Ukraine is set to receive 33,000 artificial intelligence-powered drone guidance modules from the US-German software developer Auterion, under a new $50 million contract funded by the US Department of Defense. Continue reading
Chinese Engines Shipped as ‘Cooling Units’ Power Russian Drones Used in Ukraine
Chinese-made engines are being covertly shipped via front companies to a state-owned drone manufacturer in Russia, labeled as ‘industrial refrigeration units‘ to avoid detection in the wake of Western sanctions, according to three European security officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. Continue reading
Did DJI Disguise Mini 4Pro as SkyRover X1 to Evade US Ban ?
DJI barely sells drones in the United States anymore. The shelves are bare; resellers are jacking up prices. It appears an unofficial ban at US customs is to blame. But on Amazon, you can now buy a drone that’s a a dead ringer for the DJI Mini 4 Pro — the SkyRover X1 — for a reasonable $758. And that’s probably because DJI made it happen. Continue reading
Latest GA Autonomous Jet Demo Features Live Air-to-Air Engagement Capability
– General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and General Atomics Integrated Intelligence, Inc. (GA-Intelligence) successfully completed a groundbreaking demonstration on July 8, integrating technologies across multiple affiliates to showcase long-range kill chain effects, including an autonomous air-to-air engagement. Continue reading
Ukraine Deploys New ‘Berserk’ Robot to Jam Enemy Drones
A ground-based robotic electronic warfare system known as Kvertus AD Berserk has entered serial production in Ukraine, representing a significant advancement in the country’s technological response to aerial threats on the battlefield. Continue reading
Heven Demonstrates Fuel Cell UAV Flight at 12,000 ft
– Zepher Flight Labs (ZFL), a Heven company, announced that its hydrogen fuel cell-powered Z1 successfully demonstrated a vertical takeoff at maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), followed by a continuous 11,000-foot climb to a density altitude (DA) of 12,000 feet during the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission phase. Continue reading
Project ULTRA Contract Ceiling Raised to $100M from $18M
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven announced a $100 million contract ceiling extension for Project ULTRA that will allow expansion of UAS operations at GrandSKY. The ULTRA team, led by Grand Forks County, includes the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, which supports the development of uncrewed flight capabilities for the Department of Defense. Continue reading
Jammed and Confused: Alaska Trial Shows Pitfalls of Fielding US Drones
During the last few weeks of June, dozens of aircraft gathered on the flight line at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska as part of Red Flag — a premier, multinational exercise the base hosts each year. The event offers a venue for the U.S. and its allies to demonstrate advanced, tactical air combat and prepare military units for wartime operations. Continue reading