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12 Feb 26. US Navy on the hunt for strike drones that can launch from any warship. The U.S. Navy wants long-range strike drones that can be launched from destroyers and other warships that lack large flight decks, according to a Defense Innovation Unit solicitation. The concern is that the Navy lacks enough aircraft carriers, aircraft and missiles to sustain an extended conflict against an adversary armed with long-range antiship missiles. Thus, the service is looking for armed drones that can be launched from austere locations or from surface warships other than aircraft carriers.
“Naval surface combatants are constrained in their ability to support long-range strikes over extended combat operations due to reliance on single-use missile systems, with limited magazine depth and limited at-sea munition replenishment capability,” according to the solicitation by DIU, a Pentagon agency charged with developing new technologies. “The long-range strike methods able to persistently support naval surface combatants require infrastructure and assets which are vulnerable, limited or in high demand; including runways, and ships with large flight decks.”
Runway Independent Maritime and Expeditionary Strike, or RIMES, would solve this problem by fielding reusable drones capable of “long-range strikes with standard munition payloads while providing tactical flexibility by operating from expeditionary locations with minimal infrastructure, or from ships without large flight decks,” according to the solicitation.
The solicitation cites surface combatants such as the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, littoral combat ship and the FF(X) frigate based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutter as potential platforms. While these vessels can launch helicopters, they don’t have large flight decks. The drone itself would pack a considerable punch when armed with existing 1,000-pound bombs that already equip F/A-18 and F-35C fighter jets, or with palletized munitions. Range would also be comparable to manned aircraft. The unmanned aerial vehicle should have a “one-way, no-reserve range of at least 1,400 nautical miles in order to allow an approximate 600 nautical mile radius,” DIU specified. As for the UAV’s speed, DIU would only state it should “cruise at a speed comparable to existing long-range strike methods.”
The Navy also appears concerned that the drone be autonomous enough to operate amid jamming and GPS denial. A RIMES drone should “incorporate mission autonomy to execute all mission phases in a highly contested environment,” according to the solicitation.
One question is how sophisticated — or expendable — a system the Navy wants. The solicitation cites cost-effectiveness as a consideration, yet it also mandates that drones should “demonstrate viability to operate in airspace with adversary threats, such as through survivability or attritability.”
Other criteria include a system that can be launched from a ship amid strong winds and waves, minimal need for servicing equipment and personnel, and quick turnaround from storage to launch, and recovery back to storage. The design should use open-system architecture to facilitate easy upgrades. In line with the Pentagon’s push for speedy development of drones, DIU seeks a UAV that can be quickly mass-produced. “Solutions should demonstrate readiness for significant physical prototyping within 12 months of agreement award,” the solicitation said. The deadline is Feb. 27. (Source: Defense News)
12 Feb 26. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) passed a new milestone this month, successfully integrating 3rd-party mission autonomy into the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft to conduct its first semi-autonomous airborne mission. For this test, GA-ASI used mission autonomy software supplied by Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, to fly the new YFQ-42A CCA, designed and developed by GA-ASI for the U.S. Air Force. The Sidekick Collaborative Mission Autonomy software was seamlessly integrated with the YFQ-42A’s flight control system, utilizing the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA). The integration enabled robust and reliable data exchange between the autonomy software and the aircraft’s mission systems, ensuring precise execution of mission autonomy commands. During the recent testing, autonomy mode was activated via the Ground Station Console (GSC). Once enabled, a human autonomy operator on the ground transmitted various commands directly to the YFQ-42A, which executed the instructions with high accuracy for more than four hours. This test highlights the effectiveness of Sidekick’s advanced mission autonomy capabilities and the flexibility of the A-GRA standard in supporting complex operational requirements.
“We are excited to collaborate with Collins to deliver enhanced autonomous mission solutions,” said David R. Alexander, president of GA-ASI. “The integration of Sidekick with our YFQ-42A demonstrates our commitment to innovation and operational excellence in unmanned aircraft technology.”
This achievement underscores GA-ASI’s dedication to advancing autonomous systems for defense applications. The combination of Sidekick autonomy software and YFQ-42A mission systems, connected through A-GRA, sets new benchmarks for combat autonomy, mission flexibility, operator control, and system reliability.
“The autonomy capabilities showcased in this flight highlight our dedicated investment to advance collaborative mission autonomy,” said Ryan Bunge, vice president and general manager for Strategic Defense Solutions, Collins Aerospace, an RTX business. “The rapid integration of Sidekick onto this General Atomics platform and its immediate ability to support a broad spectrum of combat-relevant behaviors underscores the strength and flexibility of our open systems approach.”
This first mission autonomy flight continues a robust YFQ-42A development schedule for GA-ASI that began in August 2025 with initial flights of YFQ-42A Tail One. In less than six months, GA-ASI has built and flown multiple YFQ-42A aircraft, including push-button autonomous takeoffs and landings. GA-ASI has been building and flying uncrewed jets for nearly two decades, beginning with the company-funded, weaponized MQ-20 Avenger® in 2008. Ongoing company investment in Avenger continues to yield results, as the aircraft routinely serves as a CCA surrogate for advanced autonomy development and testing in both government programs and company-funded research and development. As a family-owned, privately held defense company for more than 30 years, GA-ASI is known as one of the original disruptors in the U.S defense industry, pioneering and inventing many of the technologies now considered ubiquitous in uncrewed aircraft operations around the world. The company re-invests more than 35 percent of annual revenue into internal research and design projects, building ahead of need and designing capabilities ahead of requirements. In 2025, for example, an internally funded Avenger demo featured both GA-ASI’s TacACE autonomy software and Shield AI’s Hivemind software on the same flight, with the MQ-20 seamlessly switching between AI pilots while still airborne. Later in the year, GA-ASI teamed with Lockheed Martin and L3 Harris for another Avenger flight demo, connecting the MQ-20 with an F-22 Raptor for an advanced manned-unmanned teaming mission that allowed the human fighter pilot to command the Avenger as an autonomous CCA surrogate via tablet control from the cockpit. In 2024, GA-ASI first flew its XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) jet, developed in collaboration with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This early CCA prototype validated the “genus/species” concept pioneered with AFRL as part of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program, focused on building several aircraft variants from a common core chassis. GA-ASI’s Gambit Series envisions multiple missionized variants from this common core concept, with XQ-67A already showcasing airborne sensing and YFQ-42A illustrating air-to-air combat. Using this novel manufacturing approach to drive overall customer value, GA-ASI can quickly pivot to diverse missions with less time and cost investment than building a clean-sheet aircraft.
12 Feb 26. China’s new maritime combat drone poised for global success: analysts. Beyond China’s ostentatious display of its J-35A fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow was a lower-profile piece of equipment, the new Wing-Loong X combat drone, which experts say is far more likely to find international success. Beijing banked on Asia’s largest aerospace event, organized here from Feb. 3-7, to flex its aviation muscle, in a bid to attract more customers. At the enormous booth of the country’s top aerospace manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, or AVIC, placed in the center of the exhibition hall, a mock-up of the WL-X combat drone was displayed on the side. It was the first time the latest member of the Wing Loong family of drones, designed for maritime surveillance and strike missions, was shown in the Southeast Asia region. Whereas Chinese military equipment may have been previously overlooked, experts say that the context has changed, as its systems are being taken more seriously, especially in the drone category.
“Chinese products are not only being noticed in the West, but their aircraft and combat drones are also being recognized as competitors – the capability gap between these systems and their U.S. competitors is narrowing while maintaining significantly lower costs,” Andreas Rupprecht, a military aviation researcher specializing in China, said.
Considering Beijing’s robust export footprint in uncrewed systems, the WL-X could could find similar success among customers interested in bolstering their maritime capabilities.
“The Wing Loong family and CH-drone series have been sold to dozens of states; it is plausible to expect the new drone on the buying list of countries that cannot access or afford Western systems due to cost, export controls, or political constraints,” Federico Borsari, resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said.
At a 2024 exhibition in China, AVIC displayed a prototype of the drone armed with different maritime weapon systems, including underwing sonobuoy dispenser pods and electric-propulsion torpedoes. At the Singapore Airshow, while information was displayed regarding the physical capabilities and 24-meter wingspan of the WL-X, the manufacturer offered no information on payload options. Among the list of operators of the Chinese-made Wing Loong drone models are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, Morocco, Algeria, Indonesia, and Nigeria. In 2024, the Royal Saudi Air Force reportedly reached a new milestone with its Wing Loong II fleet, logging 5,000 flight hours. According to Borsari, some of these countries could be potential recurring customers of the new variant, interested in integrating it to support their navies. The success of the WL-X will largely be contingent on its price tag, which is traditionally an area where China faces weaker competition from more expensive Western-made platforms.
A waiting game
While China has been profitable in the combat drone sector, it has not seen the same success in the smaller market for fifth-generation fighter jets, even if the large-scale model of the J-35A here garnered attention from visitors here. A company representative declined to answer whether foreign buyers had expressed interest in the Chinese-built aircraft.
According to Timothy Heath, senior international defense researcher at RAND, the Asian country will have a hard time marketing it in an already saturated market.
“The industry is small for Beijing since many of the wealthiest countries that can afford fifth-generation airplanes are either allies with the U.S. or long-standing clients of Russia. … Only a few, such as Pakistan, have enduring security ties with China,” Heath said.
He suggested that the country’s best attempt is likely to result from “poaching” clients from Moscow, especially as its military industry has lagged due to the war in Ukraine. A 2025 report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission noted that Beijing reportedly offered to sell 40 J-35As to Pakistan in June 2025, but that these deliveries have not yet been completed. (Source: Defense News)
12 Feb 26. Rotron to Scale Autonomous Strike & Propulsion Technology Through Acquisition by Ondas. The integration of Rotron’s high-performance propulsion and long-range UAVs into the Ondas portfolio aims to accelerate the delivery of attritable autonomous systems for UK and NATO forces. The transaction marks a significant evolution for the UK-based technology company, which specializes in the intersection of propulsion, autonomy, and platform design. By joining Ondas Autonomous Systems, Rotron will integrate its proprietary propulsion technologies and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into a broader system-of-systems architecture. This combined capability is specifically intended to address the requirements of modern contested operational environments where range, manufacturability, and resilience are critical. Rotron’s current portfolio features vertically integrated platforms, including the Talon multi-role vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) series and the Defendor one-way autonomous attack system. The Talon platform utilizes a specialized three-bladed rotor head system for stability and endurance, while the Defendor is powered by internal proprietary engine and fan-drive systems. These technologies are developed to provide cost-effective, attritable solutions that allow for extended persistence in high-threat areas while minimizing risk to personnel.
Gilo Cardozo, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Rotron, said, “This marks a defining moment in Rotron’s journey and our vision for the future of unmanned systems. By combining our propulsion-led engineering, aerial platforms and rapid industrialisation capability with Ondas’ autonomous systems architecture and global reach, we will gain the scale and network to deliver more capability, faster, for allied defence customers worldwide. Rotron’s mission, team and engineering culture remain unchanged – this partnership will enable us to accelerate innovation and expand our impact for the UK and its allies.”
Based in the United Kingdom, Rotron maintains an established presence within the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO ecosystems. Its operational model supports the transition from rapid prototyping to full-scale industrialization, facilitating the deployment of sovereign capabilities at pace.
Mark Green, Global Head of Corporate Development and Mergers and Acquisitions at Ondas Inc, said, “Rotron brings elite engineering talent, advanced propulsion technology and mission-specific platforms that are expected to significantly expand our defence solutions portfolio. The business establishes a vital footprint within the UK and NATO ecosystems and directly supports our strategy to deliver integrated, long-range autonomous systems for modern military operations.”
Upon completion of the transaction, which involves a combination of cash and stock, Rotron will continue its operations from the UK. The company intends to retain its existing engineering, manufacturing, and programme delivery teams to support its current partners while leveraging the increased investment and global reach provided by the Ondas Autonomous Systems portfolio. The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
11 Feb 26. Stella Tecnologia expands partnership with Brazilian Air Force. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and local company Stella Tecnologia are looking to strengthen collaboration in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), signing a ‘protocol of intention’ for this on 5 February. The measure is intended to increase bilateral co-operation for developing UAVs and associated capabilities, Stella Tecnologia president Gilberto Buffara Júnior told Janes. The agreement will last for 60 months with the possibility of extension, the FAB said. It will establish technical studies and include information exchange, and eventually develop UAVs for the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); search-and-rescue (SAR); cargo transport; attack; and airborne communications post roles, Buffara said. He added that joint development is planned for an ISR UAV equipped with beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) datalink system capability and latest-generation gyrostabilised electro-optical multisensor turret with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in September 2023 between the two parties to jointly develop conceptual studies related to UAVs and associated technologies. Stella has gradually developed a range of fixed-wing short take-off and landing (STOL) UAVs, such as the Albatroz tactical UAV, and the Atobá and Condor medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs. The Atobá has a length of 8 m long, a wingspan of 11 m, a maximum endurance of 28 hours, a top speed of 190 km/h, and can fly at a ceiling of 5,000 m. It was designed for ISR and attack missions, according to Buffara. (Source: Janes)
12 Feb 26. UK refuses to explain why Protector drone missed IOC. The Ministry of Defence has declined to explain why the RAF’s new Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft has not yet reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC), despite the programme previously being expected to achieve that milestone in 2025. In a written parliamentary answer published on 11 February, Defence Minister Luke Pollard responded to a question from Conservative MP James Cartlidge on the reason the aircraft had not declared IOC.
Pollard said: “I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces.” He added that: “The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity.”
However, while declining to provide the specific criteria, Pollard acknowledged that the aircraft itself represents only one element of the wider capability. He said: “In general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.” The latest response follows earlier UK Defence Journal reporting that the Protector programme had still not declared IOC, even though the platform has already been used operationally. In a previous parliamentary answer published on 30 January, Pollard stated that: “Protector RG Mk1 has yet to reach Initial Operating Capability programme milestones.” (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
12 Feb 26. CSIR demonstrates propulsion for hydrogen fuel cell-powered UAV. Researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have demonstrated hydrogen fuel cell-propulsion for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation. CSIR researchers used a simulation of a hybrid fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV (H2UAV) for the demonstration in May last year. The HWIL simulation included the fuel cell module and hydrogen storage vessel, and amongst others simulated in a laboratory the electrical loads that would be experienced in flight. Future tests will simulate fuel cell performance in different environmental conditions. The aviation industry still largely relies on fossil fuels for propulsion, the Council noted. The benefits of hydrogen propulsion for UAVs include longer flight times than electric propulsion due to higher fuel energy density, zero-emission potential, faster refuelling, and increased payload capacity.
“While the hydrogen fuel cell research is still in the development stage, once completed, a commercially viable fuel cell-propulsion system and the hydrogen-powered UAV will be licensed to a local partner for industrialisation and commercialisation,” the CSIR said.
The H2UAV is designed from the outset for hydrogen propulsion and is currently under development at the CSIR. Weighing less than 35 kg, with a four-meter wingspan, the vertical takeoff and landing UAV will handle a 5 kg payload and have a flight time of approximately 10 hours or more. It will be able to operate in adverse conditions, including light rain and temperatures ranging from -19 to +45 degrees Celsius. A modular design will allow for rapid payload reconfiguration, making it adaptable for different mission types, such as patrolling, monitoring or surveillance. As the hydrogen-powered UAV will operate quietly, it will be ideal for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The multi-year project was initiated and funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). Development of the H2UAV is a first step in a roadmap towards the expanded use of hydrogen in South African aviation including general aviation aircraft and regional airliners. This is in line with the DSTI’s Hydrogen Society Roadmap that aims to develop a sustainable and competitive hydrogen economy in South Africa by 2050.
Kevin Jamison, Head Engineer: Aerospace Systems at the CSIR, told DefenceWeb that when it comes to decarbonising aviation, it is easier to start somewhere affordable. From a risk management point of view, it is easier to start small and then scale up, with hydrogen fuel powered regional airliners and manned aircraft the end goal.
Katleho Ramotsabi, Senior Project Manager: Aerospace Systems at the CSIR, said the Council’s role in the Hydrogen Society Roadmap is to establish and localise manufacturing towards the ultimate goal of decarbonising the transport sector. The Roadmap covers the mining, air mobility, and heavy-duty transport sectors. The CSIR has also initiated work with regulators around hydrogen generation, filling, storage and transportation.
Ramotsabi noted that there is big demand for hybrid VTOL UAVs, with market forecasts predicting around 20% compound annual growth over the next five years, and demand coming from multiple key sectors such as commercial, military, law enforcement, and government.
The CSIR Impact Area Manager for Aerospace Systems, Biko Managa, reiterated his team’s intent to push the boundaries of propulsion in aviation for the local industry. “We are working to position South Africa as a leader in hydrogen-based aviation technologies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a cleaner future for aerospace,” he said.
“The pursuit of hydrogen alternatives is not only about reducing gas emissions that harm the environment but at the CSIR, we also view it as an opportunity for exploring new fields of science, developing new skills, creating jobs, fostering partnerships and driving up exports of South African products,” he added.
The project is benefitting from work being done by Hydrogen SA (HySA), a DSTI initiative, through its Centres of Competence (CoCs), which has amongst others developed a portable on-site hydrogen generator that can produce 2.5 kg of hydrogen a day. The system weighs 850 kg. HySA Infrastructure has also developed a storage vessel weighing 1.7 kg and able to store 4.7 litres of hydrogen. Jamison said the government is very interested in fuel cells because they require platinum in their catalyst – and South Africa is a major producer of platinum. Although hydrogen has its pros and cons, it is a promising green energy alternative. Although funding for the fuel cell and H2UAV project has been inconsistent, the CSIR is putting together a funding framework and there is renewed focus on getting the project going again, Jamison said. There is already interest in the H2UAV from the South African Army, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has approached the CSIR noting interest from the Border Management Authority in a long-endurance quiet UAV. Jamison believes there are many potential customers for a fuel cell-powered UAV, such as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, which would like such an aircraft for anti-pollution patrols. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
11 Feb 26. Joint Force Marks First Lightfish Unmanned Vessel Launch. Commander Task Force 66 launched the Lightfish, an unmanned surface vessel, for the first time from a partner nation’s vessel during Exercise Cutlass Express 26 off the coast of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, Feb. 9. The launch was part of an unmanned systems training event with the Seychelles Coast Guard, designed to test the Lightfish’s abilities in the open ocean with limited connection.
“We are making history at Cutlass Express 26 by demonstrating our enhanced warfighting skills through our robotic and unmanned capabilities alongside our maritime partners,” said Navy Lt. Bryna Loranger, CTF 66 operations officer. “[U.S.] 6th Fleet is seeking new ways to build partner maritime domain awareness capabilities during this exercise by promoting interoperability. Through sharing and experimenting with Seychelles Coast Guard assets and infrastructure, we are enhancing our expeditionary robotic autonomous systems capabilities in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.”
CTF 66 is a fully uncrewed task force that uses advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence, to help the 6th Fleet and its partners move faster to maintain a strong presence across Africa’s maritime zones while detecting illegal activity.
The task force is leading the Navy in innovating its approach to warfighting during an age when information systems, technology and vulnerabilities in the global economy are being weaponized by adversaries operating in the gray zone, outside the domain of traditional warfare.
“Through exercises like Cutlass Express 26, we are adapting alongside our partners by integrating unmanned tactics directly into operations,” said Navy Rear Adm. Kelly Ward, director of strategic effects for CTF 66. “We are leaning into this domain hand in hand with our partners, translating innovation into warfighting readiness and enhancing maritime security to protect freedom of navigation.”
Cutlass Express 26 has 19 partners and allies working together through a series of shore-based training events. The exercise provides all participating nations with an opportunity to work side by side to synchronize and rehearse real-world scenarios that will include medical training, visit, board, search and seizure and maritime interdiction training, as well as counter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing procedures.
Established in May 2024, CTF 66 is the 6th Fleet’s first all-domain task force designed to integrate robotic and autonomous systems with naval, joint and NATO partners in the European and African theaters of operations. Since its establishment, the task force has driven innovation and developed unmanned technologies to enhance the way militaries integrate naval platforms across all domains, all of which are enabled by this emerging technology. CTF 66 currently maintains 22 USVs; however, the task force expects to double its lethality as additional assets reach operational readiness. These USVs increase maritime domain awareness and serve as force multipliers. Exercises like Cutlass Express allow CTF 66 to leverage strong collaboration with partners and allied nations to operate large numbers of unmanned systems at scale. These partnerships enable the task force to preposition and deploy assets in host countries ahead of time. CTF 66 and its USVs continue to enhance deterrence, lethality and capabilities in the European and African theaters of operations. (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Feb 26. Kratos, NCSIST Team Successfully Test Integrated Mighty Hornet IV System Kratos, NCSIST Team Successfully Test Integrated Mighty Hornet IV System. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Taiwan’s NCSIST have successfully tested the integrated Mighty Hornet IV attack UAV—an upgraded MQM-178 Firejet target drone—validating the NCSIST payload and mission system without requiring design changes. The milestone clears the way for flight testing later this year, with NCSIST engineers joining Kratos in Oklahoma City to finalize requirements. Kratos says the effort proves both the technical approach and the strength of the U.S.–Taiwan collaboration. With speeds up to Mach 0.8, high-G maneuvering, and a ceiling above 35,000 feet, the modified MQM-178 provides a capable base for the Mighty Hornet IV. Prior demonstrations highlighted its suitability for manned-unmanned teaming and loitering munition roles. The goal is to field the system in large numbers in Taiwan as an affordable, operational deterrent. By combining proven Kratos airframes with NCSIST payloads, the partners have moved from concept to working system on an unusually short timeline, enabling practical near-term tactical UAS at scale. (Source: UAS VISION)
10 Feb 26. Singapore’s ST Engineering Reveals Medium-Lift VToL Cargo Drone. Singapore-based defence and technology firm ST Engineering has unveiled plans for a new unmanned air system aimed at civil cargo operations. Revealed at the 2026 Singapore Airshow, the DrN-600 is an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) platform marking ST Engineering’s entry into the medium-lift UAS segment. The multi-rotor aircraft features four nacelles, each housing two coaxial rotor assemblies powered by electric motors for vertical lift. An 8m (26ft) wing is mounted above the central fuselage, complemented by twin vertical tails for stability in forward flight. The fuselage houses up to 100kg (220lb) of cargo, accessed through an upward-opening nose reminiscent of a Boeing 747. The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 600kg and a projected range of 37–64nm (70–120km). Its cargo bay offers around 1.5m³ of usable volume and is sized for standardised front-loading pallets, enabling compatibility with existing logistics processes rather than requiring dedicated handling systems. ST Engineering says this configuration allows the DrN-600 to support last-mile delivery in areas where conventional aircraft or ground transport are limited, including islands, mountainous terrain and remote communities. According to the company, the design addresses key barriers to large-scale UAS commercialisation, particularly technology robustness and unit economics.
Chua Jin Kiat, executive vice-president of ST Engineering’s international defence business, says the DrN-600 will integrate into the company’s broader UAS ecosystem, including centralised docking control and smart digital network connectivity for urban operations. He adds that the aircraft is designed to deliver strong performance while aligning with regulatory requirements.
Although developed primarily for commercial cargo, the DrN-600 will also be offered as a dual-use platform for military applications, says Teong Soo Soon, head of unmanned aerial systems. A baseline aircraft is scheduled to begin flight testing in the second quarter, with certification of the final design expected within two years. (Source: UAS VISION/FlightGlobal; Aerospace Global News)
10 Feb 26. Germany to order strike drones worth 536m euros. The German government plans to order strike drones worth 536m euros ($638m) from German startups Helsing and Stark Defence, part of a rearmament push after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The contracts for loitering munitions – drones that hover over a potential strike area before flying into targets – are part of a larger framework deal worth 4.3bn euros. The contracts, outlined in documents seen by Reuters, are widely expected to be rubber-stamped by the lower house of parliament’s budget committee. They were first reported by Spiegel magazine. The drones are initially intended to support Germany’s 45th Tank Brigade, which is deployed in Lithuania. According to the documents, the contracts with the two companies are to have a term of seven years. The initial batch is scheduled to be delivered by early 2027.($1 = 0.8399 euros) (Source: Reuters)
10 Feb 26. From Backpacks to Bird’s-Eye: Drones Are Transforming EOD. Across a stretch of open terrain at Hurlburt Field, Florida, two airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing began a race between machines. One guided a ground robot toward a simulated casualty, its treads working across dirt and grass. The other launched a small unmanned aerial system, or drone, which reached the site within seconds. From above, the drone’s camera streamed a clear view of the scene before the robot made it halfway there. It’s a new kind of flight reshaping how explosive ordnance disposal airmen execute their mission — and how the Air Force strengthens readiness through innovation. Before the adoption of modernized drones, EOD teams relied primarily on heavy robotic platforms to inspect potential explosive threats. The systems still provide valuable standoff capability but require vehicle transport and setup time, limiting their use during operations on foot. In those scenarios, airmen may have to approach hazards themselves. Compact and portable drones can be carried in a backpack and launched within minutes. Operated from a safe distance, they stream real-time imagery that helps airmen assess hazards without approaching them. The drones give teams an unmatched view of any environment. They combine optical and thermal cameras for day or night operations with advanced 3D scanning that produces precise digital models in minutes, whether documenting blast sites or mapping entire airfields. Drones can be used to establish a visual reference of a runway and to collect updated imagery after an incident. The data helps civil engineers quickly identify changes or damage, supporting timely clearance actions and repair planning to resume air operations. Built-in artificial intelligence also allows drones to operate with a high degree of autonomy. The system can identify and track targets, hold position, and navigate around obstacles with minimal operator input. These capabilities boost mission tempo and efficiency while augmenting the work of airmen, keeping them out of harm’s way and allowing them to focus on critical decision-making. Drones have not yet replaced every function of traditional robots, but the two technologies currently complement one another on the battlefield.
“The big thing doesn’t currently have is manipulation,” an EOD airman explained. “I can’t pull a battery off something or flip something over , but a robot can.”
Still, drones are increasingly assuming tasks once limited to ground platforms, expanding options for commanders and reinforcing the Air Force’s ability to adapt faster than its adversaries. Introducing any new technology brings challenges, but EOD airmen at Hurlburt Field have moved quickly to overcome them. Through local innovation projects, the team acquired and tested drones early, giving them a head start in integrating the capability into daily operations.
“We’ve had the ability to work through a lot of the growing pains much faster,” said an airman assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing. “Now we’re able to disseminate those lessons throughout the career field.”
That progress continues as airmen refine training and certification standards while identifying where drones provide the most operational value.
“A lot of this is going to fluctuate based on use cases, because we all have a general idea of how we’d want to use this … but there’s still a lot to learn,” said another EOD airman. (Source: U.S. DoD)
09 Feb 26. Today Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) unveils the Lamprey Multi‑Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (MMAUV), a breakthrough “plug-and‑play” submersible that gives U.S. and allied warfighters technological and strategic advantage in today’s contested maritime arena. Built with the U.S. Navy’s need for covert, assured access and sea denial operations, LampreyMMAUV can arrive in theater with a fully charged battery. Mimicking nature, it can hitch a ride on a host surface vessel or submarine, utilize hydrogenators to charge batteries and arrive in theater ready for operational missions. Lockheed Martin’s LampreyMMAUV can perform a wide range of missions including delivering undersea and air kinetic and non-kinetic effects; performing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and multi-intelligence collection; and deploying equipment to the seafloor.
“The modern battlespace demands platforms that hide, adapt and dominate,” said Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Sensors, Effectors & Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin. “LampreyMMAUV was internally funded, letting us iterate at lightning speed and hand the Navy a true multi mission weapon that detects, disrupts, decoys and engages on its own.
Key Innovations that Put the Navy Ahead
- Novel Range and Placement – Mimicking nature, the vehicle attaches onto a host surface ship or submarine – no host modifications needed – once attached it recharges batteries with built‑in hydrogenators.
- Deployable Payload Centric Design – From anti‑submarine torpedoes to UAV launchers, the open‑architecture payload bay lets customers tailor the vehicle to any mission set.
- Dual‑Mode Mission Set – LampreyMMAUV can execute Assured Access (stealthy intelligence, persistent surveillance, precision strike) or Sea Denial (electronic disruption, decoy deployment, kinetic attack), giving commanders a single platform that flips the maritime balance of power.
Delivering Impact
By providing persistent, autonomous undersea presence at dramatically lower cost than manned platforms, LampreyMMAUV denied areas and control the seabed. Lockheed Martin’s LampreyMMAUV embodies the company’s decades of work in the undersea domain and relentless pursuit of warfighter‑focused innovation by delivering unmatched undersea dominance, sharper decision cycles and a decisive advantage for the United States and its allies.
06 Feb 26. As Promised, War Department Moving Out Fast on Drone Dominance. The War Department announced Feb. 3 the selection of 25 vendors who will help the department achieve its goal of getting some 300,000 drones into the force, both quickly and inexpensively, by 2027. Those companies will compete in the first phase, or “gauntlet,” that makes up the department’s Drone Dominance Program — an acquisition reform effort designed to rapidly field low-cost, unmanned one-way attack drones at scale. This first gauntlet begins Feb. 18 when program participants will bring unmanned aircraft system prototypes to Fort Benning, Georgia. There, participants will teach military personnel how to use those prototypes, and then military operators will use them to complete various mission scenarios, including an evaluation on their ability to find, lock on and destroy a target. By the end of the first gauntlet, vendors will be scored on the systems, and up to 12 of the 25 vendors will be invited to produce their drones, at scale, for the department. As part of the first phase, the selected 12 vendors will produce a total of 30,000 units, at an average price of $5,000 for each, and deliver by July. Over the course of three additional gauntlets — a total of four in all — the number of vendors will go down from 12 to five, the number of drones ordered will increase from 30,000 to 150,000, and the price per drone will drop from $5,000 to just $2,300. The Drone Dominance Program will do two things: drive costs down and capabilities up, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a video posted to social media late last year.
“We will deliver tens of thousands of small drones to our force in 2026, and hundreds of thousands of them by 2027.”
Through the program, funding will allow for the manufacture of some 340,000 small UAS to combat units over the course of two years. After that, it’s expected that American industry’s interest in building drones, as a result of the program, will have strengthened supply chains and manufacturing capacity to the point that military services will be able to afford to buy the drones they want, in the quantity they want and at a price they want, through regular budgeting. Last year, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order outlining how the United States would up its drone game in both the commercial and military sectors, including how it would deliver massive amounts of inexpensive, American-made, lethal drones to military units, so they can amplify their own combat capabilities. (Source: U.S. DoD)
05 Feb 26. Overland AI lands $100m to expand US ground systems autonomy. The funding allows Overland AI to scale ULTRA autonomous vehicles as military units increase adoption of ground autonomy technology. Overland AI, a Seattle-based startup developing autonomous driving technology for rugged terrain, has secured $100m in new funding to expand its operations with end users across the US Armed Forces. The financing round was led by 8VC and included returning investors Point72 Ventures, Shasta Ventures, Ascend Venture Capital, and Overmatch Ventures. New investors in the round were Valor Equity Partners and StepStone Group, along with other institutional backers. TriplePoint Capital provided a $20m venture debt facility as part of the total sum raised. The latest investment will allow Overland AI to address increased demand for ULTRA, its autonomous ground vehicle, as military units adopt ground autonomy technology. Overland AI is currently collaborating with groups within the US Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command, including the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 36th Engineer Brigade, and 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Recently, the company established a partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to support wildfire mitigation and suppression efforts. The company, which was founded in 2022, has developed autonomy capabilities designed to operate in complex off-road and GPS-denied environments at speeds suitable for tactical operations. Overland AI co-founder and president Stephanie Bonk said: “Demand for ground autonomy has moved decisively from experimentation to operational integration. This funding allows us to scale alongside the units adopting our technology.
“We are training warfighters directly and incorporating continuous feedback to ensure our systems perform in real-world conditions, while building the trust required for operational use.”
Overland AI’s ground autonomy for armed forces, allows a single operator to manage multiple robotic systems at the same time over difficult terrain.
Last November, the company concluded the DARPA RACER programme after three years of testing and iterating its platform’s autonomy features. Since then, it has broadened its scope of operation to support missions such as counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), contested logistics and resupply, and breaching tasks. In October last year, AimLock entered into a partnership with Overland AI to integrate its autonomous targeting and engagement systems into the latter’s uncrewed ground vehicles for military operations. (Source: army-technology.com)
06 Feb 26. Honeywell and LIG Nex1 to Collaborate on UAV and Defence Technologies. Honeywell has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea’s LIG Nex1 to explore future collaboration on solutions for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), and selected space, electromagnetic defence, and cybersecurity applications. The non-exclusive MOU outlines a framework for potential cooperation, combining Honeywell’s capabilities in resilient navigation, drone management systems, and advanced communications with LIG Nex1’s expertise in precision electronic systems across unmanned air, surface, and marine platforms. The companies will assess market needs, identify potential customers, and evaluate how commercial unmanned technologies could be adapted for defence applications, subject to further evaluation and required approvals.
“This framework allows us to explore how our defence systems experience can align with Honeywell’s unmanned and navigation technologies to address evolving requirements for autonomous platforms,” said Jongsung Park, President, Corporate Strategy & Investment, LIG Nex1.
“Honeywell’s work with LIG Nex1 reflects a disciplined approach to advancing aviation and defence technologies. We are evaluating how proven commercial unmanned capabilities can be responsibly adapted for next-generation defence and autonomous systems,” said Sathesh Ramiah, Vice President, Defense & Space, Asia Pacific, Honeywell Aerospace.
LIG Nex1 is a leading developer of precision electronic systems in South Korea, working with major aircraft and defence OEMs. The framework also considers potential export opportunities through LIG Nex1’s customer base, subject to further assessment and regulatory review. (Source: UAS VISION)
09 Feb 26. Defense Innovation Unit Wants Containerised Autonomous Drone Delivery Systems. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is accepting solution briefs for the Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS). Today’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS) often require a one-to-one human-to-platform model, where soldiers must manually launch, recover, and refit each drone. This approach does not scale and cannot meet the demands of contested operations. DIU seeks containerized solutions that can store, rapidly deploy, and manage multi-agent UAS at scale, enabling persistent coverage or massed effects while reducing operator risk and cognitive burden.
Background & Problem
Current UAS employment depends on direct human interaction, limiting speed, scale, and safety. The Department of War needs the ability to deploy large numbers of UAS quickly while minimizing operator exposure during kinetic and non-kinetic missions.
Desired Solution Attributes
Solutions should be demonstrable within 90 days of award and built on Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles for extensibility. Systems should:
- Be transportable by land, sea, or air and rapidly emplaced with minimal setup.
- Automate storage, launch, recovery, and refit of multi-agent UAS while remaining dormant until commanded.
- Support both homogeneous and heterogeneous UAS and multiple power sources.
- Operate from land or maritime platforms, day or night, in adverse weather.
- Reduce operator burden through remote control, rapid setup, and minimal crew (ideally two personnel).
- Provide resilient command and control with open architecture and operator-on/in-the-loop options, including DDIL resilience.
Evaluation & Integration
DIU will evaluate alignment, technical merit, and innovation for sustaining multi-agent systems in austere environments. Commercial systems, rapid manufacturing capabilities, or hybrid approaches are welcome. Government Furnished Information may include hardware designs, software architectures, TDPs, ICDs, APIs, and modeling environments to accelerate integration.
Eligibility & Awards
Open to U.S. and international vendors under the CSO process and 10 U.S.C. §4022 requirements. Prototype awards may lead to non-competitive follow-on production OT agreements or contracts upon successful completion. (Source: UAS VISION)
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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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