A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Saab has announced the development of three unmanned aircraft, designated A1, A2, and A3, aimed at creating a loyal wingman fighter system for the Swedish Air Force. The A1 will serve as a supersonic demonstrator powered by an AI-driven GE F414 engine, while the A2 will include an internal weapons b...
S&K Aerospace has been awarded a substantial $4.3 billion contract by the US Air Force to manage the Parts and Repair Ordering System 7 (PROS 7). This contract will enable S&K Aerospace to provide essential supply and logistics support for foreign military sales (FMS) customers over a potential dura...
The United States Air Force (USAF) has received its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) designs, the YFQ-44A 'Fury' and YFQ-42A 'Vengeance', at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. These aircraft will be tested for their operational capabilities alongside crewed fighters in contested airspace....
South Korea has officially inducted the KF-21 fighter jet into its air force, marking a significant milestone for the nation's defense industry. This development showcases South Korea's growing capabilities in military aviation and its commitment to enhancing national security. The introduction of...
The Air Force has asserted that the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) will continue its operations without civilian personnel. However, Brendan Mulvaney, the director of CASI, expressed skepticism about this claim, stating that the institute's functionality without civilian staff is 'not cred...
The Air Force has announced that it will eliminate civilian staff roles at the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) but will not close the organization. An Air Force spokesperson stated that military service members will take over the institute's mission, which focuses on studying Chinese airpow...
Anduril Industries has released new images of its FQ-44A Fury uncrewed combat aircraft during weapons fit checks, showcasing its capability to carry guided bombs, rocket pods, and other external munitions. This development is part of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program,...
GE Aerospace is progressing towards the assembly of its XA102 adaptive cycle engine, a crucial component for the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. The company is currently collaborating with suppliers to procure hardware and test components in preparation for the a...
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has confirmed that its Global Hawk RQ-4B unmanned reconnaissance drone crashed after losing ground contact. The confirmation came after debris was found floating off the coast of Tottori prefecture, identified as belonging to the drone. This incident is sign...
The top U.S. Air Force officer in Europe, Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, has been assigned to implement NATO's new air defense plans aimed at countering threats from cruise missiles and drones. This directive follows a recent incident where NATO had to intercept a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace, h...
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force reported the loss of communication with a Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance drone operating off the coast of Tottori prefecture. The aircraft is now considered missing, prompting an active search operation in the area. This incident highlights the challenges faced...
The US Space Force has officially launched 'space control weapons' into orbit, marking a significant acknowledgment from Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. During a keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association conference, Meink emphasized the importance of these weapons in defending against...
The US Air Force executed a four-day exercise named Sentinel Dragon 26-02 from August 4 to 7, 2026, to evaluate its nuclear missile force's readiness under unexpected conditions. The drill involved a simulated drone threat and the recapture of a missile launch facility, testing the transition from r...
The Italian Air Force (ItAF) has placed an order for two MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from GA-ASI. This acquisition highlights the ItAF's commitment to enhancing its aerial capabilities with advanced drone technology. The MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper is known for its versatility and...
The U.S. Air Force is actively seeking anti-aircraft gun systems to enhance the defense of its overseas air bases against drones and cruise missiles. This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a broader initiative to improve ground-based air defenses, a role traditionally held by the Army, as the...
The U.S. Air Force is expediting the replacement of the MQ-9A Reaper drone following significant losses in recent operations against Iran. Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi highlighted that the accelerated timeline is a response to the concerning depletion of the Reaper fleet, with at least 45 units lost s...
Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) has been awarded the contract to deliver Initial Flight Training (IFT) for new pilots of the German Air Force. This training program is set to commence in February 2027 at LAT's facility located in Rostock-Laage. This selection is significant as it underscores the...
The U.S. Air Force's Warner Robins Air Logistics Center has awarded Asylon a Phase III SBIR contract to advance the MARIA system, integrating the Guardian drone and DroneDog robot dog for automated aircraft inspections. This system allows for rapid digital mapping of aircraft, significantly reducing...
Kairos Power has launched the Nuclear Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Precast (NuCAMP) to address the workforce challenges in advanced nuclear reactor construction. This initiative is in collaboration with several institutions, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tenn...
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft was forced to turn back from its mission to Antarctica due to a warning about potentially hazardous Russian aerospace activity. The aircraft, operating under the call sign ICE28, departed from Christchurch, New Zealand, on August 18 but was redire...
The U.S. Air Force intends to purchase DJI drones for counter-drone training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, which is part of the Minuteman III missile system. This initiative, led by the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron, aims to enhance personnel's ability to detect and neutralize drone thr...
The U.S. Air Force is pursuing a new family of aerial targets designed to replicate a wide range of airborne threats, including stealth fighters and UAV swarms. This initiative aims to create realistic yet cost-effective targets that can be routinely used and destroyed during testing, as outlined in...
Parsons has been awarded a task order valued at $70 million to support air base defense systems for the US Air Forces in Europe and the Air Forces Africa region. This contract underscores Parsons' commitment to enhancing military infrastructure and security in critical regions. The significance of...
The US Air Force (USAF) is advancing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, aiming to select up to six companies from a pool of nine competing for the next generation of AI-enabled combat drones. These drones, designed to operate alongside crewed fighter aircraft, will enhance capabilities...
The U.S. Air Force is enhancing its counter-drone capabilities by integrating Teledyne FLIR Defense’s Argus XL platform into AeroVironment’s Titan Multi-Sensor system. This initiative is part of a three-year, $500 million contract under the Domestic Shield Program, aimed at protecting military insta...
The Air Force is set to begin a concept refinement stage for a new competition aimed at replacing the MQ-9A Reaper early in the next fiscal year. This initiative signifies a strategic move to enhance the capabilities of unmanned aerial systems within the military. The replacement of the MQ-9A Reape...
The U.S. Air Force conducted a multi-day Agile Combat Employment exercise at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, advancing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program into real-world conditions. Led by the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Experimental Operations Unit, the exercise tested semi-autonomous...
The Air Force anticipates that a next-generation engine will be ready for aircraft integration by the end of the decade, following years of delays. John Sneden, chief of the Air Force’s propulsion directorate, indicated that the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program will involve buildin...
Palladyne AI has announced that the U.S. Air Force has exercised an option on its STRATFI contract, adding $2.9 million in funding. This brings the total contract value to over $10.6 million, indicating the Air Force's satisfaction with Palladyne IQ™ embodied AI architecture for autonomous robotic s...
The U.S. Air Force has announced a 90-day suspension of the competition for new ejection seats for the F-16 aircraft. This decision comes after the Air Force previously indicated plans to reopen the Next Generation Ejection Seat program, raising questions about the future of the procurement process....
The White House is updating plans for the president's Qatari-donated Air Force One, as discussed by Breaking Defense's Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna. This evolution highlights the importance of modernizing presidential transport in response to current geopolitical dynamics. Additionally, there is...
The U.S. Air Force successfully executed its inaugural missile launch from a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) on June 15, 2026. The Anduril-developed YFQ-44A drone fired an AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missile at a digital target in California’s Mojave Desert, marking a significant advancement...
Asylon has secured a Phase Three contract with the U.S. Air Force's Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex to deploy its Multi-modal Autonomous Robotics for Inspection of Aircraft (MARIA) system. This initiative aims to streamline aircraft inspections by integrating air and ground robotic platforms, si...
The U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancers departed RAF Fairford in the U.K. over the weekend due to threats of a drone attack directed by Iran. This decision highlights the growing reality of drone threats against parked aircraft, a concern that has been emphasized for years. The Pentagon's slow progress in co...
The French Air and Space Force is set to advance its combat aviation capabilities through the HypAIRion project, launched in collaboration with the DGA and AMIAD. The initiative aims to enable the operation of AI-equipped combat aircraft and collaborative drones by 2028, with modifications currently...
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced significant advancements in its air surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. This enhancement comes with the confirmation of key milestones across three crucial aircraft fleets, marking a pivotal moment for Australia's defense operations. The...
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is deploying a Voyager aerial refueling jet to assist Saudi Arabia in defending against Houthi attacks from Yemen. This marks the first known international military support specifically aimed at countering the Houthi threat, which has escalated since the summer. This deplo...
FTS has unveiled the TAHR, a light combat vehicle designed for German Special Forces. This innovative vehicle can be air-dropped, with two units fitting inside a Chinook helicopter, enhancing operational flexibility. The introduction of the TAHR is significant as it addresses the need for versatile...
Senior leaders from the U.S. Air Force in Europe report that NATO allies are increasingly interested in participating in the development of collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs). This interest comes as many of these countries also pursue their own fighter and drone programs. The U.S. Air Force is opt...
The U.S. Air Force has set a target to have at least 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) operational by 2032. This ambitious plan includes an equal number of Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) drones to replace the MQ-9 Reapers. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink announced these updates during a k...
Recent attacks on US bases during the Iran conflict have highlighted vulnerabilities in air-and-missile-defense systems. Despite high overall effectiveness, these incidents reveal significant gaps that need to be addressed to enhance security measures. The implications of these vulnerabilities are...
BAE Systems has introduced the Brontanax, a new collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drone designed for the U.K. Royal Air Force. This unveiling coincides with the launch of the Storm Fighter program, aimed at establishing Europe’s first sixth-generation air force. The Brontanax prototype was showcas...
In a recent episode of The Break Out, Army reporter Carley Welch highlighted the US military's collaboration with industry partners at Falcon Peak in Yuma, Arizona. They conducted extensive tests on equipment aimed at detecting and countering drone incursions along the southern border. This initiat...
This week’s episode of The Break Out features Deputy Editor Lee Ferran and Air Warfare Reporter Michael Marrow discussing key highlights from the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber conference held in National Harbor, Maryland. The conference showcased significant developments a...
The U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will make their debut in a large-force employment exercise, Emerald Flag, in December. This marks a significant milestone in operationalizing these drones, as Lt. Col. Lyndon Bartlett emphasized the importance of integrating CCAs into real-wor...
Swarm Aero has launched its Gamera drone, a long-range uncrewed aircraft aimed at replacing the MQ-9A Reaper for the U.S. Air Force. The Gamera features a 72-foot wingspan and an impressive unrefueled range of up to 10,357 miles, designed for the Pentagon's Massed Modular Aircraft program, which see...
The U.S. Air Force is targeting a unit price of approximately $10 million for a drone to succeed the MQ-9A Reaper, significantly lower than the current $30 million to $50 million cost of a fully equipped Reaper. The new drone, named the Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA), is being developed amid concerns...
The U.S. Air Force's next-generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program must prioritize the protection of high-value airborne assets (HVAA) to ensure air superiority in potential conflicts with China. Current air combat strategies emphasize firepower but overlook the vulnerabilities of AEW...
The U.S. military has conducted strikes on two Iranian oil tankers in response to attacks by Tehran on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This new 'tanker-for-tanker' strategy marks a shift from previous U.S. actions, which primarily focused on enforcing a naval blockade against Iran. The strikes were...
Saab UK has successfully supplied its Giraffe 1X radar systems to the Royal Air Force (RAF) to combat the rising threat from uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). This delivery is significant as it enhances the RAF's capabilities in counter-drone defense, addressing a growing concern in modern military op...
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