Policy
Air Force bristles at congressional cost limits for robot wingmen
But one lawmaker says the drone program needs safeguards against the Pentagon’s costly acquisition process.
Policy
Estonia plans loitering-munitions unit to hunt enemy air defenses
Inspired by the wars in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, the new battery may be NATO’s first.
Threats
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.
Business
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.
Threats
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.
Ideas
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.
Science & Tech
Questions loom as Air Force robot-wingman effort prepares to take flight
Industry execs outline challenges of technology, test and evaluation—and even philosophy.
Business
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.
Ideas
Beware of Pentagon techno-enthusiasm
A massive new drone effort, while laudable in its quest for simpler weapons, does not come without strings attached.
Defense Systems
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.
Science & Tech
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.
Science & Tech
‘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.
Science & Tech
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.
Threats
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.
Ideas
Extend the Pentagon’s ban on China’s consumer drones
The rest of the federal government—and state and local agencies and even private-sector infrastructure companies—should quit using this Chinese technology.
Science & Tech