Tag: unmanned aerial vehicles
84 articles
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.
Saab Unveils Loyal Wingman Drone for Swedish Air Force
Saab is taking the Gripen system to the next level with its new Loyal Wingman Drone, designed to fly alongside fighter jets and perform deep operations. The Swedish defense company unveiled a three-step roadmap to develop this cutting-edge capability, with the A3 model already making a striking appearance at the Swedish Air Force centennial air show.
US Boosts Domestic Drone Production with $1 Billion Investments
The US government is taking a giant leap in drone technology, investing a whopping $1 billion to supercharge domestic drone production and ensure America's drone dominance. Top officials, including Under Secretary of Defense Emil Michael, gathered at the White House to rally industry leaders and discuss the nation's ambitious plans.
Pakistan Pursues Homegrown Drone to Counter India's MQ-9B Capability
India is bolstering its drone capabilities with a $203 million deal to lease two MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, bridging the gap until its larger fleet of 31 MQ-9Bs arrives. This move comes as Pakistan ramps up its own drone ambitions, seeking to counter India's growing aerial edge.
Turkish Drone Kızılelma Successfully Fires Munitions from Internal Bay
The Turkish Drone Kızılelma just made history by successfully firing precision-guided munitions from its internal bay, scoring direct hits in two separate tests on July 25 and 28. This game-changing drone proved its mettle with Roketsan's TEBER-82 and Aselsan's TOLUN, showcasing its versatility in different mission profiles.
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.
P-8 Poseidon Crews Gain Direct Control of MQ-4C Triton Drones
In a groundbreaking lab test, P-8 Poseidon crews successfully took the reins of MQ-4C Triton drones, issuing direct mission tasking and watching as the drones autonomously planned and executed their assignments. This first-of-its-kind demo paves the way for seamless collaboration between these powerful aircraft.
Anduril Launches Ohio Production of FQ-44A Fury Combat Aircraft
Anduril is taking flight in Ohio with the launch of its FQ-44A Fury combat aircraft production, marking a major milestone just 557 days after breaking ground on its 500-acre Arsenal-1 facility. The company's $910.5 million investment is set to create a hub for autonomous air power, with plans to employ thousands in the region.
Pakistan's NESCOM Fortifies Domestic Drone Industry
Pakistan's drone industry took a dramatic turn in the late 2000s when the government deliberately shifted its focus from a thriving private sector to state-owned enterprises, led by the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), ultimately building a centralized industrial capability that would change the game. This strategic pivot, which began with licensed-manufactured designs like the Selex ES Falco in 2010, stifled some private innovation but paved the way for NESCOM's current dominance.
Nordic Air Defence Unveils Autonomous Radio-Silent Drone Interceptor
Imagine witnessing a cutting-edge drone interceptor in action - Nordic Air Defence gave journalists a thrilling live demo of its autonomous, radio-silent K100XR system, which successfully detected and took down target drones in a Stockholm showcase. The K100XR proved its mettle as a compact, lightning-fast, and highly effective defender of airspace.
Air Force Narrows Drone Wingman Vendors
The Air Force is pushing forward with its Collaborative Combat Aircraft development, planning to narrow down its pool of vendors from nine to as many as six next year. Over the next 10 months, the service will refine its concept and ultimately receive up to six closed conceptual designs.
CubePilot Hit by DNS Hijacking to Intercept Traffic
On July 24, a DNS hijacking attack hit CubePilot, allowing hackers to intercept traffic and potentially capture sensitive credentials from visitors to their portal and forum. The attackers obtained TLS certificates for all cubepilot.org subdomains, making their scam nearly undetectable.
US Air Force Explores Commanding Australian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drones
The US Air Force is pushing the boundaries of drone technology with the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a cutting-edge Australian drone that's being tested in a historic partnership with US forces. Gen. Kevin Schneider reveals that the MQ-28's successful integration with US test units at Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 marks a major milestone in collaborative combat aircraft development.
Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat Deploys in Pacific Exercise
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed by Boeing for the Royal Australian Air Force, made its debut in a major Pacific exercise, flying alongside US and allied aircraft, including F-35s and F-15EX, in a groundbreaking display of collaborative combat. This marked the first time a collaborative combat aircraft has been deployed to a multinational exercise.
BAE Systems Unveils Brontanax Loyal Wingman Drone at Farnborough Airshow
Get ready to take flight into the future of defense tech - BAE Systems just unveiled its game-changing Brontanax Loyal Wingman Drone at the Farnborough Airshow! This cutting-edge system is set to revolutionize the skies with its innovative design and capabilities.
Anduril Unveils Autonomous Tiltrotor for US Army Helicopter Missions
Imagine a game-changing aircraft that's a fraction of the cost of traditional helicopters like the Cheyenne or Apache, yet packs a powerful punch - Anduril's unveiled its autonomous, heavily armed tiltrotor, Thunder. This hybrid-electric, vertical-takeoff-and-landing rotorcraft is designed to be a robotic wingman, transportable in a standard shipping container.
ASELSAN Unveils Integrated UAV Payload Ecosystem for Enhanced Autonomy
ASELSAN is revolutionizing uncrewed aviation with its game-changing Integrated UAV Payload Ecosystem, showcasing a complete sensor-to-shooter chain that supercharges autonomy. By merging cutting-edge radar tech with advanced mission systems, ASELSAN is redefining what's possible in all-weather surveillance and multi-target tracking.
MKE's TOLGA Counter-Drone System Achieves 100% Success in Live-Fire Trial
MKE's TOLGA Counter-Drone System just aced a live-fire trial, successfully detecting, identifying, and defeating every target in seven different scenarios. This impressive 100% success rate proves TOLGA is a game-changer in countering threats from drones and other aerial threats.
Anduril's YFQ-44A Drone Fires First Live AIM-120 Missile
Anduril's YFQ-44A drone has achieved a major milestone, successfully firing a live AIM-120 missile in a beyond-line-of-sight engagement at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This historic test marks the first time a US drone of its kind has launched a munition, paving the way for advanced autonomous airpower capabilities.
Russia's Su-57 Targets Ukrainian Drones with Unusual Weapons Load
New photos reveal Russia's advanced Su-57 fighter jet packing a surprising punch against Ukrainian drones, with a mysterious pod and air-to-air missiles in tow. The unusual weapons load comes as the small fleet of just nine Su-57s is thrust into a new kind of battle.
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.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Deploys in Major Pacific Combat Exercise
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone made its debut in a major Pacific combat exercise, demonstrating its cutting-edge capabilities as a force multiplier that can fly alongside crewed fighters and extend their reach. This milestone marks a significant step forward in human-machine teaming and showcases the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
US Navy Still Flies MQ-1 Predators in Secret Test Role
The US Navy is secretly testing a fleet of 20 MQ-1 Predators, acquired from the Air Force in 2019 and rebranded as NMQ-1Bs, despite the aircraft's official retirement in 2018. These drones are being used for mysterious testing purposes at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.
Iranian Drone Swarm Poses Questions After F-15E Downing
An F-15E pilot described a chilling scene before ejecting from his downed jet: a swarm of Iranian drones moving in unison, resembling a jellyfish with smaller drones clustered beneath larger ones like legs. This unprecedented encounter has raised more questions than answers.