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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has chosen designs from Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky for the next phase of its AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) X-plane demonstration program. The effort aims to develop and test in flight an X-plane that will offer long endurance and the ability to launch and recover from ship flight decks and small austere land locations in adverse weather without additional infrastructure equipment. It’s part of an increasing focus on expeditionary deployments of the kind that will be required in a future conflict in the Pacific.
Drones

DARPA’s Naval VTOL X-Plane Drone Program Narrows Down To Two Designs

Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky have been chosen to further develop designs for long-endurance naval VTOL drones.

An uncrewed ground vehicle launching quadcopter
U.S. Homeland

Army Tests Quadcopter Swarm-Launching Uncrewed Ground Vehicle For Clearing Mines

Explosive-laden quadcopters deployed via uncrewed ground vehicles could be part of future Army anti-mine operations.

B-21 raider first air-to-air image
B-21

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

With flight testing now deeply underway, the U.S. Air Force is giving us our first look from high up in the sky at the B-21 Raider.

A series of imagery confirms that the widely used Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, has been equipped with Grad-series artillery rockets. The rocket-armed boat has reportedly already been used to successfully engage Russian vessels. Once again, the development demonstrates that Ukraine is exploring using its growing fleet of USVs for missions beyond one-way kamikaze attacks.
Ukrainian Navy

Artillery Rocket-Firing Ukrainian Drone Boat Shown During Testing

Ukrainian officials claim that the drone boat, fitted with Grad artillery rockets, has already been used in combat.

U-2's new radar is going to the Army's HADES surveillance jet.
Civil Aviation

Radar Developed For U-2 To Go On Army Intel-Gathering BizJets

The latest version of the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System has a clear future after the planned retirement of the iconic U-2 in 2026.

Aurora Flight Sciences has unveiled a new uncrewed fan-in-wing aircraft concept as part of ongoing work for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
News & Features

Revised Lift Fan Aircraft Concept Emerges From Special Ops X-Plane Program

The pilotless fan-in-wing design concept could evolve into a new fast-flying, runway independent special operations transport aircraft.

The quiet closing out of the Air Force's SHiELD program and issues the Army has been having with is laser-armed DE M-SHORAD variants of the 8x8 Stryker reflect broader hurdles facing directed energy weapons of this type.
Lasers

U.S. Military Laser Weapon Programs Are Facing A Reality Check

The quiet end of a laser for fighter jets speaks to continued challenges in fielding operationally-relevant battlefield laser weapons.

Airbus’ UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector Sets Its Sights On The USMC’s Future Fleet Requirements

Airbus’ UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector Sets Its Sights On The USMC’s Future Fleet Requirements

Branded Content: Airbus’ Carl Forsling details what the UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector can bring to the USMC as a readily-available, proven helicopter transformed into a cargo transporting UAS.

A comprehensive breakdown of what U.S. Navy missiles actually cost.
U.S. Navy

What The Navy’s Ship-Launched Missiles Actually Cost

With the supply of missiles being in the news as of late, we breakdown the price of those that pack the magazines of U.S. Navy warships.

ADM-160 MALD seen on MIG-29 in Ukraine for the first time.
MiG-29

ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy Spotted On Ukrainian MiG-29

ADM-160 MALD wreckage has been seen in Ukraine before, but this is the first confirmation of the mini cruise missile decoy's launch platform.

KHARKIV REGION, UKRAINE - MAY 18:  A mortar unit with a 120 mm mortar prepares to perform a combat mission on May 18, 2024 in the Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia. Ukrainian soldiers from the 92nd assault brigade were involved in holding back the Russians on the border with Russia. In recent days Russian forces have gained ground around the Kharkiv region, which Ukraine had largely reclaimed in the months following Russia's initial large-scale invasion in February 2022.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Advances On Vovchansk

Russian forces are pressing home attacks on the border town as they seek to build on the momentum of their offensive in the Kharkiv region.

Personnel from China's PLA engage in counter FPV-drone training
China

Chinese Soldiers Train To Fend Off FPV Drones

Footage from China underscores the trend of militaries scrambling to defend against FPV drones, while also harnessing their deadly abilities.

Lockheed Martin, in cooperation with elements of the US Department of Defense, has successfully shot down a mock cruise missile with a PAC-3 MSE interceptor fired from a Mk 70 launcher derived from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System.
U.S. Navy

Successful Patriot Interceptor Test From Naval Vertical Launcher Is A Big Deal

The test launch of a PAC-3 MSE interceptor from a Mk 41 vertical launcher is a step toward seeing Patriot missiles aboard U.S. Navy ships.

While the situation is clearly still confused, multiple reports suggest that one or perhaps two Russian Navy vessels have been seriously damaged or destroyed in the latest Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea Fleet. The two vessels in question are the Project 22800 Karakurt class missile corvette Tsiklon and the Project 266M Akvamarin class minesweeper Kovrovets.
Ukraine

Rumors Swirl Around Attacks On Russian Black Sea Fleet Warships (Updated)

A corvette and a minesweeper are reportedly the latest victims of the Ukrainian campaign targeting the Russian Navy in and around Crimea.

Flourescent light and two metal doors - concrete bunker style. Lausanne Switzerland
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Care to share?

Private jet registration can be hidden by FAA based on new bill.
U.S. Homeland

Congress Has Made Fully Obscuring Aircraft Ownership Information A Reality

The FAA re-authorization bill will make it harder to learn who owns different aircraft and track where they fly to.

F-35B from VMX-1 in formation.
Air

The Marine Unit Charged With Digitally Connecting Everything Over The Battlefield

A new department within Marine Operational Test Squadron One (VMX-1) is tasked with connecting the digital dots over tomorrow's battlefield.

Ukraine has launched large-scale drone attacks against Russia.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Launches Massive Drone Attack On Russia

A highly coordinated Ukrainian onslaught by kamikaze drones targeted oil infrastructure inside Russian borders as well as targets in occupied Crimea.

US Army Green Berets are getting specialized drone training ahead of a rotational deployment that could include temporary training stint in Ukraine.
Ukraine

Green Beret A-Teams Training On FPV Drones Being Driven By War In Ukraine

Green Beret FPV drone training is the latest example of a growing uncrewed future, and the U.S. lag in fielding its own capabilities.

Defense officials say a notice to airmen was issued for a Russian space launch booster, not a military exercise.
Launch Vehicles

Russian Rocket Booster, Not Military Exercise, Prompts Airspace Warning Off California

Warnings to avoid a "Russian Federation rocket firing impact area" sparked concerns about possible Russian activities near the U.S. mainland.