Tag: drone technology
77 articles
General Atomics Taps Boeing Unit to Boost CCA Drone Production
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is teaming up with Spirit Defense, a Boeing subsidiary, to supercharge production of its FQ-42A Vengeance CCA drone, leveraging Spirit's expertise to rapidly scale up manufacturing while boosting resilience and reducing risk. This strategic partnership is a major win for both the company and the nation.
Defense Firms Unveil Advanced Air, Ground Vehicles at AUSA Expo
Thousands of defense professionals flocked to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on October 12, 2026, for the Association of the US Army's annual conference, where the latest air and ground vehicles took center stage. The expo floor was buzzing with exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge tech, including drones, counter-drone systems, and advanced equipment.
Autonomous Drones Evolve to Sense, Reason, Act in Real Time
The line between "unmanned" and truly autonomous drones is often blurred, but experts like Ben Wolff, CEO of Palladyne AI, are drawing a hard distinction: autonomy requires real-time decision-making, not just pre-programmed flight plans. Many systems touted as autonomous today are simply following scripts written by humans in advance.
Lithium-Metal Batteries Boost Drone Range, Payloads
The bottleneck in drone performance today is clear: underpowered batteries are holding them back. By swapping traditional graphite anodes for lithium metal, innovators like Sion Power are revolutionizing battery chemistry and unlocking greater range and payloads for unmanned systems.
USAF Tests Collaborative Combat Aircraft with Fighter Jets
The US Air Force is revolutionizing its fleet with a goal of 500+ collaborative combat aircraft by 2032, and the exciting tests are already underway with impressive results. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems just delivered a new FQ-42 Vengeance drone to Creech Air Force Base for continued evaluation and testing alongside F-35A and F-15E fighter jets.
Powerus Secures Pakistan Defence Drone Order Amid Warming US Ties
Powerus has scored a major win with a limited procurement order from Pakistan's Ministry of Defence, paired with a strategic partnership that could supercharge drone tech innovation. The US-based company is joining forces with Pakistan to bring together the best of American and Pakistani technology.
Egypt Bolsters Drone Arsenal with Loitering Munitions, Interceptors
Egyptian firms made a strong showing at the El Alamein International Airshow, occupying 28 stands to showcase their cutting-edge drone technology and precision-strike capabilities. The event, which drew over 250 exhibitors from 50 countries, highlighted Egypt's growing presence in the global drone market.
Swarm Aero Unveils Gamera Drone to Disrupt MQ-9A Reaper Market
Meet the Gamera Drone, a game-changing unmanned aircraft that's shattering conventional wisdom with its bold design and impressive specs: a 72-foot wingspan, 7 munitions hardpoints, and an unrefueled range of 10,357 miles.
Swarm Aero Unveils Gamera, Cheaper Alternative to MQ-9 Reaper Drone
Meet Gamera, a game-changing drone that offers a flexible and affordable alternative to the MQ-9 Reaper, thanks to its innovative Bronco tail design and mass production approach. This sleek, Group 5 UAS boasts a versatile payload system, enabling it to carry a wide range of strike and sensing payloads with ease.
US Navy Revives Advanced Combat Drone Concept
The US Navy is pushing the boundaries of combat drone technology with a new Request for Information, seeking an aircraft that can carry massive external payloads of up to 2,500 pounds per weapon. This ambitious project, dubbed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 1, aims to deliver a prototype with unprecedented capabilities within a remarkably short timeframe.
Australia Urges Southeast Asian Nations to Clarify Maritime Incidents
Australia is stepping up its support for Southeast Asian nations to tackle maritime incidents, with a recent pledge of A$10 million to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard's drone technology and training. This move aims to boost the region's maritime domain awareness, but experts warn that more data doesn't always mean more clarity.
Fuel Cells Empower Group 2 Drones for Expanded Battlefield Roles
Fuel cell technology is revolutionizing the battlefield by empowering smaller drones, like Group 2 drones, to take on expanded roles without sacrificing maneuverability or stealth. By providing sustained power in a compact package, fuel cells are unlocking new possibilities for these agile aircraft.
Aerostar Balloons Evolve Into Drone Motherships
Aerostar's high-altitude balloons are transforming into drone motherships, with the ability to carry and deploy multiple uncrewed aerial systems, or UAS, at once - and it's a game-changer. The technology is scalable, with smaller tactical balloons like the Aerostar Lightning already capable of carrying a single payload for up to three days.
Ejection Seat Makers Adapt to Pilotless Battlefield Era
As the battlefield goes pilotless, ejection seat makers like Martin-Baker are shifting gears, leveraging their life-saving expertise to support drone manufacturers and stay ahead of the curve. With a legacy of saving over 7,800 aviators, Martin-Baker is now offering its engineering and electronics prowess to help shape the future of unmanned aircraft.
US Eases Export Curbs to Boost UAE's Drone, AI Tech Production
The US has just made it easier for the UAE to supercharge its drone and AI tech production by easing export restrictions, giving them cleaner access to cutting-edge dual-use technology. This game-changing upgrade is set to take their defense capabilities to the next level.
Australia Bolsters Philippines' Maritime Security with Drone Technology Aid
Australia is ramping up its support for the Philippines' maritime security with a generous aid package, adding 10 million Australian dollars, or 413 million pesos, worth of cutting-edge drone technology and operator training. This brings Australia's total drone support to nearly 600 million pesos since April 2025.
General Atomics Challenges Pentagon's Drone Cost Target
General Atomics' aeronautics division CEO Dave Alexander is questioning the Pentagon's ambitious drone cost target, calling it unrealistic and silly. He claims that meeting the lowest price target would be highly suspicious under the contract's certified-pricing rules.
Zelenskyy's Ouster of Ukraine Defense Minister Sparks Protests, Allies' Concern
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ousted Defense Minister Mikhailo Fedorov, citing the minister's unauthorized procurement decisions, a move that has sparked protests and concern among allies. The sudden dismissal follows a public feud with Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Poland Halts MiG-29 Transfers to Ukraine Over Drone Tech Dispute
Poland has put a hold on sending more MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine after Kyiv reportedly failed to deliver on a deal to share drone technology, with Poland's defense minister saying "there will be no MiGs for Ukraine" without a fair trade. The move comes after a proposed partnership-based approach, with Poland's defense minister offering to swap MiGs for drone tech, was seemingly snubbed.
General Atomics Upgrades Ground Stations for MQ-9B Drone Compatibility
General Atomics is upgrading its Block 30 ground control stations to ensure seamless compatibility with its latest MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones, addressing a key concern for current MQ-9A operators. The company will fund the upgrade research and development and plans to begin flight testing by the end of the year.
USAF Accelerates Production of General Atomics, Anduril Drones
The US Air Force is ramping up production of cutting-edge drones from General Atomics and Anduril, aiming to deploy highly advanced semi-autonomous systems that stay ahead of emerging threats. This accelerated production move follows a competitive selection process, and marks a major milestone in the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Air Force Taps General Atomics, Anduril for CCA Drone Production
The US Air Force has taken a major leap forward in its drone program, selecting General Atomics and Anduril to produce the first batch of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, a crucial step from prototyping to production. This $2.4 billion initiative is set to revolutionize military operations with cutting-edge drone technology.
Germany Unveils Cobra 600 Jet-Powered Missile Drone
Meet the Cobra 600, a game-changing jet-powered drone from German start-up Polaris Raumflugzeuge, boasting a range of 250 miles with a fitted missile. This cutting-edge Airborne Launching and Attack System is set to revolutionize the skies.
Defense Industry Faces Drone Wingman Training Hurdles
As the US military increasingly partners with drones in combat, defense manufacturers face a new challenge: training drone wingmen to work seamlessly with human pilots. The future of manned-unmanned teaming will require significant changes in the defense industry.