UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

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15 May 25. Red Cat Expands Maritime Domain Capabilities with Battle-Tested Unmanned Surface Vessels. Strategic partnership with leading USV company enhances Red Cat’s multi-domain capabilities and capitalizes on rapidly growing global demand for autonomous, kinetic-capable platforms. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat”), a leading provider of drone technology for military, government, and commercial operations, today announced the expansion of its multi-domain Family of Systems with a new line of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). This strategic move marks Red Cat’s official entry into the rapidly evolving maritime autonomy market and reinforces its position as a provider of comprehensive, interoperable unmanned systems for air, land, and sea operations.

Meeting the Demands of Modern Conflict

Red Cat’s entry into the maritime domain builds on existing inroads, including a partnership with Ocean Power Technologies to integrate its aerial drones with autonomous maritime platforms. Red Cat’s own line of kinetic-capable USVs marks a significant step forward. The decision is a direct response to rising geopolitical tensions and a shift in U.S. defense priorities toward re-asserting American maritime dominance globally. Red Cat is well positioned to deliver American-manufactured solutions that address these urgent operational needs of the U.S. and allied naval forces.

“This is a pivotal moment for Red Cat as we evolve from an aerial-first drone company into a true multi-domain defense provider,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “This expansion into maritime platforms opens significant opportunities in a fast-growing and urgently needed defense sector. As the U.S. and its allies confront rising maritime threats, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, there’s a clear demand for powerful, proven, and scalable USVs made in America. With these USVs, we’re helping to shape the future of autonomous warfare and strengthening the foundation of U.S. defense manufacturing.”

Red Cat is bringing its line of USVs to market in partnership with a leading global manufacturer of USVs. The system is tested daily in actual combat and designed to operate either autonomously or in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) configurations. The technology already has 10,000+ hours of operating time in live combat missions. Moving into production will accelerate Red Cat’s roadmap for USVs that integrate seamlessly with its existing family of ISR and unmanned aerial systems, supporting multi-domain and swarming operations.

“This system has been used day in and day out in the current conflict, accumulating tens of thousands of hours in real combat operations and achieving dozens of successful kinetic engagements against enemy assets, more than any navy since World War II,” Thompson stated. “By partnering with a company that has extensive proven experience and is well beyond the proof-of-concept stage, we gain a substantial competitive advantage as we enter this market.”

Red Cat is preparing to start production in Q3 of a seven-meter Expeditionary Multi-Role Craft developed to meet the demands of high-speed, long-range, kinetic maritime operations. It is built for larger payloads, extended endurance, and increased firepower. The version has enhanced range, payload capacity, and mission flexibility making it ideal for deep-strike missions, anti-ship warfare, and coastal interdiction in contested zones.

Leaders in Ship Building and Marine Innovation

Red Cat has assembled an elite team of master boatbuilders, drawing from industry leaders with centuries of collective experience. Renowned for pioneering advanced jet propulsion systems and crafting superior, American-made hulls, our team brings unmatched expertise to every vessel. Boatbuilding at scale demands profound knowledge and precision—qualities our proven professionals deliver with decades of hands-on experience, ensuring excellence in every detail. (Source: ASD Network)

15 May 25. Army explores ultra-long-range launched effects to spy from the sky. The U.S. Army is pursuing concepts to deploy ultra-long-range effects to surveil deep in the battlespace, according to the service’s Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force director.

“We may have to have standoff capability that we’ve not yet envisioned today,” Andrew Evans said Wednesday at the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual conference.

The Army is already focused on developing launched effects from both ground and air platforms for short, medium and long-range distances.

“What we’re going to do in the intel space is demonstrate what we call ultra-long-range launched effects,” Evans said.

“What we’re looking at doing is something that represents a thousand miles past the prime mover, so imagine a system that can deliver a launched effect that can get itself into a position of launch and then a thousand miles beyond that, which is over-the-horizon sensing. You’re getting into some game-changing capabilities.”

The ISR Task Force plans to conduct a user demonstration in 2026 exploring what this concept could look like using a commercial aircraft to then deploy a long-range launched effect.

“We believe industry has solved a lot of these problems already. What we have done is get all the right industry partners together to try to figure out how to build the ecosystem around that,” he said.

The Army’s approach will likely first focus on the “glide body itself, the propulsion vehicle,” Evans said, then the service will layer in sensing capabilities. Lastly, it will focus on “backhauling” or transporting the data off of the platform to the relevant command and control interfaces.

“The sensing and the backhaul are not trivial,” said Lawrence Mixon, special assistant to the Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

“Our integrated sensor architecture folks within the PEO have already been working in that regard with standards from data that should help in partnering with industry to get through that backhaul piece,” he said, adding, “it also ties back into next-generation command-and-control and standards there to enable that information to get to decision makers, to commanders.”

Earlier this year, the Army issued a call to industry looking for unmanned aircraft systems to launch from medium- or high-altitude platforms that would perform tasks like ISR, according to the notice posted to the federal business opportunities portal Sam.gov.

A demonstration of operational capability is planned for the fiscal 2026 timeframe. This effort will also help inform the work in which the ISR Task Force is engaged.

While the task force’s demonstration would not use the Army’s emerging high-speed spy jet called HADES, which is short for “High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System,” one concept for an ultra-long-range effect uses the long legs of that platform to deeply penetrate over enemy territory, followed by an even deeper journey using the launched effect. (Source: Defense News)

13 May 25. DZYNE Technologies is proud to announce the successful test flight of the Long-Range Grasshopper, the newest addition to the Grasshopper product line. This groundbreaking advancement marks a significant step forward in autonomous delivery technology. Building on the proven success of the original Grasshopper autonomous glider, the Long-Range Grasshopper introduces a turbine engine and advanced systems, enhancing its range capability while delivering a 500-pound payload. Designed as a cost-effective solution, this platform delivers high performance at a fraction of the cost compared to similar systems. “The Long-Range Grasshopper represents a game-changing capability for accurate and survivable payload delivery in contested logistics environments,” said Matthew McCue, CEO of DZYNE Technologies. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to breaking the traditional defense acquisition cost curve while safeguarding our country and its interests. Collaborating with AFRL/RSC on this project has been an incredible opportunity, and we are proud to partner with such a forward-thinking organization to advance innovative solutions for modern defense challenges.” Flight testing occurred in late 2024 at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, and Pendelton UAS Range, Oregon—showcasing the Long-Range Grasshopper’s robust capabilities. During the test, the vehicle deployed and safely separated from the host aircraft, transitioned to fixed-wing flight, successfully air-started its onboard jet engine, flew under power, and executed a precision landing at the intended landing zone, demonstrating its ability to meet mission critical performance standards in contested environments.

DZYNE Technologies’ Executive Vice President of Programs, Ed Smetak, stated, “The Long-Range Grasshopper program exemplifies the innovative potential of low-cost manufacturing techniques to deliver game-changing cargo capabilities. The close collaboration between AFRL/RSC and DZYNE Technologies has accelerated the development timeline, enabling rapid flight testing and immediate user feedback. The Grasshopper product line addresses the logistical challenges of high-risk operational environments. Its contested logistics capabilities enable aerial suppliers from standoff distances to deliver critical payloads while keeping host aircraft safely out of harm’s way, making it an ideal solution for operations in contested areas. With scalable production and innovative design, the Grasshopper family supports a range of use cases, from emergency resupply to tactical deliveries, offering unmatched flexibility and reliability. In addition to its operational achievements, the company has scaled its manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand. The company announced the opening of a new 125,000-square-foot facility in Irvine, California, in November 2023. This state-of-the-art facility, which consolidates UAS engineering, research, and manufacturing teams under one roof, ramping up production to meet the anticipated demand for the Grasshopper product line to support its anticipated demand. DZYNE remains a trusted partner in autonomous defense solutions, offering a diverse portfolio that includes the LEAP and ULTRA long-endurance ISR platforms and the Dronebuster®, Sawtooth, and Shield CUAS platforms. The Grasshopper family represents a significant leap forward in autonomous logistics, reinforcing DZYNE Technologies’ position at the forefront of the rapidly evolving defense industry as a disruptive solutions provider. (Source: PR Newswire)

14 May 25. US Army cancels Future Tactical UAS programme. The US Army has cancelled the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) programme, intended to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7 Shadow to provide brigade-level intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), the army told Janes on 13 May. The cancellation is part of a recently announced overhaul of army acquisition, which has included cancelling the General Dynamics Land Systems M10 Booker tank and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1 Gray Eagle acquisition programmes, among others.

“We are changing the way we move forward with the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems based on [the] evolving battlefield,” the army told Janes. “We can’t get locked into long-term programmes of record as technology is rapidly evolving, and we need to bring in technologies that solve today’s problems.”

“We will first field every division with 1,000 drones, [and] after that we will experiment with those systems and see if we scale that larger or not,” the army continued. “Based off that use case of success is how we will delineate and request additional funding for additional units.”

Two FTUAS candidates – the Textron Systems Aerosonde Mk 4.8 HQ and Griffon Aerospace Valiant – wrapped up testing at the army’s Redstone Test Center, outside Huntsville, Alabama, in September 2024. The army had intended to select a contest winner in the fourth quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025, and as recently as 30 April announced delivery of the first production Valiant for testing. Textron Systems referred questions to the army; Griffon Aerospace had not responded to Janes questions at the time of publication. (Source: Janes)

14 May 25. Patria and the Swedish company ACC Innovation have signed a cooperation agreement for the militarization of drones to NATO member country. In the first phase of the collaboration, the companies will develop a military variant of ACC Innovation’s Thunder Wasp GT quadcopter drone, which has a maximum take-off weight of approximately 800 kg.

“Patria’s strong background in research and development provides a good foundation for bringing new intelligent features to drone systems. Patria has wide expertise in developing and integrating the capabilities required for military use into the chosen platforms to achieve the desired performance. We see that the militarization of such a completely new type of capability has several potential applications in today’s constantly changing operational environment. We look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with ACC Innovation”, commented Mikko Leino, Executive Vice President, Operations, Patria.

“We are proud to announce our collaboration with Patria, a partnership that represents a significant step forward in the development and deployment of advanced aerial platforms. Our expertise in high-performance quadcopter systems, combined with Patria’s vast experience in defense innovation, will allow us to explore new frontiers in autonomous and heavy-lift aerial technologies. While the applications are wide-ranging, we remain committed to ensuring that our technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, with a clear focus on safety, reliability, and mission effectiveness”, says Max Drougge, CTO, ACC Innovation AB.

For several years, Patria has been developing technologies and solutions to enable unmanned operations for military use, considering the highly demanding arctic operational environment of the Nordic countries. The activities have not been limited to platforms but have encompassed the entire chain required to complete the mission, including mission planning, navigation in exceptional conditions, payload management, ensuring communication links, and analyzing mission results. In general, Patria offers platform- and industry-independent solutions for integrating unmanned systems for use by military and security authorities.

13 May 25. Helsing: Lura, Fathom respond to underwater threats. In some cases, the surveillance capability has been able to differentiate ships of the same class. Helsing unveiled its Lura software platform and SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater gliders, which together form a subsea surveillance network that will soon support the UK Royal Navy and two unspecified, allied navies defend their waters. Lura is a software platform that uses a large acoustic model – similar to large language models – trained on decades of acoustic data. The platform can identify and classify enemy acoustic signatures (sounds made by ships and submarines) with what the company considers unparalleled accuracy. SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider – nearly two metres in length, with a diameter of 28 centremetres, and a top speed of two to three knots – integrates Lura, allowing the system to detect threats underwater. It then sends limited sets of the data to command and control when the glider surfaces. These gliders can reach to depths of 1,000 metres. The European defence technology company revealed additional details of the concept to Naval Technology in a briefing with a select group of the press on 13 May 2025.

Production and timeline

A constellation of Fathom gliders are required to operate together, not in isolation. This grouping can also include sensor systems from other naval suppliers too. The mass of systems enables location and identification methods such as triangulation. For this reason, Helsing’s gliders are said to be affordable and scalable. The company announced that it will establish a new facility in the UK where it will manufacture these attritable gliders on mass. Helsing initially anticipate delivery of hundreds of Fathoms, soon producing thousands. Depending on procurement times within the UK Ministry of Defence, Helsing expect to deliver in 12 months’ time.

Trade-off: covertness or comms?

Helsing did not design the gliders to communicate to each other, ensuring the Navy can maintain silence as much as possible during operations. This also adds credence to the glider’s design, reducing the acoustic signature of Fathom itself. (Source: naval-technology.com)

13 May 25. Evolve Dynamics launches Foxe and Wolfe: two new cutting-edge miniaturised UAS platforms for the defence market

In the week that Europe celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day, when World War II came to an end, Evolve Dynamics, a British designer and manufacturer of advanced Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), today announced the launch of two new miniaturised platforms specifically engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern warfighters. The new platforms, Foxe and Wolfe, were spiral developed based on learnings from Ukraine battlefield deployment, and represent a significant leap forward in tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, offering elevated resilience and performance in demanding environments. Foxe and Wolfe were launched at a special event for veterans of the UK armed forces hosted by Evolve Dynamics in Hampshire UK. Celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a select group of Royal British Legion members were invited to get an exclusive look at the new technology and experience flying the UAS, before touring the development and manufacturing facilities and enjoying a special themed afternoon tea.

FOXE: AGILE ISR FOR TACTICAL EDGE

Taking its name from the indomitable Arctic explorer Luke Foxe, Foxe is a sub-250g hand-launchable UAS designed for immediate ISR in dynamic, high-stakes scenarios. True to its namesake, Foxe embodies resilience, agility, and a spirit of exploration, pushing the boundaries of tactical ISR. This ultra-lightweight, pouch-deployable system ensures operators gain critical situational awareness swiftly and reliably.

Key features of Foxe include:

Exceptional weather resistance: Operates effectively in wind up to 15.5 m/s (35 mph), rain, and rough coastal conditions (IP54 rated).
Extreme temperature tested: Proven performance in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +55°C.
Rugged and field-serviceable: Combat-ready design built for real world use and rapid redeployments, with key components repairable on the go.
Extended endurance: Up to 35 minutes of flight time for persistent surveillance.
EW-resilient radio: Frequency-hopping technology for reliable operation in contested environments.
Fly without restrictions: Minimal training required – fast to learn, quick to deploy, built for real-world users.
Rapid deployment: Ready to fly in under 90 seconds from pouch to air.
Intuitive control: Designed for ease of use by non-specialist personnel.

WOLFE: ULTRA-RUGGED UAS FOR EXTENDED MISSIONS IN THE HARSHEST ENVIRONMENTS

Wolfe, named after the bold British military strategist General James Wolfe, is a sub-4 kg, ultra-rugged UAS built for extended missions in the harshest environments. Embodying strength, stealth, and intelligence, Wolfe is designed to endure and to reshape modern ISR tactics. Its exceptional stability in high winds and extended flight time make it an invaluable asset for persistent surveillance and reconnaissance.

Key features of Wolfe include:

Unmatched wind stability: Handles sustained winds of up to 20 m/s (45 mph).
Extended mission capability: Up to 60 minutes of flight time, with hot-swappable power for continuous operation and compatibility with the Infinity Tether for multi-day deployments.
Superior weatherproofing: IP55 rated for reliable operation in rain, dust, and salt-laden coastal air.
Ultra-rugged construction: Built to survive with a modular, field-repairable design for maximum uptime.
Enhanced stealth and discretion: Low acoustic output for covert operations.
Safe stand-off distance: High definition 3-axis dual-camera gimbal enables target recognition without detection risk.
Versatile deployment: Lightweight (<4kg) and backpack deployable, ready to fly in under 90 seconds from any location.

BRITISH INNOVATION, BATTLE-TESTED TECHNOLOGY

Both Foxe and Wolfe are proudly designed and manufactured in the UK, incorporating battle-tested technology refined through real-world deployments of Evolve Dynamics’ existing systems, including in Ukraine.

Evolve Dynamics’ CEO Tom Redman commented:

“At Evolve Dynamics our mission is to push the boundaries of uncrewed systems to create a safer world, including equipping front line users with the most reliable and effective tools to ensure their safety and mission success. The launch of Foxe and Wolfe represents a significant milestone in achieving this mission. Born from a deep understanding of the critical needs within the defence sector, and drawing upon our battle-tested experience, these UAS platforms embody our commitment to British innovation, rugged design, and exceptional performance in the most demanding conditions. We are immensely proud to offer these cutting-edge capabilities to the defence market, empowering forces with unparalleled situational awareness and operational advantages.”

Evolve Dynamics launches Foxe and Wolfe:

two new cutting-edge miniaturised UAS platforms for the defence market

The new platforms, Foxe and Wolfe, were spiral developed based on learnings from Ukraine battlefield deployment, and represent a significant leap forward in tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, offering elevated resilience and performance in demanding environments.

Foxe and Wolfe were launched at a special event for veterans of the UK armed forces hosted by Evolve Dynamics in Hampshire UK. Celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a select group of Royal British Legion members were invited to get an exclusive look at the new technology and experience flying the UAS, before touring the development and manufacturing facilities and enjoying a special themed afternoon tea.

FOXE: AGILE ISR FOR TACTICAL EDGE

Key features of Foxe include:

Exceptional weather resistance: Operates effectively in wind up to 15.5 m/s (35 mph), rain, and rough coastal conditions (IP54 rated).
Extreme temperature tested: Proven performance in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +55°C.
Rugged and field-serviceable: Combat-ready design built for real world use and rapid redeployments, with key components repairable on the go.
Extended endurance: Up to 35 minutes of flight time for persistent surveillance.
EW-resilient radio: Frequency-hopping technology for reliable operation in contested environments.
Fly without restrictions: Minimal training required – fast to learn, quick to deploy, built for real-world users.
Rapid deployment: Ready to fly in under 90 seconds from pouch to air.
Intuitive control: Designed for ease of use by non-specialist personnel.

WOLFE: ULTRA-RUGGED UAS FOR EXTENDED MISSIONS IN THE HARSHEST ENVIRONMENTS

Key features of Wolfe include:

Unmatched wind stability: Handles sustained winds of up to 20 m/s (45 mph).
Extended mission capability: Up to 60 minutes of flight time, with hot-swappable power for continuous operation and compatibility with the Infinity Tether for multi-day deployments.
Superior weatherproofing: IP55 rated for reliable operation in rain, dust, and salt-laden coastal air.
Ultra-rugged construction: Built to survive with a modular, field-repairable design for maximum uptime.
Enhanced stealth and discretion: Low acoustic output for covert operations.
Safe stand-off distance: High definition 3-axis dual-camera gimbal enables target recognition without detection risk.
Versatile deployment: Lightweight (<4kg) and backpack deployable, ready to fly in under 90 seconds from any location.

BRITISH INNOVATION, BATTLE-TESTED TECHNOLOGY

Evolve Dynamics’ CEO Tom Redman commented:

12 May 25. Number of drone patents granted worldwide jumps 18% in the last year.

Innovation is partly being driven by R&D from the defence sector
China accounts for 79% of drone patents filed worldwide last year

The number of patents granted in relation to drone technology has increased globally by 18% to 7,890 in the last year, up from 6,686 in the year previous, shows new research from leading intellectual property (IP) law firm Mathys & Squire.* Increased innovation in drone technology has partly been driven by greater investment in defence R&D as well as an increasing range of uses for drones in the broader economy. Manufacturers are rushing to corner as much of this rapidly growing market by registering patents to protect their R&D investments. Developments in AI have also driven the substantial growth in drone inventions as companies look to integrate the two technologies .

Andrew White, partner at Mathys & Squire says: “There is now an almost universal acceptance that drones are going to be an important part of defence sector investment and defence companies, conventional drone companies and universities are all looking to out-innovate their competition in order to secure part of that market. Innovations within the defence sector are also spilling over into the conventional drone sector – such as the use of AI to allow real-time data analysis, correction to navigation systems and object detection and avoidance”

6,217 Chinese patents were granted last year relating to drone technology, accounting for 79% of all drone patents granted last year. This was up from 4,859 or 73% of all drone patents the year before.

Notable Chinese filers of drone patents include drone manufacturer DJI, who filed 64 patents in the last year alone. The state-backed People’s Liberation Army National University of Defence Technology also accounted for 73 patents in the last two years.

Russia also remained in the top 4 filers of drone patents (behind China, the US and South Korea), and were granted 239 patents last year, a 78% increase from the 134 patents granted the year before.

Commercial applications continue to drive growth in drone innovation

Outside of military applications, the commercial use of drones has also expanded, notable emerging applications include:

Advanced mapping and surveillance capabilities, e.g. for monitoring progress on large-scale construction, industrial or land surveying projects
Using drones to establish an underwater radio communications system
Method for drones to recharge from overhead power lines
An automated, high-efficiency spraying drone for use in agriculture
The use of drone technology in creating a highly-automated air traffic control system to direct commercial aircraft

*Source: Patentscope data from the Information Commissioners’ Office (year-end December 31)

About Mathys & Squire

Founded in 1910, Mathys & Squire is one of the leading full-service intellectual property law firms in Europe, with over 110 years of experience in the protection and commercialisation of IP rights.

The firm has more than 60 qualified attorneys and offices in London, Paris, Munich, Luxembourg, Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and York as well as teams based in China, Japan and Belfast.

Mathys & Squire is highly ranked in leading legal and IP directories, including The Legal 500, Chambers UK, IAM Patent 1000 and WTR1000.

13 May 25. Kratos Develops Two Secretive Loyal Wingman Drones Aimed at European Market. Two new drone designs, Apollo and Athena, are in development at Kratos with a particular focus on collaborative operations with other crewed and uncrewed aircraft, and an eye toward sales in Europe. The modular Apollo and Athena designs are smaller than the company’s XQ-58 Valkyrie, and could be configured to carry weapons, electronic warfare systems, or additional sensors.

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, shared details about Apollo and Athena in an interview with TWZ‘s Howard Altman on the sidelines of the annual Modern Day Marine exposition last week. In December 2024, Kratos confirmed to us that it secured contracts for both drones, but said it could not provide any additional information. During a quarterly earnings call in August 2024, Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco had disclosed the Apollo contract and said one for Athena was expected in the coming months. The company has yet to release imagery of either design.

“I can’t say too much, but they are high-subsonic systems,” Fendley told TWZ. “They’re quite a bit smaller than the [XQ-58] Valkyrie. So, much smaller footprint.”

Fendley also said that Kratos was targeting a sub-$5 m unit price for both Apollo and Athena, which have highly modular designs to allow them to be configured for multiple mission sets.

Per Kratos’ website at the time of writing, the company says the Valkyrie is 30 feet long, has a 27-foot wingspan, a dry weight of 2,500 pounds, and a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds. The drone also has a stated cruising speed of 0.72 Mach, a maximum speed of 0.85 Mach, and a maximum range of 3,000 nautical miles. In 2022, the company also announced it had developed a Block 2 version with a heavier overall weight, but did not provide a specific weight figure. A number of additional variants have been developed since then, but specific details about their configurations remain limited.

Kratos has also said in the past that its goal is to eventually drive down Valkyrie’s unit cost to around $2 m. However, last year, the company told TWZ that the price tag for a single XQ-58 was still between $4 and $6 m, depending on the exact configuration. In general, Kratos has historically focused on lower-cost designs and ones that can be manufactured relatively quickly.

Apollo and Athena “are designed to be hard to detect,” Fendley added, but did not elaborate on that. There are various ways to reduce an aircraft’s radar cross-section, as well as its infrared, auditory, and visual signatures. For instance, the external moldline, the shape and position of the engine intake and exhaust, and other features of the XQ-58 contribute to that design’s low-observability (stealthiness).

“The big focus” with both of the new drones “is interactive collaboration of multiple aircraft at the same time,” Fendley explained. “So multiple uncrewed aircraft at the same time, collaborating, [and] performing” missions with, “basically, any fighter or attack aircraft in the inventory, that’s the intent.”

“So joining those [Apollo and Athena] aircraft, or even Valkyrie, up with a fifth-gen[eration stealth] fighter, you have some capability to get to go out in front. You have some capability to basically light up the enemy,” he continued. “But what’s really interesting, when you combine it with a [non-stealthy] fourth-gen or even a third-gen system – which, of course, the U.S. doesn’t do much of that anymore, but the international customers do – what you really do is you substantially increase the capability of that third or fourth-gen system because now it has off-board capability that’s not adding risk to that system.”

“So let’s pick an F-16. The F-16 can have a Valkyrie or an Athena or Apollo doing part of a mission that it normally would do, but it would have to be within a risk area to be able to conduct that part,” he added.

Speaking in more general terms about drones with the kinds of capabilities that Athena and Apollo are expected to offer,

“one use case is a system that’s hard to detect … can, from a, let’s say, from an EW [electronic warfare] perspective, can detect potential threats or potential targets of interest without being detected itself, which again, brings a capability that you can’t do with a third or fourth-gen fighter system,” Fendley said. “The other use case is if you have a group of them [the drones] and a handful of them are configured for EW, and a handful of them are carrying actual weapons – either air-to-surface, air-to-ground, or air-to-air – the sensor system can identify the target, can point out the target, basically pass the coordinates, and then the weapons aircraft can conduct the termination mission.”

“One of the other things that allows us to be more cost-effective than others is we don’t put all that on one aircraft,” he continued. “Let’s just talk in rough numbers. Let’s say there are six useful mission systems. And, again, rough numbers. Let’s call three of them sensor-type systems, three of them weapon-type systems. We won’t put all six on any one aircraft. We’ll distribute that. It allows each aircraft to be much less expensive. It also allows you in a large mission, it allows you to distribute your risk and make it very hard for the enemy to decide ‘do I want to shoot down a sensor airplane or a weapons airplane?’”

In speaking with TWZ, Fendley also talked about how the modularity of the Apollo and Athena drones could allow them to be better tailored to a customer’s particular needs from a regional perspective.

“The European market is very different than the Pacific markets. The European market is more interested in, let’s call it, … sensor capability, weapons capability doesn’t need the long legs, the long endurance that you do for the Pacific,” he explained. “What that allows you to do is that allows you to really load that airplane up with more weapons, for example, than you would for an aircraft that’s going to the Pacific, but has to fly a long way, so it’s carrying fuel. So that’s kind of the trade there.”

Right now, Kratos is working on Apollo and Athena configurations “to focus more on that European market,” he added. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

12 May 25. American Startup Aims to Deliver Helicopter Performance at Drone Economics. A new drone company has exploded out of stealth mode in the USA with incredible claims about its first product, saying it’ll fly 4X longer, 10X further, 10X quieter and carry 5X more payload than leading competitors – while competing with China on cost. Silicon Valley-based SiFly has announced two industrially targeted models with some absolutely ludicrous stats attached. The smaller Q12 platform carries up to 10 lb (4.5 kg) of payload. It can hover for a remarkable two hours – or manage three hours in forward flight, for an operational range of 90 miles (145 km). The company says it’s radically quieter than anything in its class as well, and “nearly silent at 100 meters” (328 ft). Deliveries are slated to begin at the end of the year.The larger Q250 platform is built for heavy lift, and capable of carrying a 200 lb (90.7-kg) payload for 100 minutes of endurance. Set for launch in 2026, it’s designed for fire suppression, cargo missions and crop spraying at a fraction of what the usual helicopter would cost.

“Commercial drones have long forced organizations to compromise between flight duration, payload capacity, and operational range,” said Brian Hinman, Founder and CEO of SiFly, in a press release. “We eliminated those trade-offs. SiFly drones are transforming emergency response, infrastructure inspection, and logistics – delivering helicopter-class performance at drone economics.”

The company says it’s validated its performance claims in real-world operations, naming California’s Amaral Ranches as an early pre-launch deployment partner.

Annoyingly, there’s nothing particularly revolutionary-looking in the renders, and SiFly has yet to explain exactly how it’s achieved such a radical leap in performance – not to mention how it’s managed to design and manufacture in the USA at prices competitive with Chinese competition. Or indeed, what these prices are.

But former NASA Chief Technologist for On-Demand Mobility and current Whisper Aero CEO Mark Moore (who knows a thing or two about quiet propulsion systems at the very least) lends this group some third-party credibility in a LinkedIn post:

“SiFly’s reveal is kinda breathtaking in terms of capabilities,” he writes. “I’ve personally been able to see this drone develop through the years, and know the principals as serious players. The specifications they’ve achieved are really impressive, from the empty weight fraction to the cruise Lift/Drag – this is the best multicopter out there, by far. And while they don’t hype it up, they’ve designed this product to be affordable so that it can be used en masse as a swarming solution. Well worth a watch. Well worth the money. Awesome job!” (Source: UAS VISION/New Atlas)

09 May 25. UK Certifies Protector As 1st of Its Kind RPA. The UK’s Military Aviation Authority has issued a Military Type Certificate to the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1 uncrewed aircraft, also designated the MQ-9B, certifying that it has passed a rigorous airworthiness assessment and verifying it’s safe to operate without geographic restrictions, including over populous areas. This April 29 decision was a first-of-its-kind milestone for a large, unmanned aircraft system. It’s a huge accomplishment for the UK and a technological watershed in the history of unmanned aircraft systems. GA-ASI is the first manufacturer of large, unmanned aircraft to receive an MTC based on rigorous compliance with STANAG 4671, the NATO standard for unmanned aircraft system airworthiness. Obtaining the MTC has been a goal of GA-ASI since the inception of the MQ-9B in January 2014. The company took its proven UAS platform, the MQ-9A, and added performance enhancing features while ensuring that the design was capable of meeting NATO’s STANAG 4671 Edition 2 airworthiness requirements. To meet those rigorous requirements, the aircraft incorporates numerous enhancements not found on other large UAS. These include lightning protection, fire protection, anti-icing systems and a fatigue-and-damage-tolerant building block design approach. All flight critical software and related equipment was designed in compliance with the rigor of DO-178C/254. Mission software is rigidly separated from flight critical software. These features not only address the aircraft’s airworthiness but also enhance its reliability and operational flexibility to levels unmatched by other UAS.

“Earning an MTC for MQ-9B was a herculean effort and a seminal achievement for our company,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We invested over $500 m as part of an 11-year effort to develop an unmanned aircraft that meets NATO’s rigorous airworthiness standards. This included three flight test aircraft, full component and system-level environmental testing to DO-160G and applicable Mil-Standards, full scale static test airframe test to ultimate ground and flight loads, bird strike, hail protection and full-scale fatigue testing to three lifetimes (3x 40,000 notional aircraft flight hours = 120,000 hours total). Our engineers developed over 140,000 pages of detailed technical data verifying that the MQ-9B met those demanding requirements. I congratulate our team for this outstanding accomplishment, and I know our customers need this type certification, which will open civil airspace for their flight operations.”

The Royal Air Force continues to take delivery of new Protector aircraft at their home at RAF Waddington. The UK has 10 aircraft of the 16 it has ordered.

“Achieving the award of a first in class Military Type Certificate has required years of dedication and perseverance and is a testament to the hard work of all involved. It is a privilege to be the first to be awarded an MTC for the Protector Air System,” said Gp. Capt. Neil Venables, Type Airworthiness Authority and holder of the Protector Type Certificate.

MQ-9B is the world’s most advanced medium altitude, long endurance UAS. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models as well as the Protector operated by the RAF. In addition to the UK, GA-ASI has MQ-9B orders from Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan Coast Guard, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail. (Source: ASD Network)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

Our patented Floating Body Armour is unique, versatile and sensibly protects both you and your life jacket, under the soft and hard armour. Designed to be low bulk, it`s massive 275 newtons of buoyancy is self-righting. We say it will “save your life twice”.

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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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

Protek Selected By Dutch Armed Forces

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE