Drones

After Niger coup, Air Force looks for other countries to host drone base

Still, ISR operations have resumed from Nigerien sites, the region’s U.S. Air Force commander said.

Conference Wire: Air, Space & Cyber 2023, Day 3

New photos of the B-21 got some buzz, but drones—and especially CCAs—were a hot topic.

China, Russia taking ‘batting practice’ in air intercepts of aging US aircraft, general says

Aggressive maneuvers underscore diminishing U.S. advantage, Air Combat Command leader said.

Defense One Radio, Ep. 132: The Pentagon’s new drone fixation

We dig into the new Replicator initiative, and explore Anduril's recent UAV-firm acquisition.

Questions loom as Air Force robot-wingman effort prepares to take flight

Industry execs outline challenges of technology, test and evaluation—and even philosophy.

Anduril buys drone maker Blue Force Technologies amid Pentagon push for autonomous aircraft

The acquisition marks the California-based startup’s expansion from software to military weapons.

Beware of Pentagon techno-enthusiasm

A massive new drone effort, while laudable in its quest for simpler weapons, does not come without strings attached.

Job 1 for makers of anti-drone defenses: write good software

Pentagon buyers are looking for control systems that are reliable, easy to use, and simple to update.

Shield AI drones demonstrate autonomous teaming under USAF contract

The company says it will operationalize its AI pilot software on V-BAT drones in 2024.

‘Hellscape’: DOD launches massive drone swarm program to counter China

INDOPACOM wants to be able to find and hit 1,000 targets in 24 hours. Cheap drones are the answer—if DOD can make them quickly enough.

New Chinese research examines how to get drones to target without GPS

But camera data can’t tell a drone whether hitting a target is a bad idea.

How innovation cells in Army combat units are harnessing soldiers’ ideas

Four divisions are turning projects around in record time, from leashed drones to mold trackers.