Swarms
Shield AI and Taiwan’s NCSIST Complete Autonomous Swarm Exercise
In less than three months, NCSIST engineers, supported by Shield AI, indigenously developed AI pilots and implemented them onto three Mighty Hornet III UAVs
Testing
CCA
US Air Force Tests Collaborative Combat Aircraft at Creech Air Force Base
The exercise highlighted CCA operations at Creech Air Force Base, testing unmanned platforms in a realistic operational environment.
Testing
ACUA Ocean and Teledyne FLIR Defense Demonstrate Integrated Tethered UAS and Unmanned Surface Vessel Capability
The UKDI-funded demonstrator validated the technical integration of the T-UAS with the Pioneer modular payload architecture and proved the combined system’s operational performance in open-ocean sea states, ahead of further development and potential commercial deployment as scale.
Testing
Sikorsky Nomad 100 Completes Initial Flight Test Phase for DARPA
The milestone marks another step forward in delivering high-performing unmanned systems to servicemembers operating in rapidly evolving, contested environments
Weapons Systems / Lasers
GA-ASI and KONGSBERG Advance JSM Integration for MQ-9B
This design and integration effort is a jointly funded project by both companies aimed at providing long-range strike capability for MQ-9B and its customers.
Weapons Systems / Lasers
GA-ASI Completes Qualification Testing for UK Protector Weapons
Testing was completed on June 18 at GA-ASI’s facilities in Southern California and marked the first time that GA-ASI has taken the lead role in completing weapons qualification for a customer.
CCA
Anduril YFQ-44 Fires Live Air-to-Air Missile in Landmark CCA Test
One of the Air Force’s developmental Collaborative Combat Aircraft fired a live missile in a recent test, marking a critical step forward in the development of the service’s fleet of semi-autonomous drone fighters.
E W
Dassault, Harmattan AI Fly New EW Collaborative UAV for Rafale
Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI today announced the successful execution of a collaborative in-flight engagement between a Rafale F4 and an unmanned aerial system equipped with the NAMIB payload, a new electronic warfare device jointly developed by both companies.
Weapons Systems / Lasers
Laser Dazzler Blinds Drone Sensors in Breakthrough C-UAS Technology Trials
Controlled tests measured electro-optical sensor saturation and visual-acquisition denial across two UAV platforms
Launchers
UK Royal Navy Launches Strike Drone at Sea in Landmark Trials
Already tested extensively during land exercises, the autonomous drone was taken to sea to explore how it could be operated from a ship. Pre-programmed to fly to a specific target, the system was flown from a launcher installed on the ship’s deck.
3D Printing
RIMPAC Tests Drones Made from Volcanic-Rock Fibre in Hawaii
A resilient, 3D-printable compound such as Eclipse X9 has the potential to “reshape military logistics and expeditionary manufacturing and maritime sustainment” because of its strength and the plentiful nature of basalt throughout the island nations of the Pacific
Testing
MQ-25A Stingray Completes Second Test Flight
The milestone further validates the unmanned aerial refueller’s flight controls and performance capabilities.