A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight of its self-funded YFQ-48A drone wingman. The aircraft demonstrated fully autonomous capabilities, including taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, and landing, during its flight over the Mojave Desert in California. This milestone is signif...
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of War, and Department of Homeland Security have introduced new drone flight restrictions along the U.S.-Mexico border. Announced on October 16, 2026, the temporary flight restriction prohibits unauthorized drone flights within one nautical mile nort...
The US Transportation Department has announced an immediate ban on unauthorized drone flights along the US-Mexico border. This measure aims to enhance security operations, particularly in combating illicit activities associated with drug cartels. The decision is significant as it underscores the US...
Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have successfully conducted the first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft. This milestone is a significant step towards delivering a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for Germany and other European military custo...
PowerLight Technologies, based in the U.S., has secured an expanded investment from the Department of War to enhance its Aerial ReCharge (ARC) system. This funding, part of the Operational Energy – Innovation (OE-I) Directorate, supports the ongoing development of ARC under the PTROL-UAS program, wi...
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has advanced H.R. 10304, the Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act of 2026, which mandates that small drone manufacturers provide a safety statement to operators upon their first activation. This bill aims to enhance safety awareness among new...
AEVEX Corp. has secured a potential contract worth $92.2 million to support the U.S. military's SkyRange hypersonic test program over three years. This contract will enable AEVEX to conduct flight operations across designated corridors in the Western U.S. and the Pacific, focusing on airborne teleme...
Researchers at Durham University have created an innovative drone navigation system that allows autonomous aircraft to navigate through cluttered environments more efficiently. This advancement enhances the speed, smoothness, and safety of drone operations in areas filled with obstacles. The signif...
Amprius Technologies has launched a silicon-anode battery cell aimed at enhancing the endurance of uncrewed aircraft. The new SiCore cell boasts an energy density of 500 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) at a continuous discharge rate of 1C, with commercial availability anticipated in the fourth quart...
Lucid Bots has unveiled the Power Tether, a groundbreaking ground-powered continuous flight system for commercial cleaning and spraying drones. This innovation allows the Sherpa drone to receive external power, minimizing the need for battery changes during extended operations. The introduction of...
First Breach Inc. has successfully completed the inaugural flight of its proprietary drone prototype, marking a significant transition from ammunition manufacturing to unmanned aircraft systems. This milestone follows the company's recent listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol...
AirData, a drone fleet management platform based in California, has announced it has tracked over 65 million drone flights globally, encompassing more than 850,000 drones and 470,000 pilots. This milestone arrives as the FAA's Part 108 rule, which would permit routine beyond visual line of sight (BV...
Federal and local officials have condemned drone overflights during recent wildfires in eastern Washington, which led to the temporary grounding of firefighting aircraft. The wildfires, which affected Spokane, resulted in the destruction of approximately 800 buildings and the evacuation of tens of t...
DJI has released a firmware update for the Mavic 4 Pro drone, including updates for the DJI RC Pro 2, DJI RC 2, and DJI Fly app. The new aircraft firmware v01.00.0800 aims to fix known issues, enhancing the overall flight experience for users. While the update does not introduce new features, it emp...
A federal lawsuit has been filed by Michigan photojournalist Ray Rocha against Bay County Sheriff Troy Cunningham and Deputy Chris Berg, challenging restrictions on drone flights near police operations. The suit, initiated on August 9, 2024, stems from an incident in November 2024 where Rocha was op...
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of $289,215 against Gorge Drones, located in Stevenson, Washington, for allegedly conducting unauthorized agricultural drone operations in early 2025. The FAA claims that the company operated an unmanned aircraft to dispense fert...
The U.S. Navy has announced that P-8A Poseidon crews can now direct MQ-4C Triton drones during flight without relying on ground stations. This advancement enhances operational flexibility and coordination in military missions, allowing for more efficient targeting and engagement of multiple threats...
The TP200 drone from China has successfully completed its first flight, showcasing impressive specifications including a range of 1,860 miles and the ability to operate for 24 hours continuously. This multi-mission drone is designed to meet various operational needs, enhancing capabilities in aerial...
Sikorsky has initiated flight testing for its Nomad 100 uncrewed aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the DARPA-supported Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration (EVADE) program. The aircraft is designed for operations without runways, enabling it to launch from remote locations and support variou...
In a recent three-part series, experts Aloha Ley and Giovanni Carnaroli explore the human factors affecting drone operations, focusing on cognitive workload and pilot fatigue. They highlight that human factors are significant contributors to drone incidents, as evidenced by nearly 700 UAS-related re...
L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI have successfully completed the inaugural live flight trial of their Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations (DiSCO) system. This achievement marks a significant step in the development of autonomous electronic warfare capabilities. The successful fligh...
SYNDÉO, a Verona, Wisconsin-based infrastructure company, is advocating for underground drone bases, specifically its SmartVault Drone Base, designed for critical missions like infrastructure inspection and border security. This innovative subsurface station features a load-bearing hatch for drone c...
Boeing announced that the U.S. Navy's MQ-25A Stingray has successfully completed its second test flight, marking significant progress in the development of the Navy's unmanned refueling aircraft. This flight confirmed the drone's flight controls and performance, moving closer to its intended carrier...
German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems announced that its experimental battery-powered drone, the Apex Recordhunter, reached a speed of 483 mph (777 km/h) during a record attempt. This achievement, while not yet officially confirmed, could set a new benchmark for battery-electric drones, surpassi...
New federal regulations have been introduced to restrict drone operations along the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to combat cartel drone activities. The U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of War, and Department of Homeland Security announced a temporary flight restriction (TFR) that prohibit...
A pilot from the US Air Force successfully directed an uncrewed YFQ-44A Fury drone during a flight, marking a significant advancement in military aviation. This demonstration, which took place in October 2026, showcased the potential for crewed fighters to command autonomous drones, enhancing combat...
A pilot flying an F-22 Raptor has successfully commanded a YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone in a groundbreaking test. This event marks a significant advancement for the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program, as F-22s are expected to serve as the primary controllers for these uncrewed ai...
Powerus Corporation has introduced the Guardian-3, a counter-drone interceptor capable of transitioning from vertical hovering to forward flight autonomously. This third-generation aircraft was showcased at the Association of the United States Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., highligh...
The U.S. Coast Guard has placed an order for four MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft from General Atomics, valued at $247.8 million. These drones, also known as SeaGuardians, feature a 79-foot wingspan and can operate in civilian airspace, boasting a flight endurance of over 30 hours. Equipped with...
A drone with a wingspan of five meters, named Pegasus, successfully flew for nearly two hours in Queensland, powered by a single lithium-sulfur battery pack. During its trial, it covered over 75 kilometers (approximately 47 miles) while still retaining power reserves. This achievement signifies a si...
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...
Several civil liberties and photography organizations have submitted a brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, contesting a drone flight restriction previously issued by the FAA and later rescinded. The brief supports Minnesota photojournalist Robert Levine, who filed a petition aga...
Unauthorized drones have been interfering with aerial firefighting operations at the Timber Fire in California's Big Sur region. As of September 21, the fire had burned over 25,000 acres and was approximately 60% contained. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reporte...
A recent study has demonstrated that a single-actuator drone, modeled after maple seeds, can achieve a flight error reduction of 43.5%. This innovative design leverages the unique aerodynamic properties of maple seeds, allowing for improved stability and control during flight. The significance of t...
On the night of September 18, unauthorized drone activity temporarily halted operations at Luxembourg Airport, diverting 19 incoming flights. The Luxembourg government confirmed that unidentified drones were visually observed in the airspace around Findel, prompting immediate airspace closure for sa...
Recent images have surfaced showing China's WZ-X stealth drone, resembling the American B-2 Spirit. These photos, taken at an undisclosed location, highlight the drone's unique serrated trailing edge, suggesting advanced stealth capabilities. This design feature is intended to deflect radar signals,...
DJI has launched a major update to its FlightHub 2 On-Premises software, version 1.7, aimed at enhancing enterprise drone operations. This self-hosted platform allows organizations to manage their drone data securely on their own servers, addressing the growing demand for data sovereignty and cybers...
The US Army has successfully destroyed 11 drones linked to cartels within 10 days using its high-energy laser system, leading to a reported 75% decrease in drone activity in the Rio Grande Valley. This deployment, which began on August 25, enables soldiers to permanently disable drones that may pose...
Inspired Flight, a U.S. drone manufacturer, is adapting to new restrictions on foreign technology by implementing an open aircraft platform strategy. Co-founder Adam Bilmes emphasized the importance of flexibility, allowing operators to utilize various payloads without being limited to proprietary s...
The US Army is currently testing a new tethered drone designed to resist jamming and achieve flight durations of up to 50 hours without landing. This advancement represents a significant step in enhancing the Army's capabilities in unmanned aerial systems. The development of this drone is crucial a...
Elroy Air, a US drone startup, has successfully conducted its first autonomous, uncrewed flights of the Chaparral hybrid-electric aircraft under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program in Louisiana. These flights focused on transporting various cargo types, including medical supplies and industrial equi...
Arizona-based Iveda has unveiled the IvedaAir line, featuring the GX10-F100, a gas-powered autonomous helicopter drone. This unmanned aircraft boasts an impressive flight endurance of over 150 minutes, significantly surpassing traditional battery-powered quadcopters. With a cargo capacity of 19 poun...
Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Airbound successfully closed a $37 million Series A funding round on August 25, 2026, led by Greenoaks with participation from DoorDash and others. The company aims to revolutionize drone delivery with a payload-to-aircraft ratio three times better than industry sta...
The US military is advancing towards integrating uncrewed aircraft with advanced fighter jets, specifically the F-35 and F/A-18. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has showcased its XQ-58A Valkyrie drone's capabilities during a recent flight test in Southern California, where it successfully operat...
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has showcased its ANKA III stealth combat drone carrying two SÜPER ŞİMŞEK UAVs in a recent flight demonstration. This flight highlights a new airborne launch concept, allowing the ANKA III to deploy smaller autonomous systems for various missions, including surve...
Shield AI and GE Aerospace have successfully integrated a 1990s thrust-vectoring technology, the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN), with the GE F110-GE-129E engine for the X-BAT unmanned combat aircraft. This innovative approach allows the X-BAT to take off and land vertically without the...
The Air Force has initiated a research project to explore wireless power beaming for drones, led by Reach Power and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s NIMBUS Lab. This effort aims to enable unmanned aircraft to operate longer without needing battery swaps, enhancing their role in military communic...
Researchers at the Civil Aviation University of China are pioneering a method to recharge drones mid-air using laser beams aimed at receivers beneath their wings. This innovation addresses the critical issue of limited battery life, which has been a significant barrier in drone technology advancemen...
Lockheed Martin has unveiled the MORFIUS X-Rotor, an airborne counter-drone system designed to neutralize over 50 hostile drones in a single flight using high-power microwave technology. This innovative approach aims to address the growing challenge of drone swarms faced by militaries worldwide, off...
X-Bow Systems, a Texas-based defense company, has unveiled Buckler, a new supersonic interceptor aimed at countering Group 3 drone threats. This system addresses the increasing demand for effective defenses against mass UAV attacks and has successfully completed field testing. The Buckler intercept...
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