Weapons Archives

A Ukrainian Armed Forces drone operator who gave the name Tarik, of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade, prepares an American made Puma surveillance drone for a flight test to scout Russian targets and correct artillery fire against Russian positions on July 24, 2024, in the direction of Marinka, Ukraine. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

A final rundown of the drones committed to Ukraine by the Biden administration

As Joe Biden’s presidency nears its end, here’s a rundown of the various drones that Washington has acknowledged committing to Ukraine.

3 hours ago By Jon Harper

An artist’s rendering of Kratos’ Erinyes hypersonic test bed (Credit: Kratos)

Pentagon awards Kratos megadeal worth nearly $1.5B for new hypersonic testbed

The award is for Task Area 1 of the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program.

Jan 6, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Rendering of hypervelocity projectile (Credit: BAE Systems)

Army to sole-source deal for hypervelocity projectiles, drone-killing artillery cannon

The Army plans to spend about $646 million total on the MDAC system project in fiscal 2025-2027, according to budget documents.

Dec 27, 2024 By Jon Harper

RFDEW demonstrator on truck. (Photo courtesy of U.K. MOD)

British troops test new drone swarm zapper

Trials have been underway for the “Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon."

Dec 23, 2024 By Jon Harper

One of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Transporter Erector Launchers assigned to Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, participates in exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 5, 2024. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. David Kim)

Army, Navy complete highly anticipated hypersonic missile test

“This test builds on several flight tests in which the Common Hypersonic Glide Body achieved hypersonic speed at target distances and demonstrates that we can put this…

Dec 13, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Peter Grasso, an aviation communication technician with 3d Low Altitude Air Defense, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362 (Rein.), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, controls a Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System to conduct counter unmanned aerial surveillance aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Dec. 14, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carl Matthew Ruppert)

DIU confronting C2 challenge for counter-drone phase of Replicator

"For Replicator 2, we have a similar challenge with command and control across these systems, so we're starting that now. And so we're going to get ahead…

Dec 12, 2024 By Jon Harper

The US Capitol is seen in Washington DC, on November 10, 2024. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP)

Congress to require rundown from DOD on approvals and deployments of autonomous weapons

Pentagon officials have been tight-lipped publicly about specific systems that have undergone review under DOD Directive 3000.09.

Dec 9, 2024 By Jon Harper

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use an FIM-92 Stinger and a Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System to defend against unmanned aerial systems threats during a strait transit exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 12, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

New classified plan seeks to unify DOD’s approach for countering enemy drones

The Pentagon is moving to adapt as uncrewed adversarial systems are disrupting operations on and off the battlefield.

Dec 5, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the fiscal year 2025 budget requests for the Department of the Air Force and Space Force, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., April 9, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Air Force punts NGAD fighter decision to Trump administration

The department also plans to extend current contracts for technology maturation and risk reduction on the program “to further mature designs/systems while ensuring the industry teams remain…

Dec 5, 2024 By Mikayla Easley

Nov. 5, 2024 — An unmanned surface vessel, equipped with an aerial missile system, sails to its position for launch during exercise Digital Talon 3.0 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Photo by Spc. Karla Guerrero)

Navy plying new tactics while pairing kamikaze drones with robo-ships

The latest Digital Talon exercise, conducting earlier this month in the Middle East region, included a variety of robotic capabilities that could play a significant role in…

Nov 25, 2024 By Jon Harper