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28 Nov 25. Ocius unveils hybrid class Bluebottle USVs for persistent surveillance, reconnaissance. Australian defence innovator Ocius has unveiled two hybrid class Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels under the first-of-its-type milestone, as the company announces plans to accelerate production to one Bluebottle vessel-per-week by June 2026. The company has previously sold its solar, wind and wave-powered Ocius Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessels are designed to provide flexible, persistent and capable long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) under missions involving surface intelligence, surveillance and anti-submarine warfare as well as support for civilian maritime applications. The new pair of hybrid class Bluebottle USVs were named by former chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (Ret’d) Mark Binskin AC.
“The christening of the Bluebottle Hybrid opens up important new regions and climates where the Bluebottle can operate and where recent events have shown a growing threat,” he said.
“With a focus on meeting customer needs, Ocius continues to be powered by innovation and improvement.
“Today, Ocius provides critical operational capability to the RAN and partners.”
The Bluebottle Hybrid uses the same hull as the current 24-foot renewable energy-powered Bluebottle, enabling the hybrid vessels to use the same logistics and trailers but carry both diesel power and a keel winch for storing and deploying thin line arrays. One of the landmark 24-foot Bluebottle Hybrid vessels is named “Binny” in his honour, who is the company’s Defence and National Security Adviser. The other Bluebottle Hybrid is named “Butch” after Graeme “Butch” Johnston, a long-time friend of Ocius chief executive and founder Robert Dane, who closely supported early prototypes of the technology.
“A small generator with 400 litres of diesel provides enormous additional energy to complement our batteries and power from solar, wind and wave sources and enables Bluebottles to support persistent operations in new geographies globally,” Ocius chief executive officer Robert Dane said.
“The Bluebottle Hybrids can deploy sonar arrays to varying depths and do surface ISR and hydrography at high latitudes in winter where there may be little or no sun.” (Source: Defence Connect)
27 Nov 25. US defense firm Anduril faces setbacks from drone crashes
- Summary
- Anduril’s Altius drones crashed twice in tests this month, according to Air Force summary
- Ghost drone system struggled with Russian electronic warfare in Ukraine
- Anduril says failures identified by Reuters were “isolated examples”
- Company said it produced updated Ghost drone model to address issues
A U.S. military plane soared over Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base earlier this month and released a drone made by the defense tech giant Anduril Industries to test whether it could take flight and conduct surveillance. The drone – a winged model known as Altius – nosedived 8,000 feet into the ground, according to an Air Force test summary, reported here for the first time. Shortly afterwards, a second Altius drone spiraled to earth during a separate test, the summary said. Anduril has become one of Silicon Valley’s hottest defense bets as drones reshape warfare in Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump pushes the Pentagon to adopt cutting-edge technologies to counter China. The company has ridden a surge of investment into military tech that has helped its valuation more than triple since late 2022 to $30.5 billion. Anduril has described its Altius drone, which can be used for surveillance and carry munitions, as battle-ready and says it has sent hundreds to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion started in 2022. The company says Altius can launch from ground, air, or sea and, depending on the model, offer long-range strike capabilities or the ability to fly for hours. Anduril’s 33-year-old founder Palmer Luckey said in March, opens new tab that Altius drones have “taken out hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Russian targets.” In August, he traveled to Taiwan to deliver the company’s first batch of the drones there. But the previously undisclosed failure of the two Altius drones during the Air Force tests this month, as well as setbacks for Anduril’s Ghost drone program – including in Ukraine – highlight a gap between the U.S. company’s claims of battlefield readiness and the performance of some of its drones in testing and combat, according to interviews with more than a dozen people, including former Anduril staff, military officials, and people working with drones on the Ukrainian battlefield. Western drone makers, including Anduril, have had limited impact so far on the battlefield in Ukraine. Mykhailo Fedorov, a deputy prime minister of Ukraine, said on Telegram in November 2024 that of one million drones deployed to the front lines that year, 96% were Ukrainian-made.
Shannon Prior, an Anduril spokesperson, said the incidents documented by Reuters are “isolated examples” across hundreds of tests.
“We are constantly proving out new capabilities for all of our systems, pushing them to the limit so that we can learn, iterate, and improve our systems,” she said. “Test failures are a natural – and intentional – part of that process.”
Prior added the Altius has previously flown “more than 2,000 hours” in tests, demonstrations and deployments, without providing details of what the results of those tests were. Reuters could not determine how many Altius test flights have resulted in failures. After the news agency contacted Anduril for comment, the company posted a blog detailing testing issues related to the Altius and Ghost drones, in addition to its command and control software, Lattice. “Those failures, and the learning they afford, are an essential and unavoidable part of the development process,” the company said. A spokesperson for the Air Force Special Operations Command confirmed the Altius demonstration occurred this month but declined to comment further. On the same day as the Air Force demo, the Pentagon, opens new tab announced, opens new tab another purchase, opens new tab of Altius drones worth up to $50 million, part of a contract for “testing, training and supportability” of the drones. The Armed Forces of Ukraine declined to comment on the performance of Anduril’s equipment, saying the effectiveness of weapons and military technology is restricted information, citing laws covering state secrets.
‘WE’RE GOING TO MOVE FAST’
Anduril has a rapidly growing portfolio of weapons systems in development, spanning an autonomous warship it is co-developing with Hyundai to the “Fury,” a large drone designed to fly alongside manned fighter jets.
“We’re going to move fast, build what works and get it into the hands of the people who need it,” Luckey said during a speech in Taiwan this summer.
But Anduril’s setbacks underscore a broader challenge: America’s defense industry, long defined by costly world-class systems such as jets, missiles and aircraft carriers, must adapt to a battlefield where cheap, mass-produced drones have become central to modern warfare. The Pentagon didn’t respond to a comment request. The war in Ukraine has provided an opportunity for the company to battle-test and promote its products as it looks to boost its business with the Pentagon and with Taiwan. The company sent about 40 models of its Ghost drone, which looks like a miniature helicopter and can be used for reconnaissance, to Ukraine early in the conflict that began in 2022, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. But the initial model struggled to withstand Russian electronic warfare, frustrating Ukrainian soldiers, according to four people familiar with the matter. The person with direct knowledge of the matter said the company misunderstood how both terrain and Russia’s jamming of satellite-based navigation systems could derail flight plans.
Anduril spokesperson Prior said “everyone was having problems” with jamming from the outset of the war. She said that Anduril’s “teams work side by side with end users every day to capture feedback, push software updates in real time, and adapt systems under combat conditions.”
Prior said an updated model, the Ghost X, was delivered to the frontlines in Ukraine in December 2023 and “proved that the lessons learned earlier in the year were addressed.”
GHOST GOES DOWN IN TESTING
But the Ghost X has also had issues in more recent tests. A video shared with Reuters and separately posted in January 2025 on US ArmyWTF, an Instagram account run by an Army veteran, showed a Ghost model spinning out of control before crash landing near soldiers in an unidentified location.
“I told you this would be a clusterfuck,” said one unidentified person in the video.
Reuters verified the footage as having been recorded during a weeks-long U.S. Army exercise in Hohenfels, Germany that began in mid-January, and included use of the Ghost X. Anduril said the incident occurred due to an issue with a rotor and said it was fixed. Major Geoffrey Carmichael, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division that was involved in the exercise, said that when units are experimenting with new technologies such as drones “hard landings, system failures, and weather-related impacts can occur.” Of the Ghost X specifically, Carmichael said the drone “demonstrated strong performance in cold, high-altitude, and hot-weather environments” but that units identified areas for improvement, “particularly power management in extreme cold.” Anduril, in its blog post, said U.S. Army units had “consistently praised” the reliability of Ghost X.
ALTIUS IN UKRAINE
Anduril initially sent about 100 Altius drones to Ukraine in 2023, according to two sources. In March of this year, the UK Ministry of Defence announced a £30 million (about $40 million) contract paid for by a UK-led international fund to send an undisclosed number of Altius drones to Ukraine.
Britain’s Defense Ministry told Reuters the deal was to provide advanced Altius drones to Ukraine to tackle Russian aggression in the Black Sea. It said the Altius drones were recently delivered to the Ukrainian Navy, “who have expressed their satisfaction with them.” The Ukrainian Armed Forces didn’t provide further comment. Anduril told Reuters it has “shipped hundreds of Anduril systems to Ukraine” and that “they’ve proven effective against a large number of high-value enemy assets.” In September, Luckey posted a photo on X, opens new tab showing him carrying a large metal case with the caption: “Loading up and shipping out another truckload of leverage for Ukraine!” The post did not specify what was in the box. The company has recently indicated it may be more open about its testing results. Earlier this month, Luckey asked his followers on X, opens new tab if the company should share more “behind the scenes.” Two days later, after making an announcement revealing a new high-end hovering drone called Omen, which the company has said is built for surveillance missions, the company posted, opens new tab a video on X of it crash landing into the dirt – accompanied by the words “developmental learnings.” (Source: Reuters)
27 Nov 25. Advancing subsea operations with modular UUVs. Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) offer a non-invasive and cost-effective solution for subsea and offshore tasks. They are now frequently deployed to complete complex missions for scientific research, environmental monitoring, military and defence operations, and in commercial industries like oil and gas exploration and aquaculture. UUV technology has evolved rapidly in response to increased demands for robustness and versatility. Advancements in propulsion systems, batteries, navigation, and data collection have all contributed to product development. There is, however, still a strong drive for enhanced reliability, extended endurance and cost-effectiveness. Today’s UUVs need to accommodate different payloads and work at various depths for longer periods, and a modular approach to design helps to meet these requirements with minimal downtime. Grounded in Dynautics’ prior success with Phantom 1, a compact UUV built for the US Navy, the company recently set out on an ambitious development cycle to scale this design for a new project. Phantom 2 needed to carry varied payloads, such as side scan sonar, as well as offering greater endurance and operational depth. The project presented several technical and operational challenges, some examples of which are outlined below:
Safety: The undersea battery was fitted into the aft section with an intermediate sealing design to maintain safety in the event of a leak in the main system.
Stability: Achieving the optimal centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy required iterative design and simulation to ensure stability.
Transportation: Phantom 2 breaks down into four, manageable components that are easier to transport, simplifying logistics.
Communications: Phantom 2 was designed to float nose-up to communicate with a vehicle on the surface, enabling data download and mission updates without recovery.
Redundancy: Extensive Failure Mode and Effect Analysis on the subsystems and overall design provided the highest results achievable.
Phantom 2 is a combination of proven and bespoke solutions. Dynautics used its proprietary MicroSpectre C firmware for vessel dynamics, and its AUVSim marine simulator to tune vessel control and provide the first insights into hydrodynamics, location and fin response times. A holistic approach to power management was implemented, with specific firmware developed to monitor the entire vessel and prioritise critical systems, ensuring safe retrieval of the UUV under all conditions.
During tests, Phantom 2 demonstrated exceptional surface manoeuvrability and operated at shallow depths with a cruising speed of 4 knots and 12 hours endurance. The design is rated to 100m depths, providing access to littoral areas and much of the continental shelf. Repeated missions were completed without the need for interim recovery, validating the modular design and communication systems for enhanced operational efficiency.
Dynautics CEO, Henry Robinson, said: “Phantom 2 is proving to be a versatile platform ready for commercial, scientific and security applications. We fully intend to further extend the capabilities of our modular UUVs, so that they are well positioned to support a sustainable future for subsea exploration.”
27 Nov 25. Parrot has announced that its latest generation of professional micro-UAV systems, ANAFI UKR, has been selected by a major European Defence Force, with one of its leading distribution partners acting as prime contractor, in a competitive 3- year procurement program aimed at modernizing tactical reconnaissance and situational- awareness capabilities across frontline units. Under this programme, Parrot and its distribution partner aim to deliver a large-scale fleet of next- generation tactical reconnaissance UAVs, accompanied by programmr management, engineering support, maintenance frameworks, documentation, spare-parts packages, and comprehensive training. First orders and deliveries are expected to start before the end of the year. The agreement also includes multi-year options for significant additional system orders, enabling scalable deployment across the customer’s operational forces as mission needs evolve. This award is one of the most significant defence contracts won to date by ANAFI UKR and marks a major step forward in Parrot’s expansion across European defence and public safety markets. (Source: UAS VISION)
25 Nov 25. IonQ and Heven AeroTech Partner to Develop Quantum-Enabled Drones. IonQ, a leading quantum company, has announced a new investment and strategic partnership with Heven AeroTech, a developer of advanced hydrogen-powered Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) solutions for defense and aerospace missions. The agreement will enable Heven AeroTech to integrate IonQ’s quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum sensing, and quantum security technologies into its autonomous aerial systems, helping redefine mission resilience, stealth, and operational performance in GPS-denied environments.
“By integrating IonQ’s world-leading quantum technologies, Heven AeroTech will deliver a new class of unparalleled UAS capabilities,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. “This partnership positions Heven’s drones to tackle missions no other player can with unmatched precision, resilience, and security.”
Founded in 2019, Heven AeroTech is a Virginia-based company that pioneered the use of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion in aerial vehicles, enabling its drones, like the Heven Z1, to fly up to 600 miles for more than 10 hours. Unlike traditional electric or fossil fuel drones, Heven’s systems combine long-endurance flight with advanced autonomy and renewable energy-powered stealth capabilities, positioning the company as a trailblazer in aerial robotics.
Through this collaboration, IonQ and Heven AeroTech joint initiatives may include:
- Quantum Networking and Security: Creating ultra-secure, reliable links between drones using quantum communications, also enabling mission resilience.
- Quantum Computing: Leveraging IonQ’s quantum systems to optimize fleet routing and real-time fusion of drone and satellite imagery.
- Quantum Sensing: Deploying quantum sensors for applications such as alternative positioning, navigation, and timing onboard Heven drones.
The partnership unlocks IonQ’s deployment of quantum technologies in real-world aerospace scenarios while providing Heven AeroTech access to cutting-edge quantum capabilities that further differentiate its offerings in defense, intelligence, and aerospace markets.
“IonQ’s quantum technologies are a natural fit for our hydrogen-powered aerial platforms,” said Ben Levinson, Founder and CEO of Heven AeroTech. “This partnership enables us to push the boundaries of endurance, autonomy, and security in ways previously thought impossible. Together, we’re building a new generation of uncrewed systems that can thrive in contested environments and deliver critical capabilities for the missions that matter most.”
As part of the partnership, Jordan Shapiro, President and General Manager of IonQ’s Quantum Networking, Sensing & Security division, will join Heven AeroTech’s Board of Directors. The move reflects IonQ’s growing leadership in applying quantum innovation to next-generation defense platforms. This announcement builds on IonQ’s acquisitions of Vector Atomic and Capella Space and the company’s mission to develop the world’s first quantum-secure global communications network. The partnership also extends the company’s strength in U.S. defense and networking projects with its four ~$100m U.S. Air Force Research Lab contracts in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The systems that will be deployed via these contracts will help drive scalable and secure quantum computers and networks in the U.S. and around the world.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025. The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 m qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking also position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet. (Source: UAS VISION/IonQ)
24 Nov 25. AVCOE soldiers start VXE30 Stalker UAS training ahead of fielding. The VXE30 Stalker UAS features lower noise and visual profile, vertical take-off, and cost-efficient munitions. The US Department of War said that soldiers at the Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE) have started training with Edge Autonomy’s VXE30 Stalker uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). The training, which began at Fort Rucker, Alabama, on 18 November 2025, comes as AVCOE soldiers prepare for equipment fielding next month. In August 2025, Edge Autonomy was awarded a contract to fulfil the US Army’s long-range reconnaissance requirements at the battalion level using its Stalker aircraft. The uncrewed aircraft system features adaptations based on modern battlefield experience, such as a lower noise and visual profile, vertical take-off capability, and munitions technology intended to reduce costs. Constructed using a modular open systems approach (MOSA), the VXE30 Stalker can integrate new sensors, payloads or technologies according to operational requirements.
AVCOE Air Cavalry Leaders Course and Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course (UALC) director major Rachel Martin said: “This system can take off and land vertically like a quadcopter, then transition to forward flight where it goes deadly silent. Its reduced visual and acoustic signature makes striking a target at 300 feet very likely, something that wasn’t possible with louder systems like the Shadow.”
The training demonstration also highlighted Orbital Research’s new payload delivery system, which is a modular, 3D‑printed munition compatible with multiple UAS platforms, including Stalker. Integrated with the Army’s Common Lethality Integration Kit (CLIK), it lets soldiers select warheads at the user level and deploy both new payloads and legacy munitions such as 81‑millimeter (mm) mortars. AVCOE Directorate of Training and Doctrine’s UAS and Tactics Branch chief major Wolf Amacker said: “This is the first time in years that we will be utilising a Group 2, almost Group 3 size UAS in support of an Army course at Fort Rucker, since before the Shadow was really employed.” The US Department of War assigns UAS platforms into Groups 1 through 5, categorising them by weight, normal operating altitude, and speed.
Group 1 UAS weigh up to 20 pounds, operate below 1,200 feet (ft) above ground level (AGL), and reach speeds up to 100 knots.
Group 2 systems range from 21 to 55 pounds with operating altitudes under 3,500ft AGL and speeds under 250 knots.
The US Army’s RQ-7B Shadow, which is classified in Group 3, can fly up to 18,000ft above mean sea level and under 250 knots.
In August 2025, soldiers within the US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade undertook an internal innovation effort to build and deploy tactical drones by leveraging 3D printing and commercial technologies. (Source: army-technology.com)
26 Nov 25. SA Army gearing up to receive new drones. The South African Army is preparing to take delivery of new fixed and rotary wing drones for, amongst others, border protection duties. The new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be acquired from Cape Town-based AutonoSky and China’s Autel Robotics. AutonoSky was founded in 2020 to drive the innovation of aerial systems to assist rescue, fire and security organisations in their operations. It develops complete aircraft, electronics, and AI-driven software in-house. It supplies drones, payloads, and training across defence, logistics, and industrial sectors. AutonoSky manufactures the Autono1 heavy-lift multi-rotor UAV – this has a maximum payload of 30 kg and a flight time of up to 60 minutes. This UAV is locally manufactured and has been integrated with multiple specialised payloads, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research K-Line fire detection sensor and advanced electro-optical systems. AutonoSky is also expanding its portfolio to include a new class of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing platforms based on South African-owned intellectual property. This will feature modular payload architecture, enabling EO/IR, communications relay, and specialised sensors. “The VTOL platform is being developed with a strong focus on supporting defence, border security, conservation, and humanitarian logistics, giving South Africa a homegrown option in a category traditionally dominated by foreign suppliers,” AutonoSky said. Complementing this, AutonoSky has introduced the A22 Manqoba — a tactical, foldable multi-rotor UAV purpose-built for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), border security, and rapid-response missions. The A22 provides a 6–8 kg tactical payload capacity, which can include EO/IR sensors, spotlight, loudhailer, and K-Line sensor.
“Together, the A22 and upcoming VTOL platform form part of AutonoSky’s broader strategic roadmap to deliver a complete, locally produced unmanned capability stack – covering heavy-lift, tactical, and long-range missions across the SANDF’s operational spectrum,” the company said.
Autel Robotics, established in 2014, offers a range of quadcopter UAVs, as well as the Dragonfish series of fixed wing vertical takeoff and landing UAVs. This has up to 180 minutes of flight time, a range of up to 45 km, and ability to carry electro-optical/infrared sensors. The SA Army is acquiring both multi-rotor UAVs and fixed wing aircraft with a wingspan of three metres. Procurement includes training, support and maintenance. The SA Army is currently busy analysing specific requirements of each of its land borders before deploying the aircraft for border security. In 2023, National Treasury allocated that R700m for border safeguarding technology in 2024/5 and 2025/26. R500m has been budgeted for border patrol vehicle replacement while R200m worth of sensor technology will be acquired for Operation Corona border protection in 2025/6 including a geographic information system (GIS) capability (R22.5m); intelligence collection and processing capabilities (R47m under Project Baobab); upgraded Chaka command and control system (R7.2m); Reutech RSR 903 radars (R57m); 60 observation posts (R16m under Project Dominate); 16 quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicles (R16m) as well as long-range UAVs (R24m). At the moment the SA Army mainly uses small multi-rotor drones like the DJI Mavic Pro, DJI Matrice etc. These are deployed along the border lines, in the Kruger National Park, and on international deployments, amongst others – for example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), drones are used for base protection and route reconnaissance.
Officer Commanding 1 Tactical Intelligence Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel W Booysen, speaking to the media during Exercise Vuk’uhlome 2025, said drones are in huge demand from Army units, whether it is for disaster response efforts, border security, or functions and events. The organised crime networks on the borders, particularly those operating along the Mozambique and Zimbabwe borders – have drones, he said. “We need to have better tech than that,” Booysen told DefenceWeb. Defence Intelligence (DI) has acquired Seeker 400 UAVs from Denel but these are not believed to be used for border security or on deployments. They are intended more for national security efforts rather than tactical intelligence. Defence Intelligence took delivery of the first Seeker 400 in late 2015, although operational testing and evaluation was still underway in 2019 ahead of the type being granted full military type certification. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
26 Nov 25. EDA Project Aims to Design Quieter Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a four-year research project to reduce the noise produced by autonomous underwater vehicles, aiming to boost naval stealth and limit the impact of human-made sound on marine life.
The SPHYDA (Submarine Hull/Rudder/Propeller Hydrodynamics Interaction and Hydroacoustics) project brings together four EU Member States and Norway, with Italy as lead nation, along with Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. There are nine industrial and research partners.
The consortium will develop advanced numerical models and experimental methods to predict and analyse how hull shapes, rudders and propellers generate noise. SPHYDA, a €4.8 m programme, runs until late 2029. It seeks to provide higher-fidelity simulations and improved measurement techniques to help designers build quieter and more efficient underwater platforms. The project also supports compliance with EU environmental rules.
The initiative builds on earlier EDA projects and EU-funded projects, focused on propeller noise and hydrodynamic performance, while broadening the scope to whole-vehicle acoustics. It also supports wider European capability priorities in underwater warfare, as well as complementing NATO research on sonar and autonomous systems.
The project will design and construct an autonomous underwater vehicle to carry out towing-tank experiments and manoeuvring-basin tests. It will conduct outdoor trials to measure far-field noise under realistic conditions.
Reducing radiated noise is increasingly important for navies seeking to avoid detection. Quieter vehicles offer a tactical advantage by reducing the range at which enemy sonar can identify them. SPHYDA is expected to deliver tools, datasets and design guidelines to support the next generation of low-noise underwater vehicles.
“SPHYDA is a crucial step toward developing the capability to diagnose and predict the complex hydrodynamic mechanisms responsible for the generation and propagation of noise from underwater vehicles in real operating conditions,” said Riccardo Broglia, Research Director at the Institute of Marine Engineering of the Italian National Research Council, the project manager.
The consortium:
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Ingegneria del Mare
- Maritime Research Institute Netherlands
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
- Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons
- Technische Universität Hamburg
- thyssenkrupp Marine Systems
- NAVANTIA
- CEHIPAR – El Canal de Experiencias Hidrodinámicas de El Pardo
EDA’s broader role
Founded in 2004, the Agency helps fostering defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the hub for EU countries to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting EU military operations. The Agency also works closely with the EU defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. (Source: ASD Network)
25 Nov 25. Army asks industry for c-UAS parts, eyes potential small drone interceptor program. The Army is looking for interceptor component parts with the “primary objective” of providing a database that may be “leveraged in support of a future C-sUAS Interceptor program,” a recent RFI states.
The Army is asking industry for counter-unmanned system components that it can use to support a potential small drone interceptor program in the future, according to a recent request for information.
As part of the solicitation, the Aviation and Missile Center within the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command is probing industry for components such as seekers, control actuation systems, batteries, mission computers and more, with the “primary objective” of providing the government with a database of “readily available component technologies that may be leveraged in support of a future C-sUAS Interceptor program,” the RFI reads.
“The evolution and proliferation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in mass attack scenarios is currently being demonstrated in global warfare engagements. These types of engagements can quickly overwhelm current defense architectures and drive the need for deep magazines with versatile deployment options at low cost per kill,” the solicitation continues.
The RFI comes as the service makes strides to ramp up its c-UAS efforts in line with the expansion of global drone warfare, specifically in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia. Small drones, especially those in Groups 1 and 2 weighing up to 55 lbs., have demonstrated increasing levels of lethality as they’ve been able to take out multi-m dollar armored vehicles.
Already the Army has two ongoing counter-drone interceptor programs, the eXtended Range Counter-sUAS (XRC) Missile program and the Next-Generation Counter-UAS Missile (NGCM) program, which are designed to take down drones in the Group 2-3 range. (Group 3 drones can weigh up to 1,320 lbs.)
The XRC Missile program is still in the early stages as the Army released an RFI last fall searching for a missile that would work with the Stinger missile launcher, and eventually replace the Stinger missile, but no further update has been provided to date. The NGCM program is further along with Aeronvironment winning the contract for the program last month for its Freedom Eagle missile.
This leaves the Army still searching for an interceptor program that can defeat Group 1 drones, which can be more difficult to shoot down given their small size and the fact they emit less heat, making them harder to detect. But last week’s solicitation indicates that the Army may be gearing up to begin a new interceptor program for the smaller family of drones.
According to the solicitation, the Army is looking for mature commercial off-the-shelf and government off-the-shelf missile components that are at a Technology Readiness Level 5 or above and have the “immediate availability” to be demonstrated in a lab environment. The service also said its looking for components that can be packaged within 40 millimeter to 70 millimeter diameter missiles, are “tolerant” to military environments and “launch accelerations of 30 G” and can be produced at high volumes with a low cost per unit. Responses to the RFI are due no later than noon on Dec. 19. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
26 Nov 25. GKN Aerospace has entered into a collaborative programme with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop and demonstrate a flying uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) capability within the next 18 months. The programme aims to explore potential new low-cost capabilities for the Swedish Armed Forces and Air Force. It is designed to foster innovation not only in technology, but also in ways of working, emphasizing agile decision-making, customer inclusion, and continuous learning.
The UAV will be developed as a flexible platform, adaptable to a wide range of mission profiles. Final capability priorities will be defined by the end customer, ensuring the system meets evolving operational needs. The programme includes ground demonstrations of the turbojet engine, fuselage, and onboard systems tailored to specific missions, culminating in flying demonstrations to validate overall system performance.
Stefan Oscarsson, Senior Vice President Governmental Solutions GKN Aerospace said: “This programme is a great example of how we can work closely with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to rapidly explore new capabilities that are both innovative and cost-effective. It reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Sweden’s defence readiness and technological edge and builds on decades of trusted collaboration.”
This strategic initiative builds on GKN Aerospace’s long-standing partnership with FMV and the Swedish Air Force and reinforces its role as the licenced original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the RM12 engine powering the Saab Gripen fighter aircraft. Programme leadership and engine development will take place in Sweden, with the airframe development from the Netherlands.
24 Nov 25. Skana prepares to launch Alligator autonomous amphibious vehicle. Skana Robotics will launch its new Alligator autonomous amphibious vehicle by early 2026, the company told Janes in November 2025, with the system joining the Stingray autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and Bull Shark autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) in the company’s product line. ,Founded in 2023, Israel-based Skana Robotics officially unveiled its first two autonomous maritime vehicles at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London in September 2025. The Bull Shark ASV is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations; interdiction; and rapid response. It has a speed of 50 kt, a range of 120 n miles, and can carry a payload of 150 kg. The Stingray AUV, meanwhile, enables a persistent presence in complex underwater terrain, according to the company; capable of carrying a range of payloads including sonar, it can reach a depth of 300 m, has a range of 45 n miles, a speed of 12 kt, and a payload capacity of 15 kg.
The newest vehicle, the Alligator, is an amphibious platform designed to deliver logistics, sensors, and personnel between water and land; it has a maximum speed of 40 kt, a range of 300 n miles, and a payload of 1,500 kg. Idan Levy, co-founder and CEO of Skana Robotics, told Janes in November that the company is planning an operational demonstration of the Alligator in quarter one of 2026, with the platform subsequently available for acquisition. (Source: Janes)
25 Nov 25. Red Cat teams with Apium to bring swarming technology to its unmanned platforms. Apium Swarm Robotics, a developer of unmanned distributed autonomy systems, and Red Cat Holdings, an unmanned systems manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to integrate Apium’s swarming software with Red Cat’s platforms, according to a 4 November statement by Red Cat. Through the agreement, Apium joins the Red Cat Futures Initiative, a robotics and autonomous systems consortium that links Red Cat with companies with key technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision applications, 3D mapping, target acquisition, swarming, and other small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) decision support features, the statement said. Companies invited to join the consortium offer a mature product that customers want and the ability to deliver, Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat Holdings, told Janes on 20 November. The MOA comes after the successful integration of Apium’s technology with Red Cat’s Teal 2 UAS, which was demonstrated at the US Army’s ACM-UAS Industry Day at Fort Rucker, Alabama, according to the statement.
“The demonstration showcased the value of decentralised, scalable drone swarming for modern military operations,” the statement said.
Swarming software
Apium’s technology allows full swarm capability to be integrated with unmanned air, ground, and naval systems, “enabling a single operator to launch, command, and adapt swarms in real time without complex pre-mission planning or centralised control”, Tyler MacCready, founder and chief scientist at Apium, said in the statement. The software moves the swarm logic from a central control station to each unmanned platform, enabling each unit “to make independent decisions through co-operation with neighbouring vehicles without requiring a constant uplink or ground control”, the statement said. (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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