Unmanned

News coverage of the latest platforms, systems, technologies and policies of unmanned warfare.

Drones, tanks and ships: Takeaways from Turkey’s annual defense report

The government listed 49 ongoing modernization and acquisition projects across the various armed forces. Here are some that stood out.

10 hours ago

Sgt. Timothy Bella, a geospatial engineer, prepares a Golden Eagle drone for flight during Exercise Bronco Rumble at the Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, on Aug. 19, 2021.

Tech maturing too fast for multiyear drone buys, Army’s Bush says

Locking in on the same drone year after year may not make sense amid rapidly changing circumstances, he said.

11 hours ago

Opinion

To achieve Replicator, the Pentagon should mirror Unmanned Task Force

Disruptive innovation inside any large organization is extremely hard. Few organizations have shown they can sustain disruptive innovation over time.

The Laser Weapon System, or LaWS, is seen here temporarily installed aboard the USS Dewey in San Diego, California.

Central Command’s Kurilla eyes drone-countering lasers for Middle East

At least 31 directed-energy initiatives are underway across the U.S. Department of Defense. Some are more mature than others.

4 days ago

Are drones the future? Not for everything, says Polish general

While the Russia-Ukraine war has emphasized the crucial role drones can play, Gen. Piotr Blazeusz is unconvinced of their value during waterway crossings.

5 days ago

A C-17 Globemaster comes in for a landing at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in New York on Feb. 10, 2021. A "No Drone Zone" is seen on the perimeter fence of the base.

Drones, robotic tech pose threat to US nuclear security, general says

Intercepting unmanned systems has become a priority for Pentagon officials, who are monitoring skirmishes across Ukraine and the Greater Middle East.

7 days ago

Thailand’s Air Force unveils new wish list, eyeing jets and drones

Counter-drone systems and new fighter jets are also among the most pressing concerns.

11 days ago

Allies probe accidental targeting of US drone by German navy frigate

A German warship fired two SM-2 interceptors at an American MQ-9 drone in the Red Sea, but both missed.

12 days ago

Australia to more than double naval surface fleet, grow defense budget

The Royal Australian Navy will have its largest fleet since the end of World War II if it implements recommendations from a new independent review.

12 days ago

French AI firm to process drone footage for automatic threat detection

Paris-based Preligens wants to process video footage recorded by unmanned aerial vehicles to help spot military assets deployed by Russia and China.

14 days ago

South Korea eyes mixed fleet of manned, unmanned warplanes

The South Korean military's growing interest in manned-unmanned teaming comes amid a declining pool of 18-year-old conscripts.

2 weeks ago

ST Engineering unveils wheeled ground robot equipped with aerial drone

The firm completed development of the four-wheel drive electric vehicle last year, but is only now showing it to the public.

3 weeks ago

Elbit Systems unveils new drone at Singapore Airshow

The company says its Hermes 650 Spark will enter serial production in 2025 for an undisclosed customer that already placed an order.

3 weeks ago

Russia ups cash reward for capturing Estonian ground robot in Ukraine

Ukrainian and Russian forces are increasingly relying on unmanned ground vehicles for mine clearing and battlefield transport.

4 weeks ago

U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the Pacific Fleet, pauses during his Feb. 14 speech at the West 2024 conference in San Diego.

Navy to establish second surface drone unit this spring

U.S. Pacific Fleet head Adm. Samuel Paparo announced the new unit at the West 2024 conference in San Diego.

4 weeks ago

US Navy updating tactics for sensors, weapons based on Houthi attacks

Navy warfighting development commands are already churning out new tactics for training and operations in the Middle East based on ongoing Houthi attacks.

4 weeks ago

An MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system taxis across the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, on Dec. 16, 2021.

Airborne Triton drone key to Navy’s signal goals, Clapperton says

The autonomous MQ-4C Triton intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting drone can fly for more than 24 hours.

4 weeks ago

A Martac T38 vessel, outfitted with Northrop Grumman's Project Scion payload, is seen here during testing in 2023.

Northrop to showcase Project Scion tech payloads for unmanned vessels

Payloads produced by Northrop Grumman's Project Scion were recently tested aboard a Martac T38 in the Chesapeake Bay.

4 weeks ago

Azerbaijan opens facilities for new Akinci drone

Azerbaijan has opened a training facility and hanger for a new Akinci drone, confirming the country bought the Turkish-made combat system.

4 weeks ago