A first-person view (FPV) type quadcopter drone controlled via a fiber optic cable was among the participants in a U.S. Navy-led exercise earlier this year focused on exploring new distributed electronic warfare capabilities. Continue reading
Airbus and Shield AI Accomplish First Autonomous Aerial Logistics Connector Helicopter Flight
– Airbus U.S. Space & Defense recently completed its first autonomous helicopter test flight utilizing Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy package. Continue reading
Report to Congress on US Army’s Small UAS Program
The U.S. Army has requested Fiscal Year 2026 funding for small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS, commonly referred to as drones). These systems support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); target acquisition and strike; electronic warfare operations; and other missions. Continue reading
AeroVironment Delivers Initial P550 Autonomous Group 2 eVTOL UAS to US Army for LRR Program
– AeroVironment, Inc. has announced the successful delivery of its Group 2 P550 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) to the U.S. Army as part of the Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program to support training and operations for Transformation in Contact (TiC) brigades. Continue reading
Lockheed Martin F-35A uses Small Drone to Guide Precision Bombs in First-of-its-Kind Test
The Lockheed Martin F-35A has completed a first-of-its-kind strike test with the help of a PDW C100 drone. Acting as a laser designator, the drone guided four bombs to target, showing how small unmanned systems can enhance stealth aircraft without risking pilots or ground forces. Continue reading
Taiwan Disguises Hellfire Missile Launcher as Civilian Truck
Taiwan’s armed forces have developed a launch system for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles concealed inside what otherwise looks to be a civilian truck. Taiwanese authorities say the truck-mounted launcher could provide a valuable new means of employing Hellfires, especially if its AH-1W and AH-64E attack helicopters are faced with heavy air defense threats. Continue reading
Electra, Surf Air Mobility Complete Commercial Demonstrations of Ultra Short Aircraft
– Electra, in partnership with Surf Air Mobility Inc. and Virginia Tech, successfully completed the first series of public demonstrations of its Ultra Short aircraft capabilities earlier this month. Continue reading
Grid Aero Launches with $6M and Breakthrough Autonomous Cargo Aircraft Built in 6 Months
A new startup has a contract with the Air Force’s innovation arm and a prototype to test its new concept: a network of “flying pickup truck” drones to solve the problem of logistics in the vast Pacific. Continue reading