A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
In a recent fireside chat, Dave Alexander from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems outlined the company's strategic approach to the European unmanned systems market. He emphasized the importance of adapting to regional demands and regulatory environments to enhance their presence in Europe. This s...
Greensea IQ has unveiled its Autonomous Tether Management System (TMS) specifically designed for inspection-class ROVs. This innovative system integrates with Greensea IQ’s ROV autonomy software to maintain optimal tether tension and autonomously manage tether launch and recovery, significantly redu...
In a recent interview with Breaking Defense, Gen. Francis Donovan highlighted the evolving role of autonomous systems in military operations, stating they are now actively engaged in combat rather than merely being tested. This shift signifies a critical advancement in military strategy, as autono...
The Ateş Serbest military exercise in Ankara showcased Turkey's advanced unmanned systems, including the debut of the Ayaz drone. The event demonstrated live-fire capabilities and the coordination of fire support among various military platforms. The successful use of drones like the Ayaz and Super...
Barzan Holdings, the state-owned defense company of Qatar, unveiled over a dozen new defense platforms at the Milipol 2026 exhibition in Doha. These include first-person-view (FPV) drones, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and electronic warfare...
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has initiated the second phase of its prize challenge aimed at developing mature unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the Pentagon. This phase, known as Sprint 2, offers up to $40 million in prize money and seeks USVs capable of detecting and defeating airborne threa...
Aurelius Systems has demonstrated the integration of its Archimedes autonomous laser weapon on an American Rheinmetall unmanned ground vehicle at AUSA 2026. This system combines high-power directed energy lasers, advanced sensors, and AI to track and neutralize aerial threats in seconds, forming a r...
Milrem Robotics and Chugach Alaska Corp. have entered a memorandum of cooperation to explore the production and support of Milrem's unmanned ground systems in the U.S. This partnership aims to enhance capabilities for American and allied customers, focusing on assembly, sustainment, and lifecycle su...
SEA.AI, a leader in maritime machine vision since 2018, has integrated its advanced technology into MARTAC's unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This collaboration enhances the operational capabilities of MARTAC's fleet, which includes models like the MANTAS™ T12 and Devil Ray™ T38, by providing autono...
Milrem Robotics, based in Tallinn, Estonia, is leveraging battlefield experiences from Ukraine to advance its unmanned ground vehicle technology. The THeMIS platform, which is currently deployed for logistics missions in Ukraine, demonstrates the growing reliance on unmanned systems in high-risk are...
European air programs have traditionally emphasized sixth-generation manned fighters, but there is a growing shift towards unmanned systems. This includes larger Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and smaller quadcopters, particularly highlighted by their use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Th...
Textron and Merlin Labs have launched a new unmanned aircraft concept aimed at enhancing logistics in the Pacific region. The proposal involves modifying Textron's Cessna Skycourier by removing the cockpit and integrating a Merlin Pilot AI, allowing for automated operations. With a payload capacity...
The EDGE Group, a defense company from the United Arab Emirates, has successfully delivered six HT 100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters to the Angolan navy. This delivery is part of a €1 billion ($1.2 billion) contract finalized in 2023, following successful Factory Acceptance Trials (FAT) conducted in Sw...
A new multilevel path planning framework has been developed for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring of uninhabited islands and reefs. This framework utilizes information-driven techniques to optimize navigation and data collection processes in challenging mar...
The US Navy has successfully showcased a robotic system capable of capturing, refueling, and releasing an unmanned surface vessel (USV) at sea. This demonstration, led by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, took place off Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, and inv...
The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) has successfully demonstrated a robotic towed connector that enables the refueling of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) at sea. This innovation is part of the Blue Water Instrumentation program, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of U...
JD 7Fresh has inaugurated its first 24-hour unmanned robot coffee shop in Beijing, achieving a Guinness World Record by serving 202 cups in one hour. This innovative venture raises questions about the potential for robot cafes to replace traditional human baristas in the coffee industry. The signif...
J&T Global Express has enhanced its automated sortation capabilities by adding 22 new sorting machines, bringing the total to 435 across its express network. This expansion coincides with a significant increase in unmanned delivery vehicles, which rose by 87% to over 1,900 units by June 30, 2026. T...
Lockheed Martin and Saildrone successfully demonstrated missile launches from an unmanned surface vessel during the RIMPAC 2026 exercise near Hawaii. This integration of Lockheed Martin’s Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) Dual Launcher and Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES) on a Surveyor-class...
The U.S. Army has officially transitioned from using Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISVs) to Polaris MRZR platforms for its Unmanned Systems (UxS) autonomy program. This change, confirmed by Michael Rose, chief technology officer for CPE Mission Autonomy, aims to enhance off-road autonomy testing. The MRZ...
Raytheon, a business unit of RTX, and Composite Energy Technologies (CET) have successfully demonstrated the HADALUS unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) during a U.S. Navy exercise. This event showcased the UUV's undersea launch capabilities, marking a significant advancement in integrated unmanned unde...
Robinson Unmanned has progressed to the next stage of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Drone Dominance Program, marking a significant shift in defense procurement practices. The program now assesses not only drone performance but also the ability of manufacturers to produce reliable and cost-effecti...
The Coast Guard has announced its search for technology capable of defeating unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). According to a recent notice, there are currently limited solutions that have been tested and fielded to address this challenge. This initiative is significant as the rise of UUVs poses...
Elistair and Exail have announced a partnership to integrate the Khronos automated tethered DroneBox with Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel (USV). This integration allows maritime operators to achieve persistent aerial surveillance directly from the vessel, significantly extending the range of su...
On July 13, 2026, Ukraine's 123rd Independent Territorial Defense Brigade executed a historic amphibious operation utilizing unmanned systems. This marked the first known joint combat mission involving an unmanned surface vessel (USV) and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) in a military context. The o...
ByteDance is currently investigating autonomous driving technology aimed at unmanned logistics, as reported by Chinese media. This initiative is being developed by the world model team within Seed, ByteDance's AI research unit, and is linked to Volcengine’s automotive industry line. The significanc...
Spry Technocon Private Limited has formed a strategic partnership with Teledyne Marine, Klein Marine Systems, and VideoRay to develop advanced Unmanned Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Systems for the Indian Navy. This collaboration aims to leverage cutting-edge underwater sensing and imaging technologies...
Boeing has successfully tested software that enables coordination between crewed aircraft and unmanned drones, specifically for the U.S. Navy's MQ-25A Stingray. This Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) software was demonstrated during the Emerald Flag military exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, utilizing...
A collaborative initiative has been launched by several aerospace companies to enhance interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft. This program aims to design and develop systems that will allow for seamless communication and operation between manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. The effo...
General Atomics has successfully demonstrated interoperability between the F-35 fighter jet and its advanced drone systems. This achievement, announced recently, marks a significant milestone in enhancing military capabilities and operational efficiency. The demonstration took place at a military te...
This week on The Break Out, NATO troops are conducting drone testing in Eastern Europe, showcasing the alliance's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities. The event highlights the growing significance of unmanned systems in modern warfare, as the program aims to evaluate the effectiveness...
HII, a prominent player in unmanned and autonomous maritime platforms, has secured a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a submarine Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery (TTLR) system. This innovative system aims to autonomously deploy and recover HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater v...
Recent developments in electronic warfare, GPS denial, and battlefield attrition are creating new demands for small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). These evolving requirements are crucial for enhancing operational effectiveness in modern military engagements. As the landscape of warfare changes, th...
The Navy is enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the deployment of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This initiative aims to quickly detect, track, and interdict potential maritime threats, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where maintaining s...
China recently unveiled low-cost, AI-guided drone interceptors during the Great Wall-2026 International Forum on Counterterrorism held in Beijing from October 13 to 15. This event, organized by the People’s Armed Police, gathered over 320 defense experts and military representatives from 62 countrie...
Robinson Unmanned has secured a contract to provide its SPIRIT small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to the Nepali Army under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. This agreement includes the supply of SPIRIT aircraft, payload kits, spare parts, extended warranties, and operator training, althou...
China has deployed troops alongside Russian forces for the Centre-2026 military exercise, which involved over 47,000 personnel in Chelyabinsk, Russia. This exercise aims to enhance battlefield coordination and test the integration of unmanned systems and precision weapons, reflecting lessons learned...
The Navy has announced plans to purchase 30 medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs) from Galliano Marine Services, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Saronic Technologies. This decision follows successful at-sea testing and is part of the Navy's new MUSV marketplace initiative. Each MUSV is estimate...
The Navy has revealed plans to procure 30 new drone ships, allocating 10 units each to Galliano Marine Services, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Saronic Technologies under its Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program. This initiative marks a significant advancement in the Navy's efforts to d...
The Navy has launched Phase II of its medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) project, inviting innovative solutions for integration and testing. The solicitation notice, released on September 23, emphasizes the need for adaptable and resilient designs that can address evolving maritime threats. This...
Ukraine's Vluchnyk has successfully completed internal testing of the Zorelit v5, a high-speed interceptor drone aimed at neutralizing aerial threats, including jet-powered UAVs. With a maximum speed of 416 km/h (258 mph) and a range of 47 kilometers (29 miles), the Zorelit v5 is now ready for deliv...
The Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) successfully conducted a test flight carrying chilled human blood samples over a distance of 1,000 kilometers for the International Testing Agency (ITA). This 8-hour, 47-minute round trip from Nenana aimed to assess the viability o...
A leading attack aircraft is now being utilized for counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) missions, enhancing its operational versatility. This shift allows the aircraft to engage drones at greater distances from protected assets, thereby improving the safety of critical infrastructure. The new...
The Pentagon is utilizing the US-Mexico border as a testing ground for advanced technologies, including high-energy lasers and unmanned systems. Mark Ditlevson, the assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense, expressed a desire to expand these projects, contingent on future funding from Con...
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are launching a new branch dedicated to unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, as announced by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. This initiative aims to adapt to the rapidly evolving battlefield, emphasizing the integration of robotics, drones, and AI technol...
Robinson Unmanned has made significant strides in the U.S. unmanned defense and logistics sector, showcasing its R44 AIRTRUCK in recent demonstrations. The cargo helicopter successfully completed two days of flights at Acadiana Regional Airport in Louisiana, performing various operations such as car...
Ondas has announced a significant new order exceeding $50 million from the US Army for tactical Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS), also known as loitering munitions or 'kamikaze drones.' This order falls under a previously disclosed $982 million multi-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)...
South Korea has initiated a large-scale deployment of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) as a strategic response to declining military recruitment numbers. This move highlights the nation's commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities while addressing personnel shortages. The significance of this...
BETA Technologies has introduced a militarized, unmanned version of its A250 aircraft, now designated as the MV250, featuring a hybrid-electric powertrain. This new variant, developed in collaboration with GE Aerospace and Sikorsky, aims to fulfill the rigorous demands of defense missions. BETA anti...
The development of unmanned collaborative combat aircraft is increasingly focused on enhancing capabilities, managing costs, and improving autonomy. These factors are critical in ensuring that these aircraft can effectively serve their intended roles in modern combat scenarios. Addressing these con...
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