Articles tagged with "UAV"
Russia turns civilian planes into drone hunters using WWII-era guns
Russia has adapted civilian Cessna 172 aircraft into airborne drone hunters by mounting Soviet-era PKT machine guns, originally designed for armored vehicles, along with fire-control targeting systems. These modified planes, operated by a two-person crew, patrol vulnerable regions to intercept slow-moving Ukrainian drones that have increasingly penetrated Russian airspace. The initiative is part of a broader, nationwide network of improvised counter-drone efforts aimed at supplementing Russia’s conventional air defenses, which have struggled to economically and effectively counter the persistent long-range UAV attacks on critical infrastructure such as oil depots and military bases. This unconventional tactic mirrors similar strategies employed by Ukraine, which has used small civilian aircraft for rapid drone detection and response. The use of lightweight, low-cost aircraft like the Cessna 172 reflects the resource strain on Russia’s traditional air defense systems and highlights a shift toward distributed, economical solutions in drone warfare. While Russian state media presents this program as a sign of innovation and resilience, independent analysts question its effectiveness
droneUAVcounter-drone-technologyair-defensemilitary-roboticstargeting-systemsunmanned-aerial-vehiclesInside Taiwan’s 50,000‑UAV plan to deter China
In September 2025, Taiwan unveiled a significant shift in its defense strategy at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025, focusing on mass-producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deter China. Central to this strategy is a two-year plan to procure approximately 50,000 domestically built drones across five categories by 2027. Taiwan is adopting a novel approach by treating small UAVs as "consumables," similar to ammunition, emphasizing high-volume production, rapid assembly, and replaceability rather than platform longevity. This approach is designed to impose economic and operational costs on a numerically superior adversary through distributed, expendable sensors and effectors, enabling a layered, networked kill web for persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strikes. Taiwan’s drone ecosystem showcased at TADTE 2025 includes low-cost autonomous cruise drones, loitering munitions, swarming FPVs, maritime unmanned surface vehicles
robotUAVdrone-technologyautonomous-systemsdefense-technologyAI-enabled-command-and-controlunmanned-vehiclesTaiwan eyes drone that helped Ukraine hunt Russian S-400, $2.5B assets
Taiwan is exploring local production of the European-made Tekever AR3 drone, which has played a significant role in Ukraine’s military efforts by aiding in the destruction of nearly $2.5 billion worth of Russian assets, including the advanced S-400 air defense system. The partnership between Portugal-based Tekever and Taiwan’s Apex Aviation was announced at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in September 2025. The AR3 drone is a medium-sized, AI-driven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with modular payloads such as synthetic aperture radar and infrared sensors, capable of extended missions including intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR). It has logged over 10,000 combat flight hours and is also used by the UK military for electronic warfare. The AR3 drone features a compact fixed-wing design with up to 16 hours of endurance and an optional beyond-line-of-sight datalink, making it suitable for maritime and land operations. A vertical takeoff and landing
droneautonomous-systemsUAVdefense-technologyAI-drivensurveillanceVTOLLife-saving drones tested to reach patients faster than ambulances
Researchers at the University of Warwick, in partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and drone company SkyBound, have developed and tested a drone delivery system to provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) directly to cardiac arrest patients. In the UK, over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually, with survival rates below 10%. Early use of CPR and AEDs can double survival chances, but bystanders often struggle to locate AEDs quickly, especially in remote or rural areas where ambulance response times are delayed. The tested system uses a DJI M300 drone to deliver an AED suspended by a winch in response to emergency calls, potentially reducing response times significantly. Emergency simulations in challenging rural locations demonstrated that drones could safely fly long distances, maintain communication with emergency services, and reach patients faster than ambulances. However, the study found that once the AED arrived, there was an average delay of over four minutes before a shock was delivered, partly due to bystanders
robotdronesemergency-responsehealthcare-technologyUAVlife-saving-technologyremote-medical-deliveryDrone with Boeing 747-sized wingspan flies for 74 hours on solar power
US aerospace startup Skydweller Aero has achieved a major milestone by flying its solar-powered drone, with a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747, continuously for up to 74 hours using only sunlight and battery power. The drone’s carbon fiber airframe supports 17,000 solar cells generating up to 100 kW, which power four propellers and onboard systems during the day while charging a 1,400-pound battery that sustains flight overnight. Across four recent flights, the aircraft accumulated 222 hours in the air, demonstrating endurance and resilience. The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division is evaluating the drone for long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Skydweller Aero aims for “perpetual” uncrewed flight lasting 30 to 90 days or more, requiring landings only for maintenance rather than refueling. The drone can carry payloads up to 881 pounds (400 kg), a significant improvement over previous solar UAV
dronesolar-powerenergycarbon-fiberUAVlong-duration-flightrenewable-energyTurkey's TALAY Drone: World's First Sea-Skimming UAV
Turkey has developed the TALAY, the world's first sea-skimming unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), reviving the Cold War-era concept of the ekranoplan. This innovative drone flies just meters above the sea surface, enabling it to evade radar detection and enhance stealth capabilities in naval operations. By combining modern AI technology with the ekranoplan's unique design, the TALAY represents a significant advancement in maritime warfare. The TALAY’s ability to operate at low altitudes over water allows it to avoid conventional radar systems, making it a formidable asset for surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially offensive missions. Drawing inspiration from Soviet-era "Sea Monsters," Turkey’s adaptation modernizes this concept, potentially altering naval strategies and the balance of power in maritime domains. This development underscores Turkey’s growing emphasis on integrating AI and unmanned systems into its military arsenal.
robotdroneUAVmilitary-technologystealth-technologyAI-warfarenaval-warfareRethinking global connectivity: Why stratospheric UAVs could outperform satellites - The Robot Report
The article discusses the emerging role of high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a promising alternative to traditional satellite communication networks. With the exponential growth of data generation and the saturation of orbital space, existing satellite infrastructure faces limitations in bandwidth, latency, and flexibility. HALE UAVs, operating in the stratosphere at altitudes between 60,000 and 80,000 feet, offer significant advantages including reduced latency due to their proximity to users, persistent coverage for weeks at a time, and the ability to be rapidly deployed and repositioned in response to dynamic, time-sensitive situations such as natural disasters, agricultural monitoring, and live event coverage. Additionally, HALE UAVs provide operational flexibility through modular payloads that can be swapped to support diverse missions across telecommunications, defense, and environmental monitoring without the need for new hardware designs. Unlike satellite constellations that require extensive redundancy for resilience, stratospheric UAVs can be serviced,
robotUAVstratospheric-dronesIoT-connectivitysolar-powered-UAVedge-computinghigh-altitude-communicationChina mirrors US' alien ship-like surveillance drone design
China has unveiled a new tail-sitter drone developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). This drone, showcased during a disaster response exercise in Sichuan province, features vertical takeoff and landing capabilities similar to the US military’s V-BAT drone, which it closely resembles in size and design. Powered by a single ducted fan engine, the drone can launch like a rocket, transition to horizontal flight, and land on its tail, enabling operations in rugged or remote areas without the need for runways. Its modular payload system supports various reconnaissance tools, including cameras and sensors, and can be adapted for different missions such as disaster relief. The drone is integrated with CAIG’s Wenyao control system, which employs artificial intelligence to automate flight planning, obstacle avoidance, and swarm coordination. This system allows for autonomous control of multiple drones simultaneously, facilitating drone swarming without human intervention. AVIC highlights the UAV’s affordability,
dronesurveillanceautonomous-systemsartificial-intelligenceroboticsUAVdisaster-responseRussian drone hunts like a predator with Nvidia supercomputer’s help
Russia has developed an advanced autonomous drone, the MS001, powered by Nvidia’s Jetson Orin supercomputer, marking a significant shift in modern warfare. Unlike traditional drones that rely on pre-set coordinates or external commands, the MS001 independently processes thermal imaging, object recognition, and telemetry to detect, prioritize, and engage targets in real time—even under GPS jamming or electronic warfare conditions. Equipped with sophisticated onboard systems such as a spoof-resistant GPS module, adaptive logic chips, and swarm communication capabilities, the drone operates as a “digital predator” capable of coordinated swarm behavior and dynamic target selection, posing a serious challenge to existing air defense doctrines. This technological leap aligns with Russia’s strategic shift since early 2024 toward using UAVs for deep interdiction strikes against critical infrastructure and logistics far behind the front lines, aiming to disrupt Ukraine’s military and civilian systems. Despite U.S. sanctions banning advanced chip exports to Russia, Nvidia components continue to reach Russian forces via gray-market smuggling routes, enabling
robotdroneartificial-intelligenceautonomous-systemsNvidia-Jetson-OrinUAVelectronic-warfareIndian drone developer Raphe mPhibr raises $100M - The Robot Report
Raphe mPhibr Pvt. Ltd., an Indian drone manufacturer based in Noida, recently raised $100 million in a Series B funding round led by General Catalyst, bringing its total equity funding to $145 million. Founded in 2017 by siblings Vikash Mishra (chairman) and Vivek Mishra (CEO), the company specializes in producing drones made from light carbon-fiber composites with high strength-to-weight ratios. Raphe mPhibr offers nine drone models with payload capacities ranging from 4.4 to 441 pounds (1.9 to 200 kg), capable of covering distances between 12 and 124 miles (19.3 to 200 km) and operating swarms of up to 100 drones. The company manufactures most components domestically, including batteries, flight controllers, and materials, and plans to produce radars and high-end cameras in-house within 18 months. With around 600 employees—150 focused on research and over 250 on production—
robotdronesUAVcarbon-fiber-compositesautopilot-systemsaerospace-manufacturingIndian-drone-industryRobot boats turn deadly as Ukraine arms them with heavy bomber drones
Ukraine has advanced its naval drone capabilities by using uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), specifically the Magura V5, as mobile launch platforms for heavy quadcopter bomber drones. In a notable first, a Ukrainian naval drone boat successfully launched a heavy UAV during a maritime strike on July 1–2, 2025, targeting and destroying key components of the Russian Nebo-M radar system in occupied Crimea. This radar system is integral to Russia’s air defense, linked with S-300 and S-400 missile networks, and includes multiple truck-mounted radar arrays and a command post. The operation involved the drone boat approaching covertly, acting as a communications relay via satellite uplink, enabling remote control of the UAV deep inside enemy territory, which destroyed three critical radar elements. This strike exemplifies Ukraine’s evolving unmanned warfare doctrine, integrating sea-based drone carriers with airborne UAVs to extend operational reach and precision strike capabilities. Since early 2023, Ukraine’s Magura fleet has demonstrated
robotunmanned-surface-vehicledrone-technologymilitary-roboticsnaval-dronesUAVautonomous-systemsMandrakes drone's unique whine signals its multi-purpose capabilities
At the 55th Paris Air Show, Czech startup FlyinDiamonds showcased its innovative "Mandrakes" drones—small, glowing quadcopters named for their distinctive high-pitched whine upon landing, which aids operators in locating them in difficult terrains. Designed and manufactured entirely in the Czech Republic, these drones feature a 270 mm propeller diameter, 25-minute flight time, 450 g weight, and can withstand winds up to 7 m/s. They are powered by a 3600mAh Li-Ion 4S battery and support connectivity via Wi-Fi, micro USB, and UART interfaces, including a light show controller. Originally focused on entertainment through light shows, FlyinDiamonds has expanded into industrial uses such as millimeter-precision 3D scanning for construction and facade cleaning. FlyinDiamonds is also exploring emergency medical applications, aiming to use drones to deliver critical supplies like defibrillators and medication, potentially reducing response times in urgent situations.
dronesUAVroboticsIoTenergy-storagecarbon-compositesunmanned-aerial-vehiclesSolar drone with Boeing 747 wingspan promises month-long flights
The article discusses a groundbreaking solar-powered drone developed through a partnership between French defense electronics company Thales and US aerospace startup Skydweller Aero. This unmanned aerial system, named MAPS (Medium-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite), features a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747 and can carry payloads up to 881 pounds (400 kg). Designed for persistent, long-duration flights lasting weeks to a month, the drone operates at medium altitudes without carbon emissions, enabling near-continuous surveillance of vast maritime areas such as Exclusive Economic Zones, shipping lanes, and contested waters. A key innovation is the integration of Thales’ AirMaster S radar, an AI-enabled, lightweight sensor suite with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, which provides rapid situational awareness across air, land, and sea domains. The radar’s AI-driven data processing allows onboard target classification, reducing data transmission needs and enhancing bandwidth efficiency critical for extended autonomous missions. This combination creates a fully autonomous
dronesolar-powerautonomous-systemsAIenergymaritime-surveillanceUAVRussia to train school kids with world’s first drone ops textbook
robotdroneeducationunmanned-systemstechnologyroboticsUAV#ICRA2025 social media round-up - Robohub
robotroboticsICRA2025automationUAVUGVconferenceChina's aerial mothership can launch 100 drones over 4,500 miles
robotdronesUAVmilitary-technologyaerial-warfareChinadefense-technologyHọc sinh 'chơi mà học' với drone
droneUAVeducationtechnologyroboticsinnovationstudent-engagementNhững công nghệ tiên tiến ứng phó thiên tai ở Trung Quốc
robotUAVdisaster-responsesatellite-technologyAIemergency-managementChina