Events
DARPA Lift Challenge Results
Aviation records set and new options demonstrated for military, civilian use
Editor
Transport
Six Heavy-Lift Drones Worked in Sync to Transport 780 KG Load
The operation was completed in just three minutes
C-UAS
Northrop Grumman Introduces Raid Hunter for Next Generation Gun-Based Air Defence System
Raid Hunter is engineered to address a critical short-range air defense gap by providing warfighters with a scalable, rapidly deployable capability to defeat cruise missiles, drone swarms and other complex aerial threats.
Loitering Munitions - One Way Effector (OWE)
Ondas to Build Israel’s Next Generation of Military Tactical Attack Drones
The multi-million-dollar strategic program – “Digital Bat” is to provide a next-generation low-cost tactical attack drone platform powered by advanced software designed to address the Israeli Ministry of Defense evolving operational requirements.
Business
Archer Buys Insitu, Wisk Aero and SkyGrid from Boeing
The deal brings together Archer’s work on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, unmanned aircraft and artificial intelligence with Boeing’s investments in autonomous flight and defence technologies.
Data Links & Communications
UK Royal Navy Demonstrates Wildcat Helicopter Controlling Aerial Drones
The week-long Dragon Rider trials were conducted by the Maritime Aviation Strike Operational Advantage Group (formally the Wildcat Maritime Force) and linked a specially modified Wildcat helicopter with multiple unmanned aerial systems.
Propulsion
UK Startup Stores Power in Drone Frames
Instead of carrying battery packs as separate components, the system stores electrical energy directly inside the airframe’s crossbeams.
Propulsion
ePropelled Gets $60M US Government Funding to Strengthen Drone Propulsion Supply Chain
The expanded facility will increase ePropelled's propulsion system production capacity by more than 4X, enabling the company to meet rapidly growing demand from U.S. government programs, allied partners, and commercial drone manufacturers seeking secure, American-made propulsion solutions.
Technology
UK Military Drones with Chinese Cameras were Sending Data to Beijing
The drones were fitted with camera components manufactured in China. During the security assessment, analysts found that the camera systems were establishing outbound connections to a server located in China
Military
Quantum Systems Upgrades its Long-Range RELIANT UAS
The latest generation offers increased payload capacity, broader mission flexibility, and software integration into the company's MOSAIC UXS ecosystem. Designed around a fully European supply chain and minimal logistical footprint, Reliant will now compete for major global contracts
Interceptor
Ukraine to Build 5,000 High Speed Skazhenyi Interceptor Drones per Month
A wingless version can reach speeds of up to 225 mph (365 kilometers per hour), while the winged model has a maximum speed of 190 mph (310 kilometers per hour).
Propulsion
Wireless Power Beaming for Perched Drones
This project brings together Reach’s wireless power-beaming expertise with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln NIMBUS Lab research capabilities in autonomous systems, communications, and field robotics.