The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was one of the most unusual fighters ever built—a tiny jet designed to live inside the bomb bay of America’s massive Convair B-36 and launch only when enemy fighters appeared. Continue reading
DARPA Lift Challenge Results
The DARPA Lift Challenge has set a new benchmark in vertical lift aviation. Taking place at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the national competition concluded on Aug. 9 after teams demonstrated novel drone designs with the potential to transform vertical heavy-lift aircraft into a more accessible option for both the U.S. military and commercial industry. Continue reading
Six Heavy-Lift Drones Worked in Sync to Transport 780 KG Load
In China’s mountainous Yunnan, six heavy-lift drones worked in sync to transport a power grid tower component over a 700-meter route across rugged terrain. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Introduces Raid Hunter for Next Generation Gun-Based Air Defence System
Northrop Grumman is unveiling Raid Hunter: The official name for its innovative 50mm Gun-Based Air Defence System. Designed to close a critical gap in short-range layered defense, Raid Hunter provides scalable, resilient and cost-effective protection against increasingly complex aerial threats facing today’s warfighters. Continue reading
Ondas to Build Israel’s Next Generation of Military Tactical Attack Drones
Ondas Inc. has been awarded a multi-million-dollar strategic tender by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to develop and produce the next-generation tactical attack drone capabilities. The program represents a broader effort to advance the IMOD’s tactical drone capabilities. Under the program, Ondas will lead the development of a new generation of low-cost tactical attack drones designed to meet evolving operational requirements and enable scalable deployment across frontline combat units. Continue reading
Archer Buys Insitu, Wisk Aero and SkyGrid from Boeing
Archer Aviation is acquiring three Boeing subsidiaries focused on autonomous aircraft, airspace management and unmanned systems, a deal that will significantly expand the electric aircraft maker’s business into defence and add more than $200 million in annual revenue. Continue reading
UK Royal Navy Demonstrates Wildcat Helicopter Controlling Aerial Drones
An armada of aerial and surface drones scouting ahead of the main body of traditional helicopters, jets and ships is a step closer to reality following trailblazing work by the Royal Navy. Continue reading
UK Startup Stores Power in Drone Frames
Heavy batteries have long limited how far drones can fly and how much they can carry. British engineering startup The Structural Battery Company (The SB Co.) believes the solution is to make the battery part of the aircraft itself. Continue reading