Articles tagged with "unmanned-systems"
US firm debuts missile that cruises at 35,000 feet with 575-mile range
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has introduced the Ragnarök Low-Cost Cruise Missile (LCCM), a new precision strike weapon designed to offer long-range capabilities at a significantly reduced cost. The missile features a 575-mile (500-nautical-mile) range, can cruise at altitudes up to 35,000 feet at speeds exceeding Mach 0.7, and carries an 80-pound payload optimized for precision strikes against high-value or time-sensitive targets. With an estimated unit cost of around $150,000 in bulk production, Ragnarök is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cruise missiles like the Tomahawk, which costs about $1.5 million per round. The missile’s design emphasizes manufacturability, modularity, and tactical flexibility. It incorporates a carbon-composite fuselage for weight reduction, a wing-folding mechanism for compact storage, and compatibility with various launch platforms, including manned and unmanned aircraft such as the XQ-58 Valkyrie
materialsaerospace-engineeringunmanned-systemsdefense-technologycomposite-materialspropulsion-systemsmissile-technologyUncrewed military vehicle to be built for US Army's high-risk missions
BAE Systems and Forterra have partnered to rapidly prototype an autonomous Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) for the U.S. Army, aiming to develop a highly survivable, self-driving vehicle with broad autonomous mission capabilities. The prototype, planned for demonstration in 2026, will leverage Forterra’s AutoDrive full-stack autonomous system integrated onto the AMPV’s modular chassis. This collaboration combines combat vehicle production expertise with advanced autonomous technology to provide soldiers with enhanced battlefield dominance and operational flexibility. Forterra’s interoperable mobile platform supports diverse payloads and seamless integration across various mission systems, enabling vehicles to operate independently or as part of a connected force. The AutoDrive system is designed for extensibility and integration, ensuring adaptability to evolving battlefield complexities and compatibility with other U.S. Army systems such as the Bradley A4 and M109A7 Paladin. The AMPV program itself is critical to replacing legacy vehicles like the M113, enhancing the Armored Brigade Combat Team’s
robotautonomous-vehiclesmilitary-technologyunmanned-systemsAI-roboticsdefense-technologyautonomous-military-vehiclesAuterion raises $130M to build drone swarms for defense - The Robot Report
Auterion LLC has raised $130 million in a Series B funding round to advance its development of autonomous drone swarms for defense applications. The company’s software suite, including its AuterionOS platform and Nemyx defense system, enables coordinated drone swarms capable of operating across air, land, and sea domains. Auterion emphasizes that future warfare will rely on software-defined, unmanned systems deployed at scale, rather than individual drones. The funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners with participation from existing investors and $25 million from the U.S. Department of War, will help scale production and deliver AI-enabled swarming capabilities to democratic governments worldwide. Auterion’s technology integrates AI with commercial off-the-shelf hardware to create interoperable drone fleets controlled by a single operator, enhancing battlefield effectiveness through mass autonomous operations. The platform supports secure communications, edge computing, and resilience against GPS and video jamming, with proven performance in real combat conditions such as Ukraine. The company sees
robotautonomous-dronesdrone-swarmsAI-enabled-systemsdefense-technologyAuterionOSunmanned-systemsInside Australia's $1.1B Ghost Shark Drone Fleet
Australia is investing $1.1 billion in the Ghost Shark XL-AUV program, a fleet of large, autonomous underwater drones developed in partnership with Anduril Industries. These AI-powered drones are designed to operate stealthily beneath the ocean surface for extended periods—weeks at a time—without any onboard crew. Their capabilities include intelligence gathering, surveillance of enemy fleets, and precision strike potential, all while maintaining silence and evading detection. Scheduled for deployment by 2026, the Ghost Shark fleet represents a significant shift in naval strategy for Australia, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. By offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional crewed submarines, these drones aim to provide a formidable deterrent and enhance Australia's maritime security posture. The program underscores a move toward leveraging autonomous technology to reshape naval warfare and influence the regional balance of power.
robotautonomous-underwater-vehiclesmilitary-dronesAI-powered-dronesunderwater-roboticsdefense-technologyunmanned-systemsChina’s massive military parade to debut hypersonic, nuke missiles
China is set to hold a massive military parade on September 3, 2025, in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War II. The 70-minute event, the largest parade in China’s history, will feature over 100 domestically produced active-duty military systems, including new strategic missiles, hypersonic weapons, unmanned systems, and advanced electronic and directed-energy warfare equipment. The parade will be conducted in two stages—a review and a march-past—with 45 formations showcasing joint operational groups that reflect real-world combat roles across land, maritime, air, missile defense, information operations, and logistics. A key highlight will be the public debut of several new hypersonic cruise missiles, notably the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20. These missiles represent a significant expansion of the People’s Liberation Army’s strike capabilities, particularly for maritime operations. The YJ-17 and Y
robotunmanned-systemshypersonic-missilesmilitary-technologydirected-energy-weaponselectronic-warfaredefense-systemsUS Army vehicles to get autonomy, counter-drone system with new upgrade
BAE Systems is enhancing the U.S. Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) by integrating advanced technologies that provide autonomy, counter-drone capabilities, and unmanned weapon systems. The AMPV, which builds on the durable hull designs of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and M109A7 howitzer, serves as a modern, versatile platform designed to replace the aging M113 family of vehicles. BAE Systems is investing internal funds to develop modular capability kits that enable features such as counter-unmanned aerial system detection and targeting, ground autonomy, and unmanned turrets, thereby expanding the vehicle’s attack and defense potential on the battlefield. This upgrade effort reflects a collaborative and modular approach, with BAE Systems having already demonstrated multiple turreted prototypes, including modular mortars and 30mm unmanned weapon systems. The AMPV program is positioned as a mature, low-risk, and cost-effective solution that enhances protection, mobility, reliability, and interoperability within the Armored Brigade Combat
robotautonomyunmanned-systemsmilitary-technologycounter-dronedefense-roboticsautonomous-vehiclesChina's 'robot wolves' fire rifles, climb ladders, and hunt in packs
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has introduced advanced quadrupedal “robot wolves” in a public military drill, marking a significant development in unmanned ground combat technology. These robots, weighing around 70 kilograms and developed by China South Industries Group Corporation, are designed to operate alongside human soldiers in complex terrains, including urban, mountainous, and plateau environments. Equipped with rifles and capable of climbing ladders and overcoming obstacles, the robot wolves participated in a joint exercise with infantry units and aerial drones, performing tasks such as precision strikes, reconnaissance, and coordinated breakthroughs. The exercise demonstrated the robots’ ability to maintain pace with troops and integrate into traditional assault tactics, potentially reducing human casualties in dangerous combat scenarios. Military analysts highlight the strategic impact of these robot wolves, suggesting they could surpass aerial drones in battlefield effectiveness by relentlessly advancing and psychologically affecting opposing forces. The deployment aligns with China’s broader push toward man-machine warfare, envisioning future combat frontlines dominated by robotic systems equipped with sensors and precision weapon
robotmilitary-roboticsquadrupedal-robotsautonomous-weaponsunmanned-systemshuman-robot-collaborationdefense-technologyJoby Aviation and defense contractor L3Harris to test autonomous hybrid aircraft
Joby Aviation, known for developing commercial electric air taxis, is expanding its focus through a partnership with defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to develop an autonomous gas-turbine hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for military applications. This new aircraft will be based on Joby’s existing S4 platform, which has traditionally featured an all-electric powertrain. However, under a government contract, Joby demonstrated a hybrid prototype capable of flying 521 miles—more than twice the range of its battery-electric version. The collaboration aims to leverage L3Harris’s expertise in defense technologies to integrate sensors, autonomy, communications, and payloads, creating a mission-capable aircraft suited for Department of Defense (DoD) needs. Flight testing of the hybrid VTOL is scheduled to begin in the fall, with operational demonstrations planned for 2026. Joby has been working with the DoD for nearly a decade, focusing on meeting critical requirements such as extended range and mission flexibility.
robotautonomous-aircrafthybrid-VTOLelectric-aviationdefense-technologyunmanned-systemsaerospace-materialsT-14 Armata: A $8 Million Revolution or Just a Showpiece?
The T-14 Armata, heralded as Russia’s next-generation super tank, features cutting-edge technology such as an unmanned turret, advanced radar systems, and next-generation armor, positioning it as a potential revolution in armored warfare. Priced at an unprecedented $8 million per unit, it is the most expensive tank Russia has ever developed. Despite its impressive specifications and high-profile debut nearly a decade ago, the T-14 has yet to enter mass production or see significant frontline deployment. The tank’s development has been hampered by high costs, production delays, and concerns about reliability, raising doubts about whether Russia can afford to field it extensively. As a result, the T-14 remains largely a parade piece rather than an operational battlefield asset. The key question remains whether the Armata will ultimately prove to be a transformative weapon system or simply an expensive prototype that Russia struggles to integrate into its military forces.
robotmilitary-technologyunmanned-systemsadvanced-armorradar-systemsdefense-technologyarmored-vehiclesUkraine claims robot team captured Russian soldiers in a world-first
Ukraine’s elite 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, through its experimental “DEUS EX MACHINA” drone company, claims to have conducted the world’s first fully unmanned offensive operation, capturing Russian soldiers using only ground robots and aerial drones. The assault occurred in the Kharkiv region and involved a coordinated attack using FPV kamikaze drones and ground robotic complexes to destroy fortified Russian positions that had previously resisted human-led attacks. Following the destruction of a Russian bunker by a kamikaze ground robot, the remaining soldiers surrendered to an approaching robot and were remotely escorted back to Ukrainian lines by overhead drones providing live visual coordination. No Ukrainian troops were physically present during the assault, marking a significant milestone in robotic warfare. This operation represents a strategic breakthrough in the use of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems as primary assault elements rather than support tools like reconnaissance or logistics. Ukraine’s rapid expansion of drone and robotics programs amid its ongoing conflict with Russia has allowed it to leverage asymmetric advantages, compensating for conventional manpower
robotunmanned-systemsdronesmilitary-roboticsautonomous-vehiclesrobotic-warfaredefense-technologySaildrone completes NATO multi-domain demo in Baltic Sea - The Robot Report
Saildrone Inc., a maritime autonomy developer, successfully completed its participation in NATO Task Force X’s multi-domain demonstration in the Baltic Sea, showcasing the capabilities of its Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). Operating from June 16 to 27, four Voyagers conducted persistent 24/7 wide-area surveillance and real-time maritime domain awareness in the Gulf of Finland and western Baltic Sea, despite challenging conditions including near-gale winds and rough seas. The USVs detected and tracked hundreds of vessels daily, identified exercise “red forces,” and located real-world “dark targets” such as Russian shadow fleet and military vessels. This deployment highlighted the Voyagers’ ability to integrate long-range radar surveillance with rapid-response unmanned maritime assets. The demonstration was part of NATO’s Dynamic Messenger innovation pathway, aiming to enhance NATO’s rapid integration of commercial off-the-shelf autonomous systems while preserving crewed assets for critical missions. Saildrone operates on a contractor-owned and operated model,
robotautonomous-surface-vehiclesmaritime-roboticsAI-sensorsunmanned-systemsNATOmaritime-surveillanceAirbus equips A400M for drones, fire missions, and warzone jamming
Airbus is significantly upgrading its A400M tactical airlifter to enhance its versatility for modern military and crisis missions. The aircraft is being equipped with advanced broadband satellite communication systems to serve as a flying battlefield data hub, enabling large data transfers and real-time video feeds to mission commanders. This upgrade supports integration with the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), allowing the A400M to act as a node in a shared Combat Cloud network. Additionally, the A400M is being tested as a drone mothership capable of carrying and deploying up to 50 small or 12 large drones, facilitating coordinated manned-unmanned operations well ahead of FCAS’s 2040 launch. Beyond communication and drone command roles, Airbus is enhancing the A400M’s electronic warfare capabilities. Twenty-three German A400Ms will receive Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) to defend against infrared-guided missiles, and the aircraft is being explored as a stand-off jammer platform, leveraging its size
robotdrone-technologyelectronic-warfareIoTmilitary-communicationaerospace-technologyunmanned-systemsUS taps ‘struggling’ Boeing to turn dead F-16s into supersonic drones
Boeing has been awarded a $10.2 million contract modification, part of a $318.7 million effort, by the US Air Force to convert retired F-16 fighter jets into QF-16 full-scale aerial target drones. These supersonic drones will replace the aging QF-4 Phantoms, enhancing the realism of missile testing against modern fourth-generation aircraft. The work, conducted primarily at Boeing’s St. Louis avionics factory, involves installing telemetry, scoring systems, flight-termination safety gear, and uncrewed avionics. The Air Force plans to operate up to 210 QF-16s from Jacksonville, Florida, integrating them into the fleet by December 2026. This program continues a longstanding practice of converting manned fighters into uncrewed targets for live-fire exercises dating back to the 1960s. This contract win comes amid significant challenges for Boeing, which is facing scrutiny over recent safety incidents, including a fatal 2025 crash of
robotdronesaerospaceavionicsunmanned-systemsmilitary-technologyBoeingUS firms to develop high-tech tiny engines for next-gen combat drones
robotdronesunmanned-systemspropulsion-technologydefense-technologycombat-aircraftaerospaceRussia to train school kids with world’s first drone ops textbook
robotdroneeducationunmanned-systemstechnologyroboticsUAVUK firm debuts world’s longest-range drone ship with 8,500-mile reach
robotIoTenergyautonomous-vesselshybrid-propulsionmaritime-technologyunmanned-systems