Unmanned

Latest in Unmanned

Inside Ukraine's Shahed interceptor program.

Inside Ukraine’s Interceptor Drone Innovations Swatting Down Thousands Of Russian Shaheds

By Howard Altman

Posted Yesterday

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft piloted by Airmen from the 556 Test and Evaluation Squadron flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range and performs live-fire exercises with Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire missiles and Guided Bomb Unit-12 Paveway IIs, Aug. 30, 2023. The 556 TES performs all software and physical testing to improve the combat capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper.

MQ-9 Reaper Replacement Requirements Stress A Drone Cheap Enough To Risk Losing

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 13, 2026

Facing with a growing threat from Hezbollah, the IDF is building its own drone factory.

Israel Building Factory To Pump Out Its Own FPV Drones

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 13, 2026

The MQ-9 Reaper has become the latest platform to test-fire the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket. The trials, conducted with the U.S. Air Force, involved the MQ-9 employing the APKWS in its original air-to-ground capacity, as well as against aerial targets.

MQ-9 Reaper Fires Laser-Guided Rockets In Tests

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 11, 2026

DARPA is exploring capabilities to support a largely self-sustaining "autonomous constellation" of containerized systems designed to launch and recover networked swarms consisting of as many as 500 drones at once.

Drone Swarms Packed Into Unassuming Containers Sought By DARPA

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2026

Northrop Grumman's experimental XRQ-73 Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) hybrid-electric drone has now taken to the skies.

DARPA’s XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Flying Wing Drone Has Flown

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 6, 2026

Could The X-BAT Stealth Fighter Drone Change The Air Combat Game?

Could The X-BAT Stealth Fighter Drone Change The Air Combat Game?

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on May 3, 2026

Two Massive Chinese Stealth Flying Wings Spotted Again at Secretive Drone Base

China’s Massive Stealth Flying Wings Spotted Together At Secretive Test Base

By Tyler Rogoway, Ian Ellis-Jones

Updated on May 1, 2026

The IDF is now using netting on vehicles to protect against Hezbollah FPV drones.

Israel Now Using Netting To Protect Combat Vehicles Against Scourge Of Hezbollah Drones

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, soars overhead during its second test flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)

First USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie CCA Drones To Arrive In 2029

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 29, 2026

X-Bat's new design at sea air space 2026.

X-BAT Autonomous VTOL ‘Fighter’ Looks Dramatically Different

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)

F-35s Quarterbacking Drones Seen As Gateway To USMC’s 6th Gen Fighter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit, under Air Combat Command, concluded a critical exercise with Collaborative Combat Aircraft recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, putting principles of the new Warfighting Acquisition System into practice. The exercise employed the YFQ-44A aircraft and represents a shift toward the new concept of earlier, operator-driven experimentation to inform tactics and procedures that will accelerate the delivery of this transformative capability to the warfighter.

YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

The U.S. shipped 10,000 Merops interceptor drones to the Middle East to take on Iranian Shahed drones.

Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

MAYHEM 10 is an autonomous, multi-role launched effect designed to deliver coordinated non-kinetic and kinetic effects at standoff. Employable from air, ground, and maritime platforms, it combines advanced collaborative autonomy with modular payloads to operate effectively in contested environments.

Loitering Munitions

Super-Adaptable Mayhem 10 Swarming Drone Evolved From The Switchblade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

Army officials and the MV-75A's prime contractor, Bell, have both pointed to a future where tanker drones like the U.S. Navy's forthcoming MQ-25 Stingray could help extend the Cheyenne II's reach.

Army Eyes Drone Tankers To Refuel Its New MV-75 Cheyenne II Tiltrotors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 16, 2026