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30 Jan 25. Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITT), a leading innovator in autonomous subsea robotics and software, has entered into a strategic alliance with Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) to advance subsea autonomy solutions. The alliance builds on a successful prior collaboration between the two organizations, which was praised by their mutual customer for its seamless execution and synergy. This new alliance aims to combine the companies’ complementary expertise to develop next-generation autonomous underwater systems capable of tackling increasingly complex missions.
“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Leidos through our targeted alliance,” said John Yamokoski, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Defense at Nauticus Robotics. “This alliance underscores our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in subsea autonomy.”
Nauticus will apply its extensive expertise in commercial subsea vehicle development, including its flagship Aquanaut system, along with its proprietary unmanned vehicle software platform, ToolKITT, to enhance the capabilities of future unmanned underwater vehicles. (Source: PR Newswire)
31 Jan 25. Kalashnikov to Showcase Combat Drone Systems in UAE. Russian defence manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern has announced it will showcase a 7.62mm RPL-7 belt-fed light machine gun and KUB-SM guided munitions reconnaissance and strike system at the IDEX 2025 international defence exhibition next month.
The new systems will be shown in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from February 17 to 21. The expo features more than 1350 exhibitors from more than 65 countries to cover military equipment in land, sea and aerospace sectors of the global defence industry.
The ambidextrous 5.5kg, 80-round RPL-7 machine gun is designed to engage enemy personnel and unarmoured vehicles using 7.62mm ammunition fitted with either regular steel core or tracer rounds. The company has also confirmed the RPL-7 can be fitted with a suppressor, sling, a removable bipod, and a front handle, as well as ammunition belts and boxes
lso debuting at the exhibition, Kalashnikov Concern will showcase the KUB-SM (super-manoeuvrable) reconnaissance and strike system fitted with guided munitions.
“The system consists of two main groups: 14 guided munitions in transport and launch containers, and two UAV-R, drone-based reconnaissance relays, also in TLCs. Both types of drones are released using a launcher installed in an armoured vehicle. The drones are launched from the TLCs using gas dynamics,” according to the company.
“The guided munition carriers a multi-factor warhead to engage targets. The UAV-R is responsible for reconnaissance and surveillance. It also transmits information from the GM to the ground control station and vice versa.
“The combat vehicle provides accommodation for the crew, one GM and UAV-R ammunition set, and the necessary equipment for preparing and using the set. It also provides for their movement on the march, to a launch position, and back.”
The system is designed for mobile operations and is able to engage unarmoured and lightly armoured vehicles, command posts of divisions, battalions, batteries, and anti-aircraft missile systems, including vehicles with electronic warfare equipment and personnel wearing body armour, according to the company.
“It can also be used to attack air defence and anti-missile defence facilities, electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems such as ATM radars, counter-battery radars, and ground moving target reconnaissance radars.”
“Additionally, it can target rear support facilities, launch sites of enemy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, and enemy aircraft or helicopters located outside shelters at airfields.
“The KUB-SM system is designed to use highly manoeuvrable guided munitions effectively in combat. It can be used at any time of day, in both favourable and challenging weather conditions, including wind gusts up to 15 m/s.”
The KUB-2-E light and medium-class guided loitering munition developed under a joint project between Kalashnikov Concern JSC and the Izhevsk Unmanned Systems Scientific and Production Association will also be showcased at IDEX 2025.
“The KUB-2-E light-class system is designed to engage enemy personnel, down to individual soldiers, and unarmoured military equipment,” according to Kalashnikov.
“The GLMs are highly manoeuvrable and equipped with advanced optronic systems. These systems allow operators to accurately guide the munition to the target, even if it is on the move.
“Both munitions weigh over 10kg. They can be used by day or night, in favourable or challenging weather, in smoky and dusty settings, with wind gusts near the ground of up to 15 meters per second, in areas with passive and active interference.”
(Source: UAS VISION/Defence Connect)
30 Jan 25. Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL), a leader in advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology, is proud to participate in the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) TE 25-1 / Arctic Warrior Experiment. This pivotal event is focused on testing and demonstrating cutting-edge technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher, designed to empower U.S. and NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) in Arctic operational environments.
“Our rotary wing UAS, enhanced with OKSI’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, exemplifies the innovation required to maintain operational superiority even in the most contested and complex environments.”
Post this
Cyberlux is unveiling an innovative variant of its rotary wing UAS, engineered specifically for sustained operations in GPS- and radio frequency-denied environments. This groundbreaking platform integrates advanced capabilities developed in partnership with OKSI, Inc., leveraging their proprietary “Omniscience” Artificial Intelligence model. The collaboration brings the following key enhancements to Cyberlux’s UAS technology:
- Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO): Enables precise navigation and positioning without reliance on GPS, critical for Arctic and electronic warfare (EW) environments.
- Automated Target Recognition (ATR): Advanced machine learning algorithms for rapid identification and classification of targets.
- Machine Learning Integration: Ensures adaptive decision-making and autonomous operations in dynamic, high-threat environments.
“The Arctic Warrior Experiment offers an unparalleled opportunity for SOF teams to engage directly with emerging technologies that address the unique challenges of Arctic warfare,” said Mark Schmidt, CEO of Cyberlux Corporation. “Our rotary wing UAS, enhanced with OKSI’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, exemplifies the innovation required to maintain operational superiority even in the most contested and complex environments.”
Held in Rena, Norway, the Arctic Warrior Experiment brings together multiple NATO SOF teams to evaluate next-generation solutions for Arctic deployment. The event allows participating forces to interface with industry leaders like Cyberlux, fostering collaboration that accelerates the development and adoption of mission-critical technologies.
OKSI’s Omniscience AI model plays a transformative role in ensuring Cyberlux’s UAS can effectively navigate, identify, and engage targets even in heavily jammed EW scenarios. This capability underscores Cyberlux’s commitment to delivering resilient, state-of-the-art solutions tailored to the evolving needs of modern warfare.
About Cyberlux Corporation
Cyberlux Corporation is a leading provider of advanced unmanned aircraft systems, tactical lighting solutions, and innovative technologies designed to meet the needs of military, government, and commercial clients. With a focus on agility and innovation, Cyberlux delivers mission-critical solutions that empower operational success in complex environments.
About OKSI, Inc.
OKSI (Optical Knowledge Systems, Inc.) is at the forefront of artificial intelligence and optical system innovation. Their Omniscience AI model integrates machine learning and advanced analytics to deliver unparalleled capabilities in navigation, target recognition, and decision-making across diverse operational scenarios.
For more information, please visit www.cyberlux.com. For investor information, please contact: . (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
29 Jan 25. Aiming Far and High: New DASA Market Exploration seeks revolutionary uncrewed systems.
Novel solutions are being sought by the British Army to boost the range and effectiveness of uncrewed systems
- DASA has launched a new Market Exploration called ‘Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems’
- This Market Exploration is being run on behalf of the British Army to help them identify Uncrewed Systems (UxS) capable of operating at extended ranges
- The deadline for submissions is midday 12:00 (GMT) on 5 February 2025
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Market Exploration called ‘Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems’. Run on behalf of the British Army, this Market Exploration is seeking to identify Uncrewed Systems (UxS) with extended range capabilities. They aim to discover cutting-edge UxS technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above that could potentially be deployed within the next 12 months.
Current events have demonstrated the importance of UxS in modern conflict and have shown that relatively low-cost UxS solutions can defeat more expensive systems. The UxS space is evolving at a rapid pace and, therefore, platforms and components must undergo rapid iterations to keep up with the latest battlefield adaptations and requirements. This Market Exploration reflects the growing importance of uncrewed systems in defence strategies and the need for agile, innovative solutions in the face of evolving global security challenges.
Do you have an innovation that could be of interest to the British Army? Read the full Market Exploration document and submit a proposal.
What technologies is this Market Exploration seeking?
The British Army is actively pursuing cutting-edge technologies to enhance their operational capabilities. A key initiative of this endeavour is the development of an uncrewed Deep Recce Strike platform capable of operating at ranges greater than 80 kilometers. This platform should also be able to deliver shorter-range one-way effectors onto designated targets.
In addition to its strike capabilities, the system needs to have the ability to incorporate sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) functionalities. These features will enable the identification of dynamic targets and facilitate post-strike Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA).
The British Army is seeking a solution that allows for rapid development, testing, production, deployment, and iterative improvement. To ensure longevity and adaptability, the platform should feature a modular design, providing resilience against advancements in Counter Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining operational effectiveness in EW-contested and GPS-denied environments.
Innovation capabilities that only rely on the supply chains of the UK and its allies are preferred.
Submit a proposal
Do you have an innovation that matches the requirements? Read the full Market Exploration document to learn more and submit a proposal. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
30 Jan 2025. PDW CORE improves operational effectiveness by providing:
- A touch-friendly, intuitive user interface (UI) for the PDW Ground Control Station (GCS).
- An advanced mission planner to practice and refine complex operations.
- The proprietary PDW SIM flight simulator.
- A dedicated ATAK plug-in for seamless integration within the TAK network.
- A Windows-compatible PDW Updater tool.
Key Features of PDW CORE
PDW SIM: The new flight simulator offers a highly realistic training experience, including dynamic 3D maps based on real-world data, precise C100 physics modeling, and the ability to simulate operational challenges such as signal interference, battery management, and environmental factors.
Enhanced UI: The updated interface features intuitive icons, quicker access to controls, and compatibility with Android tablets, mobile devices, and various standard controllers. It scales effortlessly across different screen sizes and eliminates the need for a stylus by optimizing touch-sensitive areas.
Mission Planner: This tool simplifies mission planning and execution with advanced mapping capabilities, real-time data, and tactical overlays. It supports a wide range of operations, including reconnaissance.
Integrated ATAK Plug-in: The ATAK plug-in translates MavLink to Cursor on Target (CoT), allowing C100 operators to connect to the TAK network and maintain a comprehensive, real-time view of the mission environment.
PDW Updater: This Windows-compatible utility enables remote software updates and the download of flight logs for multiple systems, streamlining fleet management.
PDW CORE is available as part of new C100 purchases or as a software upgrade for existing users.
(Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
30 Jan 25. Battlefield Blood Delivery Aided by Precision Airdrop System.
Elbit Systems’ Tzur drone, equipped with ParaZero’s precision airdrop system, is enabling rapid, autonomous blood delivery for battlefield medics, enhancing emergency medical logistics in high-risk environments.
Elbit Systems’ Tzur drone, integrated with ParaZero’s DropAir System, is undergoing trials in Gaza to rapidly transport blood for emergency transfusions.
This autonomous system significantly reduces response times, ensuring life-saving supplies reach wounded personnel within minutes.
Developed to enhance field medical capabilities, the Tzur drone has been selected for its advanced flight performance and extensive operational history. With thousands of flight hours in intelligence and reconnaissance roles, it now takes on a critical medical logistics function.
Designed to carry up to 7 kilograms (15 lbs.), the drone delivers enough blood for multiple transfusions in a single flight.
Cargo Drones Equipped with ParaZero’s parachute system and an advanced precision-drop mechanism, the Tzur ensures accurate and secure delivery in dynamic environments. Smart navigation technology adapts to wind conditions and terrain, autonomously selecting the optimal flight path for each mission.
Initially designed for military deployment, this technology has broader potential. Beyond combat zones, it could support disaster relief, remote medical supply chains, and humanitarian missions, reaching locations where traditional transport is limited.
A Defense Ministry official stated, “Going forward, we will be able to deliver other materials. The landing method softens the impact to protect the blood, reduces acceleration during descent, and enhances precision.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
29 Jan 25. L3Harris’ Iver4 580: Supporting the Royal Navy’s Project Wilton.
Project Wilton employs L3Harris Iver AUVs for mine hunting and surveying operations.
L3Harris delivered three new Iver Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for the Royal Navy’s Project Wilton to support unmanned mine hunting and survey operations. The robotic boats detect and neutralize underwater mines without putting sailors at risk, advancing maritime autonomous systems within the UK Navy.
The Iver4 580 vehicles, along with hot-swappable aft sections, are now in the hands of the UK’s Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) program and the Zulu Squadron. This delivery is crucial as it allows operations at depths of up to 300 meters and enables near-continuous mission deployment. Following the delivery of the vehicles, the team spent the subsequent week trialing them to help sailors familiarize themselves with the additional capabilities offered by the Iver4 AUVs.
Project Wilton employs AUVs for mine hunting and surveying operations. L3Harris’ Iver AUVs are equipped with high-accuracy navigation sensors and advanced communication systems for surface tracking. They employ a collaborative autonomy architecture and automatic target recognition. The Royal Navy uses these Iver vehicles for unmanned mine hunting and various missions, conducting route survey operations in UK waters and international areas to ensure safe navigation for both commercial and military shipping.
The proven capabilities and real-world maritime mission experience of L3Harris’ AUVs highlight the value of autonomy in addressing current operational gaps in maritime operations.
L3Harris is also advancing new operational concepts to enhance the effectiveness of warfighters and is providing manned-unmanned solutions today. As the Trusted Disruptor, L3Harris is expanding undersea capabilities and addressing threats by rapidly delivering innovative technology to meet immediate operational needs. (Source: ASD Network)
30 Jan 25. NATO scrambles for drones that can survive the Arctic. In 2023, Mads Petersen, owner of Greenland-based startup Arctic Unmanned, sat in a car to keep warm while he tested a small drone at minus 43 degrees Celsius (minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit).
The cold soon drained the drone’s power.
“The battery only lasted for three minutes,” he said.
Governments in the world’s far north are seeking to overcome such challenges as the region comes increasingly into the geopolitical spotlight.
Russia and China have stepped up military activity in the Arctic, while NATO states in the region are reporting more acts of sabotage on energy and communications lines. President Donald Trump has recently revived U.S. claims to Greenland.
The conflict in Ukraine, meanwhile, has shown that unmanned aircraft can provide critical intelligence and strike capabilities on the battlefield.
The United States, which sees the Arctic as crucial for territorial defence and its early warning system against nuclear attacks, said in a July strategy document it would focus on unmanned technology to counter Chinese-Russian collaboration there. Russian and Chinese bomber planes flew together off the coast of Alaska in July and their coast guard ships sailed together through the Bering Strait in October. (Source: Reuters)
28 Jan 25. First Replicator Initiative Capability on Track for August, Officials Say. The first iteration of lethal swarms of unmanned vehicles and the software that binds them together is set to reach viability by August, Navy officials said on Tuesday.
The Replicator initiative, begun as a Department of Defense effort in 2023, will meet the goal set by then-Deputy Defense Secretary Kath Hicks to stand up the first series of systems for the program, Capt. Alex Campbell, the maritime portfolio director of the Defense Innovation Unit said on Tuesday at the West 2025 conference co-hosted by the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA.
The first tranche of Replicator was created to link surface, subsurface drones and loitering munitions to create a “hellscape” that would prevent the Chinese invasion. The second tranche, announced last year, focuses the effort on countering hostile drones.
“It’s not another [science and technology] project. It is meant to get to production, meant to field systems, in this case, in support of [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command],” Campbell said.
“It’s a lot of taking… a pretty wide and diverse set of systems and a wide and diverse set of software, and smashing them all together at a pace that is really more akin to commercial software tempos.”
Replicator, overseen by DIU, is part of the Pentagon’s wider effort to quickly stitch together capabilities via common software to tackle problems faster than the standard acquisition system allows, members said at the Tuesday morning panel.
The panel, which included Naval Information Warfare Systems Command commander Rear Adm. Seiko Okano, the Navy’s director of integrated warfare Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney and Chris Brose with Anduril, stressed the framework of the initiative as a way to quickly field disparate systems.
“We had had kind of a one-size-fits-all for everything, and I think now we’re learning. There are systems that we can do at a more rapid pace,” Okano said.
The process is prompting how the Navy is thinking about requirements for autonomous systems, Sweeney said.
“Robots for what? We have some things we’re using robotic, autonomous systems [but those] might not be the thing that transitions to the hybrid fleet. Frankly, I don’t know. We need to learn. We need to fail and adapt,” he said.
Brose said adapting requirements was key to the effort and could translate to other sectors of acquisition across the DoD.
“It’s okay to say out loud that with this we don’t know what our requirements are. The program is going to be inherently fluid. The resources are going to need to be fluid. You’re going to be onboarding and off boarding companies, probably pretty quickly,” Brose said.
“And all of this is going to have to be hashed out in a real-world environment, with the government providing sort of a laser focus on the operational problems that industry needs to solve, and that’s just very different than the way the Defense Department typically thinks about programs.”
U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Steve Koehler made the call for more lethal and inexpensive systems during his keynote on Tuesday. He wants more systems in the hands of sailors to experiment with and field quickly.
However, questions remain over funding and operating the final systems between the services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Last year, the Pentagon set aside about $1 bn to fund the first tranche of Replicator and the Navy has stood up its own units to operate systems that have been identified as part of the Replicator ecosystem.
In May, the “Hell Hounds” of Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 received the first four Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft. The uncrewed GARCs are one of the few identified Replicator programs that will be part of the first tranche, however neither the Navy nor the Pentagon have disclosed how the U.S. plans to implement the systems that could grow to the hundreds.
Eventually, the Navy’s goal is to develop a hybrid fleet of manned and unmanned craft and the underlying connective command and control and software decisions that are part of Replicator will inform the effort.
“How does that all get knitted together across all domains, from space to the undersea? And then how does all that learning lead to the hybrid fleet,” Sweeny said. “What does that fleet look like in the future?” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/USNI)
28 Jan 25. MQ-25 will fly in 2025, fly off carriers in 2026, says Navy’s air boss. Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever expressed confidence in the Navy’s ability to seamlessly integrate the new tanker into the air wing despite challenges associated with unmanned technologies and carrier flight operations.
The US Navy’s top operational aviator says he’s confident the service will have its new unmanned aerial tanker flying this year and operating off aircraft carriers in 2026, characterizing it as a key point in paving the way for future next generation aircraft.
“We will fly MQ-25 in 25. You can quote me on that. We will fly that platform in 25 and get that thing on a carrier in 26 and start integrating [it],” Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commander of Naval Air Forces, told an audience here at West in San Diego. “That unlocks the future of manned-unmanned teaming.”
“We’re going after that thing in a big way so we can do manned-unmanned teaming off an aircraft carrier and that is a different world. It opens up the future of sixth-gen collaborative combat aircraft and everything that comes after it,” he continued.
The MQ-25, also dubbed Stingray, is an unmanned tanker designed to refuel the strike fighter fleet while performing a secondary intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance mission. Its fielding is also expected to relieve pressure on the service’s F/A-18s which have had to act as aerial refuelers in the meantime, taking them away from strike missions.
Boeing won the initial contract in 2018 to design and produce the aircraft, a bid that was strengthened by previous prototypes on the ultimately abandoned Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike program. At that time, service officials said the aircraft would reach initial operational capability — Pentagon nomenclature effectively signifying the aircraft is ready for fielding — in 2024, but program hiccups have pushed that date into fiscal 2025.
Boeing has previously conducted test flights with its prototypes, but Navy officials have targeted 2025 for its own test flights with the aircraft.
Cheever, who the Navy also refers to as the “Air Boss” because he is the most senior operational aviator, expressed confidence in the Navy’s ability to integrate MQ-25 into the air wing despite the operational challenges associated with unmanned technology and landing any aircraft onboard a carrier’s flight deck.
“I don’t see a lot of issues bringing it together,” he said. “I’m just going to turn the weapons tactics instructors loose, and they will exactly figure out how to operate this thing seamlessly in a manned-unmanned teaming [environment].”
“So, [I’m] pretty excited for that, because we need that capability and we need it this year to start flying,” he said.
(Source: Breaking Defense.com)
29 Jan 25. US Army rushing to field FPV UAS to experimental units. A new first-person view (FPV) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) currently being staffed through the requirements process is on track to be fielded to the US Army’s Transformation in Contact (TIC) units as early as the end of 2025, a capabilities development official told Janes on 22 January. If approved by the army’s chief of staff, Purpose Built Attritable System (PBAS) will make it into the hands of warfighters by 2026 after going through the acquisition process in Program Executive Office Aviation, said Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brabner, air branch chief for the Robotics Requirements Division at the Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate. The systems could move through that process to get to the army’s experimental TIC units as early as the fourth quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025 or first quarter of FY 2026. Two lethality capabilities that are in development with the Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A) will be compatible with PBAS and will enable the FPV system to drop grenades and anti-personnel mines on adversaries. The army envisions this new equipment – modelled after the UAS wreaking havoc in Ukraine – as an “apex predator system”, Lt Col Brabner told Janes in an interview on 23 January. Armament UAS-Delivered Immediate Battlefield Lethal Effects (AUDIBLE) is the army’s first lethal modular mission payload for small UASs, Lt Col Brabner explained. PBAS will be able to carry AUDIBLE via the common lethality integration kit (CLIK), which is a government-developed tech data package that is the hardware and software “connective tissue between the thing that goes bang and the programme of record drone”, he added. (Source: Janes)
28 Jan 25. North Macedonia to receive US donation of Raven and Puma UASs. The governments of the United States and North Macedonia have agreed on a donation for the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (Armija na Republika Severna Makedonija: ARSM) of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), the North Macedonian Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed to Janes on 24 January. Following comments made by North Macedonian Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski to national media outlet Kurir on the transfer of five UASs by the US, the MoD told Janes that this donation is included in six arms agreements that have been signed by the respective governments.
“These six new government-to-government agreements include AeroVironment Raven and AeroVironment Puma small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in addition to small-arms and accessories, individual equipment and ammunition, cyber-defence capabilities, and Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS) software, all for use by the ARSM’s Light Infantry Battalion Group (Lesna Peshadiska Borbena Grupa: LPBG),” the MoD said. It added that production of the UASs would begin “after the related government-to-government agreements are signed by both the US and [North] Macedonian authorities” with delivery to North Macedonia to be “in the following years”.
The MoD did not disclose the number of air vehicles per UAS. The six different government-to-government agreements will have a combined value of USD26.5m, and would enable the North Macedonian army to replace over 50% of its current Yugoslavia-era small calibre infantry weapons. (Source: Janes)
28 Jan 25. DroneAcharya secures contract to train Indian Army personnel. The scope of the contract encompasses the provision of necessary hardware and the execution of drone piloting training sessions. DroneAcharya has secured a contract for the establishment of a specialised drone training laboratory aimed at enhancing the skills of the Indian Army personnel in drone operations. The company disclosed this development in a filing with the stock exchange. The scope of the contract, valued at Rs1.87m ($21,660), encompasses the provision of necessary hardware and the execution of drone piloting training sessions. The commencement of the project was marked on 27 January 2025, with an expected completion by 28 March 2025.
In the filing, the company statesd: “This achievement reflects our commitment to advancing drone technology and highlights our growing reputation as a trusted partner in the defence sector. Partnering with the Ministry of Defence strengthens our credibility and paves the way for new opportunities in innovation and growth within this domain.
“We encourage all stakeholders to take note of this significant development.”
Following the announcement of the contract, the company’s shares experienced a surge, climbing more than 4% in early trading, reaching Rs108 per share on 28 January 2025.
According to forecasts by GlobalData, India’s defence budget is set to expand to $415.9bn over the period from 2025 to 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.
This budgetary growth is part of India’s strategic initiative to sustain military readiness and bolster its military stature on both global and regional stages. The contract with the Indian Army comes on the heels of DroneAcharya’s recent move to merge with AVPL International, a drone technology startup. (Source: army-technology.com)
27 Jan 25. Saab to Demo New Naval Autonomous Systems Capability at WEST 2025. Skapa by Saab, the company’s newly formed technology accelerator, will showcase the interoperability of Autonomous Ocean Core at a demonstration during the WEST 2025 conference in San Diego with partners Aalyria, ANELLO, Hidden Level, Microsoft, Mythos AI and Second Front. Autonomous Ocean Core is a control system versatile across all naval platforms that enables un-crewed and autonomous systems to work in a safe and predictable way—on the surface and underwater. The demonstration will highlight a sample of mission-sets enabled by Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core integrated with the capabilities of our partners. Autonomous Ocean Core enables un-crewed vessels to operate on Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), electronic warfare, assault, mine countermeasures, search and rescue, and logistics missions.
“Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core provides a solid foundation for expanding autonomous operations through continuous development and integration of third-party capabilities,” said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab in the U.S. “We are excited to add the enhanced capabilities from our partners and provide customers with an increased tactical edge, while becoming less dependent on active manpower. Safe and reliable autonomous operations is the future of naval warfare.”
The Autonomous Ocean Core system has different modes for maneuvering on a mission, each supporting precise control and operational flexibility based on the mission’s need, while also enabling the flexibility to integrate with new or existing platforms. The system is ready to perform a variety of missions right out of the box, with or without added functionality. Saab’s leadership in autonomous systems include Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) which work with seabed infrastructure, anti-submarine warfare training and mine hunting. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Jan 25. XQ-67 Getting Upgrades in Demon Ape Program. The U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone is set to receive modifications and upgrades to demonstrate its ability to perform certain missions as part of a program called Demon Ape. Originally developed as a ‘sensor truck’ for the once-secretive Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program, the stealthy XQ-67A is now being used as a testbed to support the Air Force’s larger Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) advanced drone effort.
General Atomics, which built the drone, has also confirmed that it served as the basis for its now-in-development CCA design.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) a sole-source contract for the Demon Ape-related work on Jan. 17. Demon Ape is actually a forced acronym standing for Demonstration of Autonomous Collaborative Platform Performance and Effectiveness. The XQ-67A broke cover in February 2024, which TWZ was the first to report, and made its maiden flight later that month.
“The Government currently requires a mix of research and data, hardware, and software in support of continuing the research and development of the XQ-67A,” according to an online notice about the contract award. “That work consists of integrating specific mission systems and upgrading the vehicle to ensure adequate power generation and thermal management capacity.”
A copy of the formal justification for the sole-source contract is attached to the notice, but is heavily redacted. Still, it does provide some additional details, including that the changes to the XQ-67A are tied to at least one specific mission set.
“The Government intends to continue the research and development of the XQ-67A by modifying the aircraft [redacted],” the justification document says. “For the XQ-67A to perform this mission, the offeror will have to integrate the specific mission systems [redacted] as well as upgrade to ensure adequate power generation and thermal management capacity.”
“At the conclusion of OBSS, the XQ-67A will have designs ready for the integration of mission systems,” the Air Force’s justification for the sole-source contract adds. “Additionally, the XQ-67A will have been integrated with critical mission infrastructure [redacted].” (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)
24 Jan 25. Italy’s Leonardo, Turkey’s Baykar to sign partnership for unmanned systems, says source. Italian defence and aerospace group Leonardo (LDOF.MI) is about to enter into a partnership with Turkish drone maker Baykar for unmanned systems, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.
The deal is close to being finalised, the source added.
Baykar drones have gained prominence globally after being used by Ukraine’s military against Russian forces as well as in campaigns in Azerbaijan and North Africa.
The company has become one of the most prolific drone exporters globally and, in December, it bought Italian aircraft producer Piaggio Aerospace, which had been under government-controlled special administration since filing for protection from creditors in 2018.
Italy’s Industry Minister soon after expressed interest in an industrial partnership between Italy and Baykar. (Source: Reuters)
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LAND:
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Our range of Boat Stopping Systems, provided a layered non-lethal stopping capability against all sizes of vessels, including unmanned threats. So you can stop and search, defeat pirates from boarding, prevent terrorists from getting near your vessel or close off quickly a waterway, port or maritime borders.
AIR;
BCB`s sister company UAVE have been manufacturing since 2013, the Dragon MK3, large, long range (1,000km) long endurance (12hours), versatile and mission-ready UAV. It is proven and operational from the polar regions to 45deg C heat in the Middle East and Asia. The larger of the 3 models, carries 25 kilos payload.
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