Drones

Pentagon update on National Defense Strategy cites progress, omits key threats

The report to Congress notes accomplishments but masks depleted arsenals, strategic distractions, and a quiet retreat from European defense.

After 40 days of combat, Navy destroyer returns home

During its 10-month deployment, USS Frank Petersen Jr. warded off scores of Iranian missiles and drones.

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Cape Canaveral is building up its counter-drone defenses, Space Force says

The Florida facility is key to the Pentagon’s plans to launch a thousand rockets a year.

Air Force contemplates unmanned tankers

The technology isn’t yet available to give autonomy to very large aircraft—but it’s coming.

Lockheed’s Skunk Works plans to build four more of its multirole combat drones

The firm’s top secret research arm shared new Vectis images, but few key details.

USAF speed up Reaper replacement after heavy losses in Iran

The Massed Modular Aircraft program envisions a $10M airframe—plus sensor and system costs.

Back to life: How Shield AI’s future unmanned fighter made decades-old tech new again

The original GE Aerospace engine nozzle, designed for the F-16, is key to building a vertical takeoff robotic jet prototype.

Pentagon counterdrone task force has a new AI-powered marketplace

The platform was developed to make the foreign military sales process more efficient.

HII’s sea drone business is growing, but revenue is ‘modest,’ CEO says

The company recently booked a yearlong production contract extension for its underwater drone, Lionfish.

Up to six designs could move ahead in Air Force’s next robot-wingman effort

The concept refinement phase of CCA Increment 2 could wrap by May 2027, portfolio executive says.

How the UK is helping Ukraine hit Russian targets

Allied donations to Ukraine have gone from missiles to designs, as Ukrainian manufacturing outpaces its donors.

‘Game of Thrones’ as Ukraine’s president, defense minister split

The largest government crisis since 2022 shows Ukrainian reform and democracy efforts are as rough and uneven as democracy itself.

An Australian CCA flew in a Pacific exercise. Boeing exec says it’s an important ‘first step’

One Boeing CCA didn’t win the first U.S. competition, but another just joined a major exercise.

Anduril pitches a robot wingman for US Army helicopters

The defense firm unveiled work on an autonomous tiltrotor just weeks after winning Air Force’s CCA contract.