Military
North Korea unveiled two new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that closely resemble known U.S. drone models on Thursday, signaling via state media that the country is well on its way to achieving both combat and reconnaissance drone capabilities. It is unclear when Pyongyang began developing the new drones, but
Military
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been modifying and using commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support its logistics operations. Video footage broadcast by state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) in early July shows the PLA Ground Force's (PLAGF's) 83rd Group Army using a
Military
AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded a $12,051,941 firm-fixed-price contract for RQ-20B Puma AE3 UAS systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2023
Military
Saudi Arabia has agreed to buy Turkish drones, one of several lucrative contracts President Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured for Turkey’s struggling economy as Ankara reaps the benefits of his recent diplomatic push to repair ties with Gulf Arab powers. President Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, accompanied by
Military
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, is awarded a $30,191,431 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00014) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0016). This modification exercises options to provide maintenance, supply chain and spares management, logistics, and sustainment support for the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, and dual control
Military
Kosovo’s prime minister on Sunday announced that the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) purchased from Turkey have arrived in the country. Albin Kurti shared a photo of the Bayraktar TB2 UAVs on his social media account with the caption "Kosovo is now even safer." Posing in
Military
Russia’s convoluted attempt to produce Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones domestically spotlights systemic flaws and mismanagement in its defense industry. According to leaked data published by the Russian opposition group “Protocol”, the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan aims to manufacture Shahed-136 drones under an exorbitant deal with sanctions-
Military
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has announced the supply of 1000 Black Hornet nanodrones to Ukraine, which are highly valuable for conducting reconnaissance operations in urban combat scenarios. Ukraine is very satisfied with previous Norwegian deliveries of this type of reconnaissance drones, which have been developed in cooperation between the
Business
Darkhive Inc., a San Antonio-based drone developer, has won a $5 million contract to develop autonomous software for the U.S. Air Force. The startup was awarded a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s innovation hub to integrate and test next
Military
Mykhailo’s squad has a seemingly impossible task ahead. Stationed in southern Ukraine as part of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, they must find a way to clear out a network of Russian trenches manned by a well-dug-in enemy that has both more troops and more armored equipment. But what
Military
BAE Systems has launched a new division within its Air Sector called FalconWorks. It is a new centre for advanced and agile research and development designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and its allies. FalconWorks will focus on generating ideas, innovation and
Accidents
An investigation into the 2022 crash of a US Air Force (USAF) General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper found that pilot error precipitated the incident. The remotely piloted aircraft crashed at an undisclosed location in Europe on 14 July 2022, with no injuries or fatalities and “minimal damage to civilian property”