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17 Jul 25. Upgraded E-2D Block II aircraft will be fielded in a “couple of years.” This needs to be sooner rather than later as the US cancelled its E-7 Wedgetail order as part of the administration’s efficiency crusade. The E-2 airborne command and control aircraft, a platform that has been in service for more than 60-years, will receive upgrades under the forthcoming E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II iteration for use in the coming years. During the Chief of the Air Staff’s Air and Space Power Conference in London on 16 July, Jane Bishop, sector vice president and general manager, global surveillance, Northrop Grumman, confirmed that this iteration will be “fielded in a couple of years”. This needs to be sooner rather than later as the US government cancelled its Boeing E-7 Wedgetail order at the end of June 2025, as part of the current administration’s efficiency crusade. The US Department of Defense estimated costs had climbed by $136m per aircraft (out of 26 units), and added that there were survivability issues. Instead, the US Air Force (USAF) has resolved to lean on space-based capabilities as well as the legacy E-2D aircraft – a variant that reached initial operational capability in October 2014 – for its future airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet.
US and Europe requirements
Not only is E-2D less costly, but the platform is designed to deploy from aircraft carriers which will prove invaluable in conducting Indo-Pacific operations against China. Meanwhile, the hulking Wedgetail, based on the Boeing 737, has a top-hat radar that covers a significantly larger array than the E-2D. As it is jet-powered, Wedgetail can exceed the turboprop in speed and range. This is one benefit the Wedgetail provides another Indo-Pacific partner, the Royal Australian Air Force, given the vast theatre stretching 100 m kilometres. (Source: naval-technology.com)
16 Jul 25. Hoverfly Technologies announces the success of a significant video surveillance and live streaming effort at the Big Sandy Range Live Fire and Northrop Grumman’s Bushmaster User Conference this past April. Two Spectre systems were tasked with recording and live streaming the event, showcasing their unmatched capability as elevated ISR nodes with persistent video backhaul and multi-mission versatility. Hoverfly’s participation highlighted the Spectre system’s ability to seamlessly integrate into dynamic, real-world operations. Operated remotely, the two Spectre units were deployed in on-the-move configurations atop Expeditionary Modular Autonomous Vehicles (EMAV)—developed for the U.S Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle – Light (RCV-L) program. The Spectres were equipped with NextVision Raptor gimbals to provide uninterrupted, high-definition aerial coverage throughout the event. To ensure reliable video backhaul, the Spectres were also outfitted with Silvus radios for secure and persistent network connectivity while delivering real-time situational awareness to both on-site and remote viewers. This multi-payload multi-mission configuration epitomizes the Spectre’s ability to adapt to dynamic operations and fulfill a breadth of mission critical scenarios. Not only was this effort a concrete example of Spectre’s exemplary capability set, but it was also a testament to the expertise and adaptability provided by Hoverfly’s Services and Solutions. The Bushmaster User Conference brought together key military stakeholders, systems developers, and operational teams to witness the latest innovations and capabilities of Northrop Grumman’s Bushmaster® Chain Guns®, advanced ammunition, and cUAS solutions. The event required long-duration flights and intense operating conditions with a live firing range and Hoverfly persevered in every facet. Organizers from Northrop Grumman stated that Hoverfly’s deployment “brought an enhanced customer experience to view down range effects from the demonstration,” as the persistent video backhaul managed by Hoverfly operators made viewing the firing range a live and engrossing experience from an elevated viewpoint. Hoverfly Spectre’s compact, rugged design and easy deployment made it ideal for the conference’s mobile and fast-paced setting. This deployment continues to position Spectre as an indispensable tool in the evolving landscape of tactical communications and battlefield situational awareness.
“This demonstration reinforces what many of our defense partners already know — Spectre is not just a drone, it’s a force multiplier,” said Steve Walters, CEO of Hoverfly Technologies. “Whether for ISR, comms relay, or live event coverage, Spectre continues to prove its multi-mission value across a growing number of operational scenarios.” Learn more about Hoverfly TeUAS at https://hoverflytech.com/ (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Jul 25. Lockheed Martin has achieved a major breakthrough in AI and airborne surveillance with the potential to detect and track maritime targets with unprecedented accuracy. In a recent flight test on the west coast of the United States, Lockheed Martin engineering teams successfully demonstrated technology to automatically recognize targets using an AI-powered Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with embedded sensor control autonomy. SAR is a gold standard technology for imaging targets at sea, like warships, but traditionally requires manual interpretation of images. AI unlocks the full potential of SAR for enhanced object detection with faster, more accurate and automated image analysis. By leveraging AI-powered SAR target recognition, warfighters will be able to quickly differentiate a combatant vs. civilian vessel without the need for manual analysis.
“This is a major leap for harnessing AI to help enhance situational awareness and decision-making capabilities, with unparalleled threat identification across extended ranges and all-weather conditions,” said John Clark, senior vice president of technology and strategic innovation at Lockheed Martin. “We are committed to continuing to advance this capability, including data integration from multiple sensors, to create more accurate insights and help the warfighter make informed decisions in the maritime battle space.”
This groundbreaking achievement, developed by the Lockheed Martin AI Center (LAIC), Skunk Works®, and Rotary Mission Systems (RMS) team, is a significant advancement of situational awareness in maritime target recognition. In the demonstration, the SAR Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) capability, enabled by Machine Learnings Operations (MLOps) tools for rapid retraining, successfully classified targets of interest in near real-time. SAR ATR was coupled with autonomous sensor control, which re-tasked the radar in real time based on target detections. This capability was deployed on low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) hardware in the field, rapid edge processing, without the need for large cloud compute or ground stations. Testing of AI powered SAR ATR will continue over the course of the year. Data collected during these flight tests will be used to develop and mature multiple Lockheed Martin autonomous systems, including collaborative combat aircraft and family of systems applications.
16 Jul 25. L3Harris Showcases Counter-Drone Capability to British Soldiers at VANAHEIM. As the threat landscape rapidly evolves with increasingly agile and unpredictable uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), L3Harris is staying ahead of this warfighter need with adaptive, integrated counter-UAS solutions (CUAS) capable of responding in real-time. Warfighters need the right tools and technology at the right time to execute their missions successfully, stay safe, and maintain operational advantage over adversaries. During VANAHEIM, a dynamic field-based demonstration run by the British Army’s RAPSTONE Task Force, L3Harris placed its advanced counter-small UAS technology, CORVUS-RAVEN, directly into the hands of British soldiers to gain valuable, real-time feedback, shaping the future of the technology.
What is VANAHEIM?
VANAHEIM is a joint exercise run between the British and U.S. Armies at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, to identify new CUAS solutions to aid the British Army in updating and modernising capabilities, technology and tactics against the rapid development of small UAS threats in line with recent global conflicts.
Getting CORVUS-RAVEN in the Hands of Users
VANAHEIM required that each CUAS solution be designed for use by generalist soldiers, small enough to be portable and focused on Class 1 UAS systems. These requirements aligned perfectly with L3Harris’CORVUS-RAVEN counter-small UAS capability, a counter-drone system that provides enhanced situational awareness through the rapid detection and indication of drone threats, as well as integrated jamming functionality. With passive detection capability up to four kilometres and a visual display with battle management applications such as Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), CORVUS-RAVEN is a lightweight and highly portable solution ideally placed to address counter-small UAS challenges on the battlefield.
L3Harris showcased CORVUS-RAVEN in two configurations at VANAHEIM, a unit mounted onto a Coyote vehicle and a dismounted variant wearable by soldiers. During the L3Harris demo, British Army soldiers operated CORVUS-RAVEN in various realistic mission scenarios and provided direct feedback to L3Harris experts based on their experience with the kit, helping to shape and inform future capability.
“VANAHEIM provided an invaluable opportunity to get L3Harris CORVUS-RAVEN capability into the hands of users,” said Ian Menzies, General Manager of L3Harris’ Intelligence and Cyber International division. “By taking part in the trial, we’ve been able to show British soldiers how our equipment can benefit their missions in a live field environment. This close collaboration with the customer will inform further development of the capability, ensuring our technology is fully aligned to their needs and ready for the future.”
CORVUS-RAVEN brings operators unsurpassed signal detect-and-defeat jamming capability. At the heart of this system is L3Harris’ Individual CORVUS Node (ICN), a lightweight, compact electronic warfare system that enables forces to rapidly switch between multirole, multiplatform and multifunction capabilities. Software-defined, this capability is ready to rapidly detect, locate, classify and defeat evolving UAS threats across the future battlespace. (Source: ASD Network)
16 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that Drone strike hits U.S.-operated oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan. A drone strike disrupted operations at the Sarsang oil field in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region on Monday, marking another targeted attack on the region’s energy infrastructure. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) denounced the strike, calling it an act of terrorism. The field, located in Duhok province, is operated by U.S.-based HKN Energy. In a statement, HKN confirmed that the strike occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time and damaged one of its production facilities.
“Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured,” the company said, adding that emergency response teams contained a fire that broke out following the impact. No injuries were reported.
The incident is the latest in a series of drone-related attacks in northern Iraq. In recent weeks, a drone incident occurred near Erbil International Airport, which hosts U.S. and coalition forces, and another strike caused material damage to the Khurmala oil field. While no group has claimed responsibility, Kurdish officials have previously accused Iran-aligned militias of being behind similar operations. The KRG, which maintains its own oil and gas contracts independent of Baghdad, has faced increasing pressure from the federal government in recent years. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad have grown over control of natural resources, with Iraq’s federal government opposing unilateral Kurdish deals with foreign firms. Iraq’s Oil Ministry announced a preliminary agreement with HKN Energy just hours after the drone strike. The agreement involves developing the Hamrin oil field, located in a separate region under federal control. Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani emphasized Baghdad’s intent to continue working with American firms, despite legal and political disagreements over Kurdish energy policy.
“Iraq welcomes cooperation with U.S. companies to boost energy development,” he said.
Roughly 2,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in Iraq as part of the ongoing coalition mission against ISIS, primarily advising and assisting Iraqi and Kurdish forces. The rise in drone attacks, many suspected to be conducted by Iran-backed groups, highlights the growing challenge of securing against UAS threats facing foreign firms and infrastructure in the region.
Drone strike hits U.S.-operated oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
16 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that France tests new warhead-free interceptor drone. French startup Harmattan AI has begun flight testing a new counter-drone system designed to intercept and destroy enemy UAS without using a warhead. The drone, named Gobi, is part of a contract awarded by France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and is aimed at providing a cost-effective air defense solution. Founded just 14 months ago, Harmattan AI has focused on reducing the cost of drone interception through autonomous navigation and a simplified method of target destruction. According to the company, the Gobi drone is capable of engaging targets ranging from small quadcopters (Category 1) to medium-sized UAVs weighing up to 600 kilograms (Category 3). Gobi is an expendable fixed-wing drone that can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h and intercept targets at distances of up to 5 kilometers. The drone is launched automatically after receiving a signal from a ground-based surveillance system. During flight, it is guided toward the target area via radio commands. In the final phase of interception, the system switches to autonomous targeting using onboard infrared sensors, radar and computer vision algorithms. The drone does not carry a warhead. Instead, it is designed to physically collide with its target, specifically aiming to damage the rotor or propeller. Harmattan AI says this design choice helps reduce both the weight and production cost of the system. Video footage from test trials released by the company shows Gobi successfully intercepting and disabling drones in flight. The drone is not intended to be reusable.
Operational use and limitations
The developers highlight Gobi’s autonomous guidance capabilities and low production cost as its primary advantages. However, the system depends on visual tracking in its final targeting phase, which may limit its effectiveness in poor weather conditions such as fog, rain or snow. Additionally, unlike systems that use proximity fuses or explosive charges, Gobi must make direct physical contact with the drone to be effective. This could limit performance against maneuvering or fast-moving aerial targets.
Future development
Harmattan AI has not disclosed specific details about production timelines or unit costs. However, the system is being promoted as part of France’s broader effort to develop scalable and affordable counter-UAS capabilities. It is unclear whether Gobi will be integrated into French military forces beyond the testing phase. https://cuashub.com/en/content/france-tests-new-warhead-free-interceptor-drone/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
16 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that Belarus shoots down Russian drone headed toward Ukraine. A Belarusian military helicopter shot down a Russian drone near the Ukrainian border on Saturday, according to Ukrainian intelligence sources cited by RBC-Ukraine. The drone, identified as a Russian Gerbera model, was intercepted while flying through Belarusian airspace en route to Ukraine. The incident reportedly occurred on July 12, when a Belarusian Mi-24 helicopter conducting routine airspace control detected the UAS and destroyed it. The wreckage of the drone fell in the Gomel region of southeastern Belarus, not far from the Ukrainian border. According to the same Ukrainian sources, at least three Russian drones were operating in Belarusian airspace at the time. It is unclear whether the others continued their mission or returned to Russian-controlled territory. The Gerbera drone is believed to be a decoy system, designed to simulate the radar signature of an armed UAS in order to distract or confuse air defense systems. Its use has increased in recent months as Russia attempts to probe and overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. This is not the first time a Gerbera drone has drawn regional attention. Just two days earlier, on July 10, Lithuania scrambled fighter jets in response to an unidentified drone that crossed into its airspace from Belarus. The incident prompted emergency protective measures, with senior government officials briefly sheltering. The drone later crashed near the shuttered Shumsk border checkpoint, roughly one kilometer from Belarusian territory. Lithuania’s National Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė later confirmed that the drone involved in that incident was also a Russian Gerbera model. Its flight path, reportedly traversing parts of Ukraine and Belarus before entering Lithuania, remains under investigation. Neither Belarusian nor Russian officials have publicly commented on this most recent incident.
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
08 Jul 25. USD2bn plus for counter-UAS in President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law on July 4, 2025. According to analysts Holland & Knight:
“The defense portion of the reconciliation bill addresses critical capability gaps identified by the Trump Administration, military leadership and members of Congress. It includes significant investment across multiple domains, with particular emphasis on shipbuilding, supply chain resilience, low-cost weapons and munitions production, DOD cybersecurity, nuclear modernization, Indo-Pacific Command capabilities and readiness initiatives. The legislation also provides an initial investment in the president’s Golden Dome initiative, which is a comprehensive layered missile defense architecture.”
The key counter-UAS expenditure line items are included in Section 20004: “Enhancement of DOD Resources for Munitions and Defense Supply Chain Resiliency (USD25bn)”. This section includes investments in various munitions and counter-drone programmes, including:
- USD500m for counter-unmanned aerial systems programs to address emerging drone threats:
- USD350m for non-kinetic counter-unmanned aerial systems programs
- USD250m for development of land-based counter-unmanned aerial systems
- USD200m for ship-based counter-unmanned aerial systems
Further funding of USD500m for state and local drone detection capability and USD2.77 for “cutting-edge surveillance technologies“ for border control agencies will push the final total to more than USD2bn. The bill also includes a preliminary USD12.5bn from a total of USD31 bn President Trump has identified for ATC modernization; how much of this will be made available for investment in new UAS traffic management systems is not yet clear, though the switch to more digital technologies and investment in new weather systems plus USD50m to fund the FAA’s Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT) should provide some funding for more UTM development. According to an AUVSI statement: “This is a major milestone for the autonomy and robotics industry, positioning the U.S. to lead the world in secure, innovative, and scalable uncrewed technologies. Thanks to sustained engagement from AUVSI and our members, the bill includes bns in funding across all domains of autonomy, including: USD13.5B+ for small UAS, maritime robotics, autonomous munitions, and more; robust funding for shipbuilding, ground vehicles, AI/ML integration, and counter-UAS; USD500M to support state and local UAS detection capabilities; major investments in uncrewed systems for the Coast Guard, border surveillance, and public safety missions
For more information:
https://www.hklaw.com/-/media/files/insights/publications/2025/07/onebigbeautifulbillcomprehensiveanalysis.pdf
https://www.linkedin.com/company/auvsi/posts/?feedView=all
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
08 Jul 25. Drugs continue to be smuggled into UK prisons by drone, annual report warns. The UK’s Chief Inspector of Prisons has again warned of the widespread ingress of illegal drugs into prisons by drone. In his Annual Report, published today (July 8), Charlie Taylor said the prison service, police and security services must work closely together to tackle the threat from organised criminals. His report notes that drones were making regular deliveries to Manchester and Long Lartin which held some of the most dangerous men in the country, including terrorists and organised crime bosses. As we reported in January, the Chief Inspector found that physical security such as netting, windows and CCTV was found to be inadequate, seriously compromising safety and representing a threat to national security. These findings were revealed earlier in the year due to immediate concerns over the security of airspace above some prisons.
“Organised criminal activity was driving the drug economy with an alarming increase in the use of drones at many jails to deliver illicit items into prisons,” the new annual report states. “A lack of investment in technology and staff training made it hard for some jails to detect and deter the ingress of illicit items.”
In October 2024, the Ministry of Justice released figures for the number of drones spotted over prisons, rising from 122 in 2019 to 1063 in 2023. The 2023 total was a substantial increase over the previous year when 478 were “sighted or reported”. Chief Inspector Taylor’s comments in January and again today would suggest that this number has continued to rise.
For more information: Annual report at HM Inspectorate of Prisons (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
10 Jul 25. SkeyDrone to monitor skies over Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival. SkeyDrone will again deploy its drone detection technology at the Tomorrowland music festival this summer. At last year’s festival, SkeyDrone detected more than 1000 drone flights in the airspace above the event in Boom, Belgium. This year, all drone pilots must request flight authorisation via the SkeyDrone Planner before operating in the Tomorrowland geozone. Drone flights over or near the festival area will only be authorised if operated by Tomorrowland staff, official contractors or the police. Other drone operators must provide a valid justification for flying in the remaining areas of the geozone. Requests must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance via the SkeyDrone Planner application. Drones must remain in visual sight of the operator at all time, and the drone must have remote identification activated and be equipped with a geo-awareness system.
The temporary geozone above the festival site will be active on the following dates:
– from 17/07/2025 7.00 CET until 21/07/2025 14.00 CET
– from 24/07/2025 7.00 CET until 28/07/2025 14.00 CET
For permitted drone flights, the pilot must hold an A2 certificate of remote pilot competency or higher, and all instructions by the police and the Tomorrowland Flight Coordinator must be followed. The drone pilot must have two-way radio communication with the coordination team during the flight. Attendance at the mandatory operational briefings is required for all drone pilots.
Non-compliance will lead to exclusion from further drone operations in the geozone. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
14 Jul 25. American Robotics’ Kestrel awarded US public events safety contract. Ondas Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiary American Robotics has secured a purchase order from a “major urban public safety organisation” in the United States for its Kestrel drone detection system. The Kestrel system is available in both active and passive detection configurations, supporting fixed and mobile applications. It can also be integrated with American Robotics’ Optimus System to support fully remote autonomous drone operations, when Optimus is deployed for aerial security and inspection. American Robotics has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) waivers for Kestrel. This contract will see Kestrel provide layered security at high-visibility public events where airspace awareness and safety are particularly valuable to support public safety officials in protecting the public. Ondas has also recently announced a new partnership agreement with Klear, a financial technology company offering non-dilutive working capital and treasury management services. “The teaming agreement establishes a collaborative framework through which Ondas and Klear will jointly support acquired and affiliated companies with embedded capital tools, liquidity planning and treasury management infrastructure,” Ondas said on July 7. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
14 Jul 25. DroneShield R&D and Manufacturing Capacity Expansion.
- DroneShield is committing to invest $13m in a significant R&D and manufacturing capacity expansion
- New dedicated 3,000sqm of own production space (3x the floorspace of the current production facility)
- Addition of 2,500sqm to the R&D area in its headquarters, for engineering and lab space
- Together with planned expansions to its Australian contract manufacturing, and plans to set up contract manufacturing in Europe and the US, the current $500 m annual manufacturing capacity is estimated to expand to $2.4 bn, by the end of 2026
- The expansion in Australia is concurrent with DroneShield’s European and US manufacturing initiatives, against the backdrop of record global demand
DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) is making a more than $13m initial investment via a multi-year lease and fitout commitment into a brand new 3,000sqm production facility in Sydney’s Alexandria, with expected opening in December 2025. This is in addition to 2,500sqm of R&D area in its headquarters, expanding its own annual production capacity to $900m by mid-2026 and a combined total annual manufacturing capacity to $2.4bn by the end of 2026, as it targets a $2.34bn and rapidly growing global sales pipeline including in Europe, its fastest-growing export market. The $13m amount refers to 5 years of initial lease commitment as well as the fit-out cost for its expanded R&D area, and the new production facility. As DroneShield engages with third party supply chain, substantially Australian, there is no requirement for heavy machinery and similar capital expenditure investment. The new facility, including advanced in-house production, testing and warehousing capabilities is DroneShield’s largest to date and more than three times the size of its current production assembly floor near central Sydney. The existing production assembly floor will be converted into an additional R&D area for the Company, resulting in a 5,530sqm total R&D area. It comes on the heels of DroneShield announcing it has received a $61.6 m European contract in June, the biggest single order in DroneShield’s history, followed shortly by a $9.7 m Latin American contract and an $11.7m Five-Eyes R&D contract. In line with the broader increase in military spending across the EU region, DroneShield has also announced its significant expansion into Europe, where it is planning to establish a European Centre of Excellence, including manufacturing and production facility, to support the continent’s domestic defence programs such as the EUR800bn ReArm Europe Plan / Readiness 2030. “In response to rising threats and multiple wars taking place across the globe, Australia’s allies are increasing investment in modern defence capabilities,” said Oleg Vornik, CEO, DroneShield. “We are stepping up to meet this demand by investing in state-of-the-art facilities here and abroad, and in sovereign Australian skills development to provide the most modern and effective counter-drone capabilities in the world. Our new facility in Alexandria will epitomise the value Australian engineering can bring to a changing geopolitical landscape.”
13 Jul 25. Nordic Air Defence raises $3m to expand operations and advance drone defence technology. Swedish defence technology firm Nordic Air Defence (NAD) has raised $3m in an expanded pre-seed funding round, bringing the total raised to $4.4m. The investment, led by venture capital firm Inflection, marks one of the largest pre-seed rounds in the European defence tech sector. As the company moves into what it calls “Phase Two”, NAD has restructured its board and made several senior engineering hires to support growth. The new team members come from leading firms including Anduril, Einride, and FLIR, underlining NAD’s aim to develop sovereign drone defence solutions within Europe.
NAD CEO Karl Rosander stated: “What were once imagined as future conflicts are happening right now. There can be no complacency: the world is rapidly changing and Europe must create new industrial might and deliver defensive hardware at-scale.. Inflection recognises the urgency of the mission at hand and has invested in Nordic Air Defence; their investment brings us closer to bringing the Kreuger 100, our first product, to market and ultimately in the field. The race is on to deploy and have Nordic Air Defence providing protective cover.”
Inflection Partner Jonatan Luther-Bergquist said: “Nordic Air Defence has built a winning team, one we feel has the entrepreneurial mentality and skills to fundamentally transform the defence tech industry. Our investment underpins our commitment to technologies that empower sovereign computation and resilience. We are not only investing in the superb team at NAD, but also in Europe: for too long defence tech was stale and we cannot let the continent fall behind. Europe has storied engineering and defence heritage. Nordic Air Defence has captured its very essence and we are excited to support them as they get closer to launching the Kreuger 100.”
NAD also announced the appointment of Nicholas Högasten as Head of Product, following more than two decades at Teledyne FLIR, where he led development projects in imaging and sensing. Högasten, who has been based in California for 18 years, will relocate to Stockholm this summer. Dominic Surano will join NAD as Director of Special Projects after leading unmanned aerial systems development at Anduril Industries, as well as previous roles at Insitu and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. Bianca Otake, formerly of Einride, joins as a Navigation Engineer, bringing expertise in autonomous driving technologies. (Source: Google/DIE)
11 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that US Army tests battlefield 3D printing of FPV drones. The U.S. Army is exploring a future where front-line units can manufacture and deploy FPV drones on-demand, using mobile 3D printers to maintain drone production on the frontline. During the recent Combined Resolve 25-02 exercise held in Germany, both U.S. and opposing force (OpFor) units were equipped with 3D printers as part of an Army initiative to evaluate whether FPV drones can be produced close to the battlefield in active combat conditions.
“Every unit right now that’s a [Transformation in Contact] TiC-based unit is trying to develop capabilities in-house to create these small UAS or FPV-style drones,” said Lt. Col. Dan Huff, commander of the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, which served as the OpFor during the exercise.
Huff’s unit operated two 3D printers at battalion headquarters, producing one-way attack drones and transporting them forward through logistics convoys. While effective in the exercise, the setup highlights the logistical and operational questions the Army is still working to resolve.
“It really drives the cost down, and it allows us to be more nimble,” Huff noted. “We don’t have to wait for something commercial off-the-shelf to be available.”
The 3D printing initiative is driven in part by the need to decentralize drone production and maintain tactical flexibility in large-scale combat operations, according to Col. Nick Ryan, director of the Army Capability Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
“We’re trying to figure out what right looks like when you’re in a large-scale combat operation and you’re always having to constantly jump and move because you could be targeted by the adversary,” Ryan said. “Is it really the right answer to have a brigade carrying around 3D printers in the back of a truck trying to print 100, 400, 500 of these things at a time?”
Ryan suggested a hybrid approach may be more viable, mass-producing drone bodies in rear-area facilities and forwarding components to smaller 3D printing and assembly cells closer to the front lines. These cells could finalize the builds and deliver drones to combat teams on demand.
“That’s kind of the process we’re thinking through,” Ryan said. “How does this look as an actual doctrinal, strategic process for us to actually fight with… in a large-scale combat operation?”
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division also participated in Combined Resolve, using a mix of 3D-printed and commercial drones as it transitioned its former Shadow drone platoon into an FPV drone unit. While their 3D printers were stationed too far back to fully support fast-turn battlefield production, Col. Timothy Gatlin said the unit plans to refine the approach further during training back in the U.S.
“We still have some work to do on that [set up],” Gatlin said. “We’re going to bring it back here to home station and test it even more.”
The Army’s experimentation with frontline 3D printing seeks to enable adaptable, soldier-driven drone manufacturing practices. Such practices could prove critical in future conflicts given the reliance on FPV drones that has been observed in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
11 Jul 25. IAI’s Systems Lead Multi-Domain Defense in Operation Rising Lion, Delivering Real-Time Threat Detection & Interception. IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries), a world-class aerospace and defense leader, played a critical strategic role during the recent Operation Rising Lion (the 12 day war), serving as a national anchor for the State of Israel. IAI’s advanced ground-based and airborne radar systems successfully detected all incoming threats, enabling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s Home Front Command to provide timely warnings to civilians nationwide. IAI’s Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 defense systems precisely intercepted the ballistic missiles launched by Iran. At the same time, its remotely-crewed aircraft Heron (Shoval) and Heron TP (Eitan) operated continuously for thousands of flights in the ‘third circle’, while protecting the lives of Israeli forces. IAI’s Barak MX air and naval defense system delivered a robust operational response to diverse aerial and maritime threats, including cruise missiles, rockets, aircraft, and sea-to-sea missiles. In addition, as Israel’s space house, IAI’s Ofek reconnaissance satellites scanned tens of ms of square kilometers, delivering high-quality imagery using electro-optical and radar sensors around the clock, while Amos communications satellites ensured continuous essential communications for operational support in all theaters of operation. This is the first time that several of these technologies have been deployed operationally in the ‘third circle,’ thousands of kilometers from the State of Israel, in combination with artificial intelligence. These systems enabled seamless connectivity across all domains – land, sea, air and space – integrating multiple battlefronts into a unified operational framework. This unprecedented capability delivered real-time intelligence that directly informed decision-making, both within Israel’s defense establishment and at the political level.
Boaz Levy, IAI’s President & CEO: “The State of Israel demonstrated to the world that it possesses some of the most advanced and effective operational capabilities, underpinned by technological superiority and strategic preparedness. In this latest war, Israel’s defense industries, led by IAI, stood as a key pillar of national defense. For the first time, our country faced a coordinated attack involving hundreds of ballistic missiles, and we are proud that Israeli-developed systems delivered a full-spectrum, strategic response across air, sea, land and space. This achievement reflects years of tireless efforts of IAI’s employees, who have worked around the clock since October 7, 2023, with one mission – to safeguard Israel’s citizens. We remain firmly committed to developing the next generation of innovative defense technologies that will ensure Israel stays steps ahead of any threats, while continuing to support our global partners.” (Source: ASD Network)
11 Jul 25. Leonardo, Enav and UkSATSE sign an agreement to restore Ukraine’s ATM System. At the Ukrainian Recovery Conference, Leonardo, Enav SpA and the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to launch a collaborative effort aimed at restoring and enhancing Ukraine’s civil air navigation infrastructure under the framework of the Ukraine Air Traffic Management (ATM) Restoration and Recovery Plan (UARRP). The agreement marks a significant step towards the re-establishment of Ukraine’s ATM capabilities, which have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict. Through this partnership, Leonardo, a European leader in aerospace, defence and security, will act as a supporter and provider of technological and infrastructure components of the recovery plan. At the same time, Enav, Italy’s national Air Navigation Service Provider, will contribute with its operational knowledge and consultancy services. On its end, UkSATSE, Ukraine’s Air Navigation Service Provider, will lead the implementation as the end user and beneficiary of the restored systems. The three parties are committed to jointly coordinate the planning and execution of key projects under the UARRP and to work closely with institutional partners to identify sustainable financing solutions. In the framework of the cooperation, two Donation Agreements have been signed between Leonardo, Enav and UkSATSE, covering the transfer of five en-route primary radar systems and associated equipment. These systems are expected to play a meaningful role in restoring Ukraine’s basic surveillance capacity and enabling a phased reopening of its airspace for civil operations. This initial delivery represents the first tangible milestone in the broader implementation of the UARRP and reflects Leonardo’s concrete support for Ukraine’s recovery needs. The Memorandum and the Donation Agreements reaffirm the shared intention of all three parties to build a secure and functional airspace infrastructure for Ukraine’s future. The agreement may be the subject of subsequent binding agreements that the parties will define in compliance with the applicable legislation, including that relating to transactions between related parties. (Source: ASD Network)
11 Jul 25. L3Harris Delivers 1st P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to US Navy. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has delivered the first overhauled P-8A Poseidon aircraft to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) – a key milestone that supports the U.S. Navy’s readiness goals. L3Harris is performing program depot maintenance along with repair and overhaul for NAVAIR’s fleet of 139 aircraft. NAVAIR aircraft perform missions that include maritime patrol, long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. L3Harris will also support foreign military sales of P-8A aircraft.
“We’re keeping the Navy’s fleet mission-ready with this first P-8A delivery,” said Jason Lambert, President, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, L3Harris. “Our proven expertise in aircraft maintenance enables us to enhance performance and extend fleet longevity.”
L3Harris anticipates up to nine aircraft inductions during the first contract year. The company is currently overhauling seven aircraft, with all on track for delivery this year. Work on the Navy’s P-8A fleet began in 2024 at L3Harris’ aircraft modification facility in Waco and continues through September 2029. (Source: ASD Network)
07 Jul 25. Lockheed Martin successfully delivered the first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) shipset comprised of four AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antennas to the Japan Ministry of Defence (JMOD). The delivery was facilitated through Mitsubishi Corporation under a Direct Commercial Sale arrangement after rigorous acceptance testing.
“The successful on-time delivery of all antennas for the first ASEV showcases the maturity and scalability of the SPY-7 radar as well as production capacity, while also demonstrating Lockheed Martin’s dedication and expertise in system integration,” said Chandra Marshall, vice president of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions at Lockheed Martin.
The JMOD is acquiring two ASEVs, and both are on track for commissioning in Japan Fiscal Year 2027 and 2028. Marshall continued, “We will continue full system integration and testing with all four antennas at the Production Test Center in Moorestown, New Jersey this year, prior to equipment delivery to Japan, which will significantly reduce integration risk and enable commissioning on schedule.”
The SPY-7 Advantage: With advanced detection and tracking capabilities, SPY-7 effectively counters complex threats, enabling simultaneous engagement of multiple targets and delivering a robust 21st century security capability that enhances the effectiveness of naval forces in an increasingly uncertain and dynamic environment.
In addition to Japan’s ASEVs, the SPY-7 radar is also being produced for Canada’s River-Class Destroyers, Spain’s F-110 Frigates, and the land-based version has been deployed by the Missile Defense Agency for the Guam Defense System (TPY-6) and the Long-Range Discrimination Radar. The selection of Lockheed Martin’s solid-state radar by both the US and multiple international allies demonstrates the world-class capability and maturity of the radar. In December 2024, Lockheed Martin’s land-based version of the SPY-7 radar, known as TPY-6, successfully intercepted a mid-range ballistic missile as part of the Aegis Guam System during Flight Experiment Mission-02.
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