A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
The US Army selected Kraus Hamdani Aerospace’s (KHA) K1000ULE unmanned aircraft system for a major Program of Record. The California-based company will supply Group 2, fully electric aircraft for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions. The vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) d...
The Pentagon is shifting its approach to small drones, opting to buy new units rather than stockpiling them. Army officials, including Jon Strzelec from Army Materiel Command, emphasize that these drones will be used until they break, reflecting the rapid obsolescence of drone technology. This strat...
The Army's NGC2 plan focuses on dismantling stovepipes, improving data management, and enhancing decision-making capabilities. These elements are crucial for effective command and control (C2) across extensive distances. This initiative is significant as it aims to streamline operations and facilit...
The U.S. Army is targeting the deployment of new palletized short-range air defense systems by the end of 2029. These systems will be utilized on both crewed and uncrewed vehicles, as well as in static positions, enhancing point defenses against aerial threats, particularly drone swarms. The Maneuve...
The U.S. Army has successfully fielded launched effects to 11 out of its 12 headquarters divisions, primarily supplied by Griffon Aerospace. This initiative aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 2025 Drone Dominance memo, which mandates that each division and multi-domain task force (MDTF) re...
The Army has introduced the Munitions Air-dropped Lethal Effects Tool (MALET), enabling troops to convert 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds into drone-droppable munitions. This innovation is part of the Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit (CLIK) and aims to enhance the Army's capabilities in delive...
The Army is actively reshaping its future through modernization priorities and acquisition strategies, with a focus on emerging technologies. At the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, leaders from the Army and industry discussed the challenges and opport...
The U.S. Army is enhancing testing opportunities for commercial drone companies to assess their technologies in realistic electronic warfare scenarios. Announced on November 2, the program will feature three testing events in 2027, allowing developers to evaluate their systems' performance when GPS...
The head of US Army Pacific, Gen. Ronald Clark, confirmed that preparations for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan remain active, with the 2027 timeline still valid. This planning benchmark, known as the 'Davidson window,' was established by retired Adm. Phil Davidson, indicating that China coul...
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a three-year contract valued at up to $60 million to create a long-range, maneuverable interceptor missile. This development is part of the US Army's Xtended Range Counter-sUAS (XRC) program, aimed at enhancing the military's capabilities against drone threats....
L3Harris Technologies is advancing a new missile interceptor designed to enhance the U.S. Army's capabilities against drones and aerial threats. This initiative is backed by a three-year agreement valued at up to $60 million, focusing on flight performance testing to address the growing challenges p...
The Army is testing small drones equipped with the Radiofrequency Delivery Effects Platform (RDEP) to deliver tailored cyber effects and jamming capabilities. This experimentation is part of the ongoing development of the 11th Cyber Battalion, which was established in 2022 to enhance tactical-level...
Army Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller recently discussed the service's plans for autonomy, particularly through the Futures and Autonomous Systems Command. This initiative is part of the Pentagon's broader strategy to enhance autonomous capabilities across military operations. Miller emphasized...
At the recent AUSA event, drones and counter-drone technology were the focal points, showcasing the Army's commitment to innovation in defense. The Army is actively seeking to enhance competition among industry players by integrating new vendors into its procurement processes. This strategy aims to...
The U.S. Army is developing a strategy to utilize low-cost kamikaze drones, specifically the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), to enhance its combat effectiveness against maritime and land threats. This approach was discussed during the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual symposium i...
The commanding general of Multi-Domain Command Europe, Brig. Gen. Steven Carpenter, outlined plans to deploy hundreds of high-altitude balloons in potential future conflicts. These balloons would serve multiple functions, including communications platforms and weapon launchers, enhancing reconnaissa...
The US Army's Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) has formed a partnership with the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) to conduct tests on drone-defense systems in Africa. This collaboration is significant as it aims to bolster the military's capabilities in counterin...
The US Army is progressing with its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, aimed at developing high-energy laser weapons to combat drone threats on the battlefield. This initiative focuses on creating modular systems that can be easily transferred between various military vehicles, enhancing ai...
The U.S. Army is rapidly evolving its strategy for employing the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), a kamikaze drone, in joint operations. Training on integrating these drones into combat scenarios is ongoing, with a focus on their deployment from both land and naval platforms. LUCAS, w...
Army Special Operations is training new robot technicians to enhance adaptability in robotic systems. According to Maj. Gen. Jason Slider, the goal is to create soldiers capable of modifying robotic equipment to suit specific missions, enemy tactics, and terrain conditions. This initiative is signi...
Airbus recently showcased its MQ-72C drone helicopter to the U.S. Army, highlighting its capabilities in autonomous flight. This drone, developed for a U.S. Marine Corps competition, is seen as essential for future logistics operations. The demonstration included five flights at Huntsville Executive...
The U.S. Army is actively developing a family of modular and scalable laser directed energy weapons, known as the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, which can be mounted on any vehicle in its inventory. This initiative aims to enhance operational capabilities, particularly in countering dro...
The U.S. Army has officially established the Merops interceptor drone as a formal program in just 142 days, marking a significant acquisition milestone aimed at enhancing the military's response to emerging threats. The Merops has gained recognition for its effectiveness in countering Iranian Shahed...
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) has shifted its perspective on high-altitude balloons, now viewing them as a transformative capability. Lt. Gen. John Rafferty expressed his initial skepticism but acknowledged their potential after observing their operational effectiveness duri...
The US Army has announced the redesignation of its Futures and Concepts Command to the US Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). This change aims to enhance the integration of autonomous capabilities within the Army's warfighting functions under a new three-star command structure. Th...
On the second day of AUSA 2026, the Army announced a significant change in its command structure, with acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Chris LaNeve renaming Futures and Concepts Command to Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). This rebranding highlights the Army's increased focus on drone...
The U.S. Army has officially redesignated its Futures and Concepts Command (FCC) as the Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM). Acting Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve announced this change during the annual AUSA conference, emphasizing the integration of autonomous and unmanned...
The U.S. Army has been testing new counter-drone capabilities and tactics under Project Flytrap for over a year. This initiative aims to leverage uncrewed systems to enhance battlefield strategies, particularly in deceiving adversaries. Col. Timothy Price of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment highlighted the...
The US Army's AH-64 Apache helicopters, guided by Sentinel radar technology, successfully engaged and downed three drones during a recent air-to-air test. This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating advanced radar systems with combat helicopters, enhancing their capabilities in dron...
The Army's FUZE innovation hub, established in September 2025, is shifting its focus to tackle more complex acquisition challenges in fiscal year 2027. FUZE Director Matt Willis emphasized the need to leverage existing mechanisms within the FUZE portfolio to address significant Army acquisition issu...
The Army has awarded contracts totaling approximately $93.6 million to nine companies for applications supporting the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative. This effort aims to enhance technology deployment at the corps level, with General Dynamics Mission Systems, Air Space Intellig...
The U.S. Army has chosen six companies, including BLADE, to develop robotic vehicles for the Infantry Last Tactical Mile (ILTM) initiative. This program aims to automate the critical task of moving supplies and evacuating casualties near the front lines, where soldiers face significant risks from en...
The U.S. Army is launching a new command and acquisition office focused on autonomous technology, as announced by Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle. This initiative follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plans for a four-star command, Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM), aimed at enhancing dron...
German defense startups Helsing and Stark Defence are advancing in the development of attack drones. The German government announced plans to initiate training for the army on these new drones starting in November. This training is significant as it marks a step forward in enhancing the capabilitie...
The US Army has established three permanent counter-drone test lanes at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona to assess systems for detecting, disrupting, and destroying small drones. These lanes were utilized during Falcon Peak 26.2, an operational experiment that took place in September, simulating drone...
The U.S. Army has selected five companies as winners of its xTechHumanoid competition, aimed at evaluating commercial humanoid robotics for military applications. The winners include ACES Group, IHMC Robotics, Hydroplane Limited, Ras Labs, and Velocity Explorations, chosen from 103 submissions. Each...
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's former Minister of Defense, has introduced a project aimed at creating a robotic army, including humanoid soldiers, to replace human soldiers on the battlefield. This initiative, revealed at the IT Arena conference from September 25-27, aims to enhance technological warfa...
The U.S. Army has concluded a competition showcasing military humanoid robotics, with various developers from the U.S. and Poland presenting their innovations. IHMC's Alex emerged as a winner, demonstrating advanced capabilities in resilience and autonomy. However, the competition revealed a wide ga...
The Army has awarded multiple contracts valued at up to $7 billion for counter-drone capabilities as part of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. These contracts, initiated on Monday, aim to bolster the Pentagon’s drone and counter-drone marketplace and support the Domestic Sh...
Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has launched the 'Army of Robots' initiative, aiming to deploy humanoid and autonomous systems for high-risk military tasks. This project seeks to reduce soldier exposure to danger by utilizing robots for logistics, reconnaissance, and combat operat...
The U.S. Army has selected Vulcan Elements to supply neodymium-iron-boron magnets for its initiative to produce one million small drones annually. These magnets will be integral to the brushless motors powering the Army's unmanned aircraft, highlighting the importance of reliable component access in...
Leidos has received a contract extension from the US Army to maintain operations of the Airborne Reconnaissance and Targeting Exploitation Multi-Mission Intelligence System (ARTEMIS) throughout Europe. This contract extension is significant as it underscores the ongoing commitment of the US Army to...
The U.S. Army has chosen Vulcan Elements to supply rare earth magnets for its SkyFoundry drone initiative, which aims to produce one million small drones annually. Vulcan is currently expanding its production capabilities with a new plant in Benson, North Carolina, designed for 10,000 metric tons of...
EagleNXT has successfully delivered nine eBee VISION drone kits to the U.S. Army’s National Training Center located at Fort Irwin, California. This shipment fulfills an order announced in April 2026 and marks a significant step in the company's commitment to domestic production of drones and sensors...
BAE Systems has provided the US Army with two AMPV 30 concept infantry fighting vehicles, featuring a 30mm remote turret and advanced systems for detecting drone threats. Delivered in April as part of the Army’s Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 initiative, these vehicles have undergone field eval...
The Army has successfully acquired enough drones to equip each unit, according to Col. Gregory Merkl, the Drone Dominance director. This achievement marks a significant step in enhancing the Army's operational capabilities with unmanned aerial systems. However, Col. Merkl emphasized that the next c...
General Dynamics Land Systems-UK (GDLS-UK) has partnered with ARX Robotics to enhance the integration of autonomous systems into crewed vehicles for the British Army. This collaboration aims to develop advanced 'wingman' technology that can support military operations. The significance of this part...
A battery-powered drone has set a new world endurance record by flying for over eight hours in desert conditions. This achievement was made possible by propulsion components assembled at the Army’s organic industrial base, specifically two brushless direct current motors from Tobyhanna Army Depot. T...
Overland AI has been awarded a $20 million contract by the U.S. Army to develop autonomous ground systems aimed at breaching battlefield obstacles. This initiative, part of the Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability (EABC), will integrate Overland AI's OverDrive autonomy software with various grou...
The U.S. Army has decided to revert its drone unit back to infantry, raising concerns among lawmakers regarding the future of its UAV initiatives. Army Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller addressed these concerns, suggesting that the Army may not have communicated the rationale behind the decision...
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Daily robotics news, in-depth analysis, conference highlights, and discussions with professionals worldwide.
