Unmanned (Page 4)

Posted on Oct 25, 2024

German P-8s To Fly From U.K. To Help Counter Russian Submarine Threat German P-8s To Fly From U.K. To Help Counter Russian Submarine Threat

Posted on Oct 23, 2024

The existence of a top-secret Israeli drone, referred to as RA-01 and used for covert missions, has emerged from an unauthorized disclosure of U.S. intelligence documents which have now been posted all over social media.

Air

The Existence Of Israel’s Secret Stealth Drone Should Come As No Surprise The Existence Of Israel’s Secret Stealth Drone Should Come As No Surprise

Posted on Oct 22, 2024

BF-19, Lt Cdr Nicholas Baker RN, Flight 633, Test 808, Arrival JS KAGA for beginning of DT Sea Trails, 20 October 2024

Sea

Japan Expands Carrier Capabilities With F-35B, Drones Could Be Next Japan Expands Carrier Capabilities With F-35B, Drones Could Be Next

Posted on Oct 22, 2024

Air

Smarter MQ-1C Gray Eagle Is Getting Mojave’s Short Field Capabilities Smarter MQ-1C Gray Eagle Is Getting Mojave’s Short Field Capabilities

Posted on Oct 21, 2024

The secretive Phoenix Ghost kamikaze drone developed by the U.S. Air Force to support Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia, has finally emerged from the shadows.

Air

Secretive Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Rushed To Ukraine Finally Come Out Of The Shadows Secretive Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Rushed To Ukraine Finally Come Out Of The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick, Rachel S. Cohen, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 17, 2024

P550 aerovironment drone can fly 5 hours on a single charge.

Air

Aerovironment’s New P550 Flies Five Hours On A Charge, Drops Two-Pound Guided Bombs Aerovironment’s New P550 Flies Five Hours On A Charge, Drops Two-Pound Guided Bombs

By Rachel S. Cohen

Posted on Oct 16, 2024

Shield AI Looks To Unleash Its Hivemind Autonomy Software On Multiple Platforms Shield AI Looks To Unleash Its Hivemind Autonomy Software On Multiple Platforms

By Jamie Hunter

Updated on Oct 16, 2024

China has revealed a new tiltrotor drone concept, the Zhang Ying UR6000, that has clear military potential, despite initially being pitched for civilian missions.

Air

China’s Large Tiltrotor Drone Breaks Cover China’s Large Tiltrotor Drone Breaks Cover

Posted on Oct 15, 2024

A new miniature electronic warfare jammer that is small and relatively low-cost enough to be a payload on loyal wingman-type drones and even expandable loitering munitions has hit the market from defense contractor Leonardo.

Air

BriteStorm Miniature Electronic Warfare System Can Allow Small Drones To Create Big Ghost Formations BriteStorm Miniature Electronic Warfare System Can Allow Small Drones To Create Big Ghost Formations

Posted on Oct 14, 2024

Trash-carrying balloons launched across the border by North Korea are seen floating in the sky above Seoul on October 4, 2024. Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years, with Pyongyang ramping up weapons tests and bombarding the South with balloons carrying rubbish, and Seoul suspending a military deal and resuming propaganda broadcasts in response.

Air

North Korea Sending GPS-Equipped Balloons Across The Border North Korea Sending GPS-Equipped Balloons Across The Border

Posted on Oct 14, 2024

Air

Experimental Fly-By-Wire UH-60M Black Hawk To Become Autonomy Testbed Experimental Fly-By-Wire UH-60M Black Hawk To Become Autonomy Testbed

Posted on Oct 14, 2024

North Korea accused South Korea on Friday of sending drones to scatter a "huge number" of anti-North leaflets over its capital Pyongyang, in what it called a political and military provocation that could lead to armed conflict.

Air

Drones Penetrate North Korean Air Defenses To Drop Propaganda Leaflets On Pyongyang Drones Penetrate North Korean Air Defenses To Drop Propaganda Leaflets On Pyongyang

Posted on Oct 11, 2024

Air

Bolt-M Aims To Make Kamikaze Drone Attacks More User Friendly, Effective Bolt-M Aims To Make Kamikaze Drone Attacks More User Friendly, Effective

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 10, 2024

U.S. Air Force officials at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia are looking at installing anti-drone nets to help protect F-22 Raptor stealth fighters on the flightline.

Air

Protective Nets To Shield F-22s Eyed For Airbase Swarmed By Mystery Drones Protective Nets To Shield F-22s Eyed For Airbase Swarmed By Mystery Drones

Updated on Oct 9, 2024

Air

Anduril’s Roadrunner Drone Hunting Drone Gets Expanded Order From Pentagon Anduril’s Roadrunner Drone Hunting Drone Gets Expanded Order From Pentagon

Posted on Oct 8, 2024

France has unveiled plans to develop a new uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) that will complement the forthcoming Rafale F5 crewed fighter, as part of a new-look French Air and Space Force. The industrial side of the drone program will be headed up by Dassault Aviation, drawing upon its previous nEUROn UCAV demonstrator, which has already been used in trials with crewed combat aircraft.

Air

Stealthy Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle To Work Alongside Future French Rafale Fighters Stealthy Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle To Work Alongside Future French Rafale Fighters

Posted on Oct 8, 2024

Israeli defense contractor Rafael says it has developed a new version of its combat-proven Trophy active protection system (APS) that is better able to defeat top-down attacks including drones.

Land

Trophy Armored Vehicle Protection System Gains New Ability To Defeat Drones Trophy Armored Vehicle Protection System Gains New Ability To Defeat Drones

Posted on Oct 8, 2024

Iran looks to have fielded a Chinese laser directed energy weapon capable of 'dazzling' drones or even destroying them in certain circumstances.

Land

Chinese Laser Anti-Drone System Spotted In Iran Chinese Laser Anti-Drone System Spotted In Iran

Posted on Oct 8, 2024

KOSTYANTYNIVKA, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 5: Ukrainian servicemen examine the wreckage of a downed Russian aircraft, likely a Sukhoi S-70 "stealth" heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which crashed in a residential area, setting a house on fire on October 5, 2024 in Kostyantynivka, Ukraine.

Air

Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine

Posted on Oct 7, 2024

S-70 Hunter Drone shot down over Ukraine by SU-57

Air

Why Did Russia Just Shoot Down Its Own Fighter-Sized S-70 Hunter Drone Over Ukraine? Why Did Russia Just Shoot Down Its Own Fighter-Sized S-70 Hunter Drone Over Ukraine?

Posted on Oct 5, 2024

Ukraine is now using dragon drones to attack Russian bunkers and tanks.

Ukraine Now Using Dragon Drones To Burn Russian Bunkers, Tanks Ukraine Now Using Dragon Drones To Burn Russian Bunkers, Tanks

Posted on Oct 5, 2024

Air

AH-64 Apaches Practice Shooting Down Drones With Hellfire Missiles In Saudi Arabia AH-64 Apaches Practice Shooting Down Drones With Hellfire Missiles In Saudi Arabia

Updated on Oct 3, 2024

Russia is training on using helicopters to launch FPV drones to attack Ukrainian sea drones.

Russia Training To Launch FPV Drones From Helicopters To Counter Sea Drones Russia Training To Launch FPV Drones From Helicopters To Counter Sea Drones

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 30, 2024

The U.S. Marine Corps says it has demonstrated new capabilities for operating future drones with high degrees of autonomy in expeditionary operations with another test flight of one of its stealthy XQ-58 Valkyries.

Air

Third Marine XQ-58 Valkyrie Flight Test Uses Link 16 For Control Third Marine XQ-58 Valkyrie Flight Test Uses Link 16 For Control

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.

Air

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

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.

Air

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

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

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

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

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.

Air

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

Air

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

Air

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

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.

Air

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

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

Air

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

Air

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

Air

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

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

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

Air

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

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Russia is now using thermite-spewing dragon drones in Ukraine.

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

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

Air

Moscow Hit By Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage 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.

Air

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

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. Iran fired over 100 drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in retaliation to an attack on a building attached to the country's consular annex in Damascus that killed the guards, and two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 01, 2024. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on April 5, 2024 in Tehran.

Air

Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

Satellite imagery and videos offer new evidence of a surge in the development of the stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles in China, especially with regard to the GJ-11 Sharp Sword.

Air

Chinese Flying Wing UCAV Testing Accelerating Based On Satellite Imagery, Videos Chinese Flying Wing UCAV Testing Accelerating Based On Satellite Imagery, Videos

Posted on Sep 5, 2024

The use of thermite-dispersing drones by Ukraine has proliferated.

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

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

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.

Air

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

Posted on Sep 4, 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.

Air

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

Air

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

Air

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

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

Ukraine is targeting the Key E38 highway with drones to slow down Russian logistics.

Ukraine Bracketing Key Kursk Highway With Drones To Slow Russian Logistics 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.

Air

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

Air

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

Air

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

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

North Korea has revealed two new kamikaze drones that look to be virtual copies, at least externally, of the Israeli-made Harop and Hero-400.

Air

North Korea Unveils Clones of Israeli Kamikaze Drones North Korea Unveils Clones of Israeli Kamikaze Drones

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

A drone scare around the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 in California, a major hub for advanced aerospace development work, including highly classified military programs, has led to revelations about a real wave of mysterious drone incursions in recent months.

Air

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

Air

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

Air

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

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is moving to buy non-lethal distraction devices to mount on small hand-launched drones.

Air

FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs

Posted on Aug 15, 2024

An explosion near the Savasleyka airfield in Russia after a drone strike.

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

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Secretive ultra-quiet special operations drones, now designated RQ-29s, that have been operating in the Middle East for years might now be headed for the Pacific.

Air

Super Quiet Special Operations Drones May Migrate To Pacific Theater 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.

Air

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

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

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

Air

Chinese Cargo Drone Capable Of Carrying Two Tons Has Flown Chinese Cargo Drone Capable Of Carrying Two Tons Has Flown

Posted on Aug 12, 2024

Model 407 optionally manned drone Northrop grumman

Air

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

Updated 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.

Air

“Hyperscale” Weapons Factory Vision Outlined By Anduril “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.

Air

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

Air

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