In a historic first, the Protector RG Mk1, the first Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) that is authorised to fly in UK Airspace, has entered service with the Royal Air Force. This programme milestone was reached following extensive test and evaluation, led by 56 Squadron with 31 Squadron providing engineering
In an era where unmanned systems define the next frontier of warfare and intelligence, The Defense Post has unveiled its definitive list of the Top 100 Companies Advancing Drone Technology across air, ground, and sea. To be included in this ranking is not just a recognition — it is a mark
HAPS
* Skydweller and Thales are strengthening their collaboration by equipping Skydweller’s unmanned solar powered aircraft (MAPS) with a new solution consisting of the AirMaster S radar, equipped with Artificial Intelligence features allowing optimal and autonomous adaptation to the specific flight conditions. This innovative solution combines a solar-powered extreme endurance aerial
Business
* Helsing, a leading European defence technology company, announced its €600 million ($690M) Series D funding round. The round was led by Prima Materia, alongside existing investors Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, Plural, General Catalyst and SAAB and new investors BDT & MSD Partners. “As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is preparing to demonstrate the vertical takeoff and landing capability of five unmanned aerial systems weighing less than 330 pounds in the coming days. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for the demonstration, known as EVADE – Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration – will boast significantly
* Percepto, a leading supplier of autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions for critical infrastructure, has announced the release of its AI-powered emission detector—enabling remote methane detection and compliance reporting at scale. Already deployed across major U.S. basins, Percepto automates OGI surveying with autonomous drones, leveraging remote operations and now–
* Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), announced that its Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance System has successfully completed the required NDAA and cyber security verification process and been approved for the Blue UAS List with an Authority to Operate. Led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Business
In the presence of the Minister of the Armed Forces, five grant agreements were signed with AURA AERO, Daher, FLY-R, SE Aviation, and Turgis Gaillard, major players in drone innovation, to support the development of MALE demonstrators starting in 2026. In line with the guidelines of the 2024-2030 Military Planning
Testing
In a first of its kind demonstration, Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully conducted a mission against an airborne target using two in-flight MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft and a third digital aircraft, all controlled from an airborne E-7A Wedgetail. An artist’s rendering of a Royal
Business
* AeroVironment, Inc. announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense, Denmark–home to the UAS Denmark Test Center–to explore joint utilization of the center’s expansive airspace and advanced test facilities. The agreement aims to leverage UAS Denmark’s strategic range and
Business
Australian aerospace start-up Drone Forge and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement to purchase six Flexrotor unmanned aerial systems comprising 17 aircraft, making it the single largest order for the Flexrotor to date. The mission-ready Flexrotor systems will be configured to meet a broad range of operational requirements in the
Data Links & Communications
* Silvus Technologies, Inc., a global leader in advanced wireless networking communication systems, announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has officially added Silvus’ StreamCaster LITE 5200 (SL5200) OEM Module to the Blue UAS Framework. Delivering powerful MANET radio performance for today’s leading-edge unmanned