Defense Tech
Poland Bolsters Naval Forces with Shield AI's V-Bat UAVs
Poland is set to supercharge its naval capabilities with Shield AI's cutting-edge V-Bat UAVs, which have already proven their mettle in challenging environments. The $16 million deal will see several V-Bat systems deployed aboard Polish Navy vessels by year's end, bolstering maritime intelligence and surveillance operations.
Leonardo and Baykar Demonstrate Manned-Unmanned Aircraft Teaming
Imagine a future where manned and unmanned aircraft work together in perfect harmony - that's exactly what Leonardo and Baykar have achieved with their groundbreaking manned-unmanned teaming flights. Their innovative tests have successfully paired crewed and uncrewed platforms, paving the way for a new era in aviation.
L3Harris Delivers Modified Qatari Jet as New Air Force One
In just 10 months, L3Harris transformed a Qatari 747 jumbo jet into a sleek new Air Force One, with a team of 400 employees working around the clock to deliver the impressive plane. The makeover is so stunning that President Donald Trump marveled at the workmanship, saying "you won’t believe it" when you see it.
DARPA's X-65 Drone Takes Shape With Novel Air-Controlled Wings
Get ready to take flight into the future! The X-65 drone's game-changing, air-controlled wings have just arrived, marking a major milestone in the DARPA-backed CRANE program.
China's J-15 Fighter Expands Reach with Y-20A Tanker Refueling
China just took a major leap in its military capabilities, showcasing its J-15 fighter jet refueling mid-air from a Y-20A tanker - a game-changing advancement in aerial reach and endurance. This remarkable footage was quietly released in a recent People's Daily YouTube video.
Pakistan Unveils Homegrown Drone Engines, Boosting Strike Capabilities
Pakistan takes a giant leap in defense tech with its first homegrown drone engines, unveiled by Alsons Group at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. This breakthrough boosts the country's strike capabilities and marks a new era of private sector innovation in drone and munitions development.
Air Force Grapples with Boeing Over T-7 Data Rights
The Air Force is facing a major headache in maintaining its new T-7 Red Hawk aircraft, with a high risk of sustainment issues due to a lack of technical data and parts shortages. This looming challenge threatens to severely hinder the aircraft's upkeep, a source close to the program warns.
Air Force's T-7 Red Hawk Trainer Faces Serious Airworthiness Risks
The Air Force's new T-7 Red Hawk trainer jets may be grounded by a serious airworthiness risk due to missing critical safety data from manufacturer Boeing. This critical gap in information could put pilots' lives at risk and threatens the program's success.
Defense Industry Must Adapt, Scale and Accelerate Capability
The defense industry faces a harsh reality: taking down affordable drones with expensive interceptors just doesn't add up. To stay ahead, industry leaders must adapt to changing operational needs, scale up production, and accelerate innovation to deliver proven, scalable capabilities that meet today's demands.
Turkey Advances Autonomous Air Combat with Kizilelma Drone Trials
In a groundbreaking achievement, Turkey's Kizilelma drone successfully completed autonomous taxi, takeoff, and formation flight with a Leonardo M-346 jet, marking a significant step towards the future of crewed and uncrewed teaming in combat aviation. This innovative milestone was reached during live trials of the K-SWARM concept in Çorlu, Turkey.
Australia Exports Advanced Radar System to Canada in $1.75B Deal
Australia's defence industry has just scored a major win, with a $1.75 billion deal to export its advanced radar system to Canada, showcasing the country's innovative capabilities and strong national security. This landmark agreement marks Australia's largest-ever defence export and cements its reputation as a trusted partner in the global defence market.
L3Harris Converts Qatar Gift into Bridge Air Force One Amid Delays
In just 10 months, L3Harris transformed a gifted Boeing 747-8i into a cutting-edge bridge jet, VC-25B, by deploying a 24/7 team to meet an ambitious deadline tied to Qatar's Independence Day celebrations. The rapid conversion showcases L3Harris's impressive scale and expertise as the world's largest non-OEM integrator of aircraft.
Pentagon Accelerates Quantum Sensor Deployment
The Pentagon is fast-tracking the deployment of quantum sensors to enhance navigation capabilities, particularly in scenarios where GPS signals are jammed or spoofed. This move follows President Trump's Executive Order 14411, which aims to accelerate the development and operational use of quantum technologies.
Navy Bolsters Missile Testing with First P-8 Poseidon
The Navy has taken its missile testing capabilities to the next level with the deployment of its first P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30, supporting long-range missile tests from Naval Air Station Point Mugu. This game-changing move enhances the Navy's testing prowess, leveraging the aircraft's advanced capabilities.
Hanwha Forges UAE Partnership for K9 Howitzer Production
Hanwha has partnered with Generation 5 Holding to bring local production and lifecycle support of the K9 155 mm self-propelled Howitzer to the UAE, unlocking new opportunities for the Middle East market. This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen regional defense capabilities and enhance customer support.
Army Taps Anduril for Next Gen C2 Data Layer Lead
The Army has taken a significant leap forward with its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort, tapping Anduril to lead the development of a cutting-edge common data layer that will enable faster, more effective decision-making. This milestone marks a major step towards delivering critical capabilities at the speed of relevance.
Unmanned Ground Vehicles Proliferate at Eurosatory Amid Ukraine War Lessons
At Eurosatory 2026, the spotlight shone bright on unmanned ground vehicles, with over 50 makers showcasing their war robots, including Ukraine's largest-ever contingent of 40-plus manufacturers, who brought battle-tested innovations to the table. Ukraine's three years of real-world battlefield experience have catapulted it to the forefront of UGV development.
Autonomy Shapes Future of Battlefield Drones
As battlefield drones become more prevalent, the line between automation and autonomy is drawing a lot of attention, with experts like Palladyne AI's Ben Wolff insisting that true autonomy requires artificial intelligence that can respond in real-time without human intervention. Automation may be just table stakes, but autonomy is what will truly shape the future of these drones.
Australia Urged to Rapidly Develop Cheap Drone Interceptors
In a chilling display of modern warfare, Russia's 900-strong drone assault on Ukraine in 2026 has sounded alarm bells - will Australia be prepared to counter the threat of cheap, destructive drones? Shahed-class drones, with their 50kg high-explosive warheads, have proven capable of devastating effects, from leveling apartment blocks to crippling critical infrastructure.
L3Harris Seeks to Expand Rivet Joint Capabilities with Drone Teaming
L3Harris is revolutionizing Rivet Joint capabilities by exploring drone teaming, which could enable the 20 RC-135 aircraft in service to command uncrewed aircraft and expand their intelligence gathering. This innovative technology already exists and is ready to be demonstrated.
Air Force Introduces VC-25B Bridge Jet to Presidential Airlift Group
The Air Force has introduced the VC-25B Bridge Jet to the Presidential Airlift Group, marking a significant milestone in upgrading the nation's presidential transport capabilities. This interim Air Force One platform, a modified 747-8i gifted by Qatar, will enable the validation of mission-capability and refinement of safety protocols for transporting the President.
US Army Unveils Drone-Focused Unit to Counter Pacific Adversaries
The US Army has launched a game-changing unit that combines cutting-edge drone technology with advanced maneuver capabilities to counter threats in the Pacific - meet the 7th Infantry Division Multi-Domain Command – Pacific. This powerful new unit will blur the lines between land, air, and digital battlefields, making it a major force multiplier in the region.
Pakistan Taps Private Sector to Accelerate Drone Development
Pakistan is taking a giant leap in drone technology, bringing together the country's top defence officials and private sector innovators to revolutionize its unmanned capabilities. By joining forces, they're set to supercharge the development of homegrown drones for warfare and surveillance.
Rheinmetall, Vantor to Bolster German Military's Spatial Intelligence Capabilities
Rheinmetall and Vantor are joining forces to supercharge the German military's spatial intelligence capabilities with a cutting-edge platform that can analyze and deploy critical insights in real-time. Their new joint venture will be based in Germany, supporting the country's defense needs and collaborating with European ISR programs.