Unmanned (Page 3)

Latest in Unmanned

German defense startup Helsing has unveiled a new uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV), the CA-1 Europa. The company is targeting a first flight in 2027 for the UCAV, which looks very similar to the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Boeing’s Australian subsidiary developed Ghost Bat first as a ‘loyal wingman’ drone for the Royal Australian Air Force, under the Airpower Teaming System. The U.S. Air Force has also now acquired at least one example ostensibly to support research and development and test and evaluation efforts.
MQ-28

Helsing’s CA-1 Drone Is An MQ-28 Ghost Bat Lookalike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

Renderings from General Atomics offer new looks at how its air-launched LongShot drone might be employed from F-15 fighters, as well as B-52 bombers and C-17 cargo aircraft.
Unmanned

F-15 Depicted Launching LongShot Air-To-Air Missile Carrier Drone In New Renderings

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 24, 2025

Update from General Atomics from the show floor of Air, Space & Cyber 2025

We Talk YFQ-42A, LongShot, And 9M Flight Hours With General Atomics

By The War Zone staff

Posted on Sep 24, 2025

A long-range kamikaze drone that U.S. firm Kratos is working on together with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is set to make its maiden flight early next year.
Unmanned

Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone Kratos Is Developing With Taiwan To Fly Next Year

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 24, 2025

Leidos has raised the possibility of eventually integrating its Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, in the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft. The roughly 200-pound munition has, so far, been tested from C-130 variants but offers the kinds of capabilities that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is increasingly looking at harnessing.
Q-9

Tiny Black Arrow Cruise Missile Demonstrates A Whopping 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 24, 2025

When Anduril's YFQ-44A drone flies for the first time, it will do so in a semi-autonomous fashion as part of a broader plan to get the design to an actual operational state as fast as possible.
Unmanned

Anduril’s Fury Will Take Off For The First Time At The Touch Of A Button

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 22, 2025

Skunk Works Unveils Vectis Air Combat Drone That Puts A Premium On Stealth
Unmanned

Skunk Works Unveils Vectis Air Combat Drone That Puts A Premium On Stealth

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 21, 2025

A new Quick Reaction Force has been created to help counter drone incursions at U.S. military bases
Unmanned

New Quick Reaction Force Will Counter Military Base Drone Incursions

By Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 18, 2025

What looks to be a previously unseen low-observable flying-wing drone variant with a ‘cranked kite’ planform has emerged in a satellite image from China’s secretive test base near Malan in the country's far western Xinjiang province.
Unmanned

Large Stealth Flying Wing Appears At Chinese Test Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 18, 2025

The Chinese aviation industry has been developing an expanding array of flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, including as uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and high-altitude intelligence-gathering platforms, often in cooperation with state-run research institutions.
Unmanned

New Chinese Flying Wing Drone Design Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 16, 2025

The Department of Defense needs to mass produce its own shahed-136 clone.
Unmanned

U.S. Needs To Be Building Tens Of Thousands Of Shahed-136 Clones Right Now

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Sep 12, 2025

Poland is closing airspace and said the Russian drone incursion was a test.
Unmanned

Poland Says Russia’s Mass Drone Incursion Was “A Test”

By Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 11, 2025

A member of Congress has shared a video claiming to show an attempt by U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones to intercept an unidentified object in the air off the coast of Yemen last year.
Q-9

Revelation That MQ-9 Reapers Are Now Engaging Aerial Targets Comes From UAP Hearing

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 9, 2025

Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems have teamed up to develop a range of uncrewed air systems (UAS), all based on a common design, for which concept artwork has now been presented. The effort sees two of the world’s biggest defense companies joining forces, and entering a growing field of less expensive and more expendable drones and munitions.
Loitering Munitions

Lockheed Martin Joins Forces With BAE Systems On New Ultra-Adaptable Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 9, 2025

MQ-28 Ghost Bat With Aerial Refueling Capability Hinted At By Boeing
MQ-28

MQ-28 Ghost Bat With Aerial Refueling Capability Hinted At By Boeing

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 8, 2025

The U.S. Navy has taken an important step forward toward acquiring new carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) type drones with contracts to Anduril, Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Loyal Wingman

Navy Carrier-Based ‘Loyal Wingman’ Drone Development Suddenly Pushes Forward (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 5, 2025

Ukraine TB2 drone.
TB-2

Ukraine’s TB-2 Bayraktar Drones Are Striking Russian Forces Again After A Long Hiatus

By Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 4, 2025

The massive military parade in Beijing yesterday has provided us with a much closer look at some of the country’s new air combat drones, the gradual emergence of which, in the run-up to the event, prompted much discussion. Of these drones, one, in particular stands out, this being a stealthy tailless design that is also notably large, and which is overall indicative of high performance.
UCAVs

China Unveils Large Unmanned Stealth Fighter Design During Military Parade

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 3, 2025

The Pentagon has created a new task force to speed up delivery of counter-small drone systems, but regulatory impediments remain.
Unmanned

New Pentagon Task Force Aims To Accelerate Drone Defense At Home And Abroad

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 29, 2025

Kratos has confirmed it is working together with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on a derivative of its jet-powered MQM-178 Firejet target drone called the Chien Feng IV.
Unmanned

Taiwan Teams Up With Kratos On Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 29, 2025

YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Has Flown For The First Time
Loyal Wingman

YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Has Flown For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

A suspected Ukrainian drone explosion in Estonia highlights growing concerns about long-range weapons raising the danger of collateral damage outside the war zone.
Unmanned

Stray Drone Striking Estonia Highlights Dangers Of Rapidly Expanding Long-Range War

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 26, 2025

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commonly referred to as the service's "Air Boss," is still "eagerly awaiting" a new F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter despite the uncertainty now swirling around that program.
Unmanned

F/A-XX Next Generation Naval Fighter Selection Could Still Happen

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 25, 2025

Naval aviators need to be able to trust any future drone wingmen as much as their human counterparts, a U.S. Navy strike fighter tactics instructor has told TWZ.
Loyal Wingman

Navy Fighter Pilots Need To Gain Trust In Pilotless Wingmen By Actually Flying With Them

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

Columbia lost a UH-60 to a drone attack.
Unmanned

Colombian Black Hawk Downed By Drone Is A Glimpse Of What’s To Come (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

The use of a laser directed energy weapon to take down what was thought to be a cartel drone crossing the border near Texas highlights the challenges the U.S. faces in protecting its skies.
Unmanned

Fiber Optic FPV Drones Featured In Navy Electronic Warfare Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 20, 2025

Pickle Fork-Like Stealthy Drone With Buddy Refueling Capability Being Developed By Kratos (Updated)
Unmanned

Pickle Fork-Like Stealthy Drone With Buddy Refueling Capability Being Developed By Kratos (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 19, 2025

New views of Chinese ‘loyal wingman’ type drones, or at least mockups thereof, that are set to make their debut at a major upcoming military parade have emerged.
Unmanned

Glimpses Of China’s New Air Combat Drones Emerge Ahead Of Massive Military Parade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 17, 2025

The recent use of a laser directed energy weapon to take down an aerial object in Texas highlights policy challenges in protecting U.S. skies.
Unmanned

FAA Insider Opens Up About Drone Incursions Over Military Bases

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 15, 2025

A Customs and Border Protection MQ-9 flew deep into Mexico today.
Unmanned

U.S. MQ-9 Drone Just Flew A Mission Deep Into Mexico

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 13, 2025

A small U.S. Army quadcopter carrying a Claymore mine recently knocked down another small uncrewed aerial system in a test.
Unmanned

Claymore Mine-Armed Drone Tested by U.S. Army

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 13, 2025

More MQ-58 Variants In The Works After Marines Move To Make Valkyrie A Full Program Of Record
XQ-58

More MQ-58 Variants In The Works After Marines Move To Make Valkyrie A Full Program Of Record

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 12, 2025

Russia is now using Shahed drones to drop mines.
Unmanned

Russia’s Shahed-136 Drones Are Laying Anti-Tank Mines

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 11, 2025

Russia radar strikes by FPV in crimea
Unmanned

Uncrewed Boats Launch FPV Drone Strike On Key Russian Radars Located On Crimea’s Southern Tip

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 7, 2025

Another chinese stealthy tailless combat jet emerges.
Loyal Wingman

New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 5, 2025

Ukraine rescued a stranded soldier via drone and electric bike
Unmanned

Drone-Dropped Electric Bikes Save Ukrainian Soldier Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 1, 2025

An American who invests in defense technology for Ukraine opens up about why the country has become a global powerhouse and why you should care.
Unmanned

Critical Weapons Development Lessons From Ukraine Are Not Being Learned By The West

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 30, 2025

Ground testing has begun on the production representative MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone for the U.S. Navy, which comes ahead of an expected first flight before the end of this year.
MQ-25

MQ-25 Stingray Carrier-Based Uncrewed Tanker Ground Testing Now Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 29, 2025

Army promotes grenade dropping drone
Unmanned

Army Touting Grenade Dropping Drone Shows Just How Alarmingly Behind The Curve It Still Is

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 21, 2025

Satellite imagery of preparations for a major upcoming military parade in China points to the possibility that one or more 'loyal wingman' type drones, or at least mockups thereof, are set to be revealed.
Unmanned

China’s New Drone Wingmen Look Set For Military Parade Unveiling

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 21, 2025

XQ-58 is being offered to Europe via a partnership with Airbus.
XQ-58

XQ-58 Valkyrie Heading To European Market With Kratos-Airbus Team-Up

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 18, 2025

L3Harris has formally rolled out its modular Wolf family of "launched effects vehicles," which includes the Red Wolf, configured for long-range precision strikes against targets on land or at sea, and the Green Wolf fitted with an electronic warfare payload.
Unmanned

‘Wolf Pack’ Of Modular Mini Cruise Missiles Unveiled By L3Harris

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 18, 2025

U.S. special operations Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) surveillance drones, which are based on a popular civilian powered glider design, are set to gain the ability to launch smaller uncrewed aerial systems.
Loitering Munitions

Super Quiet Special Operations Drones Being Modified To Launch Smaller Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 11, 2025

The Pentagon has announced sweeping new changes intended to surge the fielding of small drones, including weaponized types, across the entire U.S. military.
Loitering Munitions

Pentagon Just Made A Massive, Long Overdue Shift To Arm Its Troops With Thousands Of Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 11, 2025

F-22 Raptors Will Be First To Control ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Loyal Wingman

F-22 Raptors Will Be First To Control ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 3, 2025

Retire Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan talked to use about the strain Middle East deployments are adding to the aging fleet of cargo jets and refueling tankers and offered his insights into a host of other topics.
Unmanned

KC-135 Tankers Set To Get Drone Launchers

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 2, 2025

North Korea is reportedly sending 25,000 workers to Russia to build and learn how to operate drones.
Unmanned

North Korea Sending Russia Thousand Of Workers To Build Shahed Drones: Report

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 19, 2025

MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones have demonstrated their ability to engage an aerial target while under the direction of the crew of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
MQ-28

MQ-28 Ghost Bats Controlled From E-7 Wedgetail In Loyal Wingman Test

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 19, 2025

The latest addition to General Atomics' MQ-9B medium-altitude long-endurance drone family is set to be an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) configured version.
Q-9

MQ-9B Airborne Early Warning Variant Could Fill Major Aerial Surveillance Gaps

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 17, 2025

Mysterious chinese flying wing aircraft that could be the H-20 bomber appears in satellite image.
Unmanned

Massive Stealth Flying Wing Emerges At Secretive Chinese Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 14, 2025

A Prediator-B drone, most likely operated by Customs and Border Protection, flew deep into Mexico on Wednesday.
Q-9

Department Of Homeland Security Predator B Drones Are Orbiting Over Los Angeles

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 11, 2025

APKWS rockets were kept from Ukraine to be used to defend US in the Middle East.
Unmanned

Counter-Drone Weapons Diverted From Ukraine To Middle East Amid Rising Tensions, Hegseth Confirms

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 11, 2025

Royal Navy wants to arm carriers with drones and long-range missiles
Loyal Wingman

Royal Navy To Arm Its Carriers With Long-Range Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 3, 2025

Hardened aircraft shelters are up for debate as Russia experienced a major attack from Ukrainian drones.
Unmanned

Mass Drone Attack On Exposed Russian Bombers Puts Spotlight On Hardened Aircraft Shelter Debate

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 3, 2025

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) claims it show down a Russian jet target drone converted to be a weapon.
Unmanned

Weaponized Russian Jet-Powered Target Drone Shot Down Over Black Sea: Ukraine

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 30, 2025

Pilot-optional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters could be coming in the future as Lockheed Martin looks for ways to ensure the jets remain relevant for decades to come.
Unmanned

What We Just Learned A More Advanced “Ferrari” F-35 Could Include

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 30, 2025

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded General Atomics a contract for work on what is described as a "hybrid-electric propulsion ducted fan next-generation intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance/strike unmanned aerial system," or GHOST.
Avenger

Hybrid-Electric GHOST Strike-Recon Drone In The Works For USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 28, 2025

A front view rendering of PA-Ng, dated 2022.
UCAVs

French Navy Offers Sneak Peek Of Its Future Carrier Air Wing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 22, 2025

We now have our first look at an actual prototype of General Atomics' YFQ-42A 'fighter drone.'
Loyal Wingman

Our First Look At The YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 19, 2025

Russia has followed Ukraine’s lead in adapting the propeller-driven Yak-52 primary training aircraft as an ad-hoc drone-killer. The Yak-52B2 includes a sensor turret to help detect long-range one-way attack drones and has a shotgun mounted under the wing for shooting them down. While it appears that Ukrainian Yak-52s have had some success in the counter-drone role, the appearance of the Yak-52B2 provides more evidence of the pressure that Ukrainian drone strikes are placing on Russia’s traditional air defenses.
Unmanned

Russia Testing Shotgun-Armed Yak-52 Trainer Aircraft To Down Ukrainian Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 19, 2025

The future of the Navy NGAD crewed aircraft program remains in limbo.
Loyal Wingman

Fate Of Navy’s F/A-XX Future Fighter Is In Limbo (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 14, 2025

General Atomics Long shot drone.
Loyal Wingman

Air-Launched ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Being Eyed By Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 13, 2025

The U.S. Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones are being developed around fundamentally different understandings of maintenance, logistics, and sustainment, with a heavier focus on commercial-off-the-shelf components, than the service’s existing crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Loyal Wingman

USAF Wants Collaborative Aircraft Fleet To Stress Parts Commonality For Forward Operations

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 9, 2025

Two new drone designs, Apollo and Athena, are in development at Kratos with a particular focus on collaborative operations with other crewed and uncrewed aircraft, and an eye toward sales in Europe.
Loyal Wingman

Two Secretive Loyal Wingman Drones Aimed At European Market In Development From Kratos

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 9, 2025