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03 Apr 25. Australia’s Ghost Bat CCA programme achieves new milestone. Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) took the opportunity at the 2025 edition of Avalon Airshow in Melbourne in late March to announce a major milestone in the MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) flight test programme. According to Boeing, the programme has completed the 100th flight and a Ghost Bat adorned in the operational paint scheme was shown for the first time.
“This milestone demonstrates the maturity of our program in a growing market and is a testament to Boeing’s groundbreaking lead in developing collaborative combat aircraft capabilities for current and future applications,” said Boeing Defense, Space & Security interim President and CEO Steve Parker.
According to Boeing, the flight test programme will conclude by the end of 2025 with a MQ-28 aircraft teaming with RAAF crewed assets, such as the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control and F-35 joint strike fighter, to conduct operationally relevant missions. The Australian government earlier announced an A$399 million funding package intended to advance development of key systems for the Ghost Bat. The funding also calls for construction of three new next-generation Block 2 aircraft. Officials noted that the funding will enable further development on sensor and mission payloads, an integrated combat system and autonomous systems. The Ghost Bat is a joint development between Boeing Defence Australia and the Australian Department of Defence (DoD). The company has already been contracted to deliver 10 MQ-28A Block 1 aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Ghost Bat will have a range of more than 3,700 km and has been designed to fly as a partner with crewed RAAF platforms. As a groundbreaking project, it enables the DoD to investigate critical factors such as the level of automation and autonomy, use of artificial intelligence, and human-machine teaming concepts that meet Australia’s legal and ethical obligations. Around 55 Australian companies have contributed to the Ghost Bat programme, which is also the first military combat aircraft to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. Boeing is building a new production facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, to support the manufacture of the Ghost Bat. (Source: AMR)
03 Apr 25. Milkor busy with Milkor 380 production and deliveries as UAV project enters a new phase. Milkor continues to make strides with its Milkor 380 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with the project now moving from its development phase to an industrial phase. This is according to Daniel du Plessis, Milkor’s Marketing and Communications Director. Speaking exclusively to defenceWeb, du Plessis said: “the project is now essentially moving away from a development phase. Up until 2023 we were still developing quite a few things in terms of software hardware and aircraft components, as well as testing.” This culminated in the Milkor 380’s first flight in September 2023, with du Plessis adding that “a very stringent flight-testing campaign has taken place since then.” Flight testing has primarily taken place at Air Force Base Overberg, co-located with the Denel Overberg Test Range (OTR), and overseen by the South African Air Force with which Milkor has a testing and evaluation agreement. The Western Cape facility is situated across 43 000 hectares with a 70 km coastline facing virtually unrestricted sea; the air base at Overberg provides runway and ground support services for all types of aircraft.
Du Plessis told defenceWeb “the project is essentially nearing the end of its maturity in terms of development but now more nearing more towards a finalised solution.” He added that, “we are expecting to see a rapid increase in the industrialisation cycle and also the manufacturing capabilities within the company to keep up with the demand for pending contracts that we’re expecting.”
Annual UAV production stands at eight per year, with plans to reach sixteen units a year by 2026. Last year Milkor had half a dozen Milkor 380s under construction at its Cape Town manufacturing facility. The Milkor 380 was developed from the earlier MA (Milkor Aeospace) 80, an 80 kg demonstrator which flew in 2017. As a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Milkor 380 boasts impressive specifications, having a wingspan of 18.6 meters and a maximum take-off weight of 1 500 kilograms, making it the largest such aircraft designed and built in Africa. It is built to carry out extended operations and boasts a maximum endurance of 30 hours (when flying at 60 knots and an altitude of 10 000 feet above mean sea level) and a range of over 4 000 kilometres, making it ideal for long-range missions such as border surveillance, maritime patrols, and combat operations. The UAV is equipped with dual redundant Line of Sight (LOS) communications systems that can maintain contact with its control unit for up to 250 km, with seamless transition between Line of Sight and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications, such as SATCom. Milkor has partnered with leading companies, such as Germany’s Hensoldt, to integrate sophisticated sensor suites, including the ARGOS II HDT Airborne Observation System with laser designator capabilities. These sensors are designed for precision targeting in combat operations and enhance the UAV’s intelligence-gathering and electronic warfare capabilities. The Milkor 380 can carry up to 220 kg of payload, including munitions, communication pods and electronic warfare systems. The Milkor 380 is powered by a four-stroke, four-cylinder turbocharged Rotax 915iS engine developing 135 hp, which gives a maximum speed of 250 km/h and cruising speed of 110-150 km/h. Payload is 220 kg (excluding fuel), with each outer wing hardpoint able to accommodate 80 kg while each inner wing hardpoint can carry 150 kg. An underbelly station is designed to accommodate the largest payload and is rated to 400 kg. The aircraft’s nose is capable of housing several different electro optical/infrared and radar sensors. The Milkor 380 can be armed, and has already been displayed with Al Tariq X-series precision guided munitions, Halcon Desert Sting DS-16 guided bombs, and FZ602 laser-guided rocket launchers. A mockup of a Milkor-developed missile has also been shown under the aircraft, as Milkor is exploring in-house missile development. While the Milkor 380 is primarily designed for military use, Milkor envisions dual-purpose applications, particularly in the civilian and commercial sectors. For instance, it can be deployed for maritime surveillance, wildlife conservation and humanitarian missions. The company has partnered with Aerodata AG, a German firm specializing in maritime surveillance, to explore the UAV’s potential in monitoring special economic zones and conducting routine maritime patrols. This version is known as the AeroForce 380. The Milkor 380’s production phase has paved the way for an even larger follow-on project, the Milkor 780. This high-altitude, long-endurance UAV is expected to carry 2 700 kilograms of payload and have a flight time of 30–40 hours. Milkor hopes to unveil it at the 2026 edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition. Milkor is participating in the LAAD 2025 exhibition currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1 to 4 April, where it is showcasing its air, land, and sea solutions. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
02 Apr 25. Hanwha Aerospace and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) have partnered to collaborate on the development and production of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for the global defense market. The collaboration follows a successful flight demonstration in 2024 when the companies launched a GA-ASI MQ-1C Gray Eagle STOL(Short Take-Off and Landing) UAS from the South Korean navy’s amphibious landing ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH-6111) while underway at sea off the coast of Pohang, South Korea. This demonstration illustrated the ability of the Gray Eagle STOL to operate on many types of aircraft-capable ships, opening numerous new ways for the U.S. and its allies to support multi-domain operations.
“Hanwha Aerospace views unmanned systems as a strategic pillar for the future of defense. Through our collaboration with GA-ASI, we aim to strengthen sovereign defense capabilities, expand Korea’s presence in the global UAS market, and contribute to a more robust ROK-US alliance.” said Dong Kwan Kim, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group.
“We’re excited to extend and deepen our business relationship with Hanwha,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue, who supervised the November 12, 2024 at-sea demonstration. “Our test flight with Gray Eagle STOL was well-received by the Republic of Korea Navy and we know Hanwha is ready to invest to grow a UAS business with GA-ASI in Korea and the U.S.”
With this agreement, Hanwha plans to enter the unmanned aircraft systems market, which is projected to reach 5trn KRW globally by 2040.
Domestic Production and Investment
Hanwha Aerospace plans to invest more than 750 bn KRW in development and production facilities for Gray Eagle STOL and UAS engines, building research and development, and production infrastructure in South Korea as well as with GA-ASI in the U.S. The company plans to create jobs by recruiting talent in relevant fields and develop a domestic UAS industry ecosystem in Korea by identifying local component and material supplier companies. The companies aim to achieve first flight in early 2027, with a plan to expand to global markets.
Comprehensive Partnership for Advanced UAS Capabilities
The Gray Eagle STOL is the only medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft of its kind with the ability to operate without a catapult or arresting gear from flight deck equipped warships such as aircraft carriers. It is also capable of operating effectively from unimproved surfaces such as roads, beaches, parking lots, etc. With a payload capacity of 1.6 tons, the Gray Eagle STOL can perform various missions including reconnaissance and attack operations, depending on the equipment configuration. Previously known by GA-ASI’s internal codename Mojave, Gray Eagle STOL leverages extensive commonality with the well-proven, in-production Gray Eagle 25M airframe. This provides a highly capable new aircraft at greatly reduced cost and technical risk compared to a clean-sheet design.
The aircraft has recorded numerous first-of-their-kind aviation milestones including the flight from ROKS Dokdo, launch and recovery aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (09), live fire tests at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and several others.
02 Apr 25. BMT has successfully partnered with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK (AEUK) to advance autonomous maritime navigation by utilising BMT’s proprietary Synthetic Environment Assurance Service (SEAS) testbed. This collaboration rigorously assessed AEUK’s cutting-edge autonomous navigation system, ARCIMS, delivering critical insights into its decision-making capabilities and compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). ARCIMS, a leading-edge maritime platform designed for modularity and adaptability, offers advanced capabilities for autonomous mine warfare and unmanned vessel operations. Leveraging its proprietary SEAS testbed, BMT evaluated the ARCIMS system’s ability to operate safely and effectively in complex and dynamic maritime environments. BMT’s SEAS testbed enabled the testing of AEUK’s system in detailed synthetic maritime environments, replicating complex operational scenarios under controlled, repeatable conditions. By providing robust assurance through this innovative approach, BMT has supported the system’s readiness for certification and deployment, advancing the safe integration of autonomous systems in real-world maritime operations. This collaboration addressed a pivotal challenge in maritime autonomy – ensuring that the autonomous navigation system meets the stringent requirements of COLREGs compliance. Using BMT’s SEAS platform, AEUK’s system was tested in a wide array of high-pressure scenarios designed to stress-test its algorithms and reveal actionable insights for refinement.
“BMT’s partnership with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK underscores the importance of simulation-based assurance in developing safe, reliable autonomous systems,” said Will Alexander, Campaign Lead for Maritime Autonomous Systems at BMT and a master mariner and hydrographic surveyor. “Building trust in AI decision-making is equally vital. Trustworthy AI must be embedded into the foundation of autonomous systems, and this project exemplifies how that principle is part of the very DNA of our SEAS testbed, ensuring systems are not only compliant but also capable of making informed, seamanlike decisions in dynamic maritime environments.” BMT’s work in this collaboration also highlights its role in supporting the progress of maritime autonomous systems (MAS) compliance. BMT provides technical input into the UK’s Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) guidelines and tools, maintaining positions on influential groups such as the Society of Maritime Industries Autonomy Council and the Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group. This commitment reinforces BMT’s influence in shaping the future of autonomous maritime safety and standards.
The SEAS testbed project delivered vital optimisation and value to AEUK, the UK Naval Authority Technical Group (NATG), and the broader maritime community. By using advanced simulation capabilities, BMT reduced the costs and risks associated with live testing and provided essential evidence for the system’s certification. The testing defined safe operational envelopes and identified areas for algorithmic refinement, ensuring confidence in the system’s deployment.
ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK’s Principal Software Engineer for Command, Control, and Autonomy Systems, Ian Renton, reflected on the collaboration: “In my view, this type of exercise is an invaluable addition to our existing test procedures. Working with specialist navigators and running scenarios specifically tailored to catch COLREGs ‘edge’ cases allowed us to identify areas for improvement in future algorithm versions. I was pleased to hear it said several times that our vessel was making safe decisions and, in some cases, clever solutions, while maintaining COLREGs compliance and safe standoff from other vessels.”
Stephen Perry, from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) – Propulsion, Manoeuvring & Navigation Systems, then concluded: “Establishing the MASS SEAS assurance methodology has enabled the Naval Authority (NA), as the safety certifying body for MOD shipping, to delegate the assessment of the COLREG capability of innovate new platforms using cutting edge technology to a Recognised Organisation (RO). The RO provides an independent third-party report, compiled using an approved syllabus of tailored tests conducted in a Type-Approved high-fidelity synthetic environment, which enables the NA to define a safe operating envelope and certification for the MASS. MASS SEAS is one of the tools enabling the UK MOD to establish one of the world’s first frameworks for the certification of marine autonomy.”
BMT’s influence in maritime autonomy
Accelerating the safe introduction of MAS is a critical priority for the defence sector, and BMT is at the forefront of this transformation. With expertise in simulation, maritime engineering, and significant contributions to UK defence regulation and MAS compliance, BMT continues to be a trusted partner in advancing autonomous systems. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, regulatory insights, and decades of maritime expertise, BMT ensures that MAS are developed and deployed with safety, efficiency, and the trust of operators and stakeholders at their core.
This partnership builds on BMT’s legacy of innovation, exemplified by its globally recognised REMBRANDT technology, which has set new benchmarks for navigation risk assessment and immersive simulation. Through this bilateral and unique combination of innovation and operational excellence, BMT remains a driving force in shaping the future of maritime autonomy.
31 Mar 25. Mayman Aerospace today announced the successful completion of test flights for the RAZOR P100, which will be the first commercial aircraft in the company’s family of autonomous UAS. The achievement marks a major milestone not only for RAZOR but for the company’s strategic vision and market position. The test program, conducted at the US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center located at Twentynine Palms, CA validated 18 months of meticulous engineering and development efforts. Most notably, the tests included the successful inaugural untethered flights of the RAZOR P100, which operated with complete autonomy while executing complex flight maneuvers that demonstrated the sophisticated capabilities of RAZOR’s proprietary flight control software called SKYFIELD™. SKYFIELD, the company’s advanced AI-driven autonomous flight control system, will enable numerous RAZOR aircraft to navigate complex environments without human intervention, making critical adjustments in real-time based on operational conditions. This autonomous AI-driven decision-making capability will also allow the platform to adapt to changing mission parameters and environmental factors with precision and reliability.
“These flights represent the culmination of extraordinary engineering expertise and relentless dedication from our team,” said David Mayman, Founder & CEO at Mayman Aerospace. “What we’ve accomplished positions us at the vanguard of autonomous VTOL flight technology. There is simply nothing comparable to the RAZOR family of aircraft available in today’s market, and these successful tests validate our innovative approach to solving complex challenges in this domain.”
In addition to the P100’s series of tests, the program featured the first extended range flight of the RAZOR TBX, while successfully carrying a payload of 50 pounds. This fully autonomous beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operation marked the 26th flight for the TBX platform, which continues to serve as both a reliable workhorse and an invaluable testbed for ongoing research and development initiatives.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team’s accomplishments,” remarked company Chief of Staff, Daniel Fox. “The warfighter has been waiting for a solution that combines the versatility, autonomy, and reliability that RAZOR delivers. The success of these test flights demonstrates not only our technical capabilities but also our understanding of what operators truly need in the field. From an engineering perspective, what we’ve achieved in just 18 months is extraordinary,” explained Dr. Manu Sharma, the company’s Chief Engineer. “Our team has overcome significant technical challenges to develop flight control systems that enable unprecedented levels of autonomy and precision. The speed of our progress speaks to both the talent of our engineers and the effectiveness of our approach towards development. These achievements are setting the foundation for SKYFIELD, which will push the boundaries even further.”
SKYFIELD will transform onboard single-aircraft control into an autonomous AI-driven mission management system. It will enable seamless swarming, integrated with Battle Management Systems (BMS) offering commanders a unified airborne capability. Deploying a robust and secure zero-trust mesh architecture, SKYFIELD will enable flawless operation in GPS denied and heavily contested Electronic Warfare (EW) environments.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Mayman Aerospace will focus on expanding the operational envelope of both the P100 and TBX platforms, with particular emphasis on enhancing payload capabilities, extending flight range, and refining the SKYFIELD autonomous decision-making algorithms that set RAZOR apart from conventional UAS systems.
28 Mar 14. Airbus, Drone Forge sign LOI for Flexrotor UAS integration. Backed by the US Department of Defense, the Flexrotor has been used in numerous naval security drills. Australian aerospace company Drone Forge has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus to explore joint efforts in implementing and integrating the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS). This partnership also encompasses the procurement of Flexrotor systems. The Flexrotor is the latest addition to Airbus’ UAS portfolio. It is a vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25kg. It is designed to perform intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions for more than 12-14 hours in a typical operational setup. Airbus finalised its strategic purchase of Aerovel and its Flexrotor UAS, in May last year. The acquisition, which was agreed upon in January 2024, has since been subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.
Drone Forge CEO Thomas Symes said: “This partnership between Airbus and Drone Forge is a giant leap forward in the evolution and progress of the UAV industry. When we deliver a capability or product to a customer, they expect a proven solution, partnerships committed to safety, and teams that can provide world class support. This partnership will provide customers with all of these and more. The Asia-Pacific region presents a significant opportunity for a UAV solution like the Flexrotor. Built on Drone Forge’s values of trust and performance, this partnership with Airbus aims to fully commercialise the Flexrotor across commercial, government, and defence sectors.”
The US Department of Defence has supported the Flexrotor, which has been contracted for use in various maritime security exercises. Airbus notes that the UAS can perform in environments that are harsh, high-threat, and where GPS is unreliable.
Additionally, it is being used for parapublic missions, including forest fire surveillance—and other mission needs such as ice navigation for naval vessels in the Arctic Ocean, law enforcement, and border patrol.
Airbus Helicopters Market Operations head William Sampson said: “This agreement outlines a shared commitment to explore opportunities for implementing innovative Flexrotor technologies in the region. Designed as a force multiplier for diverse missions in defence and security applications, this partnership signals strong confidence in our Flexrotor capabilities and offers perfect crewed-uncrewed teaming possibilities for aircraft operators.”
Drone Forge is expanding its portfolio and has set up a UAS service centre in Perth, Western Australia. The centre is dedicated to offering training, maintenance, and support services for a variety of UAS, including the Flexrotor. (Source: naval-technology.com)
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