Drones (Page 8)

Posted on Sep 26, 2024

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking to explore concepts for a new drone capable of lugging around up to 70,000 pounds of cargo, roughly twice what the U.S. Marine Corps' CH-53K King Stallion helicopter can lift.

Drones

Search For Cargo Drone That Can Lift Twice As Much As A CH-53K King Stallion Kicks Off

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

Drones

New Dutch Navy Support Vessels Will Be Missile-Toting Wingmen To Frigates

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is interested in adding an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar to its X-62A test jet. The radar is part of larger plans to acquire a new modular sensor suite for the uniquely modified F-16 specifically to help expand its ability to support advanced autonomy developments.

Drones

New Radar Sought To Help X-62A Test Jet Take Next Leap In Autonomy Testing

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

Drones

Satellite Images Show Massive Devastation At Russian Ammo Storage Sites Struck By Ukrainian Drones

Updated on Sep 24, 2024

Drones

Hezbollah Converted Soviet Tu-143 Jet Recon Drone Into Cruise Missile Says IDF, Just Like Ukraine

Posted on Sep 23, 2024

Collins Aerospace has put forward a vision for what a high-end air combat engagement between the U.S. and Chinese armed forces, with the American side employing crewed fighters and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone wingmen, could look like in the future.

Drones

What American Fighters And Their Drone Wingmen Fighting Chinese Jets Might Look Like

Posted on Sep 20, 2024

The U.S. Air Force says the once-secretive Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) drone program has been fully folded into the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort. General Atomics has already disclosed that its current CCA design is derived from the XQ-67 drone it developed for OBSS.

Drones

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program ‘Ingesting’ Modular Chassis Concept Pioneered By XQ-67 Drone

Updated on Sep 20, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is pushing ahead with experimentation that could lead to the transformation of KC-135 tankers into optionally crewed aircraft, as well as the development of other autonomous aerial refueling capabilities. U.S. military interest in autonomous airlifters, an area where China has been notably surging forward in the past few years, is also growing.

Drones

Work Toward KC-135 Tankers That Fly Themselves, Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Pressing Ahead

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

Drones

Massive Russian Weapons Depot Still Burning After Ukrainian Drone Attack

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

Lockheed Martin's losing entry in the first increment of the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program was a very stealthy design, the head of the famed Skunk Works advanced projects division has disclosed. The company is now expecting future CCA increments to revolve around proposals that might lean closer to not just being lower-cost, but maybe even expendable, to support a concept of operations that requires tolerance for very high losses.

Drones

Skunk Works’ Losing Loyal Wingman Drone Was Very Stealthy “Gold Plated” Design

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

Drones

General Atomics Says Its Collaborative Combat Aircraft Is Like A Bic Lighter

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has no plans to acquire stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) capable of operating with very high degrees of autonomy independently of crewed aircraft, at least in the near term publicly, despite surging Chinese developments in this domain.

Drones

No Flying Wing UCAVs Being Developed By U.S. Air Force While China Surges Ahead

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's still evolving requirements for a next-generation aerial refueling 'system of systems' will directly impact the service's reassessment of plans for a new sixth-generation stealth 'fighter.' The Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) effort will also inform work on a second tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.

Drones

Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

Russia putting tires on top of bombers and other aircraft was about confusing seekers with image-matching capability on incoming munitions, a senior U.S. military technologist has confirmed.

Drones

Russia Covering Aircraft With Tires Is About Confusing Image-Matching Missile Seekers U.S. Military Confirms

Updated on Sep 13, 2024

MQ-9 showcases capabilities to Joint Force during first-time Valiant Shield participation.

Drones

MQ-9 Reapers Gathered In Florida, Simulated Fighting Over South China Sea

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Drones

Russia Now Using Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon Drones’ To Torch Ukrainian Positions

Posted on Sep 12, 2024

A Russian military correspondent narrowlly avoided being killed by a drone hunting him down in a house.

Drones

This Ukrainian Drone Hunting A Russian Inside A Building Has Big Horror Movie Vibes

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

Ukraine has unleashed the heaviest drone attack so far against Moscow. The overnight raid on the Russian capital killed at least one person and caused widespread damage and disruption. The long-range strikes come as Ukrainian officials are increasingly frustrated by Western restrictions on using weapons that they have supplied to hit targets deep within Russia.

Drones

Moscow Hit By Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation's Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV), a vertical takeoff and landing capable tilt-rotor drone designed to carry interchangeable payload modules, has left the ground for the first time.

Drones

Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

Drones

Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

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Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon’ Drones Are Ukraine’s Newest Battlefield Innovation

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Drones

Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

Ukraine has developed a balloon-carried electronic warfare system designed to detect enemy drone operators, which can then be targeted, offering a more comprehensive solution than tackling individual drones. While the status of the system, known as Aero Azimuth, is unclear, its unveiling points to a resurgence in interest in elevated sensors, especially mounted of aerostats.

Drones

Balloon-Based Sensor That Pinpoints Location Of Drone Operators Emerges In Ukraine

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded contracts to two companies for work on SHARK 'buddy store' podded aerial refueling systems able to work with aircraft that use the boom method to get gas in flight.

Drones

Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

The War Zone delved into the digital engineer and advanced manufacturer techniques behind the stealthy Model 437 Vanguard aircraft, and more, an interview with Colin Miller, Vice President for Engineering within Northrop Grumman's aeronautics sector.

Drones

Everything We Just Learned About The Model 437 Vanguard Technology Demonstrator Jet

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 30, 2024

The first known prototype of the Model 437 from Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites has flown.

Drones

Stealthy High-Tech Model 437 Vanguard Jet Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

Drones

Ukraine Bracketing Key Kursk Highway With Drones To Slow Russian Logistics

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

Ukraine struck Russia's Kirov Oblast, 700 miles from the border, for the first time as part of its ongoing campaign against Moscow's fuel infrastructure.

Drones

Russian Region 700 Miles From The Border Struck For First Time By Ukrainian Drones

Posted on Aug 28, 2024

The U.S. Army has awarded a massive contract valued at close to $1 billion to AeroVironment for Switchblade-series loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones, over the next five years.

Drones

Army Just Signed $1B Deal For Massive Order Of Switchblade Kamikaze Drones

Posted on Aug 28, 2024

The security alert at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany last week, which you can read more about here, was due to fears of a possible Russian drone attack, according to multiple German media reports. The latest development comes amid growing fears of Russian-inspired aggression against Germany, including drones, but also various other ‘hybrid warfare’ tactics. As the main operating base for NATO’s fleet of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), the base plays a critical role for the alliance — including around Ukraine.

Drones

Fears Of Russian-Inspired Drone Attack Led To German Air Base Alert: Reports

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

Drones

North Korea Unveils Clones of Israeli Kamikaze Drones

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

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Signals Intelligence Center Targeted In Drone Attack On Moscow: Ukraine’s Intel Chief

Posted on Aug 21, 2024

Drones

Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

A Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan converted into a cargo drone was among the participants in a recently concluded U.S. Air Force-led large force air combat exercise focused on preparing for a potential future conflict with China.

Drones

Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is now the first U.S. Navy supercarrier to have a complete dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC).

Drones

Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush Now Has First Of its Kind Drone Control Center

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

Drones

FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs

Posted on Aug 15, 2024

Air National Guard F-16 Viper fighters pretending to be enemy cruise missiles together with tiny JSX-2 microjets mimicking cruise missiles and drones replicated complex threat scenarios during a recent large-scale exercise.

Drones

F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

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Ukrainian Drone Seen Slamming Into Russian Air Base In Large-Scale Strikes On Multiple Installations

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

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Super Quiet Special Operations Drones May Migrate To Pacific Theater

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

A new Russian design for a ‘loyal wingman’-type supersonic drone has been unveiled, marking the country’s latest foray into unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). Interestingly, the Kronshtadt company that designed the Grom (meaning Thunder) previously displayed another UCAV under the same name. The new version of the Grom is very different, however, stressing performance and simplicity over low-observable features and other advanced technologies.

Drones

Russia’s Aspirational Grom Combat Drone’s Design Totally Changes, Ditches Stealth For Speed

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Russia has unveiled a new gunless version of its Pantsir air defense system it says is ideally suited to protecting critical infrastructure from drones using small short-range interceptors.

Drones

Pantsir Packed With Drone-Intercepting Mini Missiles Unveiled By Russia

Posted on Aug 13, 2024

Chinese drone maker Tengden says it has conducted the first flight of a new cargo drone with a multi-metric-ton cargo capacity.

Drones

Chinese Cargo Drone Capable Of Carrying Two Tons Has Flown

Posted on Aug 12, 2024

Model 407 optionally manned drone Northrop grumman

Drones

Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover And It Has A Cockpit

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 9, 2024

Drones

Tiny Jets Masquerading As Cruise Missiles Featured In Michigan Airpower Exercise

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

Defense technology contractor Anduril has announced plans to build a novel “hyperscale” production facility that will be able to churn out significant numbers of different military products, including uncrewed combat aircraft and autonomous underwater vehicles. The project closely aligns with the Pentagon’s aim of securing the ability to manufacture at scale, to meet future demands, especially for uncrewed systems that would be critical in potential peer-state conflicts.

Drones

“Hyperscale” Weapons Factory Vision Outlined By Anduril

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

Kratos, manufacturer of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, has confirmed that a new version of the drone is in the works that will feature built-in landing gear, which points to a larger derivative possibly with greater performance.

Drones

New XQ-58 Valkyrie Variant With Built-In Landing Gear To Fly Soon

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

Ukrainian drone operators are increasingly taking the fight to the Russian helicopters operating over and around the battlefield, by launching direct attacks with first-person view (FPV) drones. While there has been one previous report of a Russian rotorcraft successfully being attacked by a drone and several videos showing near-misses, the increasing quantity of such incidents indicates that this is now becoming a more established practice.

Drones

Russian Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Engaged In Mid-Air By Ukrainian Drone

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

A drone-hunting rifle-armed robot dog is being demonstrated at a US Army event dubbed Operation Hard Kill.

Drones

Robot Dog With Gun Turret For Hunting Aerial Drones Being Tested By Army

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

Photos have emerged showing the extent of the destruction at Morozovsk Air Base, in Russia’s Rostov region, after it was struck by Ukrainian forces at the weekend.

Drones

Aftermath Of Ukrainian Attack On Russian Su-34 Fullback Base Emerges (Updated)

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

Drones

Chinese Sea Dragon Commandos Show Off Drones That Look Just Like Birds

Posted on Aug 3, 2024

Drones

Ukraine’s “Baba Yaga” Drones Now Appear Capable Of Launching Guided Munitions

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 2, 2024

Composite image from Navy's Silent Swarm 2024 event

Drones

Silent Swarm Exercise Accelerates Navy’s Path To Distributed Electronic Warfare Future

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

Drones

Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Offer ‘Cheap’ Strike Opportunities For U.S., Allies: USAF General

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Russian Telegram channels say a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter was down by a drone, the first time that has happened.

Drones

Ukraine Situation Report: Russians Say Mi-8 Hip Helicopter Was Shot Down By Drone

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Drones

New Russian Long-Range Drone Appears In Ukraine

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

Drones

Destroying Drones Before Launch Is Becoming A Major Mission For U.S. Special Operators

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

Ukraine's low-cost acoustic drone detection network is gaining increasing interest from the U.S. and allies.

Drones

Ukraine’s Acoustic Drone Detection Network Eyed By U.S. As Low-Cost Air Defense Option

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

General Atomics has revealed a new fifth member of its Gambit modular drone family that is carrier-capable and that could represent a step forward in a broader naval aviation vision for the United Kingdom and other countries.

Drones

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

Drones

Laser Dazzlers For Defending Tanks Against Marauding Drones Are An Untapped Countermeasure

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

The US Marine Corps is looking at new "buckshot-like" ammunition for its rifles, advanced optics, add-on jammers, and other new counter-drone capabilities for smaller units.

Drones

Shotgun Pellet-Like Rifle Ammo, Gun-Mounted Jammers On Marine Anti-Drone Wishlist

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Drones

Ukraine’s FPV Drone Obstacle Course Teaches How To Chase Vehicles, Fly Into Windows