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.
Army awards counterdrone contracts worth more than $4B
But there’s room for more—up to $7 billion.
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.
Can new drones, 3D printers defeat distance’s tyranny? RIMPAC aims to find out
“This is Uber for manufacturing delivered at the speed of Amazon, for the highest quality of parts,” Marine Lt. Col. Michael Radigan told reporters.
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Ukraine will build 5M drones in 2026. NATO must learn how: deputy commander
The alliance must also take hard lessons from the U.S. war on Iran, said Air Chief Marshal Johnny Stringer.
Navy teases next step in key drone boat program
A request for prototypes is expected in August.
How Ukraine won the first great robot war
In a new video, Science & Tech editor Patrick Tucker looks at how the narrative has shifted.
