13 Jun 25. Today, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved Operational Authority for leading independent drone advisors, Drone Major to conduct the UK’s first beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure marking a major breakthrough in the drone industry.
This is the first time long-distance approved BVLOS drones in non-segregated airspace[1] have been given the green light to fly over the UK’s critical national infrastructure and places the UK at the forefront of drone innovation.
This development will initially enable long-range drones to patrol over the UK’s rail networks. It marks an important step towards enabling more complex BVLOS operations across other areas of Critical National Infrastructure, with potential applications in sectors such as energy, utilities, defence, border management, and sensitive national infrastructure surveillance.
The approval was possible as a result of Network Rail enabling and funding this groundbreaking work, and now paves the way for possible imminent trials of the technology on a critical 12km route between Wolverhampton and Sandwell & Dudley Station in partnership with Network Rail. The trials have the potential to vastly improve the safety, speed, and efficiency of the UK railway service, while also delivering many millions a year in savings.
Testing of the project would demonstrate the potential to safely and reliably deploy drones at scale over critical national infrastructure. In partnership with Network Rail, Drone Major’s technology has already been tested along the rail corridor south-east of Wolverhampton station and the Severn Valley Railway lines, presenting an opportunity to significantly speed up the verification and interception of trespassers, thereby reducing delays to trains in a critical and very busy area, potentially also saving lives.
Flying over railways, these drones will operate in a carefully defined ‘safety corridor’, much like aeroplanes, using Drone Major’s advanced ‘Digital Tethering™’ concept to assure the safety of the aircraft’s flight behaviour, significantly minimising risks to those on the ground. The innovative Digital Tethering™ solution began in Wolverhampton before being trialled further afield to include tests, trials and surveys along the Severn Valley Railway. The drones are able to monitor the UK’s railways, transmitting visual data in real time to operators, providing vital detection and monitoring of trespassers.
The Digital Tethering™ system employs a range of world-leading onboard navigation and safety systems as well as innovative ground-based technology, together delivering a unique, cutting-edge capability to the project and enabling reliable autonomous navigation, providing real-time and precise position of the drones, particularly in areas along the railway where GPS/GNSS signals are unstable or inaccessible. Digital Tethering™ has been designed to significantly improve safety and increase the efficiency of UAS operations during monitoring and inspection tasks. As a leading advisor on the use of drones in critical national infrastructure, Drone Major plans to run additional trials with more Critical National Infrastructure organisations in the near future.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We’re working with companies to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and enabling new technology into our skies.
“By supporting projects ranging from critical infrastructure inspections to consumer deliveries, we are gathering essential data to shape future policies and regulations, and support the growth of the aerospace industry.”
Robert Garbett, Founder and Chief Executive of Drone Major Group said: “The CAA’s approval of operational authority for trials of BVLOS flights marks a landmark moment for the drone industry. This milestone opens up new opportunities to unlock and transform the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure, especially in densely built environments where traditional methods often fall short. It sets a new benchmark for safety and efficiency, positioning the UK as a world leader in drone innovation while also unlocking innovation to support UK plc.”
11 Jun 25. Elistair Tethered Drone Integrated with USV for Maritime Surveillance Project. Elistair has integrated its tethered drone with a Maritime Robotics uncrewed surface vessel (USV), providing persistent aerial surveillance under the EU-backed SMAUG project Elistair is deploying its tethered drone on an autonomous vessel as part of the European project SMAUG (Smart Maritime And Underwater Guardian). This collaborative program, funded by the European Union with nearly €6 million, brings together 21 partners from 7 countries around a common goal: strengthening surveillance and protection of sensitive port and maritime areas. Elistair will integrate its latest-generation tethered drone aboard the consortium’s uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), creating a persistent airborne lookout over port zones. This innovative configuration enables the creation of a mobile aerial surveillance platform, capable of maintaining continuous visual coverage of port environments. Powered via a continuous electric cable and a secure data link from the vessel, the drone can remain airborne for several hours without interruption, while transmitting live, encrypted video feeds. This innovation provides authorities with a permanent “eye in the sky” to autonomously detect suspicious activities in real time.
SMAUG Project
The SMAUG project aims to enhance underwater detection capabilities by combining five technologies: hydrophones, high-resolution sonar, swarms of underwater drones, hull scanners, and tethered drones. Data gathered from these sensors will be analyzed by intelligent modules to detect anomalies or atypical behavior at an early stage. Initial tests carried out in May 2025 confirmed the successful deployment of Elistair’s tethered drone on a Maritime Robotics autonomous vessel in real-world conditions. This proof of concept validated the system’s performance under demanding maritime conditions, both stationary and in motion.
Following this success, the project partners are planning two large-scale demonstrations in 2025 and 2026 in the ports of Valencia (Spain) and Drammen (Norway).
Guilhem De Marliave, CEO & Co-founder of Elistair, commented, “This strategic project for the protection of European port infrastructure reflects the trust placed in Elistair and its technology. It embodies our vision of robotics serving the safety of people and critical sites. Integrating a tethered drone on an autonomous vessel marks a major step forward, providing continuous, mobile, and preventive maritime surveillance to stay ahead of emerging threats.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
12 Jun 25. Ahead of the Paris Air Show, Airbus Helicopters has unveiled HTeaming, its brand new modular crewed-uncrewed teaming solution. HTeaming is a range of systems that allows helicopter crews to take full control of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) in flight. The first version of HTeaming can be used as a standalone solution or integrated into a helicopter mission system. During the Paris Air Show, Airbus Helicopters will showcase the standalone solution. It features a tablet for Human-Machine Interface and software to manage the UAS, a modem and four antennas to be installed on the helicopter. The system has been designed to be operated by a standard helicopter crew, with a reduced workload. HTeaming is a modular system and new features and functions will be developed in the future. The system has already been tested in flight, including in May 2025 with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor UAS. More flight trials involving other types of platforms are planned in the upcoming months.
“Buildling on our experience as both a helicopter and UAS manufacturer and our extensive know-how as system integrators, we are offering a system that is both modular and agnostic,” said Victor Gerin Roze, Head of UAS at Airbus Helicopters. “HTeaming is a solution that has been developed to be easily integrated on any type of helicopter and to take control of any type of UAS, it will be available for helicopter operators from 2026,” he added. “We believe that UAS are force multipliers for helicopters. Using the sensors and effectors of uncrewed systems, rotorcraft crews will be able to conduct their missions more efficiently and in a safer way.”
Airbus Helicopters has been actively working on crewed-uncrewed teaming in the past years. Multiple flight tests on H135, H145 and H130 with different UAS up to the highest levels of interoperability paved the way to the HTeaming product launch. In parallel to the standalone solution showcased at Paris Air Show, integrated solutions will be incrementally introduced on the Airbus Helicopters product range.
11 Jun 25. Anduril plans footprint in Poland’s red-hot combat drone market. As the Polish military ramps up its Drone Force, U.S. defense-technology company Anduril Industries is working to expand its foothold in Poland.
“We’re still at an early stage of looking at things and different options,” Brian Schimpf, the co-founder and CEO of Anduril Industries, said at a June 9 press briefing in Warsaw. “There’s amazing software and manufacturing here, and lots of great people. We could potentially launch production in Poland with a partner.”
Anduril Industries’ portfolio includes the Altius multi-mission loitering munition, the Barracuda range of autonomous air vehicles, and the Copperhead family of autonomous underwater vehicles. The company says its solutions are run by Lattice, an AI-powered, open operating system designed to provide the drones with autonomy. Schimpf said one of the reasons Anduril Industries is evaluating a potential expansion in Poland is related to the country’s intense efforts to upgrade its military and gain new capabilities, and the government’s decisiveness in advancing new programs. Poland has accelerated its military modernization efforts in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of its neighbor Ukraine in February 2022. Launched in 2025, the Polish Drone Force will consist of unmanned aerial vehicles, and potentially other unmanned systems, of various sizes. The Polish ministry inked a framework agreement with local private defense company WB Group in May to acquire some 10,000 units of the Warmate loitering munition, with deliveries foreseen until 2035. In December 2024, Warsaw signed a deal worth some $310m to acquire a number of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones from General Atomics that are to be delivered by the first quarter of 2027. (Source: Defense News)
10 Jun 25. MITRE and Gambit announced a strategic partnership to transform the deployment and safe use of autonomous ground and aerial vehicles for homeland security and national defense. The collaboration aims to enhance situational awareness, operational efficiency, and mission safety by integrating Gambit’s proprietary software solutions, capable of enabling groups of robotic systems to learn, adapt, and act on commands from a single operator, and MITRE’s deep expertise in advancing trusted, secure autonomous platforms. The partnership will test and prototype the usability of these systems in critical domains such as Department of Homeland Security operations while also exploring applications for Department of Defense (DoD) mission sets. Testing and development will leverage MITRE’s autonomous ground and air system teams at the MITRE MASE Lab and real-world simulations facilitated through the MITRE National Range.
“Autonomous systems have the power to reshape critical mission capabilities, from securing the border to supporting national special security events,” said Yosry Barsoum, vice president and director, Center for Securing the Homeland, MITRE. “Through our partnership with Gambit, we are advancing safe, reliable, and scalable autonomous solutions that serve as force multipliers—enabling a single operator to oversee multiple systems. Together, we aim to help meet the law enforcement community’s evolving operational needs while accelerating transformative technologies that strengthen the homeland security enterprise.
The Gambit-developed system enables single-operator oversight of coordinated multi-domain autonomous systems, including aerial drones and ground vehicles. For example, ground vehicles can safely transport and deploy aerial drones to areas of interest, offering improved surveillance, data collection, and situational awareness for ground vehicles operating in unknown territories. This is particularly impactful in applications such as:
- First responder operations: Overwatch of operational areas and enhanced officer safety during high-risk missions
- Border security: Comprehensive geographical analysis to strengthen border defense strategies
- Combat operations: Deployment of multiple autonomous platforms by a single operator, reducing manpower requirements
“With MITRE, we’ll redefine how groups of autonomous systems operate across multiple domains,” said Josh Giegel, founder and CEO, Gambit. “Our technology reduces operator load and seamlessly integrates ground and aerial systems, placing mission-critical autonomy learning within reach of both first responders and the DoD. Together, we’re setting a new standard in trusted autonomy.”
Both MITRE and Gambit are prioritizing the safe and ethical use of autonomous technology. The partnership fosters transparency and accountability while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining human oversight of deployment in sensitive scenarios. This partnership also reinforces MITRE and Gambit’s shared commitment to engage with stakeholders across government agencies, academia, and industry to maximize the potential of autonomous systems for broader applications in public safety, defense, and humanitarian missions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Jun 25. Red Cat Supports Executive Orders to Strengthen US Drone Manufacturing and National Security. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today issued a statement of support for a series of executive orders from the White House that advance U.S. leadership in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and reinforce the resilience of America’s domestic industrial base. The executive actions are expected to remove regulatory barriers and modernize federal approval processes to prioritize U.S.-manufactured drones. Additional provisions include expanded detection and mitigation authority, and streamlined regulations to accelerate the deployment of UAS across federal and commercial sectors.
“These executive orders send a clear signal that the U.S. is serious about enabling a secure domestic drone industry that supports mission-critical outcomes for the U.S. and its allies,” said Brendan Stewart, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Red Cat. “This level of policy alignment removes barriers to fielding trusted, American-made systems at scale. Red Cat stands ready to meet this moment with its proven, electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing systems that utilize advanced AI and computer vision solutions from partners including Palantir, Palladyne AI, Athena AI and Primordial Labs.”
This announcement follows Red Cat’s earlier show of support for the White House’s April 2025 executive order aimed at restoring America’s maritime dominance. In alignment with that national strategy, Red Cat unveiled its initiative to develop advanced uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) designed to enhance multi-domain situational awareness and autonomous mission execution across maritime environments. Red Cat’s Family of Systems is anchored by its advanced aerial platforms, led by America’s Drone, the Black Widow™, a secure, autonomous ISR drone delivering real-time intelligence at the tactical edge. The company’s vision is to build a holistic ecosystem of fully integrated autonomous platforms to support operations across air, land, and sea. This vision aligns with the Order to support the warfighter by expanding access to U.S.-manufactured high-performing drones. The company supports the White House’s coordinated approach to enabling American drone and maritime dominance through regulatory clarity, targeted investment, and streamlined authorizations. Clear federal guidance is essential to unlock broader operational use cases and promote American leadership in production, certification, and export of systems for use across all domains. (Source: ASD Network)
10 Jun 25. BVLOS Flight Is Scaling – Federal Leadership Is Driving the Next Era. Momentum in uncrewed aviation is accelerating. Following the newly proposed beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) rules from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the administration has reinforced this progress with an Executive Order that further shapes the regulatory landscape. These decisive actions lay the foundation for scalable commercial operations, unlocking opportunities across logistics, infrastructure, and security. Safe BVLOS integration depends not only on a strong regulatory framework but also on dedicated infrastructure. While the DOT and FAA’s efforts establish critical operational pathways, achieving real scalability requires trusted, uninterrupted connectivity between aircraft and pilots. BVLOS expansion hinges on more than just policy — it requires purpose-built connectivity. AURA’s 450 MHz aviation-designated spectrum provides the reliability and scalability necessary to support commercial growth, ensuring seamless, secure pilot-to-aircraft communication in controlled airspace. A trusted command-and-control (C2) network is essential to scaling BVLOS operations. Secure, low-latency links — including pilot-to-air traffic control (ATC) voice communications — are critical to industry-wide adoption. As federal leadership advances the regulatory framework, dedicated connectivity solutions must evolve alongside policy to meet the industry’s needs. BVLOS flight is no longer theoretical — it’s happening now. The FAA and DOT’s rulemaking, alongside the administration’s latest executive action, mark a pivotal moment for uncrewed aviation. As the sector advances, aviation-dedicated spectrum will remain the backbone of safe, scalable commercialization, ensuring BVLOS reaches its full potential. (Source: ASD Network)
10 Jun 25. All US military installations and ranges to operate drones. A new executive order will eliminate delays in fielding US-made drones, curbing Chinese domination of the global UAS supply chain. US president Donald Trump passed an executive order on 6 June 2025 to rapidly integrate uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) at all American military installations and ranges while eliminating any bureaucratic delays in the process. The decision to double down on drones comes as part of the administration’s attempt to strengthen the domestic drone industry using two methods. First, boosting the commercialisation of systems and second, publishing a Covered Foreign Entity List in the next 30 days that identifies companies which pose supply chain risks. According to GlobalData, a leading intelligence company, the global military UAS market is valued at $13.6bn in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.3% over the next decade. It is expected to reach over $25bn by 2035. Given the dual-use nature of the UAS industry, many systems are built within the commercial sector which Chinese companies have targetted through the adversary’s Military-Civilian Fusion strategy. This policy sees Chinese entities derive innovation from American companies with the aim of benefitting the People’s Liberation Army. In January 2025, the US Department of Defense listed familiar technology brands such as CATL, Huawei, and Tencent as such entities. China is also a leading exporter of UAS components. Russia has begun leaning on Chinese Garpiya loitering munitions, challenging the country’s longstanding reliance on Iranian Shahed drones. At the same time, China’s global UAS footprint is deep-seated, with components making their way to Ukraine’s armed forces as a cost effective alternative to Western systems. (Source: army-technology.com)
10 Jun25. A UK drone hub could be worth almost £40bn to the economy and support 600,000 jobs nationwide, GMB congress has said. [1] The union, which represents thousands of workers in the UK’s defence manufacturing sector, passed a motion calling for the hub at its annual congress in Brighton. GMB’s submission to the Strategic Defence Review urged the UK Government to develop its own manufacturing capacity, in both military and civilian spheres and highlighted Lincolnshire as the ideal place to invest. The county is already home to the RAF’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) fleet, a university with expertise in robotics, a strong engineering industrial base and an average age of 33, the union adds.
Martin Allen, GMB Union Regional Secretary, said: “With Government support, Lincolnshire could become the centre for a UK drone manufacturing industry, a high-tech sector of growing importance to global economics and security. We’ve seen the rapid rise in the importance of drone technology, but the UK is still too heavily reliant of non-domestically built drone systems. In Ukraine and across the globe the importance of this technology has been laid bare; it’s essential that the UK is at the forefront of this industry. That’s why we’re calling on the UK Government to take the bold steps required to create a built in Britain drone sector, right here in Lincolnshire”.
NUSTL Publishes Assessment Report on Blue UAS for First Responders in an Urban Environment
The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) is a federal laboratory within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate. Located in New York City, NUSTL is the only national laboratory focused exclusively on supporting the capabilities of federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial responders to address the homeland security mission.
Executive Summary
Over the past decade, first responders have begun integrating small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as a resource for a variety of operational needs. UAS provide first responders with an aerial view of their environment and can be outfitted with various sensors tailored to address different applications. UAS, often referred to as “drones,” are used by first responders in support of public safety activities such as search and rescue, firefighting, and post-incident reconstruction. From November 18 through 21, 2024, the Systems Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) program conducted an operational assessment of Blue Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The assessment took place at Bayfront Park and LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. Eight first responders (all experienced remote pilots) from various jurisdictions served as evaluators for this assessment. Evaluators assessed five products: the Ascent AeroSystems Spirit, Freefly Systems Astro, Parrot Drones ANAFI USA GOV, Skydio X10D, and Teal Drones Teal 2. During three operational scenarios, these products were assessed against 15 evaluation criteria on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means the product met none of their expectations and 5 means it exceeded expectations. Evaluators concluded that one of the products met all of their expectations, the Skydio X10D which scored the highest with a 4.0. The below table presents the overall scores as well as the category scores for each product, listed in order from highest to lowest overall score. The purpose of this assessment report is to provide emergency responders with information that will guide their agencies in making operational and procurement decisions. Emergency responder agencies should consider overall capabilities, technical specifications, and limitations of Blue UAS in relation to their agency’s operational needs when making equipment selections. Agencies should also consider impacts associated with integrating equipment into their information technology infrastructure, data management, concept of operations, and maintenance requirements. The full 54-page report can be accessed here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/25_0604_st_blueuasar_0.pdf (Source: UAS VISION/NUSTL)
10 Jun 25. Britain Wants to Launch Large Drones from Transit Vans. The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking industry input for a new rapid-launch drone system under “Project VOLLEY”, aiming to field multiple mobile launchers capable of deploying five drones in under four minutes – with each drone launched at one-minute intervals. Described in a newly published Prior Information Notice, the MOD states the requirement is for the “rapid launching of multiple fixed-wing Uncrewed Air Vehicles (UAV), from a single launcher, including set-up, firing and recovery time.” The launcher must be able to “launch at least 5 reference UAVs within 4 minutes of the first UAV launch and recover within a maximum of 10 minutes from that first UAV launch, from a static and level position.” Notably, the MOD specifies that the UAVs will be unpowered during launch, and “will not make use of any rocket assisted take off (RATO) boosters or any other launch mechanism other than the Pj VOLLEY launcher.”
Key technical requirements include:
- Launching UAVs up to 125 kg in weight at speeds of at least 60m/s (200 km/h)
- Minimal setup and manual operation by ideally one person and no more than three
- Operation in temperatures ranging from -20 to +55°C
- Functionality in day/night, gloved, and NVG conditions
- Deployment from vehicles such as a “large body Sprinter truck” or “regular Transit van”
- The full system must not exceed 275kg
The MOD emphasises that the system must be “robust, simple to assemble and capable of launching numerous UAVs without replacement of high wear / perishable parts,” and able to “withstand jet efflux, fuel spills, handling damage,” and operate with a “minimal signature (acoustic, heat, visual)… hiding in plain sight.”
Moreover, “System launch angle must be easily adjustable to account for various UAV launch/take-off characteristics; assume minimum inclination of 8 degrees and up to a maximum of 30 degrees.” The Ministry is also clear about what it does not want. It excludes “autonomous launchers,” launchers “not operated by a human crew,” and any solution “that will not be ready for UK field demonstration / testing in October 25.” RATO-based solutions are also explicitly ruled out. While a complete system is welcomed, the MOD says it is open to partial solutions. “If your product answers part of this VOLLEY challenge problem statement, we encourage you to participate,” the notice adds.
The timeline for industry engagement is as follows:
- Industry Day: 18 June 2025
- “Dragon’s Den” competition: 1 August 2025
- Field demonstrations: October 2025
- First deliveries: No later than January 2026
Importantly, the notice signals that “a large number (>20) of launchers are anticipated to be needed approximately 6 months from Industry Day / launch of competition.” Each production launcher must be priced under £300,000 and “be produceable at scale.” The MOD adds that “a small number of proposals (2–5), subject to contract, will be provided funding to demonstrate the entire VOLLEY capability in Oct 25.”
International partners from NATO, Ukraine, and Five Eyes countries are also invited to participate. (Source: UAS VISION/UK Defence Journal)
11 Jun 25. Safety-Assured High-Speed Navigation for MAVs. A groundbreaking development by Professor Fu Zhang and researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has enabled drones and micro air vehicles (MAVs) to emulate the flight capabilities of birds more closely than ever before. Unlike birds, which navigate unknown environments with remarkable speed and agility, drones typically rely on external guidance or pre-mapped routes. The team has developed the Safety-Assured High-Speed Aerial Robot (SUPER), capable of flying at speeds exceeding 20 meters per second and avoiding obstacles as thin as 2.5 millimeters – such as power lines or twigs – using solely on onboard sensors and computing power. With a compact design featuring a wheelbase of just 280 mm and a takeoff weight of 1.5 kg, SUPER demonstrates exceptional agility, navigating dense forests at night and skillfully avoiding thin wires.
Professor Zhang describes this invention as a game-changer in the field of drone technology: “Picture a ‘Robot Bird’ swiftly maneuvering through the forest, effortlessly dodging branches and obstacles at high speeds. This is a significant step forward in autonomous flight technology. Our system allows MAVs to navigate complex environments at high speeds with a level of safety previously unattainable. It’s like giving the drone the reflexes of a bird, enabling it to dodge obstacles in real-time while racing toward its goal.”
The breakthrough lies in the sophisticated integration of hardware and software.
SUPER utilizes a lightweight 3D light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor capable of detecting obstacles up to 70 meters away with pinpoint accuracy. This is paired with an advanced planning framework that generates two trajectories during flight: one that optimizing speed by venturing into unknown spaces and another prioritizing safety by remaining within known, obstacle-free zones. By processing LIDAR data directly as point clouds, the system significantly reduces computation time, enabling rapid decision-making even at high velocities. The technology has been tested in various real-life applications, such as the autonomous exploration of ancient sites, and has demonstrated seamless navigation in both indoor and outdoor environments.
“The ability to avoid thin obstacles and navigate tight spaces opens up new possibilities for applications like search and rescue, where every second counts. SUPER’s robustness in various lighting conditions, including nighttime, makes it a reliable tool for round-the-clock operations.” said Mr Yunfan Ren, the lead author of the research paper.
The research team envisions a wide range of applications for this innovative technology, including autonomous delivery, power line inspection, forest monitoring, autonomous exploration, and mapping. In search and rescue missions, MAVs equipped with SUPER technology could swiftly navigate disaster zones – such as collapsed buildings or dense forests – day and night, locating survivors or assessing hazards more efficiently than current drones. Moreover, in disaster relief scenarios, they could deliver crucial supplies to remote and inaccessible areas. (Source: UAS VISION/ The University of Hong Kong).
09 Jun 25. Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security. Dstl has trialled an underwater robot which can prevent adversaries from sabotaging undersea cables and pipelines by disarming or removing threats. An underwater robot could soon be saving lives at sea for the Royal Navy and prevent adversaries from sabotaging undersea cables and pipelines. A commercially available remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been adapted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and industry partners to deal with sabotage threats and clear legacy unexploded ordnance. These present hazards to both vessels and divers deployed to deal with them. Dstl has incorporated or developed a number of systems to enable the ROV to detect unexploded ordnance and remotely place explosive charges to enable safe neutralization.
Dstl explosives engineer John said: “This technology would be a valuable toolset for keeping our Armed Forces safe whilst providing the public with value for money.
This unique capability with its sensors, tools and cameras will give operators a real time ability to deal with these underwater hazards in a safe, effective and efficient way.”
The robot can operate at depths greater than divers can reach, and it can also work there safely for much longer. The new technology and systems developed will work in partnership with other robots to scan the seabed for hazards and will be able to deal with them once one is spotted. The robot can be launched from a ship or a shoreline and is operated remotely, feeding video and sonar images back to the operators. They will then be able to remotely deal with underwater hazards in relative safety. The robot is not normally destroyed, which means it can be used multiple times giving the public better value for money in addition to the economic benefits of partnering with industry. This project supports numerous specialist jobs in industry. Our specialists work closely with Royal Navy specialists to develop tactics and techniques as well as technology.
Trials have taken place at:
- Horsea Island in Portsmouth
- Portland Harbour
- South Wales
- Norway
Alford Technologies, Atlantas Marine, Sonardyne and ECS Special Projects are among the industry partners involved. This Royal Navy funded project has developed a number of cutting-edge technologies that have been tested in successful trials. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
06 Jun 25. US Army experiments with autonomous boat for river crossing. The US Army experimented with an autonomous boat to support wet gap crossing operations during the Maneuver Support & Protection Integration Experiment 2025 (MSPIX 25), a defence industry executive told Janes recently. Held at Fort Leonard Wood from 12 to 15 May, MSPIX 25 featured Robosys Automation, in conjunction with Vector Controls and Persistent Systems (PS), demonstrating its Remote and Autonomous Control for Bridging and Rafting (RAC4BAR) solution. The experiment “examines capabilities and concepts that address modernization needs for MSP to inform future Army capability requirements”, according to a February army solicitation. For the demonstration Robosys adopted an open architecture approach utilising industry standards to retrofit an existing M30 Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) and enable remote command (RC) and autonomous operations of the vessel. The RAC4BAR system was designed to show various levels of command, autonomy, and monitoring from different ranges in order to avoid personnel being exposed to danger, Nigel Lee, Robosys chief strategy officer, told Janes on 22 May. For the experiment Vector Controls modified the vessel propulsion and steering controls to fly-by-wire Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus controls, enabling digital control via an internet protocol (IP) network. A MIL-STD computer was fitted to the vessel to host the Robosys Voyager artificial intelligence (AI) autopilot software, together with a mast-mounted PS MPU5 radio to provide network connectivity. Two remote piloting IP cameras were installed for situational awareness for the remote operators in addition to a GPS receiver and compass for position and heading information, Lee said. (Source: Janes)
09 Jun 25. Nato to demonstrate uncrewed vessels in Baltic Sea. The experimental activities are aimed at gaining insights on the optimal use of these vessels in critical maritime settings. Nato’s Standing Naval Forces will engage in a series of exercises in the Baltic Sea to enhance the integration of uncrewed vessels into their maritime operations throughout this month. These demonstrations are a precursor to the Dynamic Messenger exercise planned for autumn in Portugal and are part of Nato’s Task Force X innovation initiative. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving Nato’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), and participating Allied nations. The Baltic Sea will host numerous experimentation activities aimed at garnering valuable knowledge regarding the optimal deployment of these uncrewed vessels in vital maritime settings.
Allied Maritime Command commander Royal Navy vice admiral Mike Utley said: “We remain focused on testing the alliance’s ability to trial and integrate uncrewed systems into a networked operational environment. “These trials are focused on operational output and enhancing the spiral development of both Nato’s innovation teams and the national initiatives of allies. Our objective is to deliver uncrewed systems to Nato’s Standing Naval Forces with speed and scale, in the most relevant operational environments, further building on the military advantage of the alliance.”
The partnership between ACT and MARCOM extends to delivering capabilities such as autonomous systems and AI. These technologies are intended to improve situational awareness of sea lines of communication and protect critical undersea infrastructure. Nato’s Task Force X initiative has been providing uncrewed vessels for experimentation and integration into Nato’s maritime forces. The initiative has gained momentum following recent cable disruptions, merging enhanced vigilance activities with advanced autonomous systems to support Allied Command Operations. Drawing from successful models like the US Navy’s Task Force 66, Task Force X employs maritime uncrewed systems for persistent surveillance and threat detection. It allows nations to contribute their capabilities while ensuring they fit within Nato’s overall framework. The CMRE will also participate with its deployment of the Nato Research Vessel Alliance, which is the organisation’s only scientific-research vessel designed specifically to support the alliance’s operational priorities at sea. Nato Allied Command Transformation is responsible for strategic warfare development, focusing on innovating and maintaining a warfighting edge to enhance the military effectiveness of the alliance. In May 2025, the UK Royal Navy contracted the Nato Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to provide fuel and other port services on a global scale for the next ten years. (Source: naval-technology.com)