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.
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 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.
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.”
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)