and provide advanced UAS solutions to Nato allies. While the LoI sets the stage for the joint venture, it remains non-binding until definitive agreements are executed following mutual due diligence and regulatory reviews. Both AIRO Group and Nord Drone have committed to negotiating definitive documentation within 60 days but noted that there is no guarantee that such agreements will be finalised as described or at all.

“Our collaboration with AIRO has the potential to create a powerful platform to expand our combat-proven technologies to serve US and Nato forces,” Nord Drone CTO Yevgen Kotukh stated.

Nord Drone has been delivering wide range of battlefield-proven drones, including first-person view strike units, loitering munitions, and multi-role bombers. With a current production rate of 4,000 drones per month and the potential to increase output to 25,000 units with additional government support, the company’s UASs are actively deployed in conflict zones. (Source: army-technology.com)

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EOS

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 8, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

05 Sep 25. US Marine Corps to field first FPV. The Neros Archer will be the first first-person view (FPV) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to be fielded by the US Marine Corps (USMC), according to a new training guidance memo released on 4 September. The memo, signed by Lieutenant General Benjamin Watson, commanding general of Training and Education Command, provides guidance to units who will receive the Neros Archer platform from Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. This fielding is funded by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the organisation in the Department of Defense that approved the Archer for the Blue UAS (unmanned aircraft system) list earlier in 2025.

“The first units to receive Archers will include both Schools of Infantry, the Infantry Officer Course, and [Marine Air-Ground Task Force] Training Command at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center,” Cathleen Close, spokesperson for Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, told Janes on 4 September. “While units have had the ability to expend their operational funds to procure DIU Blue list-approved FPV drones, this one-time purchase reflects the first time the marine corps has procured FPV drones for use across the service.”

The FPVs will eventually be sent to Marine Corps Special Command Raider Battalions, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions. In these divisions, the Littoral Combat Teams, Infantry, and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions will operate the UAVs, she said. (Source: Janes)

05 Sep 25. Trump to reinterpret 1987 missile treaty to sell heavy attack drones abroad.

Summary
The change would allow the potential sale of 100 MQ-9 drones to Saudi Arabia
U.S. drone makers face competition from Israeli, Chinese, and Turkish rivals
The change to benefit startups building a new generation of heavy attack drones

President Donald Trump is expected to unilaterally reinterpret a 38-year-old arms control treaty to sell sophisticated “Reaper” style and other advanced military drones abroad, according to a U.S. official and four people familiar with the plan. The new interpretation would unlock the sale of more than 100 MQ-9 drones to Saudi Arabia, which the kingdom requested in the spring of this year and could be part of a $142 bn arms deal announced in May. U.S. allies in the Pacific and Europe have also expressed interest. (Source: Reuters)

Sep 25. US Navy taps four aerospace primes to design autonomous drone wingmen. Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Anduril are all in line to produce conceptual designs for the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, according to a Navy slide reviewed by Breaking Defense. The US Navy has awarded contracts to four major aerospace prime contractors — Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and General Atomics — for “conceptual designs” for a carrier-based autonomous combat drone, according to a Navy document obtained by Breaking Defense. Additionally, Lockheed Martin is under contract for the drone’s “common control,” according to a slide on Collaborative Combat Aircraft from the Navy’s program executive office for unmanned aviation and strike weapons, dated Aug. 20. The contract awards, which previously were not publicly known, are the clearest sign that the Navy is moving forward with the concept of a “loyal wingman” aircraft that can operate from the deck of a carrier. Both the Navy and Air Force have pursued the concept of CCAs, but while the Air Force put its program in the spotlight, the sea service’s own efforts have been largely shrouded in secrecy. It is unclear how long the companies have been under contract and working on their CCA designs. A Navy official told Breaking Defense that the document’s information concerning the four aerospace primes and Lockheed Martin “is accurate,” but did not provide further information.

A spokesperson for Anduril declined to comment. A spokesperson for Boeing deferred comment to the Navy. Spokespeople for Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin did not provide comment before publication.

General Atomics spokesman C. Mark Brinkley directed specific questions about the Navy’s CCA program to the service, but noted that the company rolled out notional designs for carrier-capable CCAs last summer. Those concepts adapt the YFQ-42A design currently being tested under the Air Force’s program for shipboard operations, he said in a statement.

While the Navy and Air Force both have unique needs for a so-called “Collaborative Combat Aircraft,” in general, both concepts involve novel drones that will fly alongside the services’ fighter jets.

Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, the flag officer on the chief of naval operations’ staff in charge of developing CCA requirements, has previously said the Navy is coordinating with the Air Force on development of common standards for elements like mission planning, but much of the work has been behind closed doors.

One of the unique requirements for the Navy for any CCA program will be the need for it to take off and land on an aircraft carrier. The service is already in the midst of perfecting autonomous carrier-based flights through its unmanned aerial tanker program, MQ-25. Navy brass has been adamant that the MQ-25, which is designed by Boeing, will successfully fly from carriers in 2026.

The Navy may also be chasing a significantly cheaper price point than the Air Force of about $15 m per plane, compared to the $25 m to $30 m per aircraft cited by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. In April 2024 Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, the Navy’s program executive for unmanned systems and weapons, said that cheaper price point would enable the service to use a single CCA multiple times for surveillance and strike missions before ending its lifespan as a one-way attack drone.

“I want something that’s going to fly for a couple hundred hours. The last hour it’s either a target or a weapon,” he said then. “But I’m not going to sustain them for 30 years.”

At the time, Tedford said the Navy was “in the process” of beginning analysis for a CCA program and intended for initial studies to focus on the payloads, sensors and mission systems that will be needed on drones, with fielding of drones slated for “the second half of this decade.”

Last November, the Navy conducted a demonstration where it used its Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS) to control a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger. The UMCS is based on Lockheed Martin’s MDCX autonomy platform, which was developed by its secretive Skunk Works unit.

Naval Air Systems Command called the test “part of an effort to advance technology for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft.”

As for the Air Force, the service previously selected General Atomics and Anduril to build and flight test prototype drones from an initial group of five contractors who participated in the program’s design phase.

General Atomics’ CCA variant, known as the YFQ-42A, has entered flight testing, the Air Force announced last week, while the Anduril drone, YFQ-44A, is “expected to enter flight testing in the near future,” a service spokesperson said previously.

The Air Force’s vision for the program, unveiled in fiscal 2024 as a multibillion endeavor, would see it initially field as many as 1,000 drones. The service also intends to hold multiple iterations of the CCA competition to provide previous and new vendors a chance to bring new designs forward. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

05 Sep 25. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully completed demonstrations proving the operational viability of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The RAAF-defined demonstrations required the MQ-28 to execute a series of operationally relevant missions designed to supplement and enhance capabilities of existing crewed platforms.

The uncrewed MQ-28 platforms and digital versions have now completed 150 hours and 20,000+ hours of virtual testing. The Capability Demonstration 2025 missions were completed in early June, four months ahead of schedule, and validated:

autonomous behaviours and mission execution
multi-ship operations to provide combat mass
deployment operations to RAAF Base Tindal
teaming with an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, and
data fusion and sharing data between multiple MQ-28 aircraft and transmission of that data to a crewed platform.

MQ-28 is a unique autonomous capability designed to complement the find, fix, track and target elements of air combat with autonomous behaviours and reduced risk to crewed platforms.

“The RAAF set the task of proving the first four steps in the Air Combat chain for the MQ-28 and we have accomplished that sooner than anticipated,” said Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 Global program director.

“Completing this work early allows us to accelerate the next phases of development – engage and assess – with an air-to-air weapon shot planned for later this year or in early 2026.The demonstrations have proven the maturity of MQ-28’s capabilities and the utility of CCA’s and their application to the future force mix,” Ferguson said.

The capabilities validated throughout 2025 will be incorporated into the Block 2 aircraft now in production, forming the basis of an initial operational capability for the RAAF and allied partners.

05 Sep 25. China Unveils Large Unmanned Stealth Fighter Design During Military Parade. The massive military parade in Beijing has provided a much closer look at some of the country’s new air combat drone initiatives. Of these various drone designs, one, in particular, stands out. This is a low-observable tailless design that is also very large, broadly equivalent in size to China’s J-10 medium-weight fighter. Overall, its design is indicative of high performance, pointing firmly to a true uncrewed stealth fighter, while its appearance suggests that it may well already be flyable — or is otherwise a very authentic mock-up. While the designation of the new drone remains unknown, there have been claims that it is provisionally named Unmanned Air Superiority Fighter. Meanwhile, for the sake of clarity, China-watchers have taken to referring to this design as the Type B drone. The drone in question was shown among other unmanned designs on the back of a flatbed truck during the September 3 parade marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. Seen now in full, and uncovered, the drone is significantly bigger than the other previously unknown designs that had been seen ahead of the parade, in satellite imagery and covered with tarpaulins during rehearsals. The Type B has all the hallmarks of a higher-performance fighter-like uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV), of a kind that the U.S. Air Force is notably not developing — at least, in the unclassified realm.

The new UCAV-like Type B drone is tailless with a modified delta wing. The wing is broadly diamond-shaped, with cropped tips. There are two large control surfaces evident on each wing’s trailing edge. The nose has a very distinct chine that extends back to the side-mounted engine intakes before merging with the wing leading edge. The side intakes are in contrast to those found on at least some of the other newly emerged Chinese drone designs, which are mounted on top of the fuselage. These forward-raked, diverterless supersonic intakes (DSI) have much in common with those found on new-generation crewed fighter designs, outright pointing to supersonic performance. The intakes feed a single engine, with the variable-geometry nozzle (presumably for an afterburning engine) projecting beyond the wing trailing edge. The nozzle is serrated, including both the outer sleeve and actual nozzle, like on the F-35 and new Chinese fighter designs. Pointed extensions of the trailing edge, again F-35-style, are found on either side of the engine nozzle. Overall, the Type B is very likely supersonic capable, but would also possess significant range for a high-performance aircraft, thanks to a combination of sleek tailless design and no requirement to accommodate a pilot and all crew-related systems. Besides performance, the other major driver is low observability. As for the exposed, round engine nozzle, which would adversely affect this, at least from the rear aspect, this is a known practice for stealth fighter designs, the result of a tradeoff between performance, complexity, weight, affordability, and low observability. The serrations on the nozzle help with the radar signature in certain radar bands. It could also be the case that this is an early iteration, and a stealthier, two-dimensional engine nozzle, possibly with thrust vectoring, will appear on the Type B in due course. This would parallel the development of Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik UCAV, and the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword also underwent a redesign that left it with enhanced low-observable features. To preserve its low observability, there are signs that the Type B drone has extensive internal capacity for weapons. Underside views of the drone suggest large weapons bays below its fuselage. Interrupting what is otherwise an overall smooth profile, the Type B drone also has a prominent chin-mounted electro-optical sensor, likely analogous to the F-35’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). Similar kinds of fairings also appear on the Chinese J-20 and J-35 stealth jets and further point to this drone being intended for fighter-style missions. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

Aligned with AUKUS Pillar 2 maritime autonomy objectives and the UK Strategic Defence Review’s vision to move to warfighting readiness and increasing lethality, Sea Dagger helps ensure the UKCF can respond quickly with the tools, training and systems needed to face the evolving threats and demands of modern conflict.

Sea Dagger addresses the most pressing challenge faced by specialised units operating in coastal and shallow-water environments around the world. Unlike historical near-shore landing craft, Sea Dagger delivers a unique combination of naval architecture and high-technology sensors, weapons and C2 (command-and-control) capabilities shaped by the realities of warfare in modern conflicts.

Adam Clarke, senior vice president and chief executive at Leidos UK & Europe said, “Sea Dagger represents a pivotal step in equipping the UK Commando Force with the capability to operate with greater agility, survivability and intent in a complex and congested maritime environment. The Leidos design reflects our commitment to delivering resilient, future-ready platforms that can adapt to the complexities of modern warfare, ensuring capability, availability and operational advantage from day one. I am delighted that Leidos is at the forefront of shaping the maritime marketplace, domestically and internationally.”

For more information about Leidos’ autonomous maritime systems, visit leidos.com/autonomy.

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EOS

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 5, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

04 Sep 25. Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) is unveiling Sea Dagger, a next-generation Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) concept developed for the Royal Navy. The first craft of its size to combine speed, range, vehicle delivery and modular mission systems into a single platform, Sea Dagger sets a new standard in maritime autonomy and operational agility. Developed under the UK Commando Force (UKCF) programme, the initiative’s goal is to deliver 24 medium surface insertion craft capable of deploying Commando Strike teams, light tactical mobility platforms, offboard systems, and medium combat loads from long range, enabled by training and in-service support. Capable of exceeding 40 knots, Sea Dagger is the result of a collaborative development effort between Leidos Naval Architects and military subject matter experts, the Royal Navy, and UKCF. The design builds on more than 30 years of fast-craft expertise and incorporates Leidos technology, including Trusted Mission AI, autonomous systems and integrated weaponry. Operational resilience is central to the concept, with a focus on readiness, availability, maintainability and repairability. The platform is designed to continue delivering its mission under stress, disruption or attack for an enduring presence in contested environments. Aligned with AUKUS Pillar 2 maritime autonomy objectives and the UK Strategic Defence Review’s vision to move to warfighting readiness and increasing lethality, Sea Dagger helps ensure the UKCF can respond quickly with the tools, training and systems needed to face the evolving threats and demands of modern conflict. Sea Dagger addresses the most pressing challenge faced by specialised units operating in coastal and shallow-water environments around the world. Unlike historical near-shore landing craft, Sea Dagger delivers a unique combination of naval architecture and high-technology sensors, weapons and C2 (command-and-control) capabilities shaped by the realities of warfare in modern conflicts. Adam Clarke, senior vice president and chief executive at Leidos UK & Europe said, “Sea Dagger represents a pivotal step in equipping the UK Commando Force with the capability to operate with greater agility, survivability and intent in a complex and congested maritime environment. The Leidos design reflects our commitment to delivering resilient, future-ready platforms that can adapt to the complexities of modern warfare, ensuring capability, availability and operational advantage from day one. I am delighted that Leidos is at the forefront of shaping the maritime marketplace, domestically and internationally.” For more information about Leidos’ autonomous maritime systems, visit leidos.com/autonomy.

04 Sep 25. FLANQ and CIS Form Strategic Partnership Following Successful USV-launched UAV Capability. FLANQ, a German maritime defence solutions provider, and CiS, a leading developer of autonomous aerial systems, today announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop and deploy an integrated capability enabling the launch and recovery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). The announcement follows successful trials of a CiS Orka tactical air surveillance and reconnaissance drone being hosted, deployed and recovered aboard a 12-foot FLANQ USV operating autonomously in open water at an undisclosed test site. By merging FLANQ’s proven USV platforms and mission payloads with CiS’s expertise in long-endurance UAV systems, the partnership will deliver a modular, scalable system-of-systems designed to provide rapid-response surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering capabilities, critical to strengthening Europe’s autonomous defence capabilities.

Key objectives of the partnership Include:

Development of a fully integrated UAV launch-and-recovery systems from medium to large USV platforms
Persistent over-the-horizon ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) enabled by AI-based mission autonomy
Seamless interoperability with NATO maritime command-and-control frameworks
Deployment-readiness for dynamic threat environments, including hybrid and grey-zone conflict scenarios

“This partnership with CiS reinforces our commitment to delivering maritime domain advantage to Europe and its allies,” said Daniel Esser, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of FLANQ. “Together, we are enabling a new level of operational flexibility and responsiveness through intelligent, aerial and uncrewed surface systems.”

Tom Kaufmann, Managing Partner and CEO at CiS, added: “Europe’s maritime borders face increasing threats – from illicit trafficking to shadow fleet sabotage. Through our collaboration with FLANQ, we will deliver an agile, intelligent system that enhances situational awareness and supports decision-makers across the maritime security domain.”

The joint system’s capabilities will be showcased this month at REMPUS 2025 in Portugal, the annual NATO-led military exercise where both companies are participating. (Source: ASD Network)

03 Sep 25. Red Cat Expands into Maritime Defense with New Modular USV Development. Red Cat Holdings has established Blue Ops to develop and deploy U.S.-built, battle-tested USV weapons systems, supporting multi-domain defense missions through autonomous technologies and veteran maritime leadership. Red Cat Holdings, a developer of drone technologies for advanced aerial ISR and situational awareness, has launched its latest division, Blue Ops, Inc., to develop and deploy modular battle-tested USV weapons systems for multi-domain defense and security missions. The Blue Ops division formalizes Red Cat’s position in the maritime autonomy market. It also highlights the company’s strategy to evolve into an all-domain defense company, expanding its Family of Systems to include these advanced maritime capabilities. As part of its all-domain, multi-mission strategy, including ISR and tactical strike, Red Cat will integrate various sensors, kinetic systems, and other capabilities into the new USV weapons platform, enabling functions such as transporting and deploying its existing aerial UAS systems. Barry Hinckley, a third-generation marine industry veteran, entrepreneur, technology executive, and former U.S. Senate candidate, has been appointed President of Blue Ops. He brings experience as a Coast Guard-certified Merchant Mariner, along with a background in aviation, offshore sailing, and enterprise software. Alexander ‘Sandy’ Spaulding will also lead this new division, utilizing his previous leadership roles across the maritime industry and former position as the President of Hinckley Yachts, to expand the team’s practical experience and strategic partnerships. Together Hinckley and Spaulding bring over 70 years of combined experience in maritime leadership.

Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops, stated, “At Blue Ops, we’re combining nearly a century of American boatbuilding experience with modern autonomy and mission-ready design. This new division is a critical extension of Red Cat’s all-domain strategy, supporting today’s warfighters across air, land, and sea. We’re not replacing large naval vessels – we’re building smaller, smarter, uncrewed platforms that extend their reach, provide forward protection, and can operate in places traditional ships can’t. The future of maritime defense depends on a fast, modular weapons system built in the U.S. That’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

Blue Ops itself will sit alongside Red Cat’s existing divisions, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace. As part of the launch, Red Cat plans to finalize its multi-state manufacturing operations. This aligns with national efforts to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing and field autonomous capabilities for U.S. and allied forces. The new division builds on Red Cat’s earlier support for executive orders from the White House to restore American maritime dominance and accelerate deployment of autonomous systems across all domains. Blue Ops also aligns with the Navy’s plan to scale robotic and autonomous systems, integrating more platforms quickly. This forms part of its Navigation Plan to raise the readiness across the force by 2027 for a crisis or conflict, enhancing the Navy’s long-term advantage.

Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO, stated, “Blue Ops is honored to bring proven technology, already validated in modern combat, into U.S. production for the next generation of maritime defense. The United States Navy has made it clear that fleet modernization and combat readiness are critical ahead of a possible conflict in the South China Sea that would involve American and allied forces. A big part of this strategy includes integrating autonomous vehicles into fleet operations and tapping into the vast potential of America’s shipbuilding industry. Our proven technology platform, combined with the deep domain expertise of veteran boat builders, will provide the U.S. with a rapidly scalable solution that is ready for battle. Appointing Barry to oversee Blue Ops and lead an all-star team aligns perfectly with our mission.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

03 Sep 25. Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV: FLT, OTCQB: TAKOF, FSE: ABB.F) (“ Volatus ” or “ the Company ”), a leader in aerial solutions, today announced that Transport Canada has issued a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) authorizing Volatus to conduct more complex Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations by authorizing the use of MatrixSpace’s next-generation radar, integrated through Kongsberg Geospatial’s IRIS Terminal platform. Unlike traditional ground-based radar systems, MatrixSpace’s technology is compact, low-power, and able to detect smaller non-cooperative traffic such as other drones. When integrated with Kongsberg’s proven airspace awareness and traffic management software, and supported by Volatus’ remote Operations Control Center, these capabilities make it practical to scale BVLOS operations into applications such as automated drone-in-a-box networks, distributed wide-area monitoring, and autonomous services where continuous, reliable detect-and-avoid is critical. The global drone-in-a-box market was valued at just over US$1 bn in 2024 and is forecast to grow to between US$5 and US$9bn by the early 2030s, reflecting annual growth rates of ~20–23%. 1 This rapid expansion underscores the commercial potential for scalable, subscription-based drone services such as those enabled by this new approval. Volatus already holds nationwide SFOCs permitting BVLOS operations in low-risk airspace, atypical airspace, high altitude, and nighttime missions at an advanced regulatory risk level recognized by Transport Canada. Building on this foundation, the integration will expand automated drone-in-a-box services for infrastructure security, utilities, and industrial monitoring, as well as wide-area inspection and surveillance at higher altitudes, such as forestry, wildfire monitoring, and environmental oversight.

“This SFOC builds upon milestones such as Volatus’ approved BVLOS medical delivery operations at Halton Healthcare,” began Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. “With our partners, we are expanding these capabilities by integrating a lightweight and scalable detect and avoid system. This combination makes it practical to move from specialized projects into wide-scale deployments like drone-in-a-box networks, giving customers safe, reliable, and scalable autonomous services.”

“We’re pleased to support Volatus with our IRIS Terminal platform as they expand advanced BVLOS operations,” said Jordan Freed, President and Managing Director, Kongsberg Geospatial. “By integrating real-time airspace awareness into their Operations Control Center, Volatus is demonstrating how safe and scalable drone services can be delivered for commercial customers.”

“This approval represents a major step toward scalable autonomous drone operations,” said Greg Waters, Co-founder & CEO, MatrixSpace. “Our compact radar technology is designed for exactly these kinds of applications, and Volatus is leading the way in bringing drone-in-a-box and automated services to the Canadian market.”

About Volatus’ Strategic Partnerships

Kongsberg Geospatial and MatrixSpace are two industry leaders whose technologies are helping to transform advanced BVLOS capability into scalable, commercially viable services. By combining Volatus’ operational expertise with Kongsberg’s airspace management software and MatrixSpace’s next-generation radar, the partnership creates a deployable ecosystem designed for safe and repeatable drone-in-a-box and autonomous operations. Kongsberg Geospatial provides the IRIS Terminal platform, which integrates radar, telemetry, and other sensor feeds into a single real-time airspace awareness display for safe BVLOS operations. Beyond the technology, Kongsberg brings decades of defense and aerospace experience, opening access to global security and government markets where regulatory trust and mission assurance are critical.

MatrixSpace delivers the next step forward in detect-and-avoid: a compact, low-power radar system that is smaller, more flexible, and lower cost than traditional installations. It can also detect smaller, non-cooperative traffic such as other drones — making it ideally suited for scalable, autonomous deployments like drone-in-a-box networks. MatrixSpace’s growing presence in homeland security and critical infrastructure monitoring creates new opportunities for Volatus to expand into high-value markets.

Together, these partnerships enable Volatus to act as the integrator of a proven ecosystem combining operational expertise with advanced airspace awareness and next-generation radar to deliver safe, scalable, and commercially viable drone services.

About Volatus Aerospace

With 100+ years of combined aviation expertise, Volatus Aerospace delivers innovative global aerial solutions for intelligence and cargo, utilizing both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft (RPAS/drones). Committed to efficiency, safety, and sustainability, Volatus offers a complete ecosystem of aerial solutions including remote operations, enterprise equipment sales, training, and aerial services to enhance real-world applications across industries.

03 Sep 25. Marine AI, backed by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), has launched a world-first project that gives uncrewed vessels the ability to communicate naturally with other ships — just like a human operator. Trials now underway in Plymouth and Portsmouth will test a large language model designed for ship-to-ship dialogue, marking a breakthrough in human–machine interaction at sea. The goal is to solve one of the biggest barriers to autonomy: safe, trusted communication between crewed and uncrewed vessels in real-world maritime conditions. Testing will use Marine AI’s Oceanus12 alongside Royal Navy platforms including Patrick Blackett and Excalibur, with responses judged by master mariners. If successful, this will be the first demonstration of natural language interoperability between autonomous and conventional platforms, advancing the UK’s leadership in maritime autonomy.

Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) funds world-first project with Marine AI to enable natural language communication between uncrewed and crewed vessels
Trials planned in Plymouth and Portsmouth will test a large language model for autonomous ship-to-ship dialogue
Breakthrough aims to build capability in human–machine interaction at sea and improve safe interoperability

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Plymouth-based Marine AI have launched a world-first research project to give uncrewed vessels the ability to communicate naturally with other ships. The programme, which began last week, will see trials take place in the Plymouth and Portsmouth trial areas. The project builds on Marine AI’s earlier proof-of-concept work with large language models (LLMs) to create an autonomy system capable of understanding and generating natural language. Backed by DASA funding, the new phase will develop and test the technology in real-world maritime environments, enabling uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to talk to both crewed and uncrewed platforms in the same way a human operator would. With autonomous platforms becoming increasingly common, the lack of seamless communication between them and conventional shipping is a growing operational challenge. At present, USVs depend on structured protocols or human oversight, limiting their ability to respond in complex, fast-moving situations. This project seeks to close that gap by proving that an uncrewed vessel can hold a natural language exchange that is context-aware, situationally appropriate and trusted by mariners. Testing will use Marine AI’s Oceanus12 vessel and supporting craft, alongside high-profile platforms including the Patrick Blackett and XV Excalibur. Responses generated by the system will be assessed by master mariners, with findings captured in a formal evaluation report.

Oliver Thompson, technical director at Marine AI, said: “Uncrewed platforms can only operate safely alongside conventional vessels if they can be understood. This project is about proving that an autonomous system can use natural language in a way that makes sense to mariners in real-world conditions.”

If successful, the research will deliver the first demonstration of natural language interoperability between uncrewed and conventional platforms, setting the stage for safer mixed-traffic operations at sea and advancing the UK’s leadership in maritime autonomy.

03 Sep 25. Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) today announced a first-of-its-kind demonstration of its autonomous flight technology. As part of the Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), a Department-Level Exercise led by Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Joby conducted a successful demonstration and validation of its SuperpilotTM autonomous flight technology over the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii, logging more than 7,000 miles of autonomous operations across more than 40 flight hours. The autonomous flights were managed from ground control stations at various locations throughout the exercise, primarily from more than 3,000 miles away at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. A safety pilot was also onboard the aircraft to monitor the system’s performance. As part of Joby’s long-term strategy to develop dual-use technologies, Superpilot showcased its ability to provide an autonomous solution for the U.S. government’s urgent need for light intra-theater airlift. The Department of Defense has requested $9.4 bn in its FY26 budget to advance autonomous and hybrid aircraft. The successful REFORPAC exercise positions Joby to compete for upcoming Department of Defense programs. In addition, the work with defense partners can inform integration of autonomous capabilities into Joby’s commercial air taxi platform.

“The exercise demonstrated Superpilot’s ability to operate in complex, real-world scenarios with the precision and reliability demanded by the U.S. government,” said Greg Bowles, Chief Policy Officer at Joby. “This is a testament to our decade-long collaboration with the Department of Defense and a significant step toward deploying our dual-use technologies in the field.”

“AFWERX has partnered with Joby’s team for several years with increasingly complex development and demonstration efforts of autonomy to support contested logistics missions,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Gilbert, AFWERX Prime division chief. “REFORPAC was an opportunity to demonstrate the technology in a realistic environment and highlight the potential impact of these autonomous systems. The lessons learned from this exercise participation are vital to guiding our focus as we continue development of affordable technologies that support the needs of our Airmen.”

The U.S. Air Force currently faces a challenge in efficiently supporting low-volume, high-urgency and high-risk deliveries in large operational theaters. The REFORPAC exercise validated that a light cargo aircraft, equipped with Superpilot, can meet this demand, while freeing up larger, more costly aircraft for other missions.

Joby’s Superpilot, integrated into a Cessna Caravan 208 platform, was tasked with a variety of missions. Highlights include:

Mission Readiness: Superpilot demonstrated the capability to execute rapid cargo deliveries, hub-and-spoke logistics, inter-island transport, dynamic retasking, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) profiles.
Operational Versatility: Flights were successfully conducted in all classes of airspace (B, C, D and uncontrolled) and under both visual and instrument flight rules.
Airlift Capabilities: Superpilot piloted a total of 7,342 miles over 43.7 hours. Within the exercise, the aircraft completed six sorties, flying for 14 hours covering 2,416 miles. The campaign also included a roundtrip ferry flight of 4,925 miles, with Superpilot successfully handling a Pacific Ocean crossing, landing and taxi at destination airports.

In June 2024, Joby acquired the autonomy division of Xwing, Inc., including Superpilot, with the goal of accelerating development of autonomous flight technology in defense and commercial applications. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

03 Sep 25. US Army Tests Claymore Mine-Armed Drone. The US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, known as the “Sky Soldiers,” has conducted what officials say is the first test in the United States of a first-person-view (FPV) drone shooting down another unmanned aerial vehicle. Over the skies of Fort Rucker, history was made as the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) Project Shank executed the Army’s first-ever air-to-air kill with an armed first-person view (FPV) drone. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nate Shea piloted the Skyraider, armed with a claymore mine, while Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Topits maneuvered the opposing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) during a dogfight above Tabernacle Field. First developed in the 1950s, the M18 Claymore is a directional landmine designed to be emplaced on the ground and triggered by a tripwire or manual detonator. Its curved plastic casing contains C-4 explosive and about 700 steel ball bearings, which are propelled in a 60-degree cone-shaped blast to an effective range of about 820 feet (250 meters). Military analysts say the Claymore’s wide blast pattern makes it well-suited to engaging small, agile aerial targets. (Source: UAS VISION/DIVDS;Interesting Engineering)

03 Sep 25. Skyeton Partners with Allies to Distribute Raybird UAS in Poland. Ukrainian aviation production holding Skyeton and Polish defence solutions distributor Allies have entered into a partnership to deliver Skyeton’s battle-proven Raybird unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to Poland. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to strengthening European defense capabilities with state-of-the-art technologies designed to meet today’s most demanding operational environments. Through this agreement, Allies will serve as the official distributor of the Raybird UAS in Poland. The partnership combines Skyeton’s nearly two decades of engineering excellence in unmanned aviation with Allies’ extensive expertise in delivering mission-ready solutions to defense, intelligence, and law enforcement professionals. Together, the two companies aim to ensure that European partners are equipped with reliable and effective systems that bolster operational readiness and resilience.

Pavlo Shevchuk, International CEO of Skyeton: “This partnership with Allies represents more than distribution – it reflects a shared commitment to technological excellence and the security of our region. By combining Skyeton’s nearly two decades of UAS development with Allies’ trusted network and expertise, we are ensuring that our partners receive solutions that are both mission-ready and future-focused. It also highlights how the Polish and Ukrainian defense industries are working together to help protect NATO’s Eastern Flank from eastern threats.”

Katarzyna Niebrzydowska, Commercial Director at Allies: “This partnership marks an important step in strengthening our portfolio of innovative UAV solutions and delivering state-of-the-art capabilities to our customers. Together, we aim to drive technological excellence and provide reliable, mission-ready solutions that meet the highest operational demands. We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will bring and to shaping the future of unmanned aviation together with Skyeton.”

With over 350,000 hours of combat-proven operations, the Raybird UAS – adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the name ACS-3 – has established itself as one of the most effective platforms on the market. Known for its 28+ hours endurance, long-range reconnaissance capabilities, and versatility in both defense and civilian missions, Raybird supports applications ranging from deep reconnaissance and border surveillance to disaster response and humanitarian operations. (Source: UAS VISION)

01 Sep 25. Taiwan developing long-range attack drone with US firm Kratos. NCSIST to unveil Chien Feng IV at Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology confirmed Monday it is co-developing a long-range attack drone with US defense contractor Kratos.Kratos has previously worked with Shield AI to adapt its MQM-178 Firejet subsonic aerial target drone, integrating an AI system for autonomous formation flying and tactical maneuvering, per UDN. The new drone, dubbed the Chien Feng IV, is based on the MQM-178 platform and has a range of 1,000 kilometers. Analysts suggest the Chien Feng IV could be deployed alongside the Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile, which has a range of 500–700 km. The system is expected to debut publicly at the biennial Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in September. NCSIST emphasized the project is a joint research effort with Kratos, not a military-commissioned program. Due to a confidentiality agreement, it declined to provide performance details ahead of the unveiling. Although Taiwan’s armed forces have not formally requested the weapon, NCSIST reportedly sees it as a “low-cost cruise missile” alternative and believes it has strong export potential. Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, confirmed to TWZ that the company is collaborating with NCSIST. “Development started early this year and is progressing rapidly,” Fendley said. (Source: News Now/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/)

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 4, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

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01 Sep 25. The defence arm of MGI Engineering is to use this year’s DSEI exhibition in London to unveil TigerShark, a new long-range autonomous strike drone that delivers cruise missile-level performance at a fraction of the cost of conventional equivalent systems. Designed and built in the UK, TigerShark will be available to aligned partners from October 2025. Capable of carrying a 300kg modular payload over 750km at subsonic speeds of 750km/h, TigerShark is optimised for deep-strike missions against defended, high-value targets. With enhanced autonomy provided by Auterion’s systems, it operates in GPS-denied and communications-contested environments, using inertial and terrain-mapping navigation with onboard edge computing to ensure reliable guidance and terminal accuracy. The system is ground-launched via RATO or vehicle platforms and engineered for salvo firing, enabling multiple TigerSharks to be deployed simultaneously to overwhelm air defence systems. Its open architecture design supports rapid in-service upgrades and a wide range of payload options, from high-explosive warheads to electronic warfare and decoy packages. TigerShark addresses a growing need among allied nations for affordable, scalable long-range strike capabilities in an era of increasingly sophisticated anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments. By combining payload flexibility, survivability and sovereign UK manufacture, it offers a credible alternative to traditional cruise missile systems.

Following the launch of the SkyShark tactical drone in July 2025, MGI is now offering customers a two-tier autonomous strike family. While SkyShark provides a compact, cost-effective platform for short-to-medium range operations with a 20kg payload, TigerShark extends the concept to the strategic deep-strike domain, combining longer range and heavier payloads with the same modular, rapidly upgradable design philosophy.

Mike Gascoyne, chief executive at MGI Engineering, said: “SkyShark showed how a sovereign, affordable drone could deliver precision strike at scale. With TigerShark, we’ve taken that same design philosophy into the long-range domain. It combines 750km reach, a 300kg payload, using Auterion’s fully autonomous control and navigation guidance system in contested environments, giving commanders the kind of strategic strike option that was previously out of reach for many nations.”

TigerShark will make its public debut at DSEI 2025, ExCeL London, 9–12 September, where the MGI team will brief defence stakeholders on its technical performance, manufacturing roadmap and export availability.

01 Sep 25. Skana Robotics, a defense-tech company founded by veterans of naval special operations and robotics experts, is introducing the first two platforms of its new class of autonomous maritime systems: the Bull Shark (Autonomous Surface Vessel) and the Stingray (Autonomous Underwater Vessel). These platforms represent a shift toward software-defined, scalable, and operationally flexible naval assets, engineered for teaming with both manned and unmanned systems across distributed maritime operations. With initial orders already secured, Skana is entering the next phase of scaling deployment with operational partners worldwide.

Developed with a focus on mass production, flexibility, and NATO-standard integration, the new platforms are designed to extend naval presence while minimizing logistical footprint and cost. All Skana systems are designed to evolve through code and enable seamless interoperability with existing legacy fleets and allied systems.

Skana’s production methodology removes traditional barriers to naval expansion, enabling allied nations to deploy thousands of autonomous vessels without relying on shipyards or cumbersome manufacturing processes that compromise mission effectiveness. This approach redefines how maritime resilience can be achieved at scale and what a truly self-sustained force structure looks like.

The Bull Shark is a tactical ASV designed for multiple missions including ISR and interdiction. It features a scalable design, a payload capacity of up to 150 kg, and functions as a communications hub to coordinate multiple surface and sub-surface assets.

The Stingray is a loitering AUV designed for ISR, ASW, and infrastructure protection in complex underwater terrains. It supports autonomous underwater navigation, seabed anchoring, silent standby and reactivation mode. It offers a standard 24-hour battery life, extendable through battery module, and can be launched from a designated underwater docking station, submarines, patrol boats, or other Skana or Naval vessels.

At the heart of Skana’s unmanned fleet is SeaSphere™, Skana’s resource allocation and mission planning engine, and Vera™, a proprietary ROS2-based mission execution and supervision layer. Vera translates fleet-wide directives into localized autonomous actions, adapting to environmental changes in real time. This architecture enables distributed command, unmanned-unmanned collaboration, and real-time teaming with manned platforms.

“The maritime domain demands autonomy that can survive complexity, adapt instantly, and operate without compromise,” said Idan Levy, Co-Founder and CEO of Skana Robotics. “We are making advanced autonomous capabilities accessible and scalable, enabling wide deployment and synergy between systems. Our ecosystem of vessels and technologies supports real-time data sharing, modular reconfiguration, and both fully autonomous and remotely operated missions, offering navies unmatched operational resilience, adaptability, and flexibility.”

About Skana Robotics

Skana Robotics develops unmanned maritime platforms that combine real-world operational insight with advanced engineering. The company specializes in scalable, software-defined systems designed for autonomy, resilience, and integration into hybrid fleets. With its open-architecture approach, simulation environment, and proprietary SeaSphere™ and Vera™, Skana empowers modern navies to rethink how maritime power is deployed, managed, and sustained.

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 29, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

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28 Aug 25. New US Army Course Trains Soldiers to 3D Print FPV Drones. The U.S. Army is training soldiers to 3D print drone components as part of its new Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course (UALC). Headed by the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE), UALC trains military personnel in producing, maintaining, and operating small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including first-person view (FPV) drones. The three-week course seeks to accelerate America’s drone-warfare capabilities and prevent the nation from falling behind foreign adversaries like Russia and China. “This course is a catch-up,” said UALC director Captain Rachel Martin. “We’re behind globally, and this is our aggressive attempt to close that gap.” UALC aims to provide a pathway for participants to build their own unit-level drone program, scaling knowledge throughout the Army. Based at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the program trains soldiers to build and repair drone components with additive manufacturing technology. Soldiers learn to operate resin, filament, and carbon fiber 3D printers, and to design and modify parts using CAD software and STL files. UALC also plans to create a centralized file repository that students can access and use to 3D print drones after returning to their units.

“Eventually, we want students to build and test their own FPV bodies,” commented Major Wolf Amacker, who heads the AVCOE Directorate of Training and Doctrine UAS and Tactics Branch. “We’re teaching and learning from the force on what’s possible and how to sustain these systems in the field.” Lt. Veronica Jordan

U.S. Army Introduces New FPV Training Program

The U.S. Army’s new training program builds a foundation for standardized UAS use across military functions, enhancing reconnaissance, fires, and maneuver operations. Maj. Amacker said UALC’s goal is to “train the most people, the quickest, on FPV systems that are having a real impact on the battlefield.”

The program starts with classroom instruction, where soldiers develop FPV flight skills using off-the-shelf drones and simulation software. After 20-25 hours of simulation, they advance to live flight exercises at the Army’s Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) site. Here, soldiers develop fire support integration, learning how to adjust fire using drone video feeds. Currently, 28 students from across the Army are enrolled in the course, including infantry soldiers, cavalry scouts, 15W and 15E aviation personnel, and warrant officers. Many participants are reportedly self-taught hobbyists or informal drone experts. The course aims to empower soldiers to return to their units as “trainers and innovators.” Observers from the Maneuver and Fires Centers of Excellence are assessing the UALC and providing feedback for implementation. The Army also expects operational units to create their own basic qualification programs while Fort Rucker becomes the hub for advanced UAS training. Additionally. It also plans to develop a mobile training package (MTP) that will allow units to conduct basic FPV training independently. By integrating 3D printing into soldier training, the UALC will adapt its curriculum to meet evolving technological and tactical needs, ensuring U.S. forces remain at the forefront of unmanned systems employment.

“This is constantly changing,” Amacker said. “We’re building something that can grow with the force.”

U.S. Accelerates Drone 3D Printing Efforts

This new training program is part of the U.S. military’s growing adoption of additive manufacturing to enhance its drone capabilities. During Agile Spirit 25, a multinational training exercise in Eastern Europe, soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed 3D printers to build FPV drones in the field. Hawkeye Platoon, part of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, led the effort. The unit fabricated, assembled, and maintained quadcopter drones on-site, combining printed parts with off-the-shelf components to meet operational needs. Brigade-level funding supports Hawkeye Platoon’s drone operations, including the purchase of C100 drones from Performance Drone Works (PDW). Soldiers 3D print many of the other FPVs in the fleet and design custom payloads for specific battlefield needs. This field-based approach cuts both cost and production time. A recent Department of Defense press release noted that soldiers can build a drone in just a few hours for $400 to $500 each. (Source: UAS VISION/3D Printing Industry)

28 Aug 25. US Wants Shahed Drone Replicas. The US Air Force is seeking to acquire a 1:1 replica of the Shahed-136 drone that Russia deploys against Ukraine and use it for developing and enhancing countermeasures. It must replicate the form, fit, and function of the kamikaze drone, specifically a gas-powered model with a minimum range of 50 miles (80 kilometers). Having GPS-denied capabilities or radar evasion features is not required. The service intends to purchase 16 of these replicated drones, with an option to buy an additional 20 later, according to the request for information. The look-alike must weigh between 55 and 1,320 pounds (25 and 599 kilograms) and fly below 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) at speeds below 250 knots (463 kilometers/287 miles per hour). It must feature an open system architecture to integrate various payloads. Launched from a pneumatic system, the copy must be able to take off and land autonomously. Operation of the uncrewed aerial system, from setup through to cleanup, must be performed by no more than three personnel. Russia’s drone campaign against Ukraine distinctly features the Shaheds, of which Moscow increased its weekly launches from about 200 to over 1,000 since late last year to degrade Ukrainian morale and overwhelm defenses. There are numerous Shahed drone variants, but the Shahed-136 (known as Geran-2 in Russia) stands out as the low-cost, long-range loitering munition posing a prevalent threat on the battlefield. It can reportedly fly at a range of anywhere between 970 and 2,500 kilometers (602 and 1,553 miles) and operate continuously for up to 40 minutes. The Shahed-136 carries an approximately 40-kilogram (88-pound) warhead, sufficient to cause damage to fixed and high-value infrastructure, as well as slow-moving targets. Costing $20,000 to $50,000 each, the low-cost weapon has proven to be an expensive challenge for Western air defense systems and interceptors, which typically cost millions. However, Ukraine and its allies have been developing countermeasures against the “unpredictable” weapon. These include a dedicated first-person view drone, a “Shahed-killer” missile, and an AI-controlled air defense turret. (Source: UAS VISION/The Defense Post)

27 Aug 25. NVL and Kraken establish joint venture for unmanned systems. A joint venture (JV) to be called ‘NVL Kraken’ was announced on 22 August by German shipyard NVL and British company Kraken Technology Group. The JV is intended to provide market-ready, scalable, unmanned platforms of various sizes for applications such as maritime surveillance and protection of critical infrastructure, the companies said. Kraken could benefit by utilising the production facilities at NVL’s shipyard Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, in addition to its UK production facilities, to scale up manufacturing of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). NVL could benefit by incorporating Kraken’s expertise in USV development, moving towards a shipbuilding offering including collaboration between manned and unmanned systems. NVL recently invested in Kraken and has secured options to invest in a further round planned for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, with both companies saying they will invest substantially in the roll-out of the JV structure. Manufacturing is anticipated to begin as soon as Q4 2025, starting with smaller USVs before moving on to larger ones. Tim Wagner, CEO of NVL, said the fruits of the JV could include “our design concepts for the naval tender vessel NTV 130 as a drone mother ship that could succeed the six tender vessels (the Elbe class) currently operated by the German Navy”. (Source: Janes)

28 Aug 25. UK maritime innovator, ZeroUSV has deployed one of its uncrewed surface vessels (USV) to Troia, Portugal, joining NATO’s largest exercise for autonomous naval systems alongside more than 20 allied nations and global defence primes. The Plymouth-based firm has been competitively selected by the Royal Navy to send one of its 12metre “Oceanus12 class” USV’s to REPMUS_Dynamic Messenger (DYMS) 2025, a three-week exercise programme hosted by the Portuguese Navy off the Tróia Peninsula and Setúbal Bay. Exercise REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems) is a Portuguese led proving ground for maritime autonomy integrated with NATO’s Exercise Dynamic Messenger (DYMS), where navies, defence contractors and technology providers test how uncrewed and crewed fleets can operate together in live missions. ZeroUSV’s pioneering Oceanus12 platform, designed, developed and engineered at the company’s base in Plymouth, is a groundbreaking dual use (defence & civil) USV incorporating a bespoke high voltage electric-hybrid drive train, and full system redundancy not seen on this size and type of vessel before. The Oceanus12 has been designed for extended duration over the horizon autonomous operations. The level 4, fully autonomous AI-enabled vessels, each with a range of up to 2500 nautical miles, are mission agnostic but typically are used to integrate payloads such as hydrographic survey equipment through to advanced surveillance and communications systems and are designed to operate for extended periods without crew while relaying data back to ship or shore in real time. In preparation for REPMUS_DYMS, Oceanus12 has received a significant hardware and sensor upgrade package. The most obvious addition is a custom automated winch, which has been loaded with a thin line towable acoustic array from Optics11 in Holland. ZeroUSV has also rapidly designed and built a prototype sonobuoy launch system – “SOIL” (SOnor Intgrated Launch system) as a very first step in being able to demonstrate capability for launching the Royal Navy’s acoustic sonobuoys, another world first for an autonomous USV. The Ocenaus12 will be tasked with deploying the sonobuoys at the start of the daily exercises in conjunction with those from a crewed support vessel.

Teledyne’s T50 extended range deep water multibeam has been fitted to the gondola/keel and will be used to collect military bathymetric data as part of its extensive CONOPS, while the latest Navtech HD radar has been integrated into the MarineAI, Guardian software stack, increasing the situational awareness for the smallest of objects at up to one km of range. 2025 has been a breakout year for ZeroUSV, with the launch of Oceanus12 vessels one and two in the spring, the sale and purchase of vessel two to Leeway Marine in Halifax, Canada in July and with vessels three and four in advance stages of construction and scheduled for commissioning with potential customers lining up to have access to the latest USV tech. There has also been significant interest from both UK and overseas navies and commercial operators in the offshore energy sector, but REPMUS_DYMS will be the first time its technology is demonstrated directly to NATO decision-makers, and alongside vessels developed by the largest defence contractors in the world.

Matthew Ratsey, founder and managing director at ZeroUSV, said: “Deploying to REPMUS is a fantastic opportunity for us, REPMUS_DYMS provides the backdrop and opportunity for us to be able to ‘spread our wings’ and really show the world how far USV technology has developed over the past few years.

“It’s really where technology stops being talked about as theory and starts being proven at scale. Our vessel is designed to be deployed on long duration over the horizon missions without the need to put sailors’ lives at risk, we now have the chance to show that in live NATO operations.”

In looking forward to zeroUSV’s contribution, the lead planner for the underwater component of REPMUS_DYMS, Mr Ian Danbury OBE, said: “Exercises like REPMUS_DYMS bring navies, researchers and industry together to test uncrewed technology in demanding missions. The involvement of companies such as ZeroUSV ensures NATO can see how emerging systems integrate with conventional fleets and where they can add real value, this is very much the future” Zero’s vessels will remain in Portugal throughout September for integration, live exercises and the closing showcase. The 12metre vessels on board software system has been developed by autonomy software pioneers, Marine AI.

27 Aug 25. Strategic Partnership Between HAVELSAN and the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) in Autonomous UAV Production. HAVELSAN, a global provider of defense software, autonomous technologies, simulation and training systems, command and control solutions, and cybersecurity, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Egypt’s leading industrial organization, the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), for the joint production of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As part of this strategic partnership, the assembly and co-production of autonomous UAVs will be carried out. With the agreement, cost-effective and high-performance solutions tailored to the region will be delivered to meet the needs of both Egypt and the African market.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, HAVELSAN CEO Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar emphasized the importance of the cooperation with the following words: “We are very pleased to work alongside such a strong partner as AOI. This partnership will introduce autonomous UAV technologies to the region, enhance local production capacity, and enable us to enter the African market with strength. As a global brand and a strong player delivering reliable, effective, and innovative solutions, we will continue to develop advanced technologies and create added value for regional markets.”

Chairman of the Board of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) Mokhtar Abdel Latif, highlighted that HAVELSAN’s technological expertise, combined with AOI’s manufacturing capabilities will support Egypt’s defense and technology vision. Abdel Latif stated: “This cooperation is not only about production; it is also a major step towards technological independence and sustainable exports.”

With extensive experience in autonomous technologies and unmanned aerial systems, HAVELSAN has developed the BAHA, BULUT, and BOZBEY sub-cloud unmanned aerial vehicles, delivering proven solutions in the field. These capabilities not only strengthen HAVELSAN’s position in international markets but also enable the company to expand further into new geographies through new partnerships. Through the cooperation agreement signed with AOI, HAVELSAN aims to enter the Egyptian and African markets with competitive and high-performance solutions, while contributing significantly to the regional defense industry ecosystem. The agreement is also expected to strengthen industrial ties between Turkey and Egypt. With this partnership, HAVELSAN will play an important role in delivering high-tech, reliable, and cost-effective solutions across the African market. (Source: ArabianBusiness.com)

27 Aug 25. US Army Producing Second Tranche of Short-Range Reconnaissance Drones. The Army has initiated production of the second tranche of its short-range reconnaissance unmanned aircraft systems, marking a significant step forward in modernizing battlefield capabilities. The Army selected two vendors to manufacture the SRR system, which will equip the Army’s Transformation in Contact units with advanced, networked communication systems designed to address emerging threats. Initial fielding of SRR tranche one began in September 2022, and, to date, the Army has fielded over 16 brigades with this capability. Critical lessons learned and soldier feedback from tranche one were incorporated into tranche two. This strategy of integrating new technologies into future tranches will continue to provide the best UAS capabilities on an accelerated schedule. The TiC initiative is part of a broader Army effort to evaluate how personnel, tactics and technologies align to meet the demands of modern warfare. The program manager for uncrewed aircraft systems remains committed to delivering essential equipment to soldiers in time to support the Army’s strategic objectives. These systems act as force multipliers, enabling precise fires, supporting ground operations with timely intelligence and enhancing operational flexibility and agility. They use cutting-edge sensors to integrate with uncrewed vehicle control, providing real-time intelligence, reconnaissance and target acquisition, empowering commanders with the tools to make rapid and informed decisions. Additionally, SRR systems continue to improve soldier survivability by detecting threats, identifying safe routes and minimizing exposure to hazards, making them indispensable assets on the modern battlefield. The Army’s investment in SRR systems underscores its commitment to advanced technologies that improve combat effectiveness and protect soldiers in increasingly complex operational environments. (Source: U.S. DoD)

27 Aug 25. Conroy confirms LAND 156 systems integration partner. Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP has formally announced the winner of the AU$45.6 m systems integration partner contract to support the AU$1.3 bn LAND 156 counter-drone capability program. Defence Connect can officially reveal that Leidos Australia has been selected as the systems integration partner for LAND 156, in a contract worth AU$45.6m six months following the establishment of the program. As part of this contract, Leidos Australia will deliver and evolve the ADF’s Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft System capability as part of the government’s efforts to “continuously deliver” counter-drone capabilities to the ADF. This will address the increasing threat of drones in modern warfare and will support the ADF’s current and future operational requirements and enhance responsiveness to emerging drone threats.

Minister Conroy said, “This project is both a benchmark and a blueprint for how we continue to deliver speed to capability. The structure of Project LAND 156 will ensure Australia stays ahead of the evolution cycle in relation to counter-drone technology, giving the ADF the capabilities it needs.”

The overwhelming majority of the work under Project LAND 156 will be delivered by Australian companies, supporting over 160 Australian jobs and creating up to 80 new jobs. The open architecture approach to the project means more companies can be integrated in the future, providing for more opportunities for the Australian supply chain. In addition to this, the investment will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Under this project, the Australian Army will undertake an initial rapid demonstration of a minimum viable counter-drone capability by December 2025, which will include:

An Australian command and control capability – the Cortex Command and Control System, developed by Acacia Systems.
An Australian effector system, delivered by EOS Defence Systems.
An Australian sensor system, delivered by Department 13.
Additional sensor and effector systems.
Services including systems integration and capability assurance, which will be delivered in Australia by Australians.

Minister Conroy added, “Counter-drone technology is critical to keeping our ADF members safe, and that’s why the government is ensuring our soldiers, sailors and aviators are provided with the best technology to protect them.” (Source: Defence Connect)

27 Aug 25. US Navy Fighter Pilots Need to Gain Trust in Pilotless Wingmen by Actually Flying with Them. Naval aviators need to be able to trust any future drone wingmen as much as their human counterparts, a U.S. Navy strike fighter tactics instructor has told TWZ. This echoes past comments from members of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps, and is set to be a critical factor in turning the Navy’s still very nascent and evolving crewed-uncrewed teaming vision into a reality. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark “Tugboat” Jbeily talked about ‘loyal wingman’ type drones, now commonly called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), and crewed-uncrewed teaming, and how they factor into his service’s plans for future carrier air wings, with our Jamie Hunter at the Tailhook Association’s annual symposium . Jbeily is a career F/A-18 pilot and TOPGUN graduate currently assigned as an instructor to the Strike Fighter Weapons School SFWSPAC) at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. “I think, currently, we’re [the Navy] still figuring out exactly what the specific type of [CCA] platform is going to look like, how it’s going to integrate into the air wing, [and] how we’re going to use it for maximal advantage,” Jbeily explained. “But I think some common themes … are going to be consistent regardless of the specific platform, range, vendor, whatever it is. You know, the wings on your chest are a sign of trust, ultimately, right? They represent that you’ve been through an established training pipeline. You’re going to behave in a predictable manner, in a standardized manner. We can trust you with this awesome power of an F-18 or F-35,” he continued. “How do we take that concept of trust and now bring it to collaborative autonomy, or manned-unmanned teaming? How do we train to get them comfortable so, in the same way that if you and I were flying, if you were my wingman, I would know you’re going to behave in a repeatable, consistent [manner]? I can have insight on your behaviors. We can do a thorough debrief about why did you do this or why did you do that?” Jbeily added. “And the key, I think, is going to be, regardless of the specific platform, how do we build that element of trust, and how do we get folks comfortable to be able to use it in a combat scenario if we have to.” (Source: UAS VISION)

27 Aug 25. Heven and NextTech Solutions Team to Deliver Advanced UAS Solutions to US Government Market. Heven, has announced a strategic collaboration agreement with NextTech Solutions (NTS), a systems integrator and federal technology provider based in the United States. Under the agreement, Heven will serve as the primary unmanned aerial systems (UAS) partner for NTS in Group II and Group III drone platforms, supporting a broad range of defense, public safety and infrastructure missions. The two companies will work collaboratively to pursue emerging unmanned systems opportunities across local, state, and federal government agencies, offering integrated and scalable UAS solutions tailored to mission-specific requirements.

“This partnership marks a significant step in our U.S. expansion strategy,” said Bentzion Levinson, CEO of Heven. “Together with NTS, we will accelerate the delivery of next-generation aerial systems that enhance situational awareness, reduce risk, and enable faster, smarter decision-making across critical sectors.”

As part of the collaboration, the companies will seek to integrate NTS technologies such as the award-winning Edge Activation Platform MANTLE and the Integrated Dispatch Console (IDC) kit into Heven’s drone systems, enabling real-time coordination and seamless command-and-control for U.S. government end users. The partnership will also leverage NTS’s portfolio of multi-bn dollar contract vehicles such as NASA SEWP and SEAPORT NxG, to streamline procurement and enhance accessibility of advanced UAS platforms across government buyers.

“This is more than a partnership, it’s a force multiplier,” said Joseph Paull, CEO of NTS. “By combining our integration expertise and contract reach with Heven’s cutting-edge UAS technology, we’re positioning ourselves to meet the increasing demands of government agencies for reliable, interoperable aerial systems.”

The agreement supports Heven’s growing U.S. presence and underscores its commitment to deepening public-private collaborations in support of national security and emergency response missions. (Source: UAS VISION)

22 Aug 25. Cuashub.com said today that US Army to launch ‘Amazon-like’ marketplace for drone procurement. The U.S. Army is preparing to launch an online marketplace this fall that will allow units to directly purchase drones through a centralized platform designed to function like an e-commerce site. Army officials said the “Amazon-like” storefront will let commanders and procurement officers compare vetted drone options by price and performance, bypassing the Pentagon’s lengthy acquisition process. The initiative is being led by the Program Executive Office for Aviation as part of a broader effort to accelerate how unmanned systems are evaluated and fielded. ,The move comes amid mounting pressure on the Department of Defense to modernize procurement processes that critics say delay the delivery of urgently needed technologies. By streamlining access to already tested solutions, the Army aims to make drone acquisition faster and more flexible, while also creating a competitive environment for industry to meet requirements at varying cost levels. The concept mirrors Ukraine’s Brave1 Market, launched earlier this year, which allows frontline units to acquire drones, software, electronic warfare tools and other technologies directly from developers. Ukrainian officials have credited the model with speeding battlefield innovation and improving the relevance of equipment delivered to the front. The Army has not disclosed how many systems will be listed when the platform goes live but said it will focus on trusted vendors and proven technologies. The interface is expected to display performance data, cost comparisons and procurement timelines in a single view. Officials say the marketplace reflects a broader shift in U.S. defense procurement toward greater agility in areas such as unmanned systems, where technological advances are outpacing traditional acquisition timelines. https://cuashub.com/en/content/us-army-to-launch-amazon-like-marketplace-for-drone-procurement/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

22 Aug 25. Gabler and FLANQ to co-develop submarine-launched USVs. The partnership aims to deliver sub-surface deployed USVs for ISR tasks and single-use tactical missions. Gabler, a supplier of submarine systems, has entered into a strategic partnership with FLANQ to co-develop uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) intended for submarine torpedo tubes launch. This partnership aims to provide sub-surface deployed USVs for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and single-use tactical operations. These USVs are aimed at being compatible with standard submarine torpedo tubes, allowing for stealthy deployment without the need for diver intervention. The two companies will develop and manufacture both single-use and reusable models of USVs, and engage with suppliers and industrial partners across Europe. Single-use variants are intended for missions such as precision strikes, while reusable models will facilitate prolonged ISR tasks with retrieval possibilities through either the host platforms or surface resources.

FLANQ chief commercial officer and co-founder Daniel Esser said: “The development of these platforms comes at a pivotal time for European and allied naval forces. Our rapidly produced USVs with their Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) payloads from sovereign partners –paired with Gabler’s know-how in submarine engineering and operations – will help deliver persistent ISR and tactical reach at scale, speed and value.” As part of the agreement, Gabler will take charge of system integration, commercialisation, and delivery to navies across the world, while FLANQ will manage design, manufacturing, and payload integration. This joint venture aims to address the growing demand among European and NATO naval forces for autonomous systems that can operate effectively in challenging maritime scenarios. According to Gabler, submarines will be able to deploy low-cost USVs across various missions without sacrificing stealth capabilities.

Gabler business development manager Lennart Glas said: “Today’s announcement on the opening day of DALO 25 – the largest defence industry exhibition in Scandinavia – reflects our shared commitment to strengthening European and allied undersea defence capabilities at pace and cost.

“By combining FLANQ’s strengths in autonomy, sensor payloads, and rapid manufacturing with Gabler’s six decades of expertise in high-reliability submarine systems, we are fully focussed on delivering mission-specific USVs ready for in theatre testing and evaluation at the earliest opportunity.”

Earlier in August 2025, FLANQ entered a memorandum of understanding with the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) to deliver autonomous maritime capabilities. (Source: naval-technology.com)

25 Aug 25. Performance Drone WorksFactory in Alabama. PDW (Performance Drone Works) has officially opened Drone Factory 01, its new 90,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The massive facility exponentially increases PDW’s production capacity and reinforces the company’s role as a leading provider of battlefield-ready unmanned aircraft systems. Located in close proximity to the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal, PDW’s new facility will house the team delivering drones designed, engineered and manufactured in America. Purpose-built to support rapid iteration and full-rate production of the C100 multi-mission UAS and the AM-FPV attritable munition, the facility was built to meet and exceed the surging demand from U.S. and allied forces. Drone Factory 01(DF01) will bring the full production lifecycle of PDW’s products under one roof – from design and manufacturing to flight test and delivery. The new facility vastly increases the company’s build rates and output capacity, enabling the production of 350 C100s and 5,000 AM-FPVs per month.

“There is a national imperative and ethical duty to provide our warfighters and first responders with the most technologically advanced and operationally capable tools possible. This facility gives us the scale, speed, and control needed to deliver mission-critical systems ahead of the threat,” said Ryan Gury, PDW CEO and co-founder. “The ever-evolving battlefield and global threat landscape demand reliable multi-mission unmanned systems capable of rapid production at scale. Drone Factory 01 will allow us to produce these systems, deliver to operators in the field, and iterate as needed faster than ever before.”

Renowned for its modular architecture, PDW’s C100 enables interoperability with dozens of payloads to maximize reconnaissance, range, and impact. The company has received numerous contracts from the U.S. Army, including the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program and Transformation in Contact Initiative. C100 also provides mission-critical capabilities for public safety operations, closing the preparedness gap and giving front line forces an exponential edge.

“Huntsville is more than our headquarters. It’s our edge. The innovation coming out of this city is reshaping the pace of defense manufacturing,” said PDW COO and President James Slider. “We’re not reacting to demand; we’re setting the pace. This facility proves what’s possible when the right people are in the right place with the right mission.”

Huntsville’s rich history in missile production and rocketry provides a strong foundation for PDW to build the future of unmanned technology. With the establishment of DF01, PDW is introducing over 500 new jobs in the greater Huntsville area and spurring an economic impact totaling over $81m per year. The state-of-the-art facility features production at scale, materials management and robust quality engineering capabilities. It also features 99.9% pathogen reduction via Lit Thinking’s Visium Far-UVC devices, ensuring DF01 is the cleanest drone manufacturing facility in the world.

“PDW is an innovation engine for national defense and an economic catalyst for Huntsville,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “This expansion brings high-quality jobs, strengthens our advanced manufacturing sector, and reinforces Huntsville’s position as a strategic hub for defense and aerospace. We’re proud to have PDW growing here and contributing to our community’s future.”

“PDW’s new drone factory is a powerful example of Alabama’s ability to support cutting-edge manufacturing at the highest level,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “This facility in Huntsville will not only deliver critical technology to our nation’s warfighters and first responders, but it will also bring over 500 high-quality jobs and ms in economic impact to the community. Alabama is proud to stand alongside PDW as they advance innovation, strengthen our national defense and create opportunity for our people.”

“Today is the day the least number of drones will exist in the world – it’s all growth from here,” continued Gury. “We’re confident that Drone Factory 01 will be a prominent contributor to the rapid production and adoption of small UAS on a global scale for both military and public safety operations. DF01 is just the beginning of PDW’s response to the national imperative to establish American drone dominance and we look forward to DF02 and beyond.” (Source: UAS VISION/Performance Drone Works)

EOS

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 22, 2025 by

Sponsored by EOS

www.eos-aus.com

20 Aug 25. AV Delivers Initial P550 Autonomous Group 2 eVTOL Unmanned Aircraft Systems to U.S. Army for LRR Program. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced the successful delivery of its Group 2 P550™ small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) to the U.S. Army as part of the Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program to support training and operations for Transformation in Contact (TiC) brigades. This initial delivery includes multiple P550 systems along with new equipment training and training master trainers to ensure mission readiness and rapid integration into the US Army TiC Brigades and other designated units. This milestone marks a significant achievement for both the Army and the all-new P550 product line. Built from the ground up with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the P550 is designed to meet evolving warfighter requirements, enabling rapid adaptation in dynamic, contested environments with multiple payload, radio, and power options to counter emerging threats and enhance lethality. It builds on decades of AV’s UAS development and production of combat-proven systems delivered to the Department of Defense and over 50 partner nations.

“We are proud to deliver the P550 to Army units, empowering warfighters with a system that can quickly adapt to fluid combat scenarios, providing unmatched reliability and flexibility,” said Trace Stevenson, AV’s President of Autonomous Systems. “Our team remains committed to supporting the Army with seamless delivery, training, and sustainment to ensure these systems are ready when needed.”

The P550 is AV’s latest autonomous Group 2 eVTOL system, redefining battlefield adaptability with rapid deployment, advanced situational awareness, and targeting and strike capabilities. Its proven AI and autonomy enable smarter, safer operations for maneuver forces. With class-leading payload capacity up to 15 pounds, endurance of up to 5 hours on all-battery power, and a Gross Take-Off Weight (GTOW) of 55 pounds, it can be reconfigured in under five minutes without tools, including hot-swapping payloads and batteries. Its open and scalable architecture not only future proofs the P550 for continuous upgrades but also keeps pace with technological advancements at low cost and risk. The initial deliveries included comprehensive new equipment training conducted by AV’s field service representatives to ensure operators and maintainers can effectively integrate the P550 into their units. The systems were received by PM and evaluated by Master Trainers, who completed “train-the-trainer” instruction to enable rapid fielding and operational integration. AV will continue to fulfill additional orders to support the Army’s evolving operational requirements. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

21 Aug 25. PLA details UAV intelligence operations to track foreign warships. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has shown for the first time that the maritime operations of high-altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to identify and monitor foreign warships are conducted in collaboration with intelligence officers attached to air brigades. China disclosed the real-time capability in its five-part Gong Jian (Forging Ahead) documentary on the PLA, which was aired by state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) in August. In the documentary, UAVs such as the Guizhou WZ-7 Xianglong (Soaring Dragon) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Wing Loong-10 (WL-10, also known as Pterodactyl 10 or WZ-10) of a PLA Air Force (PLAAF) air brigade were shown conducting operations from at least two airbases. Janes has identified the airbases as Foshan, which is northwest of Hong Kong, and Suixi airbase in Guangdong province. Both airbases are within the PLA’s Southern Theater Command (STC). The video shows personnel of the UAV air brigade receiving a call from a higher authority ordering the UAVs to search for a “hostile warship” in a designated area because a Chinese reconnaissance satellite was unable to track the vessel. Intelligence personnel at the brigade’s intelligence centre are then shown downloading data from the WL-10. The downloaded data was sorted and analysed by an automatic identification system (AIS) allowing the intelligence personnel to determine that the seaborne “object” could be a foreign vessel, according to CCTV. (Source: Janes)

20 Aug 25. The US Navy is building a drone fleet to take on China. It’s not going well.

Summary
Software issues led to crashes, mishaps in drone boat tests
Pentagon paused an autonomy software contract with L3Harris
Navy’s key acquisition program rocked after top admiral fired

During a U.S. naval test off the California coast last month, which was designed to showcase the Pentagon’s top autonomous drone boats, one vessel stalled unexpectedly. As officials scrambled to fix a software glitch, another drone vessel smashed into the idling boat’s starboard side, vaulted over the deck, and crashed back into the water – an incident captured in videos obtained by Reuters. Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here. The previously unreported episode, which involved two vessels built by U.S. defense tech rivals Saronic and BlackSea Technologies, is one of a series of recent setbacks in the Pentagon’s push to build a fleet of autonomous vessels, according to a dozen people familiar with the program. (Source: Reuters)

20 Aug 25. Gabler, a leading provider of submarine systems, and FLANQ, a European innovator in autonomous maritime platforms, today announced a strategic partnership to co-develop and deliver a new class of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) specifically designed for submarine torpedo tube launch (TTL). The announcement was made on the opening day of DALO Industry Days 2025 – the largest defence industry exhibition in Scandinavia. This collaboration aims to deliver affordable sub-surface deployed USVs for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as single-use tactical missions – significantly enhancing the operational flexibility of European and NATO maritime forces. The USVs will be fully compatible with standard submarine torpedo tubes, enabling covert deployment without diver assistance. This capability provides a critical advantage for operations in denied, contested, or high-threat environments, where traditional surface or aerial naval assets may be compromised. Both single-use and reusable USV models will be developed and produced by the two companies, incorporating sovereign suppliers and industrial partners throughout Europe. The expendable variants are designed for one-way missions, such as precision strike, while the reusable platforms will support extended ISR missions with recovery options via host platforms or surface assets. Under the agreement, Gabler will lead system integration, commercialisation, and delivery to navies globally – building on its market leading portfolio of hoistable mast systems, submarine control technologies, and communication buoys. FLANQ will oversee design, manufacturing and payload integration – drawing on its expertise in modularity, autonomy, and scalable platform engineering. This joint initiative directly addresses the increasing demand among European and NATO naval forces for autonomous systems capable of operating in complex and contested maritime environments. By enabling submarines to deploy low-cost, mass-produceable USVs for a wide range of missions – from littoral surveillance to deep-sea reconnaissance – this solution delivers domain advantage without compromising stealth.

“Today’s announcement on the opening day of DALO 25 reflects our shared commitment to strengthening European and allied undersea defence capabilities at pace and cost,” said Lennart Glas, Business Development Manager at Gabler. “By combining FLANQ’s strengths in autonomy, sensor payloads, and rapid manufacturing with Gabler’s six decades of expertise in high-reliability submarine systems, we are fully focussed on delivering mission-specific USVs ready for in theatre testing and evaluation at the earliest opportunity.”

“The development of these platforms comes at a pivotal time for European and allied naval forces,” said Daniel Esser, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder at FLANQ. “Our rapidly produced USVs with their Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) payloads from sovereign partners – paired with Gabler’s know-how in submarine engineering and operations – will help deliver persistent ISR and tactical reach at scale, speed and value.”

18 Aug 25. China’s VTOL Jet Drone Makes Every Warship an Aircraft Carrier. In an aviation tech breakthrough that could change naval warfare, Chinese aerospace engineers have unveiled what could be the world’s first high-speed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone powered by a jet engine. The sleek, runway-independent uncrewed aircraft can be launched from the decks of ordinary warships – even in rough seas – and transition seamlessly into a fast, long-range cruise flight. The drone, representing a radical departure from conventional drone designs, was developed by a 10-year effort led by associate professors Wang Yaokun and Qiu Yuting with Beihang University, a top aviation research institute in Beijing targeted by US sanctions. This unnamed drone is reportedly a sleek design that is runway independent, unlike most drones launched at sea that require carrier decks to launch. The drone was created over ten years under the direction of associate professors Wang Yaokun and Qiu Yuting at Beihang University, a prestigious aviation research center in Beijing that was sanctioned due to its involvement in the development of military rocket systems and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs), according to the US Department of Justice.

“We’ve compared it to other mainstream VTOL drones at present. It is far superior in terms of speed,”

The drone is a significant divergence from traditional drone designs and has the potential to turn any Chinese amphibious ship, frigate, or destroyer into a mini aircraft carrier. According to publicly accessible information on Beihang University’s website, this VTOL drone project started in 2015 and went through several revisions until reaching a stable configuration in 2019. It was specifically designed to meet the Chinese navy’s need for aircraft for “non-carrier vessels,” according to a 2019 article cited by the report. The emphasis was also on the importance of “multi-drone coordination, high-speed reconnaissance, and vertical take-off and landing from destroyer decks.”

A 10-Year Effort To Make The Chinese VTOL

The drone employs a dual-system strategy: a small turbojet engine drives high-speed cruising, while small rotors positioned at the bottom generate lift during takeoff and landing, as per details mentioned in the journal. The design is unique because it incorporates a proprietary retractable fairing system, an aerodynamic cover that encloses the idle rotors when they are turned off following the switch to forward. The drone can take off from a cramped warship deck like a helicopter because its rotors are free to rotate during vertical ascent. The wings produce enough lift to maintain flight as speed rises, while the rotors progressively spin downward. The fairings then slide close over the rotor hubs, preventing airflow and lowering parasitic drag by up to 60%, according to computer fluid dynamics calculations confirmed in wind tunnel experiments. The outcome of this is a teardrop-shaped fuselage that is incredibly clean and almost identical to a pure jet drone in cruise mode, allowing for effective high-speed flight while maintaining complete VTOL capability. “It can lift off and land vertically under extreme conditions,” according to Qiu and her colleagues. The team created novel advanced composites, such as T-700-grade carbon fiber reinforced with modified resin matrices, that can be mass-produced using readily available resources at a cheap cost to handle the demanding requirements of high-speed flying and frequent vertical landings. Strong and lightweight, the airframe’s enhanced fatigue resistance is essential for carrier-like operations on rolling decks. Importantly, the design incorporates thermal shielding in regions that are subjected to the small turbojet’s exhaust, enabling localized temperatures to surpass 700 degrees Celsius (1,292 degrees Fahrenheit) without compromising the structure.

The propulsion system needs advanced control algorithms. For example, an electric rotor system allows for precise hover and landing control, while a small turbojet delivers sustained thrust for high-speed cruising. The complicated transition from rotary to fixed-wing flight was smoothly and steadily managed by control algorithms, as demonstrated by flight tests, states the paper. According to the researchers, a small drone that weighed only 45 kilograms in total easily reached 230 kilometers/hour during a test flight. However, the design does have certain compromises. For one, even though the rotor system is enclosed, it becomes a deadweight during high-speed cruising, taking up space and adding mass that lowers fuel efficiency and payload capacity. Similarly, the turbojet and its fuel lines remain inert throughout vertical flight, adding to the structural load. This means that the drone’s endurance and range are probably inferior to those of vehicles powered solely by jets, such as the Global Hawk or XQ-58A. Its modest payload makes it more appropriate for electronic warfare, pinpoint strikes using small weapons, or reconnaissance than big ordnance. (Source: UAS VISION/China Morning Post; Eurasian Times)

EOS – Bio

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 15, 2025 by

14 Aug 25. Lithuania build nine drone training centres by 2028. The project will host 15,500 thousand adults and 7,000 children will acquire drone control skills. In Lithuania, the Ministries of National Defence and Education, Science and Sports are launching a drone control and construction skills development project for the general public and schoolchildren. The first three drone training centres will open in Jonava, Tauragė and Kėdainiai in September 2025, and by 2028, another nine centers will be operating throughout Lithuania. The project will support 15,500 thousand adults and 7,000 children acquire drone control skills through the implementation of the training programme. This programme aims to strengthen public competences in the fields of drone control and engineering, while expanding civil resistance training. The training for adults will be conducted under the auspices of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union together with the Lithuanian Non-Formal Education Agency, which will also train students from grades three to 12. Programme content will be tailored to different age groups. Over the course of one school year, as many as 300 students in one region will gain drone piloting and construction skills. Ukrainians have come to familarise themselves of these types of skills with instructional courses via the Zoom video application and producing drones from small and discreet warehouses, converted barns, cellars, or even their own living rooms according to a GlobalData analyst briefing. The youngest – students in grades three to four – will be engaged in the construction and piloting of simple drones through practical experiments and games. Meanwhile, in junior high schools, students will be taught an introduction to programming and piloting first-person view (FPV) drones indoors and building from components. High school students will design and manufacture 3D drone parts, learn to construct and pilot FPV drones, and participate in regional and national competitions.

“Unmanned aerial vehicle technologies are now an integral part not only of science and industry, but also of everyday life,” noted Valdas Jankauskas, Director of the Lithuanian Non-Formal Education Agency. “We are launching this project to give the younger generation the opportunity to get to know this field from an early age.

“Such programmes develop not only technical skills, but also creativity, the ability to solve problems and a responsible attitude towards the use of technology. I am convinced that these skills will be valuable both for future engineers and for every civically active person,” he empasised.

Total investment in the project amounts to more than €3.3m ($3.8m), of which the Ministry of National Defence will allocate more than €600,000 for the establishment of the nine forthcoming centres. (Source: army-technology.com)

14 Aug 25. Mexico-US: US surveillance drone flight over México state will decrease regional tensions. On 13 August, a US Air Force drone conducted a two-hour reconnaissance flight over the Valle del Bravo/ Tejupilco area (México state). Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar García Harfuch stated that the Mexican authorities requested the US drone flight to assist in unspecified investigations. The aircraft used was a General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian. High-profile members of the Michoacán Family Cartel reportedly operate in the surveilled area. In February, US President Donald Trump designated the New Michoacán Family as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO). The drone flight comes after Trump signed a directive authorising the use of military force against Latin American cartels designated as FTOs. Although we assess that US military action in Mexico is unlikely in the short-to-medium term, the directive will likely push Mexico City to increase co-operation with Washington DC to combat cartels (see Sibylline Special Report – 24 June 2025). In the near term, Mexico’s request for US drone flights will decrease bilateral tensions. However, cartels will possibly increase attacks against civilians to protest increasing US involvement in Mexican security operations, heightening physical security risks. (Source: Sibylline)

13 Aug 25. Amid shakeup, Army plans to replace Gray Eagle and Shadow drones. After the Army Transformation Initiative shook up drone plans, the service wants a replacement for older Gray Eagles in 2028 and the Shadow in 2026, according to a service official. Soldiers inside divisions and brigades will not be left without replacements for Gray Eagle and RQ-7B Shadow drones, according to a US Army leader who says new plans to replace both are in the works. Since the service unveiled its Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) in May, questions have swirled about the path ahead for both since it halted future buys of General Atomics’ Gray Eagle drone and cancelled the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition designed to replace the now shelved Shadow fleet. Col. Nick Ryan, director of the Army Capability Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, told reporters today that plans are shaping up to acquire new drones for both echelons. The evolving plan, according to Ryan, is to keep the newer Gray Eagles, which are medium-altitude, long endurance aircraft made by General Atomics, in inventory and upgrade them, while phasing out the older variants around the fiscal 2028 timeframe. To make sure division commanders still have reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting, and acquisition drones, the Army wants to buy a new group 4 or 5 platform that doesn’t necessarily need a runway. After releasing a request for information in June 2024, Ryan now expects senior leaders to make a final requirements decision in the next two to three months so that the service can begin fielding the short takeoff and landing (STOL)/ vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a “target date” of FY28.

“What actually happens, what actually is approved, what actually is funded could play out differently,” Ryan said.

While Ryan did not discuss details of a forthcoming competition, in September 2024 another Army official told Breaking Defense that there were more than 10 responses to that RFI, and General Atomics spokesman C. Mark Brinkley has previously said his company at least is all in for a potential competition.

“We were excited to see the RFI, and happy to respond with details and plans for our Gray Eagle 25M and Gray Eagle STOL aircraft,” Brinkley wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense last year. “General Atomics envisions Gray Eagle 25M and Gray Eagle STOL as a true 1-2 punch for Army aviation moving into the future.”

As Army officials pave the path ahead for a new division-level drone, Ryan said the brigades are not being left out.

“ATI obviously stopped the Future Tactical UAS program, and then we’ve already been without a Shadow for a couple years now. So, brigades don’t have a capability at this time,” Ryan said. “[But], the requirement for a brigade to have that type of capability for an unmanned aircraft system is still valid and still exists.”

Soldiers used the more tactical Shadow, a group 3 UAS that’s smaller than a Gray Eagle, for a couple of decades for everything from reconnaissance and surveillance to targeting.

While the FTUAS program had encountered delays over the years, drone-makers Griffon and Textron were vying for the contract when the service dropped the axe on the competition. Despite the cancellation there was an “appetite” to find the right solution at a quicker clip, according to Ryan.

So, service leaders decided to lean on an already existing brigade UAS directed requirement designed to rapidly field a commercial-off-the-shelf solution instead of the FTUAS program of record.

“We reopened the competition and allowed the two vendors from FTUAS — which was Griffin and Textron — [and] allowed them to also enter that competition and compete against the other vendors,” Ryan explained.

Before the service announces the winner or winners, senior Army leaders need to sign off on the plan and ensure funding is in place. That decision could come quickly, and the service could begin buying the new drones in fiscal 2026, while it looks for future platforms to fill the brigade’s needs.

“Most likely group 3 UAS will be kind of a tranche one capability. But then we already rapidly planning to iterate,” he added. “What does tranche two look like? What does tranche three, … tranche four look like?” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

12 Aug 25. Hoverfly Technologies announces the launch of the Hoverfly NEXUS (Network Extension of Unmanned Systems) capability after its successful deployment during Tough Stump Rodeo 2025. Designed to redefine operational efficiency in modern warfare, NEXUS extends MANET radio C2 networks and the operational range of uncrewed systems, delivering next-generation situational awareness, ISR, targeting, and lethality.

Learn more about this revolutionary capability at hoverflytech.com/nexus

Hoverfly Technologies announces NEXUS – redefining the command and control of unmanned systems.

For years, Hoverfly has provided mission-critical, on-demand situational awareness for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and has secured itself as the official Variable Height Antenna (VHA) for the U.S. Army’s Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) and NETT Warrior situational awareness tools. With the introduction of NEXUS, Hoverfly goes beyond extending tactical networks and ATAK data communications—now enabling a seamless integration of unmanned platforms across land, air, and sea.

“Our tethered UAS have already become essential tools for warfighters by significantly extending MANET radio networks,” said Steve Walters, CEO of Hoverfly Technologies. “With the launch of NEXUS, we’re taking the next step, allowing warfighters to extend the range of all uncrewed systems—whether they be UASs, UGVs, or USVs, and dramatically increase capabilities for ISR and targeting at the tactical edge.”

This development aligns with the SecDef’s announcement to prioritize drone dominance and American UAS Technology. Additionally, NEXUS is not exclusive to Hoverfly products—enabling cross-platform integrations from any number of unmanned technologies. The goal is to unite multiple unmanned technologies under a single command and control network, allowing a single Warfighter to deploy Hoverfly TeUAS, recon distant areas with free-flying drones, and dispatch loitering munitions or FPV UAS with unencumbered force multiplication.

EXPONENTIAL EXTENSION

At the Tough Stump Rodeo, Hoverfly demonstrated this turnkey solution with partner Teal Drones, integrating their Black Widow™ small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) into the NEXUS ecosystem and enabling extended flight communication via Hoverfly TeUAS. This collaboration comes as Teal Drones secures the U.S. Army’s Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record.

By integrating the Black Widow™ command and control into a UXV radio module and connecting this network control directly through the Hoverfly TeUAS, operators were able to achieve range extension of three to four times the typical flight range. With developments in extended battery life for SRRs and optimized antenna configurations, Hoverfly hopes to exceed ten times the standard range for these drones.

Hoverfly continues to work with Teal and Red Cat technologies to harmonize the operation of a fleet of unmanned systems extended from Hoverfly VHAs. Other collaborators include AV, Kutta Technologies, Doodle Labs, Ghost Robotics and many of the vehicle OEMs. As they progress to a Program of Record, Hoverfly is eager to redefine robotic ecosystems and advance the U.S. Military’s goals of operational efficiency and enhanced lethality.

Key Features of Hoverfly NEXUS:

Extended Unmanned System Range: Hoverfly NEXUS empowers warfighters with universal control of uncrewed systems as a persistent and reliable relay at 200 ft. Through MANET radios or other common C2 communication networks, Hoverfly TeUAS can extend the normal ranges of uncrewed systems two to three times farther and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), extending stand-off ranges, while operators can be buttoned up in armored vehicles or in a covered position.
Mountable, Tactically Repositionable Backbone: The lightweight, modular Hoverfly tethered system can be easily mounted on manned or unmanned vehicles and vessels, backhauling critical data and providing commanders with enhanced battlefield awareness, all while remaining discrete with no RF emission.
200-Foot Elevated C2, ISR and Targeting: The NEXUS concept deploys Hoverfly TeUAS above treetops and ground clutter, enhancing situational awareness, and extending the operational range of the host system and other robotic systems on the network. The system can be deployed in 90 seconds to give a 200 ft view of the battlefield, greatly enhancing the warfighter’s capability to perform C2, ISR and targeting, giving sensor-to-shooter capability at the tactical edge.
Open Architecture Integration: MOSA compliant and built to work seamlessly with a variety of sensors, payloads, and platforms, Hoverfly’s NEXUS supports evolving military technologies and can adapt to future operational demands as a multi-mission and cross domain tactical asset.
Support for Any Manned or Unmanned Platform: Whether used with micro drones or larger robotic systems, NEXUS serves as the central link to unify and extend networks in increasingly complex battle scenarios.

SOLUTION AND PRODUCTIZATION

Hoverfly is also launching NEXUS as one of its turnkey solution packages under their new HIVE product suite (Hoverfly ISR | VHA | EW). The mission-ready package has three different configuration tiers, with a wide-array of technologies available in each tailored loadout. Potential customers can now easily acquire NEXUS with expeditious procurement through HIVE and Hoverfly’s recently granted Authority to Operate (ATO) across all DoD entities.

By enabling the continuous extension of communication networks and interlinking unmanned systems across domains, Hoverfly NEXUS ensures warfighters and their machines remain connected, agile, and informed – offering a robust new solution that supports the growing role of robotic systems on the battlefield. With its launch, Hoverfly continues to set new benchmarks for resilient network solutions, revolutionizing the reach and reliability of unmanned systems. (Source: PR Newswire)

13 Aug 25. Serco, the international provider of critical services to governments, announced today that the USX-1 Defiant, its groundbreaking prototype vessel for the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) programme, was launched by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The ceremony took place at Everett Ship Repair in Everett, Washington, signalling a pivotal moment in Serco’s future of naval architecture and autonomous operations. The USX-1 Defiant represents a radical departure from traditional ship design, conceived from the keel up with no provision or expectation for human crew. This “clean-sheet” approach aims to deliver unprecedented advantages in size, cost, at-sea reliability, hydrodynamic efficiency, and survivability, ultimately enabling a new class of highly capable and cost-effective unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Following its launch, the USX-1 Defiant will begin a multi-month at-sea demonstration of its reliability and endurance. The programme aims to validate the core NOMARS concept, paving the way for significant advancements in unmanned naval capabilities.

Anthony Kirby, Serco Group Chief Executive, said: “Defiant marks a first in naval ship design and ushers in an exciting new stage for the NOMARS programme and the US Navy. We are incredibly proud to have played our part in developing genuinely groundbreaking new capabilities for the Navy in vessel autonomy and at-sea refuelling. This watershed is the first time a ship has been designed entirely without human crew members in mind, a significant step towards the US Navy’s ambition of a fleet of USVs capable of operating in contested waters and other dangerous environments without putting the lives of human sailors at risk. With increasing geopolitical tensions driving defence spending across the globe, Serco stands ready to support navies and militaries as they expand their capabilities while safeguarding the security of citizens.”

Defence is a large and growing part of Serco’s portfolio, accounting for over 80% of our order intake in the first half of 2025. This continues our momentum in the defence sector, with successes this year including:

Three contracts with a combined value of over £1bn to provide Maritime Services to the Royal Navy
A ten-year contract worth up to £1.5bn if all options are exercised, to run the Armed Forces Recruitment Service for all UK military personnel
A $96m contract to provide technical services to modernise the US Navy’s guided missile frigates and ship systems
A $247m contract to support soldier readiness and performance within the US Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness System

11 Aug 25. European Drone Technology.

Executive summary

Drone technology is fuelling emerging risks such as the civilian ‘auditing’ of private businesses and urban exploration of critical infrastructure.
Organised crime groups (OCGs) are highly likely using drones to evade law enforcement and scale up their operations across Europe and globally.
There is currently limited evidence of terrorist adoption of drones in Europe; low-sophistication instruments such as knives and vehicles will likely remain the preferred weapons of choice.
Suspected Russian drone espionage in Germany and Chinese dominance in the civilian drone market point to the UK and Europe’s lagging counter-measures and strategic planning against evolving state-sponsored threats.
The war in Ukraine is likely providing various threat actors with the opportunity to gain valuable drone operational experience; this risk will possibly increase in a post-war scenario.

Context

Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a rapidly proliferating technology and present a plethora of opportunities, risks and threats. On the risk side, the rapid evolution of drone warfare in Ukraine is slowly but simultaneously reshaping the threat landscape in European jurisdictions that are not directly embroiled in conflict. The growth of the commercial drone sector has also significantly increased the availability of this equipment. Activists, organised crime groups (OCGs), terrorists and states are (to varying degrees) adopting drones to enhance their capabilities and expand their activities; drones represent a major ‘force multiplier’ to certain threat actors’ capabilities. Meanwhile, ongoing conflicts, particularly the Russo-Ukrainian war and hostilities in the Middle East and the Sahel, heighten the risk that military-grade drone technology and expertise will proliferate beyond the battlefield. This expansion is driving security threats due to misuse and nefarious activities, as well as presenting significant regulatory challenges for states.

In this Special Report, we assess various threat actors’ confirmed and potential use of drone technology, and how this alters the security landscape and poses new threats and risks to businesses across Europe.

(Source: Sibylline)

11 Aug 25. US Marines Test Long Range UAS for Future Operations.

The Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PMA-263) program team put Long Range Tactical (LRT) systems through their paces during a two-week technical demonstration in Chaptico, Maryland in mid-July.

Five vendors attended the event to help inform the Marine Corpsof the functions and capabilities available on the commercialmarket for the Family of Small UAS (FoSUAS). The five systems evaluated include: AeroVironment P550, Kraus-Hamdani K1000 ULE Block II, Aurora Skiron X, Edge Autonomy Stalker LRT, and Vector Longbow.

All systems are fixed wing, vertical take-off and landing Group 2 unmanned systems. In addition to basic measurements, the vendors collected performance data for ease of operation, audibility, range, and endurance while carrying the maximum payload requirement of seven pounds.

PMA-263’s FoSUAS team, in partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD) UAS test site, evaluated each system against a standard test card to determine its suitability for the MarineCorps LRT requirements. UMD’s team of evaluators are experienced drone pilots, experts in their field and some, have military service, including program director Jim Alexander.

“This is a great relationship for the University of Maryland and PMA-263,” said Alexander, who has worked with the program office for nine years for technical evaluation events like the LRT tech demonstration. “Our job is to serve as an impartial third party; but in the process, we get to learn new systems, and the Navy is able to collect a lot of data in a short amount of time.”

The Small UAS Capabilities and the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations team and PMA-263’s team attended the event and had the opportunity to engage directly with the participating vendors and to observe the flight demonstrations.

“Flight demonstration events like this are a critical market research function for the PMA and help us to validate performance data reported by vendors,” said Olivia Douglass, PMA-263 FoSUAS Integrated Product Team lead. “We would love to see all the vendors meet the requirements; it translates into options for the government and options for the end users. We want to see industry taking an interest in recognizing end user requirements and using that as a driving factor in improving their systems.”

PMA-263 will use University of Maryland UAS test site’s assessment data and observer feedback from the event to inform the program’s priorities for follow-on engineering assessments, potential for operational testing, and inclusion of new platforms within the FoSUAS programs of record. (Source: UAS VISION/NAVAIR)

11 Aug 25. New Russian Shahed-type Drones Packed with Chinese Technology. Ukrainian drone interceptor unit Posipaky has successfully shot down two new Russian Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, volunteer Serhiy Sternenko reported, publishing video footage of one of the intercepts. Ukrainian intelligence officials previously identified these drones as potential reconnaissance assets and decoy targets designed to reveal Ukrainian air defense positions or overload defense systems. The aircraft reportedly can also carry a warhead weighing up to 15 kilograms. The drone’s fuselage features a delta-wing configuration similar to the Shahed-136 but significantly smaller in dimensions. Most components used in this Russian UAV are of Chinese origin, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

“Almost half of them: flight controller with autopilot, navigation modules and antennas, air speed sensor and Pitot tube – from one Chinese company CUAV Technology, which specializes in research, development and production of system modules and applications for UAVs,”

The drone is also equipped with a Chinese copy of the Australian RFD900x data transmission module manufactured by RFDesign. Like the original sample, the Chinese product is designed for long-range data transmission up to 40 kilometers in direct line of sight, depending on the antenna. This device enables data transmission channels from the drone to its ground station or between UAVs, thereby expanding reconnaissance capabilities. The Shahed-type drone is fitted with a Chinese DLE-60 engine and electronic ignition module. The intercepts highlight ongoing Ukrainian efforts to counter evolving Russian drone technology that increasingly relies on Chinese-manufactured components for critical flight systems and communication equipment. In October 2022, CUAV Technology announced restrictions on supplying its products to both Ukraine and Russia to prevent their use in military applications. However, in 2023, Russia presented a vertical takeoff drone as an original development, which turned out to be a CUAV product available on Aliexpress. Militarnyi notes that DLE engines were previously used by Russian developers in the Gerbera and Parodiia decoy drones. KST servos have appeared in the Shahed-136 drones, V2U, aerial bomb glide kits. (Source: UAS VISION/Euromaidan)

08 Aug 25. Russia Unveils New MiS-150 Drone to Replace Failed Predecessor. Russia has introduced a new unmanned aerial vehicle, the MiS-150, a heavier and more capable version of its earlier MiS-35 drone, which reportedly failed to meet expectations on the battlefield. The original MiS-35—a hexacopter equipped with 82mm mortar rounds and PG-7 anti-tank projectiles—was widely promoted by Russian sources in 2024 as a compact strike drone, often compared to Ukraine’s “Baba Yaga” platform. However, in operational use, Russian forces reportedly employed the MiS-35 for logistical rather than combat purposes in 70% of missions, due to its limited payload capacity. In response, Russia’s MiS design bureau developed the MiS-150, a larger drone designed to carry out offensive operations. With a maximum payload capacity of 15 kilograms—up from 4.5 kilograms in the previous model—the MiS-150 is intended to deliver heavier munitions such as TM-62 anti-tank mines. For comparison, if the smaller drone had a maximum payload of 4.5 kg and a recommended one of 3.5 kg, then for the “MiS-150” it increased to 15 kg, and the range increased from 9 to 12 km. It is noted that the MyS-150 will receive the ‘Guide’ system, which allows the drone to ‘leave’ the range of electronic warfare systems. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Express; UNITED24MEDIA)

08 Aug 25. Reliable Robotics and NASA Partner to Advance Scalability of Large Remotely Piloted Aircraft Integration. Reliable Robotics has announced a new partnership with NASA under a Space Act Agreement (SAA) to support the integration of large Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). Through joint collaboration, NASA and Reliable Robotics will address emergent UAS capabilities for air cargo operations and air transportation at scale.

“The path to high-reliability uncrewed aircraft systems is through rigorous testing and validation,” said Shivanjli Sharma, Air Traffic Management – eXploration Project Manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. “This collaboration underscores both Reliable Robotics’ and NASA’s commitment to advancing autonomous aviation safety and efficiency.”

Under the SAA, Reliable will work with NASA to develop three major aircraft autonomy simulation activities: human-in-the-loop detect and avoid (DAA); lost command and control (C2) Link; and interactions as aircraft enter and depart airports. The research will assess the automation required for the safe and efficient integration of large numbers of UAS into national air space for cargo operations at scale.

“Our joint work with NASA brings us closer to a future where autonomous aircraft integrate seamlessly with, and provide safety benefits to, the national airspace system,” said Robert Rose, CEO and Co-Founder, Reliable Robotics. “By working closely with NASA’s experts and its unique simulation capabilities, we can validate techniques and procedures that will be necessary in the future to improve the safety of UAS and operation of UAS at higher densities across airspaces.”

This comprehensive collaboration will include joint research, data collection, contributions to standards development, test planning, procedures development, system integration, and both human-in-the-loop (HITL) and fast-time simulations. The partnership will facilitate crucial information exchanges between Reliable Robotics and NASA, and comes on the heels of previous joint work to conduct extensive DAA testing to validate the use of existing surveillance radars to detect and avoid aircraft, and to collect surveillance radar data as part of NASA’s broad portfolio of work on Advanced Air Mobility. Additionally, Reliable Robotics is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to demonstrate a viable, near-term, comprehensive DAA system for UAS in controlled and uncontrolled airspace, through all phases of flight, with the goal of collecting data to validate consensus standards. (Source: UAS VISION)

08 Aug 25. Redwire Announces Prototype Phase Award for US Army LRR Program, Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in space and defense technology solutions, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Edge Autonomy, has been awarded a prototype phase agreement by the U.S. Army to develop and deliver its Stalker uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for the Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program.

Under the terms of this contract, Edge Autonomy will deliver Stalker UAS equipped with advanced sensors, secure communications, autonomous mobility features, and modular payload configurations tailored to meet mission-specific requirements. These Stalker UAS are designed to enable extended surveillance and intelligence gathering operations in contested environments and will be evaluated by the Army during hands-on flight operations in the coming months.

“Redwire is proud to develop these systems to significantly bolster the U.S. Army’s ability to detect, identify, and track threats across a wide range of operational theaters,” said Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire. “Redwire understands the criticality of the LRR program, and we are committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s evolving mission needs.”

Designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the Edge Autonomy Stalker and associated components will support Army units with real-time situational awareness, extended operational reach, and improved survivability in austere and remote locations.

“Our ability to address mission needs in the field allows for reliable data that guides real-time decision making,” said Steve Adlich, President of Edge Autonomy. “Our products provide soldiers with the situational awareness they need, reduces the logistics burden on the UAS operator, and delivers actionable data to brigade level personnel”

Edge Autonomy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Redwire, specializes in delivering innovative autonomous systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions that are being used by the DoD, U.S. Federal Civilian Agencies, and allied governments. With nearly three decades of technology heritage and manufacturing expertise, Edge Autonomy’s experienced team delivers proven solutions based on real-world mission needs. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 1, 2025 by

01 Aug 25. China Shows V-BAT Knock-Off. China’s state-controlled media has announced the debut of a new domestically developed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) tail-sitter drone, showcased during a mountainous plateau disaster relief drill in Sichuan Province. The drone, which has a wingspan of 2.6 meters and stands 1.8 meters tall, is powered by a single ducted-fan engine and features a gimbal system equipped with infrared and visible light cameras. According to the South China Morning Post, the aircraft is capable of vertical take-offs and landings while delivering faster horizontal flight than conventional quadcopters. The drone is designed for rapid response missions such as disaster relief and reconnaissance. Its modular design allows operators to swap payloads based on mission needs, including cameras, sensors, and even smoke or illumination systems for signaling purposes. The system relies on CAIG’s Wenyao control platform, which incorporates artificial intelligence to automate flight planning, obstacle avoidance, and swarm operations. Observers have noted striking similarities between China’s new design and the U.S.-made V-BAT drone developed by Shield AI. Both drones share a ducted-fan tail-sitter architecture that allows vertical take-off and hover capabilities combined with efficient forward flight. However, differences in size suggest that China’s design is an adaptation rather than a direct replica.(Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)

31 Jul 25. MQ-25 Stingray Carrier-Based Unmanned Tanker Ground Testing Now Underway. Ground testing has begun on the production representative MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone for the U.S. Navy. This comes ahead of an expected first flight before the end of this year, a goal the Navy has previously said will require “a ton of work” to achieve. Manufacturer Boeing disclosed the start of ground testing of the production representative MQ-25 during a quarterly earnings call today. For years now, the company has been using a flying MQ-25 demonstrator, also known as T1, to support work on the Stingray, but that test article is not fully reflective of the production-standard configuration. Boeing announced the delivery of the first of nine pre-production MQ-25s to the Navy last year. Four of those drones will be Engineering Development Models (EMD), while the other five will be System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTAs) to be used for fatigue and other static testing work. The Navy’s plan remains to eventually acquire a total of 76 Stingrays. In its 2026 Fiscal Year budget request, the service is asking for funds to buy its first three production MQ-25s at a cost of approximately $161.51m each. The Navy is currently hoping to reach initial operational capability (IOC) with the MQ-25 in Fiscal Year 2027. When Boeing won the Navy’s Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) competition in 2018, the IOC target date was in 2024. The schedule subsequently slipped multiple times, due to technical issues and other factors, including downstream impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stingray program has also seen significant cost growth as a result. As noted, a production representative MQ-25 still has yet to fly, and the Navy itself has raised questions about the presently stated flight testing schedule.

“There’s a lot of confidence in MQ-25 and [20]25. There is a ton of work to get MQ-25 and ’25,” Navy Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, head of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), said during a panel discussion at the Navy League’s annual Sea Air Space exhibition in April. “70% of the capability that we deliver, [that] industry delivers to us, is late. So we’re pushing hard. We’re going to fly this thing [Stingray] this year,” he added at that time. “There’s a lot of work right now. A lot of tough discussions are going to have to happen over the next couple months for us to fly that thing in 2025. MQ-25 will fly this year because the airplane’s telling us it’s ready to go fly, and airplanes will tell you when they’re ready to go fly, and this one is certainly ready to do that,” Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Air Dominance at Boeing, said while speaking at the same panel as Chebi. “MQ-25 has had some challenges along the way,” he also acknowledged, but expressed further confidence in the current first flight schedule. “We have our first airplane that’s going to go fly this year over at our facility in MidAmerica [Airport outside of St. Louis, Missouri], brand new facility. We’re really excited about it, and the program is building momentum each and every day. And when we fly this airplane later this year, it will be the safest, best unmanned airplane that we’ve ever produced.”

As Gillian noted, initial flight testing is expected to occur at MidAmerica. The Navy does not presently expect to begin flight testing from an actual aircraft carrier until next year. Boeing and the Navy have previously conducted deck handling and other tests using the T1 craned aboard the Nimitz class carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), but that drone has never launched from or recovered on a flattop. Last year, George H.W. Bush also became the first Navy supercarrier to receive a dedicated drone control center. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

31 Jul 25. US Navy Demonstrates Multi-Day Solar UAS Flight. The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Skydweller Aero, recently achieved continuous solar-powered unmanned flight during a nonstop three-day test from Stennis, Mississippi. Led by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), the test of Skydweller UAS marks a significant advancement in both long-endurance solar-powered UAS technology and its potential to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

“This demonstration is a prime example of how NAWCAD partners with industry to deliver what the fleet needs,” said NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Todd Evans. “It also reflects the technical depth of our workforce and our ability to translate ideas into capability.”

The 73-hour flight proved Skydweller’s ability to maintain continuous solar-powered operation and demonstrated the feasibility of achieving a positive energy balance to power the aircraft during extended flights. It also validated the system’s communication links, autonomous real-time decision making and ability to adapt to turbulent weather.

“Integrating Skydweller into the Navy’s ISR architecture creates a layered and resilient network that maximizes the capabilities of all our assets,” says NAWCAD’s Special Purpose UAS lead Bill Macchione. “This collaborative approach ensures we have the right platform for the right mission, optimizing our resources and enhancing our overall maritime domain awareness.”

Skydweller’s strength lies in its ability to provide continuous, wide-area surveillance over extended periods, enabling more advanced systems to focus on missions that require such specialized capabilities as rapid response and advanced sensor packages. NAWCAD began experimentation with Skydweller’s solar-powered UAS capabilities in 2020 to address U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) operational challenges, including drug trafficking and border security. This technology provides continuous surveillance over vast areas, enabling the U.S. and its allies to enhance maritime security and disrupt illicit activities. NAWCAD will conduct further testing with Skydweller later this summer in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. NAWCAD’s military, civilian, and contract personnel operate test ranges, laboratories, and aircraft in support of test, evaluation, research, development, and sustainment for all Navy and Marine Corps aviation platforms. Based in Patuxent River, Maryland, NAWCAD also has major sites in St. Inigoes, Maryland; Lakehurst, New Jersey; and Orlando, Florida. (Source: UAS VISION/NAVAIR)

30 Jul 25. Merlin, a leading developer of assured, autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, today announced an agreement with Northrop Grumman to integrate the Merlin Pilot onto its next-generation testbed ecosystem, Beacon™. Unveiled in June 2025, Beacon™ is designed to accelerate the development of autonomous mission capabilities by providing an open-access environment where technology partners like Merlin can test, validate, and refine their systems in alignment with government requirements. Merlin serves as the prime contractor with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for integrating autonomy on the C-130J and is rapidly advancing its work on the KC-135. This collaboration with Northrop Grumman accelerates next-generation uncrewed systems, reduces risk, and reinforces Merlin’s platform-agnostic strategy, marking a pivotal step toward adding the Scaled Composites-built Model 437 Vanguard to its growing portfolio. Utilizing Model 437—now modified for optionally autonomous flight—Northrop Grumman is getting new mission and flight autonomy software airborne and validated faster. Merlin is providing its mission autonomy software, the Merlin Pilot, for critical testing and validation activities. Specifically, Merlin will provide engineering integration for software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing and flight test operations, contribute to test procedure and documentation development, participate in recurring planning sessions, and deploy on-site personnel for flight tests in Mojave, California.

“The demand for autonomous capabilities, especially in defense applications, is accelerating rapidly,” said Matt George, CEO and founder of Merlin. “Our collaboration with Northrop Grumman marks a major milestone in advancing mission autonomy—combining Merlin’s innovative software with the scale, rigor, and hardware expertise Northrop Grumman offers, which is needed for real-world deployment. The significance of joining the Beacon™ project is that it allows us to validate our technology on military aircraft and in mission-relevant environments, but also enables us to test and adapt new capabilities from Northrop Grumman for future Merlin efforts. We look forward to working with our partners to integrate their innovative capabilities that will accelerate the development of future autonomous platforms,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Aeronautics Systems, Northrop Grumman. “Beacon is about collaboration across industry between companies of all sizes and expertise. By providing access to the Beacon ecosystem, we’re enhancing innovation, new competition and ultimately the autonomous capabilities that industry can deliver to our customers – with unmatched speed and at scale.” (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

29 Jul 25. UK MoD teams up with British Esports to boost troops’ drone skills. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence is teaming up with the British Esports Federation to set up a military esports tournament and boost the digital and cyber skills of its armed forces personnel. The new esports collaboration will include a focus on artificial intelligence and drone operation, the MoD said in a statement on Tuesday. Improving the digital skills of military personnel will help boost U.K. war-fighting readiness, according to the ministry. The MoD cited the example of Ukraine, which produces its own drone-simulator games to improve hand-eye coordination. Ukraine has become a crucible of military drone innovation, with unmanned aerial vehicles omnipresent on the battlefield, and first-person view drones now seen as responsible for most of the Russian and Ukrainian casualties.

“We’ve learned from our Ukrainian partners about how esports can train drone operators and cyber security specialists,” Lt. Gen. Tom Copinger-Symes, deputy commander of UK Strategic Command, said in the statement. “As competition and conflict increasingly play out in cyberspace and the digital arena, these games equip our people to think, operate and innovate across both the physical and virtual worlds, developing team coordination and rapid decision-making under pressure,” Copinger-Symes said.

As well as offering entertainment during down time, gaming has seen use to train troops for decades, with the U.S. Marines playing a modified version of the game Doom as early as the 1990s. The U.S. has been leading in military use of video games, collaborating with publishers including Ubisoft and organizing its inaugural first Armed Forces Esports Championship in 2022. The U.K. recognized esports as an official military sport just over a year ago, according to the MoD. Copinger-Symes said esports “perfectly complement” the century-old use of ballgames such as rugby and football to develop teamwork, fitness and resilience. The British Esports Federation, the country’s national body for competitive video gaming, will be tasked with setting up a defense and industry esports tournament, with the first finals of the future International Defence Esports Games to be held in the U.K. in late 2026. The games will help members of the armed forces develop cyber, digital and more general military skills, according to the MoD, which said the event will initially be open to service personnel including reservists, before expanding to include cadets, veterans, civil servants and anyone working in the defense industry. The event is being supported by suppliers including BAE Systems as well as several smaller military technology companies, according to the ministry. Esports will help the armed forces attract, develop and retain cyber and digital talent, according to Al Carns, the U.K. Minister for Veterans and People.

“From drone operations to data analysis, modern defense and deterrence needs agile minds that can navigate both physical and digital battlegrounds,” Carns said. The planned games are “an exciting initiative that will help foster exactly these skills in a fun, collaborative way, and overcome many traditional boundaries between our international partners.”

The Royal Navy previously teamed up with British Esports to create an esports facility aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the MoD said.

To address additional needs for cyber-security specialists, the MoD announced a bespoke route for would-be cyber professionals and those with existing digital skills to join the force, with new-recruit basic training cut to around one month from 10 weeks, followed by three months of specialist training in the field. (Source: Defense News)

28 Jul 25. Havelsan, Türkiye shipyard CEMRE sign MoU for hybrid USVs. The partnership will first focus on finalising the ÇAKA H-USV for production. Technology company Havelsan has reached a strategic partnership with Türkiye private shipyard CEMRE to cooperate on the development of hybrid and submersible autonomous uncrewed surface vehicles. The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which encompasses the process from design and development to prototyping, production, and marketing of the vehicles. The MoU is named “Cooperation Protocol on the Design, Development, Production, and Marketing of Hybrid and Submersible Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicles” and outlines the scope of this agreement. This agreement signifies CEMRE shipyard’s inaugural venture into uncrewed military maritime platforms. The collaboration will first concentrate on finalising the ÇAKA H-USV for production, with intentions to investigate various models and adaptations in later stages. The CAKA H-USV will be equipped with Havelsan’s autonomous systems, networked capabilities, and uncrewed technologies. Designed for stealth with low detectability and quiet operation, the vehicle is capable of functioning both on the water’s surface and beneath it.

In a statement, Havelsan said: “This collaboration not only reaffirms Havelsan’s depth of expertise in autonomous systems and uncrewed naval technologies but also represents a determined step toward bringing those capabilities into operational use.”

The alliance marks “another step forward in its high-speed Kamikaze USV (KUSV) concept” for Havelsan. The KUSV concept was initially unveiled as a prototype at IDEF 2023. Earlier in July 2025, Havelsan international business development and marketing vice president Şevket Ünal remarked that the company achieved its first product export to a European Union nation last year by supplying high-tech e-maritime solutions to Romania. CEMRE shipyard is known particularly in the European market, for its environmentally friendly zero-emission and methanol-powered custom-built commercial vessels. The MoU comes after CEMRE obtained Military Shipbuilding Certification in June this year.

“This collaboration is a strategic step that brings together Cemre’s advanced engineering capabilities and production discipline with the needs of the defence industry. We are pleased to contribute to national technologies with our ability to swiftly adapt to different domains,” statement from CEMRE Shipyard read. (Source: naval-technology.com)

28 Jul 25. The German armed forces are preparing to develop long-range combat drones capable of striking targets deep in enemy territory, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Monday. Three consortia are working on concrete concepts after the Luftwaffe airforce sent a request for deep-strike drones to leading defence companies and startups, the report said. According to the report, Airbus Defence is contributing to the project alongside U.S. startup Kratos, while Germany’s Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) has teamed up with drone specialist Anduril. Munich-based startup Helsing is also involved, the report said. (Source: Reuters)

25 Jul 25. Azerbaijan displays attack reconnaissance USVs. Azerbaijan’s ‘Azersilah’ Defence Industry Holding Closed Joint Stock Company displayed two manual and autonomous one-way attack reconnaissance unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, held in Istanbul from 22 to 27 July. The larger Suqovuşan USV is 2.2 m long and 50 cm wide, with a weight of 60 kg. It has a speed of 60 km/h and a range of 20 miles (over 32 km), and can deliver an explosive charge of 10–15 kg of TNT. An ‘Azersilah’ representative told Janes on 24 July that the Suqovuşan can be controlled manually and becomes autonomous at a longer range. The version on display was equipped with smoke obscurant charges but the representative said it can alternatively carry a rotary-wing mini unmanned aerial vehicle. There are also two larger versions of the USV, with a length of 4 m and 6 m respectively. The 2.2 m-long Suqovuşan has been tested in the Caspian Sea, and the representative expected production to be launched in December for Azerbaijan. He reported interest in the USV from Africa but declined to name specific countries. The smaller Kalan mini USV is 1.5 m long and 40 cm wide. It has a speed of 30 km/h and a range of 20 miles, and can deliver an explosive charge of 5 kg of TNT. The Kalan can also be controlled manually and becomes autonomous at a longer range. It can be operated individually or in swarms. (Source: Janes)

25 Jul 25. Poland allocates USD55m for UASs and announces new Drone Centre. Poland’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) pledged USD55m for the procurement of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) for 2025 and announced the establishment of a Drone Centre at the Air Force Institute of Technology (Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych: ITWL) in Warsaw, according to a 22 July MND press release. Poland’s Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk noted the possibility of doubling the funds assigned to procurement if domestic industry can deliver on orders. The MND said it had been working on comprehensive changes in UAS provision for the Polish Armed Forces for many months, adding that the goal is to quickly saturate the military with uncrewed systems, accompanied by an appropriate training cycle. To this end Tomczyk announced the simplification of procurement procedures, intended to allow the military to purchase UASs that have been positively tested disregarding the provisions of public procurement law. He signed four agreements and one memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Polish research institutes to improve techniques and procedures in the use of UASs. As part of the agreements approximately 90 types of UASs are planned to be tested in nine armed forces units in September and October. The new Drone Centre will be used for testing and developing various types of UASs as well as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). The country’s military institutions, the armed forces, defence companies, and specialist units of the MND including the Cyberspace Defense Forces (Wojska Obrony Cyberprzestrzeni: WOC) will be able to develop unmanned systems at the new centre. The Polish Cyberspace Defence Forces will be fully operational by 2026. (Source: Janes)

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

July 25, 2025 by

24 Jul 25. REMUS 620 Validated for Torpedo Tube Deployment. A joint team from HII (NYSE: HII), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT) recently completed a major milestone in advancing the U.S. Navy Submarine Force’s initiative to launch and recover autonomous undersea vehicles from submarine torpedo tubes. A test by the joint team confirmed the compatibility of the REMUS 620 with the SAFECAP, Virginia-class submarine weapons handling and torpedo tube systems, and other critical interfaces.

“This clears the way for continued testing in advance of an in-water end-to-end launch and recovery at a U.S. Navy test fixture facility later this summer,” said Adrian Gonsalves, HII’s REMUS 620 product lead.

Rick Thornton, NUWCDIVNPT Code 459, stated, “Our team appreciated the early coordination with HII and WHOI. The REMUS 620 team arrived ready to go, and all events were executed safely and efficiently with good information exchange throughout. Much appreciate the full test team for its efforts.”

HII’s next-generation medium uncrewed underwater vehicle (MUUV) fitted with WHOI’s Yellow Moray docking technology, successfully completed a full end-to-end dry checkout of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle/Shock and Fire Enclosure Capsule (AUV/SAFECAP) “All-Up Round” (AUR) in the Virginia-class Cradle Payload Integration Facility (VCCPIF) and its Mk71 torpedo tube. This follows USS Delaware (SSN 791), built by HII, successfully completing the first-ever forward-deployed launch and recovery of a UUV via submarine torpedo tube with the Yellow Moray equipped REMUS 600 UUV.

HII is expanding the U.S. Navy’s undersea dominance and range with state-of-the-art REMUS technology and delivery.

About the REMUS UUV

The REMUS UUV family delivers critical advantages across modern naval operations and the autonomous systems have been proven to operate independently or in conjunction with crewed platforms — such as Virginia-class nuclear submarines — to extend mission range, reduce detection risk, and limit personnel exposure. The REMUS open-architecture design allows rapid payload integration, enabling mission-specific configurations and future tech insertions — key factors in maintaining operational relevance and cost efficiency over time. To date, HII has sold more than 700 REMUS vehicles to over 30 countries, including 14 NATO members. Notably, over 90% of REMUS units delivered in the past 23 years remain in service, demonstrating platform durability and lifecycle value — both critical in defense acquisition decision-making. (Source: ASD Network)

24 Jul 25. Volatus Aerospace Launches Condor XL Heavy-Lift Drone Program. Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV:FLT) (OTCQX:TAKOF) (Frankfurt: ABB), a Canadian leader in aerial intelligence and cargo solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its Condor XL heavy-lift drone program . Drawing on decades of helicopter operations experience, in-house avionics capabilities, and a renewed focus on rotorcraft-specific training, the company is introducing a next-generation platform designed to meet global demand for autonomous, heavy-lift drone solutions. The timing of this program aligns closely with recent public addresses by Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking on behalf of the Canadian government, outlining a national commitment to increased defense spending and the development of sovereign manufacturing capabilities. Volatus believes the Condor XL program directly supports these ambitions, representing a strategic investment in domestic aerospace innovation, dual-use technologies, and critical infrastructure resilience. Originally developed by Drone Delivery Canada (DDC), the Condor platform showed strong potential for remote logistics and long-range operations. The Volatus Condor XL will carry up to 180kg and travel up to 200 km. As per Lucintel market report, the global heavy lift drone market is expected to reach an estimated $1.4 bn by 2030 with a CAGR of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030. The major drivers for this market are increasing demand for aerial logistics, growing adoption of this drone in industries such as construction and infrastructure, and rising use of this technology in search and rescue operations.

“We are proud to launch the Condor XL program as a uniquely Canadian solution to a global logistics challenge,” said Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. “With our in-house team of experienced helicopter pilots, avionics engineers, and flight safety experts, we are well positioned to bring this platform to market. By merging traditional aviation expertise with advanced unmanned systems, we are driving the next wave of innovation in aerospace.”

The Condor XL initiative further cements Volatus Aerospace’s leadership in next-generation drone logistics, contributing to Canada’s defence readiness and industrial self-reliance. Flight testing is set to begin this fall, with operational deployments planned for 2026. The Condor XL program is a cornerstone of Volatus’ broader strategy to deliver autonomous heavy lift drone solutions that enhance national resilience, support Arctic sovereignty, and modernize Canadian supply chains. (Source: ASD Network)

23 Jul 25. MGI Engineering Launches Next-Gen UK-Powered Military Drone. British defence firm MGI Engineering, a company forged in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, officially unveiled SkyShark, a next-generation military drone platform designed to transform battlefield operations with speed, precision, and UK-built sovereignty. At a live showcase event hosted at Enstone Airfield in Oxfordshire on the 11 July, MGI demonstrated its SkyShark one-way effector (OWE) platform that places the company at the vanguard of tactical unmanned systems innovation.

Two variants of the Skyshark OWE platform were revealed:

SkyShark with Argive A300 Gas Turbine Engines – Developed in collaboration with Oxford-based Argive Ltd, this version brings entirely sovereign propulsion to the forefront of UK defence, offering rapid deployment and strike capability without reliance on overseas manufacturers.
SkyShark with Greenjets HS125 Electric Ducted Fan Engines – A quiet, fully electric powertrain designed for low-signature missions, highlighting the potential for efficient, cost-effective and scalable drone operations in high-risk theatres.

Compact, cost-effective and rapidly manufactured at scale, SkyShark is engineered to conduct ISR, strike, and decoy operations in GPS-denied or highly contested environments, making it a strategic asset in an era of asymmetric warfare.

Mike Gascoyne, founder and CEO at MGI Engineering, said:

“In an era of strategic instability, we believe the UK must move fast, think independently, and build smart. SkyShark is our contribution to the UK overcoming the challenge of long-range, low-cost and scalable OWEs.

“This platform is the result of British innovation firing on all cylinders, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous, operational strike capability. From propulsion to payload, everything we’ve launched today was designed, built, and tested on home soil.”

Argive, a UK microturbine and propulsion company owned by Alloyed Ltd, specialising in microturbines and other propulsion technologies, developed the high-performance gas turbine engine that powers the turbine variant of SkyShark. Their work enabled a compact, efficient, and sovereign propulsion system that delivers exceptional thrust-to-weight performance for tactical strike missions.

Rob Joles, Commercial Director at Argive, said:

“Collaborating with MGI on the SkyShark project is a clear demonstration of what can happen when two high-performance engineering cultures converge. Our advanced metal manufacturing and design technologies enabled a new generation of lightweight, efficient, and fully sovereign gas turbines that give SkyShark an unmatched tactical edge at range.”

– Greenjets, leaders in electric high-speed propulsion, partnered with MGI to create the fully electric variant of SkyShark. Designed for low-signature missions, this version combines efficient energy with military-grade performance, offering a quiet, low-signature platform ideal for ISR and strike missions in high-risk theatres.

Dr Guido Monterzino, CTO at Greenjets, said: “Our mission at Greenjets is to bring high-performance electric propulsion to the aviation world. This collaboration with MGI Engineering is a celebration of UK innovation and shows what’s possible when bold ideas meet precision execution. The electric powered SkyShark proves that tactical capability doesn’t mean compromising on cost or operational effectiveness. It’s a scalable platform for modern operations, and a glimpse of where defence aviation could be heading.” (Source: UAS VISION)

23 Jul 25. Oceanus12 sets sail for Canada as ASV Viper, marking major milestone in autonomous maritime operations. One of Zero USV’s Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel has officially left UK waters following successful trials in Plymouth, bound for Canada where it will join Leeway Marine’s operational fleet under its new name: ASV Viper. Renamed and readied for service, Viper marks a significant moment for ZeroUSV as the first vessel to be deployed internationally under its franchise model, and the first step in bringing high-endurance, over-the-horizon uncrewed capability to North America. The partnership sees Leeway Marine appointed as ZeroUSV’s first international franchisee, with exclusive rights to operate the Oceanus12 in Canada and the wider region on a charter basis. Designed from the keel up for extended autonomous missions, the Oceanus12 features a hybrid-electric twin propulsion system, advanced autonomy from AI software leaders, Marine AI, and a mission-flexible platform suitable for defence, survey, and border security operations.

Matthew Ratsey, founder of ZeroUSV, said: “We’re proud to see ASV Viper heading into service, particularly with Leeway Marine, who have deep operational experience and knowledge, making them the ideal partner to take Zero USV to North America. This is a meaningful step in our global expansion, and one that shows the increasing demand for high-performance, uncrewed platforms that don’t rely on costly ownership models.”

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leeway Marine is one of Canada’s largest offshore charter operators, with a strong presence in defence and survey markets. ASV Viper will be the first autonomous vessel of its kind in the region, opening new possibilities for persistent maritime operations without crew onboard. ZeroUSV’s model enables customers to access turnkey autonomous capability through charter, supported by its own Remote Observation Centre (ROC) – reducing complexity, time to deployment, and risk. Viper is expected to enter operational trials in Canadian waters later this summer.

17 Jul 25. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and General Atomics Integrated Intelligence, Inc. (GA-Intelligence) successfully completed a groundbreaking demonstration on July 8, integrating technologies across multiple affiliates to showcase long-range kill chain effects, including an autonomous air-to-air engagement. The flight integrated local and global sensor fusion to deliver real-time situational awareness and autonomous tasking to an airborne MQ-20 Avenger® through the Tactical Autonomy Core Ecosystem (TacACE) to close the kill chain and showcase the system’s maturity and operational readiness for the warfighter. The event featured the integration of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a fully compliant government owned autonomy implementation, and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) Command and Control (C2). The MQ-20 unmanned jet, furnished by GA-ASI, acted as a CCA surrogate in a sensor Emission Control (EMCON) environment. It was operated autonomously and controlled using distributed-edge C2 nodes powered by Optix.C2 and Omniview software. Optix.C2, a product from General Atomics-Intelligence, provided low-latency, localized C2 functionality while remaining networked to the broader operational picture, enabling real-time coordination across multiple domains.

Dr. Brian Ralston, President of GA-Intelligence, applauded the joint effort. “This demonstration illustrates the value of integrating cutting-edge and proven technologies across the GA enterprise. The Optix data platform and C2 capability enable rapid integration and experimentation to address critical DoD and IC needs.”

General Atomics successfully fused space-based sensing and tactical sensing with the C2 node during the flight, giving the aircraft access to a complete real-time threat picture for enhanced onboard autonomous decision-making. The demonstration also included live coordination of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and kinetic tasking through a unified operator interface capable of deployment in virtually any cloud environment. During the exercise, the live MQ-20 aircraft autonomously patrolled a designated Combat Air Patrol (CAP) zone, leveraging off-board sensors to demonstrate how passive collection techniques can inform autonomous platforms in real time. Four CCA surrogates — one live and three virtual — were directed by an operator to investigate multiple targets of interest. Upon identifying them as threats, the operator issued a command to initiate the BLOS engagement. The autonomous systems maneuvered into position, simulated missile launches, assessed battle damage, and returned to CAP without additional operator input.

“This demonstration represents a substantial leap in autonomy and human-machine interfaces that are critical to the warfighter in the near-peer fight,” said Michael Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI. “By integrating Optix.C2 with TacACE, we’re delivering a system that not only operates at the tactical edge but also enables rapid decision-making and execution across the battlespace. This is the future of warfare — scalable, autonomous systems that empower the warfighter to dominate at range.”

GA-ASI continues to develop and validate autonomy products that deliver scalable, collaborative aircraft behavior with minimal operator input. GA-Intelligence provided muti-sensor global fusion and engagement orchestration algorithms and interfaces. This latest milestone expands the company’s autonomy portfolio with access to a complete threat picture while advancing critical-edge C2 capabilities and intuitive operator interfaces.

14 Jul 25. Thai Air Force demonstrates home-grown “Kamikaze Drone”. On 5 July, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced it had successfully conducted a live flight and target engagement activity using a new type of locally developed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This indigenous UAV is designed to conduct precise strikes on medium-range targets whilst under the control of a remote operator. Often referred to as “kamikaze drones”, this type of weapon has seen wide-scale use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Thai UAV was developed through collaboration between the RTAF’s Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Air Force Academy, the Air Force Armaments Department and the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering. In the demonstration, the UAV was able to demonstrate a hit accuracy of better than 5m. Details on the range and endurance of the RTAF aircraft have not yet been revealed, and nor has it been given a name. However, a spokesperson stated, “National security cannot be bought with money – it must be created with your own hands. The successful test results will allow plans for the system’s local production and fielding to move forward the strengthening of Thailand’s defence and indigenous defence industry capabilities.” Launched by catapult, it is a delta-style wing design propelled by a combustion engine that drives a rear-mounted propeller. Using cameras aboard the UAV, an operator on the ground controls the aircraft using a radio link. The loitering munition is able to stay aloft searching for an appropriate target, and when one is located, the operator then flies the UAV into the target and destroys it with its high-explosive warhead. This Thai design is intended for one-way missions. UAVs form an important plan in the RTAF’s desire to modernise. Indeed, its 74-page “Thai Air Force White Paper 2024”, published on 29 February 2024, emphasised unmanned technologies. One effort under way is the RTAF-developed M Solar X solar-powered drone. Elsewhere, it stated loitering munitions would be acquired by 2026, the fruit of which is described above. Also mentioned in the white paper were medium-range unmanned combat aerial vehicles (for the FY2026-29 period), high-altitude pseudo satellites (FY2024-35), micro-/nano-UAV swarms from 2026, and weaponised tactical UAVs from 2029. (Source: AMR)

21 Jul 25. Terma Group, Denmark’s largest defense technology company, announces a new partnership with Ukrainian drone and camera manufacturer Odd Systems to co-develop a low-cost, AI-powered autonomous drone interceptor. Terma will supply its high-end sensor and situational awareness technologies to Odd Systems’ combat-proven drone platforms. The collaboration brings together the best of Western defense engineering with Ukrainian battlefield innovation. As Denmark’s largest defense company operating across air, sea, land, and space, Terma brings decades of expertise in mission-critical technologies. Terma is known for its strength in systems integration, advanced sensors, electronic warfare, and surveillance solutions. Odd Systems contributes deep experience from the frontlines of modern warfare, particularly in FPV drones and thermal camera systems. By merging these competencies, the two companies will develop a robust suite of drone interceptors capable of identifying, tracking, and autonomously neutralizing diverse aerial threats – from FPV and ISR copters (e.g., Mavic) to fixed-wing reconnaissance and long-range strike drones like the Shahed.

“We are proud to partner with Odd Systems, whose innovation and battlefield-proven platforms are a testament to the strength of Ukrainian engineering. They have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities under extreme conditions and at a pace and cost unmatched by Western manufacturers. Together, we can integrate best-in-class technology with agile, combat-adapted drone platforms to accelerate the evolution of future air combat capabilities. Collaborating with them is the smartest and most effective way forward,” said Filip Rensch-Jacobsen, Vice President at Terma.

Also at Odd Systems, the team is enthusiastic about the collaboration and the strategic value it brings.

“It is our pleasure to work with Terma, a team so professional and so dedicated to making the sky above Europe safe from any intruding drones. We look forward to developing a robust autonomous interceptor platform. Such cooperation between the teams from Ukraine and the EU are crucial for the future of European security,” said Yaroslav Azhnyuk, co-founder of Odd Systems.

As the nature of warfare changes, so too does the architecture of defense. Terma’s approach views drones not merely as weapons, but as modular platforms – similar to fighter aircraft—where mission effectiveness depends entirely on the integrated capabilities. With decades of experience delivering sensor and mission system solutions for platforms such as the F-16 and F-35, Terma now brings these same advanced technologies to drone warfare. This collaboration also underscores the importance of European defense cooperation and technological resilience. It is a step towards a more agile, secure, and interconnected defense landscape for Europe.

Terma is Hiring Drone Experts

To support this new partnership, Terma is actively expanding its workforce and seeking Europe’s leading drone technologists. Engineers and specialists who want to apply their skills in support of a free Ukraine – and contribute to the future of European and Danish security – are encouraged to join the mission.

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

July 18, 2025 by

16 Jul 25. Pentagon to Increase Low-Cost Drone Production in U.S. The Defense Department, with help from industry, will ramp up production and fielding of drones to maintain battlefield superiority.

Today at the Pentagon, 18 American-made drone prototypes were on display.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who toured the displays, said the drones that are manufactured using off-the-shelf components for rapid production are examples of disruptive thinking.

Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, said the prototypes on display went from concept to development in just an average of 18 months, a process that normally takes up to six years. The department will continue to rapidly innovate and scale up production of drones and other systems using cost, resilience, firepower and range as driving factors, which are areas DOD wants to improve upon, Michael said.

Hegseth said in a July 10, 2025, memorandum that he’s rescinding restrictive policies that hindered drone production. “Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, accounting for most of this year’s casualties in Ukraine. Our adversaries collectively produce ms of cheap drones each year,” he said, noting the U.S. military is lacking needed quantities of lethal small drones.

The secretary said there are three goals:

Prioritizing the purchase of American-made drones and parts with help from industry’s private capital;
Arming combat units with low-cost drones made by America’s world-leading engineers and artificial intelligence experts; and
Training with drones in realistic battlefield scenarios, led by leaders who are not risk averse.

President Donald J. Trump signed a June 6, 2025, executive order to speed up U.S. drone production using the latest innovative industry technologies. The president said he supports reducing regulatory uncertainty and streamlining approval and certification processes for safe and secure drone production. Also, the Federal Aviation Administration and DOD will coordinate to streamline the approval processes to expand access to airspace for conducting drone training, Trump said. (Source: U.S. DoD)

16 Jul 25. SkyShark takes flight: MGI Engineering launches next-gen military drone with sovereign propulsion. This month marks a major milestone in British defence innovation as MGI Engineering, a company forged in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, officially unveiled SkyShark, a next-generation military drone platform designed to transform battlefield operations with speed, precision, and UK-built sovereignty. At a live showcase event hosted at Enstone Airfield in Oxfordshire on the 11 July, MGI demonstrated its SkyShark one-way effector (OWE) platform that places the company at the vanguard of tactical unmanned systems innovation.

Two variants of the Skyshark OWE platform were revealed:

SkyShark with Argive A300 Gas Turbine Engines – Developed in collaboration with Oxford-based Argive Ltd, this version brings entirely sovereign propulsion to the forefront of UK defence, offering rapid deployment and strike capability without reliance on overseas manufacturers.
SkyShark with Greenjets HS125 Electric Ducted Fan Engines – A quiet, fully electric powertrain designed for low-signature missions, highlighting the potential for efficient, cost-effective and scalable drone operations in high-risk theatres.

Mike Gascoyne, founder and CEO at MGI Engineering, said: “In an era of strategic instability, we believe the UK must move fast, think independently, and build smart. SkyShark is our contribution to the UK overcoming the challenge of long-range, low-cost and scalable OWEs.

Argive, a UK business specialising in microturbines and other propulsion technologies, developed the high-performance gas turbine engine that powers the turbine variant of SkyShark. Their work enabled a compact, efficient, and sovereign propulsion system that delivers exceptional thrust-to-weight performance for tactical strike missions.

Rob Joles, Commercial Director at Argive, said: “Collaborating with MGI on the SkyShark project is a clear demonstration of what can happen when two high-performance engineering cultures converge. Our advanced metal manufacturing and design technologies enabled a new generation of lightweight, efficient, and fully sovereign gas turbines that give SkyShark an unmatched tactical edge at range.”

Greenjets, leaders in electric high-speed propulsion, partnered with MGI to create the fully electric variant of SkyShark. Designed for low-signature missions, this version combines efficient energy with military-grade performance, offering a quiet, low-signature platform ideal for ISR and strike missions in high-risk theatres.

16 Jul 25. Airbus Defence and Space and US based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) have entered into a partnership based on the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, a flight-proven UCCA (uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft), which will be equipped with an Airbus made mission system, combat ready for the German Air Force by 2029. The XQ-58A is a low observable, rail-launched drone with a maximum take-off weight of three tons. It is designed to deliver kinetic and non-kinetic effects, either in autonomous missions or employed with teaming capable fighter jets. The prototype has been in development for years and is able to travel 3,000 miles at an altitude of up to 45,000 ft. Airbus‘ mission system, through its platform-agnostic system architecture, is designed to integrate seamlessly into the Valkyrie and other existing and future platforms in the growing ecosystem of crewed and uncrewed platforms.

“In the given disruptive geopolitical context, our customers have expressed an urgent demand for both attritable and non-attritable Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The collaboration of Kratos and Airbus, based on an existing and proven UAS platform and featuring a sovereign multi-platform mission system, will deliver crucial capabilities for our warfighters in Europe before the end of the decade. This partnership will help to accelerate Europe’s ability to defend itself while fostering NATO’s transatlantic ties,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.

“We have designed the Valkyrie system to be an affordable and formidable CCA paired in collaborative fashion with manned aircraft, a team of uncrewed aircraft, or a mix of both. Based on Valkyrie’s proven flight capability, first demonstrated in 2019, and the many mission systems, autonomy systems, and mission scenarios tested with the system over time, we’re excited about our partnership with Airbus which will result again in a first to market Valkyrie variant, now “tuned” for the European mission,” said Eric DeMarco, CEO of Kratos.

16 Jul 25. Super Quiet Special Operations Drones Being Modified to Launch Smaller Drones. U.S. special operations Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) surveillance drones, which are based on a popular civilian powered glider design, are set to gain the ability to launch smaller uncrewed aerial systems. An air-launched drone capability is a huge force multiplier for the ultra-quiet LEAs, with their innocuous outward appearance, that opens up the possibility of employing them in new ways, including using them to conduct kinetic strikes. U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) portion of the Pentagon’s recently released budget request for the 2026 Fiscal Year includes an update on plans for the LEA fleet. SOCOM is not asking for any additional money for the LEA program in the upcoming fiscal cycle and is also axing work on a successor LEA UAS Next Generation drone. The plan now, instead, is to “realign previously requested FY 2025 funding from LEA UAS Next Generation aircraft development to Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) UAS Payload Prototypes and Integration to procure and integrate Air Launched Effects (ALE) payloads and a communication system upgrade to the existing LEA platform,” according to the SOCOM budget documents. In a low-intensity context, ALEs could enhance the LEA’s existing capabilities by extending its sensor reach without having to directly fly over the target area, further reducing the chance of being detected and otherwise being vulnerable to enemy action. With their discreet appearance and very quiet nature, the LEAs are already ideal platforms for persistent surveillance in permissive environments, where they can help to establish the so-called “patterns of life” of specific individuals or small groups. It’s also worth noting here that there have been a number of other ultra-quiet and long-endurance drone programs in recent years. This includes the Air Force’s Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA), a design very broadly similar to the LEA based on a commercial sport glider, and that has also been employed in operations in the Middle East and reportedly over Afghanistan. There are also efforts more tailored to operations in higher-threat environments, like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) XRQ-73A Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) project and the Air Force’s GHOST program. The XRQ-73A design evolved directly from an earlier drone called the XRQ-72A Great Horned Owl that the U.S. Intelligence Community developed in cooperation with the Air Force. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

14 Jul 25. Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in aerospace and defense technology solutions, today announced that the Stalker uncrewed aerial system (UAS), developed by Redwire’s wholly owned subsidiary Edge Autonomy, has been granted an Authority to Operate (ATO) and is now on the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS List. The DIU Blue List contains technology vetted and approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) authority for universal use across government agencies. Drones on the DIU Blue List are subject to rigorous testing to ensure they meet stringent cybersecurity, NDAA-compliance, and operational requirements. This process ensures that the necessary technology is in place to maintain and promote national security while addressing operational challenges at speed and scale.

“The Blue List selection is an important recognition that streamlines Redwire’s ability to deliver combat-proven, commercially developed UAS technology at scale to meet the Department of Defense’s evolving mission needs,” said Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire. “As the White House looks to advance the domestic commercialization of UAS technologies at scale and ramp up domestic production, Redwire is positioned at the forefront of strengthening our nation’s drone industrial base and delivering unmatched capabilities to the U.S. warfighter.

Edge Autonomy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Redwire, specializes in delivering innovative autonomous systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions that are being used by the DoD, U.S. Federal Civilian Agencies, and allied governments. With nearly four decades of technology heritage and manufacturing expertise, Edge Autonomy’s experienced team delivers proven solutions based on real-world mission needs.

“We recently had the honor of participating in the DIU Blue fly-off to add our advanced Group 2 Stalker UAS to the Blue UAS Cleared List” said Steve Adlich, President of Edge Autonomy. “This milestone creates opportunities for larger and more complex Group 2 UAS and highlights the trust that the U.S. Government has in our technology. The Stalker system is a field-proven aircraft with hundreds of thousands of flight hours across six continents. It is designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), which has enabled us to work alongside our customers to ensure each system can integrate the third-party sensors and advanced technology required to rapidly evolve operations to meet emerging mission needs around the world.”

With nearly two decades of flight operations around the world, the Stalker UAS is a secure, battle-proven solution for ISR missions in all environments. The addition of the Stalker UAS to the DIU Blue list will enable more government agencies and operational units to gain access to this cutting-edge system. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

15 Jul 25. UK Royal Navy Tests Malloy Drone for Maritime Logistics on HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier. The UK Royal Navy has launched a significant new phase in unmanned systems integration by testing the Malloy Aeronautics Heavy Lift Drone aboard the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales as part of the UK’s 2025 Carrier Strike Group deployment, Operation Highmast. On July 9, 2025, members of the 700X Naval Air Squadron conducted test flights of the heavy-lift drone from the carrier’s flight deck, marking a pivotal moment in the British Royal Navy’s pursuit of autonomous aerial logistics in maritime warfare. This initiative represents a forward-looking effort to reduce operational risk, expand logistical reach, and increase combat effectiveness in dispersed naval operations across the globe. The 700X Naval Air Squadron is the British Royal Navy’s specialist unit for the experimentation, testing, and deployment of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) within maritime environments. Operating under the Fleet Air Arm, the squadron is tasked with introducing next-generation unmanned capabilities into the fleet. It serves as the core testbed for autonomous aviation technologies and has become the driving force behind the British Royal Navy’s ambition to modernize its logistics and surveillance infrastructure with drone systems suited for both shipboard and littoral operations. The Malloy Aeronautics Heavy Lift Drone, currently undergoing trials, is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle designed for rapid and robust logistic support missions. Manufactured in the United Kingdom, the drone has a payload capacity exceeding 180 kilograms and is capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous operation over distances of up to 70 kilometers. Built with an electric propulsion system, it offers a reduced thermal and acoustic signature—key advantages in modern maritime and amphibious warfare environments where stealth and survivability are critical. The drone’s modular architecture allows rapid reconfiguration for varied mission profiles, including emergency resupply, casualty evacuation support, or delivery of precision equipment to frontline units. The British Royal Navy aims to utilize such heavy-lift drone platforms to significantly enhance its tactical logistics capacity during high-intensity operations. In scenarios where helicopters may be at risk from enemy fire or where manned resupply is inefficient or impractical, these drones can deliver critical supplies between ships, to forces ashore, or directly to dispersed units operating beyond traditional logistic reach. This capability is particularly relevant during amphibious operations, contested landings, and extended missions in denied or degraded environments. The trials aboard HMS Prince of Wales demonstrate the operational feasibility of deploying unmanned heavy-lift drones from aircraft carriers under real-world conditions, including turbulent wind decks, saltwater exposure, and dynamic mission requirements. These tests are being conducted during Operation Highmast, the British Royal Navy’s major 2025 deployment that brings together warships, aircraft, and military personnel from over a dozen allied nations for a series of strategic exercises across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific. The operation involves more than 4,500 British military personnel, including 2,500 British Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines, nearly 600 Royal Air Force personnel, and 900 soldiers from the British Army. The deployment reinforces the United Kingdom’s defense commitments in global maritime regions and serves as a live platform for demonstrating emerging capabilities. Malloy Aeronautics, a British defense technology firm based in Berkshire, has developed the Heavy Lift Drone as part of its portfolio of autonomous air systems designed to meet NATO and UK Ministry of Defence requirements for operational flexibility and sustainability. The company’s collaboration with the British Royal Navy in these trials reflects a broader defense industry trend toward rapid integration of autonomous systems that reduce logistical vulnerabilities while enhancing mission tempo and resilience. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)

07 Jul 25. Volatus Aerospace delivers ~$1.8m in tactical ISR drones to NATO Country. Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV:FLT) (OTCQX:TAKOF) has delivered a fleet of tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drone systems to a partner in NATO member country. The transaction, valued at approximately C$1.85 m, was just completed, with all systems now fully delivered and operational. The contract is expected to be fulfilled at gross margins consistent with the Company’s standard defense equipment supply. The delivered drone systems are lightweight, tactical, unmanned aircraft equipped with both thermal and visual sensors, enabling all-weather day/night operations. Optimized for short-range reconnaissance, the systems enhance frontline situational awareness and are well-suited for rapid deployment in dynamic operational environments. (Source: Satnews)

04 Jul 25. Leidos launches Sea Archer small unmanned surface vessels. Defence technology firm Leidos has revealed its newest uncrewed surface vessel (USV), the Sea Archer, a compact, diesel-powered maritime platform that blends affordability, range and firepower with cutting-edge autonomy, all in a trailer transportable package. Capable of reaching speeds up to 40 knots and executing sharp 180-degree turns, the 11-metre craft can be launched from a standard boat trailer and towed by a utility vehicle. It carries over 900 kilograms of enclosed payload, boasts an operational range of over 2,400 kilometres, and most notably, operates with no crew on board. Yet despite these civilian-friendly features – including the ability to refuel at ordinary petrol stations and marinas – Sea Archer is anything but a recreational vessel.

“This is a purpose-built operational tool for the warfighter,” said Drew Mutch, Leidos’ USV program manager. “It combines proven marine design, advanced autonomy and scalable payload capability in a highly deployable and cost-effective platform.”

Backed entirely by internal research and development investment, Sea Archer was developed in under a year by Leidos’ naval architecture division. The tight timeline didn’t leave much room for error, especially given the demanding design brief: the vessel needed to be rugged, scalable, low-maintenance, diesel-powered and simple enough to be manufactured at virtually any commercial boatyard. Most notably, it had to be capable of operating as part of a swarm – a lesson drawn directly from the battlefield in Ukraine, where low-cost, expendable uncrewed vessels have proven their worth against high-end naval assets.

“A vessel like Sea Archer can make a massive difference,” Mutch said. “A single ship can be sunk, but you can’t shoot down a swarm.”

At the heart of the Sea Archer is Leidos’ proprietary LAVA (Leidos Autonomous Vessel Architecture) system, previously proven aboard the larger Sea Hunter and Seahawk platforms. LAVA enables fully autonomous navigation, operations and coordination, and has now been integrated into 12 different USV designs within Leidos’ stable.

Chuck Fralick, chief technology officer for Leidos’ sea systems, described Sea Archer as “a compact but powerful extension of our autonomous naval capabilities.”

“This is the same technology that’s already demonstrated record-setting endurance missions across the Pacific with no crew aboard. We’ve miniaturised and refined it for a new class of operations.”

The Sea Archer’s fuel fraction – around one-third of its total weight – is unusually high for a vessel of its size, giving it impressive endurance without compromising payload or stability. Its stealthy shape and radar-reducing materials offer further tactical value, especially in contested environments. Twin diesel outboards deliver speed, agility and ease of maintenance – with logistics simplified by the use of NATO-standard fuel and the ability to fit within ISO shipping containers. The next milestone for Sea Archer will be live mission demonstrations, expected later this year. These will test a variety of operational payloads, including electronic warfare, kinetic strike and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities. Leidos plans to begin limited-rate production shortly thereafter, with a goal of manufacturing up to 10 vessels per month. With the US Navy and its allies – including Australia – increasingly embracing autonomous platforms to enhance operational reach and survivability, Leidos is confident that Sea Archer represents a critical step towards a more distributed, resilient maritime force.

“This is exactly the kind of small, agile and mass-producible USV future navies will need,” Mutch said. “It offers a leap in performance, flexibility and affordability – all wrapped in a war-ready package.” (Source: Defence Connect)

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

July 11, 2025 by

10 Jul 25. Hegseth calls for extensive reforms to Pentagon drone-buying practices. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday announced sweeping changes to the way the Pentagon buys and fields uncrewed air systems, or UAS, with a goal of establishing “UAS domain dominance” by 2027. Hegseth announced the policy changes in a video recorded on the Pentagon’s front lawn. With Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” playing in the background, a quadcopter delivered a memo announcing the policy changes, which Hegseth then signed.

“While our adversaries have produced millions of cheap drones, before us we were mired in bureaucratic red tape,” he said in the video, which he posted from his official X account. “Not anymore.”

The memo lists three broad goals: bolstering the U.S. drone manufacturing base, delivering thousands of low-cost systems to military units over the next few years and integrating drone operations into training programs.

“Next year I expect to see this capability integrated into all relevant combat training, including force-on-force drone wars,” Hegseth wrote in the memo.

The announcement builds on a June 6 White House executive order that calls for normalizing drone operations and integration into the national airspace as well as investment in production and emerging technologies across commercial, civil and national security sectors. Specifically, Hegseth’s expansive memo rescinds past policies established by the Defense Department in 2021 and 2022 that provide guidance for implementing congressional mandates that restrict the U.S. military from buying drones and components produced by Chinese companies. It gives procurement authority to combat units to buy, test and train with small UAS that comply with statute and encourages “local innovation” like 3D printing parts. The memo also references a Defense Innovation Unit-led effort called Blue UAS — established in 2020 as a process for certifying commercial drones for military use. According to the memo, DIU will now work with the Defense Contract Management Agency to scale its “Blue List,” an inventory of compliant drones.

“The Blue List will be dynamic, retaining all previous component and supply chain findings, and including updated performance evaluations from testing and key lessons learned from training,” the memo states.

The document says that DOD has failed to field UAS at speed and in the numbers that the modern battlefield requires. It calls for department-wide reforms to how the military services buy drones and directs the secretaries of each department to “modify or delete” any policies that overregulate testing, training, procurement and fielding. Further, it directs the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps to each create active duty formations by September, built for the sole purpose of scaling the use of small drones across DOD — with initial systems delivered to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command by 2026. The services must also create and resource “unsubordinated program offices” focused entirely on rapidly acquiring drones. The memo also tasks them to identify, by September, any existing programs whose requirements would be better met by uncrewed systems. The services will be required to detail improves they’ve made to acquisition processes as part of their fiscal 2027 budget submissions.

Hegseth also tasks the Department of Government Efficiency and the Office of Strategic Capital with presenting financing options — like direct loans or advance purchase commitments — to inject funding into the U.S. drone industrial base.

“Our adversaries have a head start in small UAS, but we will perform a technological leapfrog and establish small UAS domain dominance by the end of 2027,” Hegseth wrote. “We will accomplish this urgent goal by combining the Nation’s best qualities, including risk-taking. Senior officers must set the tone. Accelerating this critical battlefield technology requires a Department of War culture.” (Source: Defense News)

09 Jul 25. Helsing to open UK’s first Resilience Factory in Plymouth. Helsing will provide allied navies with AI-powered miniature submarines to protect underwater infrastructure. Defence technology company Helsing has disclosed plans to open a Resilience Factory in Plymouth, UK this year as part of a £350m ($475.95m) Trinity House investment. This move is expected to generate high-value employment opportunities and position Plymouth as a key player in marine autonomy. The planned facility in Plymouth will be dedicated to producing autonomous underwater miniature submarines. These submarines, powered by AI, are intended for continuous maritime surveillance and for safeguarding vital subsea infrastructure. In a LinkedIn post, Helsing said: “The first UK Resilience Factory is planned to produce SG-1 Fathom in the National Centre for Marine Autonomy.” In May 2025, Helsing unveiled its Lura software platform and SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater gliders. Helsing UK managing director Ned Baker said: “Helsing supports the Government’s ambitions for our defences and economy. We are investing in both by opening the first UK Resilience Factory and accelerating our £350m commitment.

“We have confidence in the Government’s commitment to new technological solutions for defence. Together, we can attract further private investment, equipping our armed forces and growing the economy.”

The development coincides with the release of the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce’s recommendations, a collaborative effort between the government and the defence industry aimed at capitalising on the economic opportunities within the UK’s defence sector. The taskforce has outlined a “Team UK” approach that focuses on fostering innovation, attracting private investment, and creating jobs, particularly in the realm of high-value defence technologies.

“The new era of threats demands a new era for defence and security,” stated Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.

She highlighted the government’s commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027. Reeves noted that initiatives like Helsing’s Resilience Factory align with their ‘Plan for Change’ to unlock economic potential in the defence sector while securing the nation. The Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce has put forth proposals for ‘Defence Growth Deals’ designed to stimulate investment beyond traditional defence strongholds. UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said: “I welcome the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce’s report which recognises how we can boost high-skilled jobs across the country and grow our economy while strengthening our frontline forces.” The Taskforce, jointly led by the Chancellor and Defence Secretary, with support from the Confederation of British Industry and consultancy Oliver Wyman, has further recommended procurement reforms, export support, and enhanced backing for dual-use technologies. These recommendations will form part of a comprehensive Defence Industrial Strategy expected to be unveiled later in 2025. (Source: naval-technology.com)

08 Jul 25. British Army in talks to buy killer drones from Silicon Valley start-up. Fleet of AI-powered drones could be fast-tracked into service as part push to make Britain war-ready.The British Army is in talks with a Silicon Valley drone maker about rushing a fleet of autonomous helicopters into service as military chiefs prepare to fight a war in as little as two years. The advanced robots – manufactured by American start-up Anduril – would be put under the command of the Army’s manned Apache gunships, allowing them to be sent ahead to carry out dangerous tasks such as reconnaissance, missile strikes or force protection. Under early proposals discussed by Anduril and military officials, the company said the machines and their software could be developed and manufactured in just three years. They would be the anchor product of a major drone factory the company is looking at building in the UK. Anduril’s design would also aim to use common electrical components that would be easier to obtain during a conflict than specialist parts.

Richard Drake, head of Anduril UK, said: “This would mean you can run an Apache with crew in it, alongside maybe four or five of our uncrewed helicopters. They could go further forward into the battle while the Apache and its people remain further away from danger, so you are increasing lethality while keeping people safer at the same time.”

War-ready

The proposal is being considered as part of plans to “triple” the Army’s lethality by the end of this decade under Gen Sir Roland Walker, the chief of the general staff. (Source: Daily Telegraph)

02 Jul 25. USAF F-16, F-15 pilots in human-machine teaming demo. This exercise marks an advancement in incorporating autonomous collaborative platforms into combat operations. The event saw USAF pilots flying an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle successfully controlling two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones each in a simulated air combat scenario. The XQ-58A Valkyrie is an uncrewed aerial vehicle characterised by its high speed, extended range, and cost-efficiency. It is part of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology portfolio. The demonstration highlighted the real-time coordination between crewed fighters and semi-autonomous systems. It emphasises the potential for autonomous collaborative platforms (ACPs) to work alongside crewed aircraft, potentially reducing pilot workload and increasing combat efficiency and situational awareness. The exercise was supported by the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve programme. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

July 4, 2025 by

03 Jul 25. ‘Made-in-America’ drone maker Neros awaits its big Pentagon break. When Neros Technologies was founded in 2023, there wasn’t much demand in the U.S. military for small, first-person-view drones.

“It took us a while to find the right customers and end users who were excited about the technology and wanted to move very quickly,” Soren Monroe-Anderson, Neros CEO and co-founder, told Defense News during a recent Defense Innovation Unit test event here.

But the company believed strongly there was military utility for small, cheap, attack drones — a reality playing out daily on the battlefield in Ukraine. So, in the firm’s early days, Monroe-Anderson and others traveled to the war-torn country to better understand how the systems were being used and what capabilities were needed. Those visits helped sharpen the company’s focus in three areas: production, supply chain and rapid iteration, said Monroe-Anderson, a 22-year-old professional drone racer and hobbyist turned weapons-maker. Neros worked quickly to raise the private capital it needed to build a 15,000 square foot facility in Los Angeles from funders like Peter Thiel and Sequoia Capital. It scoured its supply chain for alternatives to Chinese components. And it continuously upgraded its systems based on lessons it was seeing in Ukraine, where it has since established an office. That early work is starting to yield results for the firm. In February, Neros won a contract from the International Drone Coalition to provide 6,000 drones to Ukraine over six months. The IDC was formed to help fuel the country’s drone supply — factories in Ukraine produced more than 2.2 million drones in 2024 — and the contract is among the largest known awards to a U.S. supplier. Neros is now building about 1,500 of its Archer drones per month, an 8-inch quadcopter that has a range of over 12 miles and can carry a 4.5 lb. payload. Two-thirds of those systems go to Ukraine and the remaining 500 to the U.S. military, including the Marine Corps, Army and U.S. Special Operations Command, Monroe-Anderson said. The company is currently one of two FPV companies on DIU’s list of firms whose drones meet DOD’s supply chain requirements, which prohibit the use of Chinese suppliers for key components. Last December, Neros was placed on a list of 13 U.S. defense companies sanctioned by China. The firm called the move “a badge of honor.” Monroe-Anderson said Neros wants to increase its production capacity to 10,000 drones monthly by the end of this year. Its longer-term vision is to build a factory that can produce one million drones per year with the U.S. Defense Department as its primary customer. It’s a target that Monroe-Anderson says is “absolutely required” for the U.S. to defend itself in future wars.

“Even if the government right now isn’t handing out a contract for a million drones a year, we know that’s what the country needs,” he said. “That’s what we believe as a company, that’s what our investors believe.”

The Pentagon in recent years has made a rhetorical push to increase its inventory of low-cost, throwaway drones, but has struggled to restructure its acquisition and funding processes and realign priorities within the military services to follow through on its claims. In 2023, the department launched a program called Replicator to address the challenge, pledging to field thousands of drones by August of this year and create a repeatable process for scaling innovation in the department. The results of that effort are due next month, and while DOD leaders say it is meeting its target, experts say the numbers it’s aiming for are much lower than what the department actually needs. Trent Emeneker, who oversees several DIU autonomy efforts, said demand in DOD is growing for FPV drones similar to what Neros is building. The challenge is matching that demand, which is largely flowing from troops on the ground, with resources and programmatic support.

“There is enormous demand, but that demand is not backed up by funding and it’s not backed up by the program offices,” he told Defense News.

Monroe-Anderson said that as a company trying to sell to the department, he’s seen a significant posture shift in the last year. In fact, he called today’s demand “pretty aggressive” compared to Neros’ early days.

“We’ve gone from having conversations where we’re sort of trying to do the convincing to now we’re just constantly getting cold outreach asking us about our systems, asking if we can train soldiers on FPV drones,” Monroe-Anderson said. “It’s basically gone from nothing to some of our customers doing live-fire demonstrations to senior leaders in 12 months, which is a really, really fast timeline.”

While the company may not have a contract in hand that requires a major production ramp up, Monroe-Anderson said its strategy is to be ready to fulfill higher orders when that time comes. That applies to the near-term expansion to 10,000 systems per month and the longer-term push for one million annually, which he noted will require a revamp of the company’s entire manufacturing approach.

“Availability is one of the most critical things here,” he said. “I think the companies who are going to win in this space are the ones who are able to ramp production capacity very quickly. Part of that looks like actually just proving it out to ourselves so we can go to our customers with something we believe in versus just overpromising and underdelivering.” (Source: Defense News)

03 Jul 25. Ukraine, UK create joint venture to pitch Raybird UAS for British military requirements. Ukraine and the United Kingdom have launched a joint venture (JV) to offer the Raybird unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for British military requirements. Ukrainian manufacturer Skyeton International has been joined by UK partner Prevail Partners in the JV, which was announced in a joint communique on 2 July.

“The partnership between Skyeton and Prevail combines Ukrainian drone innovation with British expertise in battlefield integration to scale up volume manufacturing,” the statement said. “[The] new UK-Ukraine joint venture reflects President Volodymyr Zelensky and [Prime Minister] Sir Keir Starmer’s drone collaboration ambition.”

A representative of the JV told Janes that the key message is that Skyeton’s proven technology, which has been 19 years in the making and which is typically iterated 40 times a year to contend with conflict challenges, is now to be harnessed with the scale manufacturing capabilities of Prevail Partners in the UK. This is in line with the UK’s recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR) published on 2 June, which expressed the desire for its military to undertake agile, war-validated procurements. The Raybird is billed by the JV as being a cost-effective and readily deployable NATO Class 1 UAS delivering “best-in-class” performance. First showcased at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition in Paris, where it was referred to as the Raybird-3/ Aircraft Industrial Company Skyeton (AICS)-3, the Raybird is a multirole UAS that delivers a 28 h endurance at altitudes up to 11,483 ft. Other performance parameters include a maximum take-off weight of 23 kg, a maximum payload of 5 kg, and a cruise speed of 110 km/h. (Source: Janes)

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

June 27, 2025 by

26 Jun 25. AV’s Wildcat Reaches Key Milestones in DARPA’s ANCILLARY Program’s EVADE Demonstration. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) announced today that its Wildcat uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) has achieved a series of development milestones in support of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration (EVADE). Wildcat has successfully completed VTOL-to-forward-flight transitions, validated its core flight and propulsion systems, and begun integrating critical mission payloads—demonstrating rapid progress toward an operationally relevant capability. Wildcat is a Group 3, tail-sitting vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for launch and recovery from ship decks in denied and distributed maritime environments. Its compact footprint, autonomous launch and recovery, and robust flight performance across high sea states make it a flexible and scalable solution for contested littoral operations.

“Wildcat reflects the spirit of MacCready Works – breakthrough thinking, accelerated timelines, and deep mission alignment,” said Chris Fisher, AV’s vice president of MacCready Works Novel Systems. “In a matter of weeks, we’ve gone from system integration to full forward flight transitions, all while validating key subsystems. This is what innovation at operational speed looks like.”

Within this fast-paced program, innovations include a new Visual Precision Landing System (VPLS), an AVACORE™-enabled integration of Government Furnished Software and testing of a new modular autopilot and AI compute module all of which feed back into AV’s existing product lines including the JUMP® 20-X, P550™, and others. Recent flight testing included the expansion of Wildcat’s hover envelope and the first successful transitions to forward flight using the full-scale test platform. Key systems—such as a heavy fuel propulsion system, fuel, and flight control—were validated in both hover and level flight, with aerodynamic performance confirmed across a range of airspeeds and flight profiles. These results reflect the maturity of the design and the pace of advancement within the EVADE framework. The EVADE initiative accelerates DARPA’s AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program Phase 2 plan, which the agency initially projected to conduct flight testing in late 2026. AV is now integrating mission-critical payloads that will enable Wildcat to support ISR, communications, and other tactical effects from a single, modular platform. In the next phase of flight tests Wildcat will perform simulated maritime missions—transitioning between hover and forward flight while executing payload-driven tasking in representative operational scenarios. Designed and developed by MacCready Works, AV’s advanced development team, Wildcat embodies the company’s commitment to solving the hardest challenges in autonomy, edge operations, and next-generation air dominance. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

27 Jun 25. Auterion and Taiwan’s NCSIST Announce Strategic Partnership to Power Next-Generation Defence Drones. Auterion, the defence technology company behind a leading open-source autonomy ecosystem, has announced its strategic partnership with Taiwan’s main defense prime, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). This first international agreement that NCSIST entered into with a defence technology company marks a significant milestone in advancing Taiwan’s autonomous drone capabilities across air, maritime, and land domains. The partnership will see AuterionOS, the company’s operating system for unmanned systems, and Nemesis, Auterion’s AI-powered drone swarming platform, integrated into a new generation of UxV developed by NCSIST and Taiwan’s growing network of defense manufacturers. Both organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to a shared roadmap that includes scaling toward the deployment of hundreds of thousands of autonomous drones in the coming years. This collaboration is a strategic component of Taiwan’s national drone initiative and a major step forward in enhancing its deterrence and resilience through distributed and intelligent unmanned systems. This signing ceremony is happening during the large drone boat exercise that NCSIST hosts on June 17th, 2025, and in which NCSIST drones and industry partner products as well as Auterion will participate.

“NCSIST is partnering with Auterion because of its deep operational experience and proven capability powering unmanned systems across air, land, and sea,” said Admiral Shi-Chiang Lee, President of NCSIST. “Auterion’s battle-tested technology provides the autonomy, security, and flexibility Taiwan needs to rapidly scale a sovereign drone ecosystem.”

Auterion’s CEO, Lorenz Meier, emphasized the significance of the alliance: “NCSIST is the cornerstone of Taiwan’s defense industrial base, and we are proud to be contributing advanced autonomy solutions to help defend democracy. This partnership shows the power of open architectures and international collaboration in enabling a resilient, multi- domain defense strategy.” Auterion’s technology is trusted by militaries worldwide and supports a broad range of mission-critical capabilities including autonomous navigation, real-time mission coordination, and distributed AI for drone swarming. By integrating with NCSIST’s platforms, AuterionOS and Nemesis will provide Taiwan with the ability to deploy autonomous systems at scale – fast, flexibly, and with proven software at their core. This partnership highlights a growing trend in global defence collaboration, where agile technology firms and national institutions work together to accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge defence solutions. (Source: UAS VISION)

27 Jun 25. Chinese Military Robotics Lab Creates Mosquito-Sized Microdrone for Covert Operations. A robotics laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in central China’s Hunan province has developed a mosquito-sized drone for covert military operations. NUDT researchers showed their work on various types of robots – from humanoid machines to tiny drones barely visible to the eye – in a report aired on CCTV 7, China Central Television’s military channel, on the weekend.

“Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield,”

The drone also has three hair-thin “legs” that could be used for perching or landing. Dinky drones of this kind could likely be used in urban combat, search and rescue, or electronic surveillance. (Source: UAS VISION/South China Morning Post)

25 Jun 25. Imminent Release of a Military-grade Version of Underwater Drone “Scout.” Delft-based start-up Lobster Robotics is collaborating with Defence on an underwater drone known as “Scout”. The Navy will use it as part of a special project dubbed the Rapid Adoption Action Plan (RAAP). Its objective is the swift implementation of new technologies for NATO. The partnership was sealed with the signatures of State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman and Stephan Rutten, director of the Delft-based company. The Scout drone can clearly image objects on the seabed, identify them, and classify them. The Royal Netherlands Navy is eager to deploy it. This gives Lobster Robotics the chance to develop a bespoke, military-grade version of Scout. According to Tuinman, this project perfectly illustrates how civilian innovations can be deployed directly by the armed forces. “Dual-use technologies, such as Scout, make us faster, smarter and more effective. Within NATO, they enable us to collectively strengthen our technological edge and operational effectiveness.” It is expected that RAAP will be approved at the NATO summit. Lobster Robotics was one of the first companies to participate in NATO’s DIANA innovation accelerator programme, which it successfully completed in February of this year. The project involves various defence elements, including the FRONT Innovation Centre and the Defence Diving Group. The Netherlands is now sharing the knowledge and experience gained throughout the project with other countries and NATO organisations. (Source: ASD Network)

24 Jun 25. DARPA to Demonstrate UAS VTOL Capabilities. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is preparing to demonstrate the vertical takeoff and landing capability of five unmanned aerial systems weighing less than 330 pounds in the coming days. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for the demonstration, known as EVADE – Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration – will boast significantly enhanced range, endurance and control compared to existing VTOL UAS of similar size. The primary objective for EVADE is to demonstrate rapid deployment of advanced UAS capabilities to the warfighter.

“With EVADE, our focus is on speed of development, not on first flight perfection,” says DARPA Program Manager Phillip Smith, who is a major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and was previously deployed as an AV-8B Harrier pilot. “The faster we can get these demonstration aircraft airborne, the quicker we can identify and resolve any issues, and ultimately, deliver game-changing capabilities to our warfighters in the field.”

The EVADE initiative accelerates DARPA’s AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program Phase 2 plan, which the agency initially projected to conduct flight testing in late 2026. By prioritizing the integration of autonomy and payloads, EVADE aims to rapidly demonstrate the critical value of this UAS size class. Furthermore, by postponing specific requirements related to maximum physical dimensions and autonomous takeoff/landing in high sea states, the program has dramatically shortened the timeline to first flight. To further accelerate production timelines and maximize resource efficiency, all EVADE platforms leverage the Sikorsky MATRIX flight autonomy algorithms developed in DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program. The autonomy software manages flight control and navigation needs for entire missions – from takeoff to landing – and will minimize the need for user interaction during long transit flights. Having standardized autonomy software across all five performers and designs also simplifies user engagement. Complementing this, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division’s payload management software Battle Management System (BMS) is used across all platforms, interfacing directly with the Tactical Assault Kit available to every warfighter. The integrated suite of tools will allow ANCILLARY aircraft to immediately share relevant information to individual troops at the point of need. It also effectively eliminates the need for dedicated ground control stations, thereby reducing programmatic and operational costs.

“EVADE is designed to democratize air power across the military, empowering the smallest operational units to directly receive and control an air asset when needed,” Smith says. “We’re testing five potential mission sets and payloads to showcase the breadth of capabilities EVADE can provide: logistics, communications relay, weapons delivery, synthetic aperture radar, and ISR/RSTA (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition).”

The five ANCILLARY designs vary in their capabilities, but all have a minimum of 12 hours of endurance at 100 nautical miles with a 60-pound payload.

“I think of these aircraft as ‘flying trucks,’” Smith says. “They have a high load fraction for their size and VTOL configurations and can be readily adapted to support a wide range of missions by carrying the necessary payload.”

The five performers in EVADE – AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Karem Aircraft, Method Aeronautics, and Sikorsky – show some of the ways these aircraft can be optimized for different strengths, including: VTOL control, airspeed, storage capacity, cruise altitude, time on station, powertrain configurations, and control methodologies.

“With ANCILLARY, we aim to cultivate a thriving supplier ecosystem for these drones, or similar-sized systems, that can fundamentally transform the capabilities and situational awareness available to every warfighter,” Smith says. “We’re invested in the success of each UAS we’re testing. The U.S. military requires a diverse portfolio of performers capable of maximizing design trade-offs to achieve success across an array of mission sets.”

To help accelerate transition to the field, the ANCILLARY team has worked the certification process concurrently with aircraft design and testing, while also ensuring the performers and their supply chains are ready for rapid, on-demand aircraft production.

“We’re taking a full 360 look at what it takes – considering performance, cost, usability, interoperability, certification, manufacturing, etc. – to ensure we rapidly deliver a game changing capability,” Smith says. “We’ve got five outstanding American companies we expect to be ready to accept and deliver orders at scale within the upcoming budget year.”

Broadening Access to Advanced Capabilities

The under-330-pound (150 kilograms) maximum gross takeoff weight threshold for ANCILLARY aircraft is a pivotal factor. To date, the Department of Defense has required any drone over 55 pounds (25 kilograms) be owned by an aviation unit and operated by a fully licensed pilot, creating significant barriers to widespread fielding.

On a case-by-case basis, aircraft up to 330 pounds are now permitted to be purchased and operated by a non-aviation unit. DOD policies around drones of this size are evolving and the department is considering a policy change to allow UAS operators to fly all drones of this size without requiring special permissions.

“ANCILLARY fills a critical gap, bringing operational capabilities comparable to much larger – Group 4 and 5 – drones to smaller units, such as Army, Marine Corps, special operations units or a ship’s company,” Smith says. “These drones can be deployed without additional infrastructure or equipment, even in austere environments – offering a game-changing toolset for warfighters.”

Looking Ahead

The ANCILLARY program is structured to facilitate rapid spiral development – an iterative model that reduces risk throughout the design lifecycle of the demonstration aircraft – to improve existing features and add new capabilities. Examples include additional weather hardening, adding the autonomy algorithms and sensors necessary for takeoff and landing at sea during storms, and improving engine efficiency, among other enhancements. DARPA will not necessarily carry out all the planned development spirals, but the path is in place.

Following successful flight testing this summer, DARPA intends to transition the aircraft and capabilities developed under the ANCILLARY program to the U.S. military services by the end of the 2025 calendar year. (Source: UAS VISION)

23 Jun 25. Teledyne FLIR’s Black Hornet 4 Nano-Drone Approved for Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS List. Award-winning Black Hornet unmanned aerial system is deployed in more than 45 countries. Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), announced that its Black Hornet® 4 Personal Reconnaissance System has successfully completed the required NDAA and cyber security verification process and been approved for the Blue UAS List with an Authority to Operate. Led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Blue UAS vets and verifies commercial drone technology for the Department of Defense and U.S. government. The Blue UAS List gives users access to a wide range of drone systems that can meet their diverse needs. In February Teledyne FLIR announced that Black Hornet 4 was selected by DoD operators from among more than 35 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) products, all rigorously tested during DIU’s ‘Blue UAS Refresh’ event.

“We are honored to see Black Hornet 4 added to the Blue UAS List, knowing that more operators across our military and federal government will be able to benefit from this one-of-a-kind drone and its distinct capabilities,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense. “DIU is filling a critical national need in meeting mission requirements by executing a more expansive Blue UAS program, and we have valued our partnership with them throughout the verification process.

Black Hornet 4 represents the next generation of lightweight nano-drones, able to provide enhanced covert situational awareness to small fighting units. Its 12-megapixel daytime camera and high-resolution thermal imager deliver crisp video and still images to the operator. At just 70 grams Black Hornet 4 can fly for more than 30 minutes, over three kilometers, and function in 25-knot winds and rain. Flight performance is augmented by advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities and other features. In May, FLIR Defense opened a new 13,000 sq ft facility in Somerset, Kentucky that will function as a major support hub for servicing, testing, and training on Black Hornet systems used by U.S. armed forces. FLIR Defense has delivered more than 33,000 Black Hornet drones to military and security forces in over 45 countries. The U.S. Army began acquiring Black Hornet systems in 2018 for its Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program. Since then, it has placed orders under SBS and other contract vehicles totaling more than $300 m. The award-winning Black Hornet is designed and built by Teledyne FLIR Defense in Norway. (Source: ASD Network

20 Jun 25. Bharat Forge, Turgis Gaillard to develop Aarok UAV in India. Aarok is capable of fulfilling intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), strike, and multi-mission roles. India-based Bharat Forge has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France’s Turgis Gaillard to collaborate on uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV). The Franco-Indian partnership will focus on the co-development and production of the next-generation medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV, Aarok, in India. The collaboration presents the Indian military with a capability, intended to enhance operational capabilities within a networked combat environment.

“This strategic alliance reflects a shared vision of sovereign defence capability, advanced technology, and industrial excellence,” Bharat Forge said in a post on its official LinkedIn account.

Designed by Turgis & Gaillard, Aarok leverages advanced optronic and electromagnetic sensors, to perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) operations in “high-intensity conflicts”. It is entirely developed in France. Moreover, the UAV is designed to carry standoff weapons and can execute a range of combat missions from close air support to suppression of enemy air defences and air interdiction on high value target. As per the terms of the MoU, Bharat Forge will exclusively undertake the production and integration of Aarok drone in India. This arrangement is in accordance with the nation’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ policies, which emphasise domestic manufacturing and self-sufficiency, said the Indian company. Bharat Forge is set to create an on-site production line for the Aarok drone. This local manufacturing capacity aims to address the substantial requirements of the Indian armed forces, ensuring full control over maintenance and overhaul processes.

“This collaboration isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust, transfer of capability, and building a strategic aerospace future together. A bold step toward joint innovation, defence autonomy, and a stronger global security architecture,” Bharat Forge said.

Earlier in June 2025, Turgis Gaillard joined forces with Thales to offer fully French MALE drone solution for ISR missions. This partnership will facilitate potential future integration of additional Thales sensors onto the Aarok drone platform. Thales is set to provide the AirMaster S radar, an advanced multirole active electronically scanned array system, while Turgis Gaillard will be responsible for delivering the Aarok MALE drone. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

20 Jun 25. UK procures thousands of UAVs. UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced in an address to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Land Warfare Conference held in London on 17 and 18 June that the United Kingdom would invest over GBP100m (USD134m) in initial funding to develop land unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms as deliveries of thousands of strike UAVs begin. He said, “Autonomous Collaborative Platforms will fly alongside the Apache attack helicopters and enhance the army’s ability to strike, survive, and win on the battlefield,” which he called “a game changer [that] will be applying the lessons from Ukraine in a world-leading way … putting the UK at the leading edge of innovation in NATO”. He added, “Alongside our ability to move forward with greater combat mass, we’re investing in AI [artificial intelligence] and drones to strike further and faster through Project Asgard. In well under a year, we’ve developed and procured these recce-strike systems that allow our soldiers to connect the sensor to the shooter in record-beating time.” He said these systems have already been tested and partly deployed in Estonia, with plans to use them in NATO’s Exercise ‘Steadfast Defender’ in 2027. Healey expected the lessons from Asgard to inform the UK’s new integrated Digital Targeting Web, as recommended by the 2 June Strategic Defence Review (SDR) be developed over the next two years, so he committed to support it with GBP1 bn of new investment. (Source: Janes)

20 Jun 25. France gauges a new crop of MALE drones for surveillance, strike. France asked five local companies to develop demonstrators for a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone, signing contracts at the Paris Air Show this week as the country seeks a low-cost solution to plug a capability gap in unmanned aerial surveillance and light attack. France’s Directorate General for Armament will subsidize work by aircraft makers Aura Aero, Daher and SE Aviation, drone maker Fly-R and aerospace company Turgis Gaillard to produce competing MALE drone demonstrators as early as 2026, the agency said June 18. The market for MALE drones is evolving rapidly as the war in Ukraine shows their effectiveness as well as limitations. Meanwhile, the number of offerings of affordable platforms is growing, with countries such as France and Turkey focusing on developing domestic capabilities in the area. Companies at this year’s air show presented more than a dozen MALE drones at various stages of development.

“These initiatives are part of an effort to adapt military capabilities to meet evolving threats,” DGA said in a statement, saying the drones “play an essential role in modern conflict zones.”

The agency said recent high-intensity conflicts had highlighted the need for drones with long endurance at medium altitude, but also low cost, capable of performing multiple missions, resistant to jamming and which can be deployed rapidly. MALE drones are typically used for reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence, and light attack roles. The agreements mark “a decisive step in accelerating the MALE drone strategy of the Armed Forces Ministry,” the DGA statement reads. “They will make it possible to create the best operational solution while respecting time and cost constraints.”

Delays with the Eurodrone MALE drone being developed by Airbus, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo have forced countries including France and Germany to rely on foreign alternatives such as the MQ-9 Reaper by General Atomics and the IAI Heron from Israel Aerospace Industries, while also causing ballooning costs and a risk of technical obsolescence for the program. The DGA said the signed demonstrator contracts will add options and create export opportunities and signal its commitment to creating a competitive MALE drone industry that will benefit the French armed forces. The initial budget is modest, with the DGA providing around €10m ($12m) in total for the five projects, company representatives told Defense News. The five companies are offering rather different drones under the MALE label, in terms of size, payload, cost as well as endurance. Turgis Gaillard presented its Aarok drone at the Paris Air Show, with a wingspan of 22 meters, endurance of more than 20 hours, a weapons payload of 1 metric ton, and a price tag the company told Defense News will be somewhere between €10 m and €30 m. The company has completed high-speed roll tests and plans the first flight of the drone by the end of the year. Meanwhile, SE Aviation showcased its Driade drone, derived from its MCR 4S kit aircraft, which has a wingspan of around 8.7 meters. The drone will have a payload of 470 kilograms as well as 36 hours of endurance in a reconnaissance configuration, according to the company. With Driade based on an existing certified aircraft, SE Aviation will be able to test autonomous flight this year, and the drone will have a price tag of less than €5m, company CEO and co-founder Eric Fumey told Defense News. Fumey said it’s unclear for now how many drone projects the DGA plans to retain for a second phase, saying that will depend on whether the directorate aims for different drones for different missions, “or one drone that does it all.” French aircraft maker Aura Aero will develop its MALE drone Enbata under the DGA contract, while Fly-R signed with the DGA for its R2-600 MALE drone, notable for its rhomboidal wing, a joined wing configuration in a hollow diamond shape, and a maximum payload of 600 kilometers and endurance of 25 hours. For aircraft maker Daher, the drone project is part of a wider push to expand its defense business, company executives said at a press briefing here on Wednesday. It’s up to the company to show its aircraft can be “dronized,” and Draher may have an advantage to get its drone flying because the model will be based on an existing, certified plane which the company knows how to build, CEO Didier Kayat said. The priority of the DGA is cost, followed by time to delivery, and Daher plans to test an unmanned aircraft by the end of 2025, according to Pascal Laguerre, the firm’s head of new technologies. The DGA contract will cover about 25% of the costs to prepare the demonstrator, with Daher financing the remainder in order “to play in this arena,” Laguerre said.

For Daher to double defense sales to €600 m euros over the next three to five years should be relatively easy, Kayat said. The company’s defense business includes more than €100 m in revenue as a supplier to Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus tanker program, according to the CEO.

Other MALE drones on show in Paris include the Bayraktar Akinci at the Leonardo stand, a mock up of the Aksungur drone by Turkish Aerospace Industries, as well as the long-serving MQ-9 Reaper produced by General Atomics, an evolution from the granddaddy of MALE drones, the MQ-1 Predator. Aviation Industry Corp. of China displayed models of several MALE drones in its Wing Loong range. Safran presented its Patroller MALE drone used by the French Army, with a wingspan of 18 meters and a flight time of 14 hours. Airbus showed a mock-up of the Eurodrone, a bigger aircraft than most of the competition with a wingspan of 30 meters and a 13-ton maximum takeoff weight, a 2.3-ton payload and an autonomy of 40 hours. The aircraft is further away from fielding than some of the MALE drones on display at the Paris Air Show, as an infamous example of large-scale, multinational European defense cooperation running into complications and delays. The first prototype flight is now slated for mid-2027, from an original plan for entry into service by 2025. Airbus at this time continues to target entry into service by the end of the decade, Jean-Brice Dumont, the company’s head of air power, said at a press conference here on Tuesday. Airbus also presented a mock-up of its Sirtap drone developed for the Spanish armed forces, an unmanned aerial vehicle with a 12-meter wingspan and endurance of more than 20 hours that bridges the gap between light UAVs and heavier MALE systems. The drone is expected to fly this year, with delivery to the Spanish forces by the end of 2026 and certification the following year. (Source: Defense News)

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

June 20, 2025 by

18 Jun 25. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hans Christian Andersen Aiport in Odense, Denmark–home to the UAS Denmark Test Center–to explore joint utilization of the center’s expansive airspace and advanced test facilities. The agreement aims to leverage UAS Denmark’s strategic range and infrastructure to support AV’s uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) demonstration operations, mission training, and customer integration activities across the region. The collaboration is expected to enable joint research and development (R&D) initiatives and accelerate the growth of the UAS Denmark Test Center as a regional epicenter for advanced UAS innovation, evaluation, and operational readiness.

“This MOU represents a significant milestone in expanding AV’s operational footprint in Europe,” said Shane Hastings, AV’s vice president and general manager of Medium UAS. “Our partnership with UAS Denmark positions us to deliver enhanced capabilities, mission-critical training, and integrated UAS solutions to allied defense forces and government stakeholders across the region.”

This agreement follows AV’s February 2025 Framework Agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO), under which AV is delivering advanced UAS, operator and maintainer training, and lifecycle support to strengthen the Danish Armed Forces’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The MOU with UAS Denmark builds on this momentum and reinforces AV’s commitment to delivering tactical advantage through scalable, reliable, and combat-proven UAS platforms. By formalizing this collaboration, AV continues to expand its international partnerships and operational support capabilities—ensuring allied forces have access to the tools and training required to maintain readiness in dynamic environments. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

18 Jun 25. Shield AI Advances Combat-Ready Autonomy with 2nd MQ-20 Avenger Flight. Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and defense aircraft, today announced the second flight demonstration of its mission autonomy software, Hivemind, on a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-20 Avenger. Conducted in a live-virtual-constructive (LVC) environment, the demonstration showcased Hivemind executing coordinated tasks between one live aircraft and its digital twin in a realistic mission scenario. The June event follows Shield AI and GA-ASI’s successful integration earlier this year during February’s Orange Flag exercise. While the February flight focused on basic administrative tasks using a command-line interface (CLI), the June test demonstrated tactical skills such as formation flying and combat air patrol maneuvers, using A-GRA-compliant mission planning software. By testing in complex, LVC mission environments, Shield AI is accelerating the path to scalable, operational autonomy.

“Readiness means flying today, not waiting for perfect conditions. Autonomy doesn’t get better in a lab or inside a PowerPoint. It improves when it flies, when it fails, adapts, and flies again. That’s how we reach operational mission autonomy,” said Christian Gutierrez, VP of Hivemind Solutions at Shield AI. “This demonstration reflects the hard work of our engineering teams who continue to push software into real-world scenarios to accelerate learning and performance. We’re not just testing—we’re lowering the risk for fielded autonomy and proving that scalable, mission-ready autonomy is already here.”

The demonstration highlighted several key capabilities:

Live-virtual autonomy: Hivemind commanded both a live MQ-20 and its digital twin, executing coordinated tasks across physical and virtual aircraft in a blended mission scenario.
Integrated mission threads: Autonomy software connected seamlessly with C2 and edge systems for real-time execution.
Open, modular architecture with A-GRA-compliant ground system layers: Enabled platform-agnostic integration and added operational realism to the test environment.

“This event reflects the kind of interoperability and adaptability we believe is essential for future autonomy efforts,” said Michael Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI. “Being able to rapidly integrate and test autonomy elements from multiple vendors helps ensure the most effective capabilities are available to the warfighter, regardless of origin.”

Hivemind is AI-powered autonomy software that enables unmanned systems to conduct complex missions in GPS- and comms-denied environments. Built for modular integration, operator confidence, and multi-platform deployment, Hivemind delivers mission autonomy with proven adaptability and tactical relevance. (Source: ASD Network)

18 Jun 25. DARPA to Demo Revolutionary Drone Capabilities for Warfighters. Flight tests to showcase the future of VTOL unmanned aerial systems. Five cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are slated to begin flight testing later this month to highlight the versatility of vertical take-off and landing for UAS weighing less than 330 pounds.

The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for the demonstration, known as EVADE – Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration – will boast significantly enhanced range, endurance and control compared to existing VTOL UAS of similar size. The primary objective for EVADE is to demonstrate rapid deployment of advanced UAS capabilities to the warfighter.

Streamlining for rapid deployment

To further accelerate production timelines and maximize resource efficiency, all EVADE platforms leverage the Sikorsky MATRIX flight autonomy algorithms developed in DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program. The autonomy software manages flight control and navigation needs for entire missions – from takeoff to landing – and will minimize the need for user interaction during long transit flights. Having standardized autonomy software across all five performers and designs also simplifies user engagement.

Complementing this, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division’s payload management software Battle Management System (BMS) is used across all platforms, interfacing directly with the Tactical Assault Kit available to every warfighter. The integrated suite of tools will allow ANCILLARY aircraft to immediately share relevant information to individual troops at the point of need. It also effectively eliminates the need for dedicated ground control stations, thereby reducing programmatic and operational costs.

Building a robust ecosystem

The five ANCILLARY designs vary in their capabilities, but all have a minimum of 12 hours of endurance at 100 nautical miles with a 60-pound payload.

Broadening access to advanced capabilities

Looking ahead

18 Jun 25. Anduril and Rheinmetall partner to design and manufacture Barracuda, Fury and Solid Rocket Motors for European Defence

Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries announced a strategic partnership to co-develop and deliver a suite of software-defined autonomous systems to extend the availability of autonomous mission systems.

The partnership is starting with the development of three proven capabilities – but is about to be extended with more next generation technologies over time:

The integration of a European variant of Anduril´s Barracuda as part of Anduril’s family of low-cost, mass-producible autonomous air vehicles into Rheinmetall´s digital sovereignty framework (“Battlesuite”).
The inclusion of a European variant of Anduril´s Fury, a high-performance, multi-mission group 5 autonomous air vehicle (AAV), into Rheinmetall´s digital sovereignty framework (“Battlesuite”).
The exploration of opportunities for solid rocket motors for European use leveraging Anduril’s new production approaches.

These systems will be jointly developed and produced by the two companies, incorporating sovereign suppliers and industrial partners throughout Europe.

“This is a different model of defence collaboration, one built on shared production, operational relevance, and mutual respect for sovereignty,” said Brian Schimpf, CEO of Anduril Industries. “Together with Rheinmetall, we’re building systems that can be produced quickly, deployed widely, and adapted as NATO missions evolve.”

“Rheinmetall has always stood for reliability, scale, and strategic depth in defence manufacturing,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall. “By integrating Anduril`s solutions into Rheinmetall´s European production set up and digital sovereignty framework, we’re building on that foundation to bring new kinds of autonomous capabilities into service, ones that are quick to produce, modular, and aligned with NATO’s evolving requirements.”

Built in Europe, for Europe

This partnership is a long-term shared investment in co-developing easily fielded systems tailored to the specific needs of each European regional market. It reflects a “built with, not for” philosophy—one that prioritizes European sovereignty, local control, transparency, and adaptability over dependency or lock-in.

The integration of Barracuda and Barracuda-M into Rheinmetall´s systems will provide European militaries with an affordable autonomous air vehicle designed for hyperscale production. Its modular design supports a wide range of payloads and targeting modes making it a flexible option for the unique needs of European forces.
The inclusion of Fury, an autonomous air vehicle designed to operate as part of manned-unmanned teams of aircraft, into Rheinmetall´s ecosystem of products allows each country to configure its own command-and-control systems and operational constraints. Fury is designed to deliver advanced fighter performance with the flexibility to integrate a variety of sensors and payloads in support of mission requirements.
The Solid Rocket Motors effort could help ensures European access to a reliable line of propulsion systems offering industrial redundancy and delivery at scale, when domestic sources are not yet sufficient.

A Shared Approach to Industrial Defence

The partnership builds on earlier collaboration between the two companies, including the development of a layer countered UAS solution and a joint pursuit of the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program. Rather than slow, proprietary development pipelines that tie customers to a single vendor, this partnership embraces speed, modularity, and co-development. It’s a model that empowers allies to shape and evolve their own capabilities, while working within a shared NATO-aligned framework.

18 Jun 25. Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters on crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities with the H225M Medium Lift helicopter operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Airbus Helicopters’ Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS). The partnership aims to explore how crewed-uncrewed teaming can enhance situational awareness and improve mission outcomes through a flight demonstration.

“Crewed-uncrewed teaming offers the great potential to support more effective air operations in complex environments. Working with Airbus Helicopters, we will be able to combine our engineering expertise to unlock new possibilities in helicopter-drone integration. This synergistic combination of manned platforms and autonomous systems will be a true force multiplier,” said DSTA’s Chief Executive Mr Ng Chad-Son.

“The collaboration between helicopters and UAS is a revolution in how we approach mission effectiveness. Synergising the strengths of highly skilled pilots with the advanced capabilities of uncrewed systems unlocks unprecedented operational flexibility,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Working with operators to mature these technologies and test our solutions with real life demonstrations is very important,” he explained.

“The H225M is a proven platform which has been tailored for complex missions like search and rescue by night in rough weather conditions,” he added. “The Republic of Singapore Air Force has demonstrated on multiple occasions that it masters the capabilities of this aircraft. I am sure that by working with Singapore’s DSTA and the RSAF we will be able to demonstrate the added value of teaming and how it can further extend the capabilities of the H225M.”

Airbus’ brand new crewed-uncrewed teaming system, HTeaming, will be integrated on board the RSAF’s H225M, allowing its crew to take full control of the Flexrotor. The operational demonstration will be set up to show the efficiency of Airbus’ teaming solution and the added value of cooperation between crewed helicopters and uncrewed aerial systems.

Airbus recently unveiled HTeaming, a modular crewed-uncrewed teaming system. The system currently features a modem, four antennas, a tablet and software.

17 Jun 25. Cuashub.com said today that Taiwan to employ sea drones to deter Chinese invasion. Taiwan is set on developing a sea drones that could reshape the island’s defenses against a potential Chinese invasion. These uncrewed explosive-laden vessels are being quietly developed as part of Taiwan’s growing focus on asymmetric warfare. Inspired by Ukraine’s success in deploying sea drones against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea, Taiwanese officials and engineers are rapidly advancing their own programs to adapt similar tactics for the defense of the island, according to Reuters. The initiative, still in its early stages, is part of a wider push encouraged by the United States to equip Taiwan with low-cost, high-impact capabilities that maximize mobility and surprise.

“Uncrewed boats or vehicles have played a very significant role in the Ukraine war,” said Chen Kuan-ting, a lawmaker with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and member of Taiwan’s foreign affairs and defense committee. “They can effectively deter China because Taiwan is not the attacking side – we are the defending side.”

Dubbed the Swift and Sudden project by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the sea drone program currently has a modest budget of approximately NT$800 m ($26.7 m USD). But officials signal that more investment is coming.

Defence Minister Wellington Koo confirmed this week that sea drones will be included in a forthcoming special military budget later this year, although details of the package remain undisclosed.

Among the private-sector contributors to Taiwan’s sea drone efforts is Thunder Tiger, a Taiwanese technology company with growing expertise in unmanned maritime systems. Last week, reporters observed a live demonstration of their SeaShark 800 drone just offshore from Wushi. The vessel, which resembles a compact speedboat, can carry up to 1,200 kg of explosives and travel as far as 500 km.

“We can create uncertainty,” said Thunder Tiger chairman William Chen, speaking from the deck of a test vessel. “We can fill the Taiwan Strait with danger and risks. No one knows where these dangers could surface.”

Taiwan’s shift toward asymmetric capabilities – such as sea drones, loitering munitions and mobile missile systems – represents a strategic recalibration in the face of China’s overwhelming numerical advantage in ships, aircraft and troops. Unlike conventional warfighting platforms, these smaller systems are designed to be dispersed, survivable and difficult to detect – raising the costs and risks of any amphibious assault.

The sea drones, in particular, represent a low-profile yet potentially critical element of Taiwan’s defenses. If deployed effectively, they could deny Chinese ships freedom of movement in contested waters, disrupt beach landings or strike high-value targets at sea. https://cuashub.com/en/content/taiwan-to-employ-sea-drones-to-deter-chinese-invasion/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

16 Jun 25. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. completed a first-of-its-kind test involving multiple aircraft and advanced software on June 11 that included a successful simulated autonomous shoot-down. A GA-ASI-owned MQ-20 Avenger® unmanned jet used the latest government reference autonomy software in an exercise involving multiple live and virtual aircraft – as well as software supplied by Shield AI. Because software-defined mission capabilities are evolving so fast, it’s critical that aircraft hardware be agnostic as to the origins of these upgrades. GA-ASI’s flights have underscored how compliance with what are called “government reference architectures” enables essential interoperability for hardware and software. In the latest exercise, the MQ-20 Autonomous Collaborative Aircraft demonstrated that it could marshal; do dynamic midair station-keeping with several real aircraft; patrol a simulated combat area; make decisions autonomously; team with human command-and-control; and intercept two live aircraft autonomously – resulting in a simulated successful missile shot against the live targets. The “live-on-live” event using representative Group 5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) proved how mature autonomy is today for future platforms.

Another feature of the test was a mid-flight transition from the government-provided suite of software to Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, which subsequently performed a similar mission profile. This rapid switch aboard the MQ-20 took place without affecting aircraft stability or mission continuity. This demonstrates how standardized reference architectures are streamlining hardware and software integration, even from different vendors. The test offered meaningful implications for the future of autonomy development. By adhering to a shared reference architecture, this model supports a flexible autonomy “app store” concept. It allows the government to incorporate capabilities from a broad vendor ecosystem without being tied to any single supplier. It promotes modularity, supports ongoing innovation, and enables more rapid deployment of autonomy features that align with the speed and agility often seen in commercial software development. GA-ASI has proven all this over a series of groundbreaking test events. The latest on June 11 underscored the ability of the government’s reference architecture to shorten integration timelines, avoid vendor lock-in and enable flexible autonomy solutions that can scale and adapt as mission needs evolve.

16 Jun 25. Airbus Flexrotor takes to sea in French Navy UAS demonstration. Flexrotor showed its ability to take off and land on a small, moving platform during extended missions. The French Navy has successfully conducted a three-day demonstration of the Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS) aboard a patrol vessel in the waters off France’s northwest coast. These operations have been conducted as part of the French Navy’s PERSEUS initiative, which aims to promote technological advancements by testing them under real conditions, as per Airbus Helicopters’ LinkedIn post. Designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), the compact tactical Flexrotor drone can carry up to 25kg (55lb). It is suitable for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions with endurance capabilities of 12-14 hours under standard operational settings. The demonstration took place from 3 to 6 June. The Flexrotor logged more than 12 hours of flight time during this period, performing surveillance operations both during the day and at night. The system showcased its capability in executing take-offs and landings from a compact, mobile deck as well as its capacity for extended-duration tasks. Using the advanced sensors of the Flexrotor, the ship’s personnel were able to enhance their intelligence collection and situational awareness, said Airbus Helicopters. The Flexrotor can take off and land vertically in a space of 3.7 x 3.7 metres (m). Its tilt-rotor design allows it to transition from a vertical position to horizontal flight, utilising a 3m wingspan while its body measures 2m in length. (Source: naval-technology.com)

17 Jun 25. MBDA offers cheap drone swarm as door opener for its pricey missiles. MBDA, Europe’s largest missile maker, unveiled a cheap one-way drone at the Paris Air Show designed to saturate enemy air defenses en masse and clear the way for what the company calls high-value effectors such as cruise missiles. The drone, for now named simply One-Way Effector, will be mass-produced and cost a fraction of the price of a cruise missile, said Hugo Coqueret, business development manager battlefield at MBDA. The company is partnering with an undisclosed drone maker and a French automotive company to be able to ramp up production to 1,000 drones per month. The new drone was inspired by the war in Ukraine, where Russian and Ukrainian forces have been using dozens of one-way drones in single attacks to attempt to overwhelm and exhaust defenses. A lesson from the high-intensity warfare in Ukraine is the need for mass, and the new munition is one of the answers offered by MBDA, Coqueret told Defense News in a briefing on Monday

“The mission is really one of saturation,” Coqueret said. “It has been designed to meet this need for the return of mass in the armed forces, to cause saturation of enemy forces.”

The drone presented here on Monday is a new type of product for the missile maker, whose top-end products can cost ms of euros. Coqueret described the effector as “saturation munition” that complements MBDA’s existing portfolio, which includes several cruise missiles including the Scalp and the Taurus.

The jet-engine powered drone will be able to deliver a 40-kg payload at a distance of 500 kilometers, traveling at a speed of 400 kilometers per hour. Design of the new drone started from scratch in December, with the first test flight planned for September or October and a first production batch in 2027.

“It’s relatively fast and carries a significant payload,” Coqueret said. “All of that means that the enemy’s ground-based air defense is forced to destroy it with high value-added systems. Everything is designed to generate saturation.”

The design brief was for a low-cost munition that can be produced in large quantities, and “everything was designed with this in mind, from the parts to be manufactured to the operational procedures for assembly and the supply chain,” Coqueret said. The drone isn’t designed to be stealthy and many components are off-the-shelf to keep cost down.

“Once again, this is a very simple munition, there is no dialogue between munitions, but as they are fired in salvos with a grouping capability, they will be able to form a pack, and it’s this pack that will move towards the target and thus generate this attrition effect,” Coqueret said. “You’re going to use it in the same way as artillery.”

Part of keeping costs low is the production partnership with a French automotive manufacturer, according to the MBDA executive. MBDA is not naming the industrial partner at this time, though Coqueret said it’s not Renault. The French automaker said earlier this month it was expanding into the business of making unmanned aerial vehicles.

The One-Way Effector has been designed to address a need expressed by the French armed forces, and MBDA expects to start consultations with France’s Directorate General for Armament about buying the weapon “soon,” Coqueret said. (Source: Defense News)

16 Jun 25. U-ELCOME project “joins two U-space airspaces for the first time in a medical drone trial.” The ATLAS ALPHA and ATLAS BRAVO centres have marked a new milestone as part of the U-ELCOME U-space research programme: the transport of medical supplies by drone between Beas de Segura and Villacarrillo, in the province of Jaén, connecting two different U-space airspaces.

According to the project coordinators: “The project aims to demonstrate how the use of unmanned aerial systems can help provide solutions for transporting medical supplies to remote or hard-to-reach areas, improving accessibility. To this end, a live flight demonstration was conducted involving the coordinated participation of the 75-kg unmanned fixed-wing UAS TARSIS, two multirotor drones, three complete flight teams from the Spanish company AERTEC and the University of Seville, as well as medical transport personnel from the Fundación SSG, alongside CATEC, the Advanced Aerospace Technologies Centre; the company PildoLabs; and the platforms of ENAIRE and ITG, the Technology Institute of Galicia. This is also the first time in Europe that an in-flight control handover operation has been carried out for a fixed-wing drone of this size between two stations separated by 23 km. All the operations conducted during the demonstration were monitored in real time using the U-space service provision platforms (USSP) developed by ENAIRE and ITG. Additionally, ENAIRE acted as the sole Common Information Service Provider (CISP), thereby validating the safe integration of these technologies into European airspace.

“Today we have seen the opportunities presented by U-space systems in unmanned aircraft operations, as well as the possibility of transferring control of a drone between two U-space airspaces. This enables us to carry out longer flights by managing drone air traffic across different digital platforms”, said Rodrigo Benedit Pascual, technician in ENAIRE’s Drone Business Development Department and technical coordinator of the U-ELCOME project in Spain.

U-ELCOM activities are taking place in eight autonomous communities: Andalusia, Aragon, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia, Madrid and Navarre. The project seeks to encourage the adoption of basic U1 and U2 services, facilitating the safe integration of drones into European airspace.

For more information

https://www.enaire.es/en_GB/2025_06_10/ndp_gb_uelcome_project_joins_uspace_airspaces_drones_andalusia (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

16 Jun 25. MITRE and Gambit Partner to Advance Autonomous Systems for Homeland and National Security. MITRE and Gambit announced a strategic partnership to transform the deployment and safe use of autonomous ground and aerial vehicles for homeland security and national defense. The collaboration aims to enhance situational awareness, operational efficiency, and mission safety by integrating Gambit’s proprietary software solutions, capable of enabling groups of robotic systems to learn, adapt, and act on commands from a single operator, and MITRE’s deep expertise in advancing trusted, secure autonomous platforms. The partnership will test and prototype the usability of these systems in critical domains such as Department of Homeland Security operations while also exploring applications for Department of Defense (DoD) mission sets. Testing and development will leverage MITRE’s autonomous ground and air system teams at the MITRE MASE Lab and real-world simulations facilitated through the MITRE National Range.

“Autonomous systems have the power to reshape critical mission capabilities, from securing the border to supporting national special security events,” said Yosry Barsoum, vice president and director, Center for Securing the Homeland, MITRE. “Through our partnership with Gambit, we are advancing safe, reliable, and scalable autonomous solutions that serve as force multipliers—enabling a single operator to oversee multiple systems. Together, we aim to help meet the law enforcement community’s evolving operational needs while accelerating transformative technologies that strengthen the homeland security enterprise.”

The Gambit-developed system enables single-operator oversight of coordinated multi-domain autonomous systems, including aerial drones and ground vehicles. For example, ground vehicles can safely transport and deploy aerial drones to areas of interest, offering improved surveillance, data collection, and situational awareness for ground vehicles operating in unknown territories. This is particularly impactful in applications such as:

First responder operations: Overwatch of operational areas and enhanced officer safety during high-risk missions;

Border security: Comprehensive geographical analysis to strengthen border defense strategies;

Combat operations: Deployment of multiple autonomous platforms by a single operator, reducing manpower requirements.

“With MITRE, we’ll redefine how groups of autonomous systems operate across multiple domains,” said Josh Giegel, founder and CEO, Gambit. “Our technology reduces operator load and seamlessly integrates ground and aerial systems, placing mission-critical autonomy learning within reach of both first responders and the DoD. Together, we’re setting a new standard in trusted autonomy.”Both MITRE and Gambit are prioritizing the safe and ethical use of autonomous technology. The partnership fosters transparency and accountability while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining human oversight of deployment in sensitive scenarios. This partnership also reinforces MITRE and Gambit’s shared commitment to engage with stakeholders across government agencies, academia, and industry to maximize the potential of autonomous systems for broader applications in public safety, defense, and humanitarian missions. (Source: UAS VISION)

17 Jun 25. Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) and Near Earth Autonomy have successfully completed the first autonomous test flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter, marking a major milestone in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. This flight demonstrates the feasibility of uncrewed, autonomous aircraft capable of operating in contested environments without an onboard pilot or remote operator. The test flight on Honeywell’s AW139 took place in Phoenix, Arizona in May and marks a critical step in efforts to deliver scalable, autonomous logistics support to the United States Marine Corps (USMC). For the first time, key autopilot modes of the AW139 were controlled directly by Near Earth’s onboard autonomy software, without pilot input, showcasing precise flight control and autonomous decision-making.

“Not only is this successful demonstration a major step in creating brand new possibilities for the USMC, but it also creates a potential pathway for use by other helicopter operators as well,” said Bob Buddecke, president, Electronic Solutions, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Together with Near Earth Autonomy and Leonardo, we’re showing how existing aircraft can be adapted with trusted avionics to support the next generation of defense logistics. Uncrewed aircraft will be vital in keeping service men and women as safe as possible in contested environments, and we are one step closer to realizing that vision.”

The ALC program, managed under a Naval Aviation Systems Consortium Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with Near Earth Autonomy as a prime performer, aims to develop and deploy autonomous aerial logistics systems that reduce risk to personnel and increase the speed and scale of supply operations. Future testing will expand autonomy capabilities, including automated obstacle avoidance, and integration into military logistics workflows, resulting in a safer, uncrewed delivery system to help boost operational readiness and improve responsiveness in theatre.

“This flight showcases Near Earth Autonomy’s leadership in developing trusted autonomy for real-world operations,” said Dr. Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth Autonomy. “By directly controlling the AW139’s flight modes with our autonomy system, we’ve shown that scalable autonomous logistics using existing platforms is not just possible — it’s happening now. This capability is essential for reducing risk to military personnel and ensuring resilient supply chains in the field.”

Honeywell’s partnership with Near Earth Autonomy seeks to develop an autonomy solution that is affordable, scalable, and certifiable for future missions. Honeywell provides mission-critical systems engineered for both retrofit and next-generation aircraft. These solutions are built to meet today’s operational demands while supporting the long-term shift to uncrewed and highly autonomous flight.

17 Jun 25. The assembly of the first SIRTAP prototype – Airbus’ high-performance tactical uncrewed aerial system – has concluded and the aircraft is ready to start the ground-tests campaign at the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Getafe, Spain. The ground testing – comprising structural evaluations, main-systems components and software testing – is due to take place over the next months and will finish with the maiden flight, scheduled by the end of 2025 at Spain’s National Institute of Aerospace Technology’s (INTA’s) Unmanned Systems Test Centre (CEUS) in Huelva, south-west Spain. The subsequent SIRTAP flight-test campaign at CEUS will run throughout 2026 and will be essential in obtaining the airworthiness type certification and ensure that the aircraft meets the highest safety and performance standards, leading to the delivery of the first system to Spain in 2027.

“This new technical achievement for SIRTAP demonstrates Airbus’ agility to drive technological innovation with our aerospace industry partners in a timely manner in accordance with our vision,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “Designed and manufactured in Spain, SIRTAP will strengthen national sovereignty and will be a benchmark in the tactical unmanned aerial systems segment worldwide. It is another important brick in our ambition to shape a European ecosystem in defence aerospace.”

In November 2023, the Spanish Ministry of Defence acquired nine systems, each consisting of three remotely-piloted aircraft and a ground-control station. A total of 27 drones and nine ground-control stations will reinforce the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Armed Forces. In addition, Airbus Defence and Space will supply two simulators for training Spanish operators, having already passed the Critical Design Review, which marks the completion of their architecture and design. SIRTAP represents a strategic commitment to innovation and national industrial collaboration, while offering an exportable platform thanks to its ITAR-free design. Its development and potential evolution towards different versions, such as the naval version or weapons integration, will also contribute to strengthening industrial capabilities in the field of remotely-piloted vehicles.

16 Jun 25. Indonesian Army to trial Rajawali 500 cargo UAV. Indonesia’s PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada has secured an arrangement with the Indonesian Army to carry out field evaluations of the company’s Rajawali 500 tandem-rotor cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Speaking to Janes at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, a representative from the company described the Rajawali 500 as a multifunctional carrier that can transport and disseminate payloads of up to 200 kg, and these can be carried in several configurations. These include underslung payloads, containerised cargo, and air-droppable payloads, said the representative. Given these capabilities, the Rajawali 500 UAV can be deployed to deliver victuals and other equipment into areas of operation that do not have access to a suitable helicopter landing site, he added. The Rajawali 500 has been developed by PT Bhinneka Dwi Persada for operations by the Indonesian National Armed Forces, but it is based on a China-sourced UAV that is available on the open market. According to the company representative who spoke to Janes , the identity of the Chinese manufacturer cannot be disclosed due to commercial sensitivity reasons. The UAV measures 3.6×1.45×1.85 m, and each of its rotors has a diameter of 5.4 m, which means that the UAV needs a much smaller landing site when compared with conventional rotor-winged aircraft. When carrying its maximum payloads, the aviation gasoline-fuelled UAV has a maximum endurance of about three hours, a top speed of about 140 km/h, and a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft. (Source: Janes)

15 Jun 25. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in unmanned aircraft from the iconic Predator® to the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has unveiled a new small uncrewed launched effect with widespread multi-mission capabilities for the global aerospace and defense market. Inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of powerful natural forces in the Pacific, the Precision Exportable Launched Effect – PELE – is a small, attrition-tolerant, propeller-driven unmanned aircraft designed to extend the sensing and other capabilities of a mothership aircraft and its user service. PELE is a semi-autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with an 11-foot wingspan and 16-horsepower engine that extends user reach within challenging environments with potent effects. PELE also could be launched from the ground. The new PELE is optimized for use on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, the world’s foremost medium-altitude, long-endurance, multi-mission uncrewed aircraft. MQ-9B is in use or being considered for use by a growing number of nations around the world. PELE can fly with an onboard electro-optical infrared sensor for full-motion video as well as other integral sensors. The aircraft also has internal stowage for its own mission payloads.

“PELE brings even more versatility to growing MQ-9B fleets around the world,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “On one day, an air force might fly an MQ-9B with no external payloads to maximize its patrol time. Then on the next day, the same aircraft could take off and fly with several PELEs that would stand in against the adversary and take the immediate risks to preserve the larger aircraft.”

For example, MQ-9B might approach a contested boundary from international waters and release PELE to scout through the disputed zone to assess a hostile force’s order of battle or detect and precisely geo-locate anti-air systems. PELE is 9 feet in length, has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 250 pounds, 7 hours of endurance and range of 500 nautical miles.

12 Jun 25. Successful trial paves the way for improved reconnaissance on Army operations. Recent trial saw a single operator controlling three uncrewed vehicles, which detected and classified threats.

Uncrewed air vehicle in successful trial

UK first comes as government doubles investment in autonomous defence technology committing an extra £2bn this parliament
Next stage of trial will see drone swarms tested for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, delivering on recommendations set out in the Strategic Defence Review, and the Government Plan for Change.

Soldiers are set to be better protected, and Army surveillance operations enhanced, following a successful trial in which a single operator controlled three uncrewed air and land vehicles. The trials, conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), proved that robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) can be integrated into and controlled from crewed command vehicles, in a UK first. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine’s battlefields, this innovative use of RAS will play a vital role in strengthening the Army’s reconnaissance capabilities while reducing risk to personnel, allowing them to operate further from the frontline. The live trial took place on Salisbury Plain with a drone operated in tandem with two uncrewed ground vehicles, commanded by a single operator in a crewed vehicle. The autonomous systems were equipped with cameras and automatic target recognition software to detect and classify threats, which were relayed to the mission operator. Following recommendations set out in the Strategic Defence Review, this government is doubling investment in autonomous technology – investing an extra £2 bn this Parliament, following the Prime Minister’s historic uplift in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027. This will see autonomous systems, including drones, improve accuracy and lethality for our Armed Forces, boost UK export potential and drive jobs and growth across the country. Thales designed and developed the trial for Dstl, supported by a number of specialist technology suppliers. Dstl’s work supports thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK supply chain, including 7,000 staff employed by Thales directly, supporting the government’s Plan for Change. Following the success of the trial, Dstl will apply the concept to further missions, including deploying swarming drones in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP said: “As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, we plan to use drones, data and digital warfare to ensure our Armed Forces stronger and safer, whilst boosting jobs and innovation across the UK. This trial is an example of our Government’s new partnership with industry; delivering the cutting-edge technology to our front line troops and making defence an engine for growth, as part of our Plan for Change. The trial demonstrated the extension of the UK’s Generic Vehicle Architecture standard – which has also been adopted by NATO – to autonomous systems. Through integration into an internationally recognised system, the trial could lead to enhanced interoperability between allies, with the ability to deploy autonomous systems, sensors or software between vehicles at reduced risk and cost.”

Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s Chief Executive, said: “Dstl identifies and harnesses the emerging technologies that will deliver mission success through science and technology advantage for UK forces. These technologies support highly skilled jobs and create opportunities for growth throughout our specialist industry suppliers.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

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