Military UAVs
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NewsGeneral Atomics testing gun pod for uncrewed aircraft
The manufacturer of uncrewed aerial vehicles is partnering with armaments producer Dillon Aero to adapt the DAP-6 gun pod for use on several General Atomics platforms.
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NewsDARPA tests dogfighting AI against human fighter pilot
Using a specially modified F-16 fighter known as the X-62A VISTA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the US Air Force pitted a dogfighting artificial intelligence system against human fighter pilots in recent air-to-air combat exercises.
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NewsL3Harris in maintenance pact for Australian MQ-4Cs
Northrop Grumman Australia has signed up L3Harris to support the Royal Australian Air Force’s future fleet of MQ-4C Triton unmanned air vehicles.
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NewsIranian attack on Israel included 150 one-way UAVs: Pentagon
The weekend barrage by Iran’s armed forces, which marked Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel, featured more than 300 missiles and air vehicles, according to the Pentagon.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters in final stages of Aerovel acquisition
Airbus Helicopters is close to completing its acquisition of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developer Aerovel.
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In depthMilitary drone developers see more opportunity for contracted maritime surveillance
US demand is growing for sea-based “contractor-owned, contractor-operated” (COCO) intelligence services from uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) developers, while demand for land-based services has waned, according to an industry executive.
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NewsHermeus reveals details of first supersonic flight vehicle
The second flight vehicle and third airframe in the Quarterhorse line, Hermeus says the supersonic-capable Mk 2 will be a delta wingshape roughly the size of a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter.
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NewsUS Marines order solar-electric UAV for endurance missions
Start-up Kraus Hamdani Aerospace was selected to provide the US Marine Corps with the company’s ultra-long-endurance K1000 solar-powered unmanned air vehicle.
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AnalysisUkraine appears to deploy modified A-22 ultralights as suicide UAVs
Imagery circulating on social media shows what appears to be modified Aeroprakt A-22 ultralight turboprops striking targets inside Russia, including an oil refinery and an unmanned-aircraft production factory.
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NewsUS Navy adds two MQ-25s to initial order
Boeing received a $657 million contract for the production and delivery of two additional MQ-25 Stingray autonomous refuellers for the US Navy under the programme’s initial development and test phase.
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NewsNetherlands outlines Reaper upgrade plan
The Royal Netherlands Air Force is to upgrade its fleet of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reapers, including the integration of weapons onto the uncrewed air vehicles.
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NewsBoeing starts work on MQ-28 production facility in Australia
Boeing has started construction of a facility in Australia’s Queensland state to produce the MQ-28 Ghost Bat unmanned air vehicle.
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NewsGeneral Atomics tests submarine detection with MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft
The deployment of sonobuoys from MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft comes as manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems seeks to ramp up sales of its latest UAV, which is also certificated for civil use.
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NewsNiger moves to expel US forces from West African airbase
The military junta that overthrew Niger’s elected government in 2023 has ordered American forces to vacate their last remaining air base in the country, which has been critical to counter-terrorism operations in the troubled Sahel region.
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NewsMaldives to operate TB2s in surveillance role
The Maldives has inducted a pair of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned air vehicles, which will be operated by the Indian Ocean nation’s new air corps.
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NewsUS Navy takes delivery of first MQ-25 autonomous refueller
Marking the receipt of the service’s first-ever carrier-based without a pilot, the US Navy accepted delivery of the first MQ-25 Stingray tanker jet from Boeing.
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NewsWork starts on Portuguese navy helicopter/UAV-carrier vessel
Damen Shipyards has begun work on a new multi-role maritime platform that will enable the Portuguese navy to conduct tasks including the operation of embarked helicopters and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
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NewsIran touts export-ready UAV products at DIMDEX show
The export arm of Iran’s defence ministry is using its attendance at a major defence exhibition in Qatar to promote two of its latest unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designs.
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NewsUncrewed systems will be vital for maintaining UK combat mass, MoD says
The increased future use of uncrewed systems will provide the UK’s military with vital operational capability and increased combat mass, according to its newly published Defence Drone Strategy.
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NewsXQ-67A in maiden flight as part of collaborative combat aircraft push
The US Air Force has conducted the maiden sortie of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) XQ-67A unmanned air vehicle, another step on the road to developing low-cost, ‘attritable’ aircraft.