drones Archives

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zackary Cowher, Cyber Capabilities Developer Technician for Multi-Domain Command – Europe, uploads configuration files to an autonomous land-based vehicle equipped with a tethered UAS quadcopter during Arcane Thunder 26 at Fort Irwin, California, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Master Sgt. John Healy)

U.S. military gearing up for unmanned ground vehicle demo

The event, dubbed GroundBreaker 1, is slated for mid-October at Camp Grafton, North Dakota.

16 hours ago By Jon Harper

Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), speaks to the crew of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during an all-hands call on the flight deck, Aug. 7, 2026. SECNAV was recently in San Diego visiting various commands to speak with Sailors and their families, focusing on his top priority, “taking care of our people.” (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Pheona David)

Navy secretary warns of ‘coordinated, multi-domain’ campaign against personnel and installations

Hung Cao warned sailors, Marines and Navy civilians about a "deliberate effort to gather intelligence, test our defenses, disrupt our operations, and intimidate our force."

4 days ago By Jon Harper

Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Photo by CENTCOM Public Affairs).

Centcom creates first ‘multinational’ attack drone task force after months of war with Iran

While Adm. Brad Cooper touted the task force as a boon for regional security, Centcom declined to say whether any other countries had joined the unit, even…

Aug 13, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Scouts with the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, fly a Rogue 1 drone by Teledyne FLIR Defense during Project Convergence Capstone 6 at Fort Irwin, California, July 22, 2026. (DefenseScoop photo by Drew F. Lawrence).

More reach, more to carry, more to learn: How soldiers wrestled with drones in the Mojave Desert

Project Convergence Capstone 6 produced lessons that soldiers measured in capability, reliability, weight and the oppressive desert conditions that pervaded all of it.

Aug 11, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

A rendering of the Epirus HAVOC system. (Illustration courtesy of Epirus)

Marine Corps awards Epirus $11M for high-powered microwave program, company says

After Marine Corps testing, Epirus hopes the service will adopt HAVOC “more widespread” and has prepared its facilities for low-rate production amid business with the Army and…

Aug 10, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 26, 2026) A mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle equipped with a mobile-low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft integrated defeat system (M-LIDS) launcher fires a counter-unmanned aerial system at a fixed wing target during a training exercise in Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page)

Army seeks next-gen missile that could shoot down small drones for less than $150K a pop

The service issued an RFI on Aug. 4 to support the initiative.

Aug 4, 2026 By Jon Harper

A YFQ-44A, part of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, undergoes an undated captive carry test at a California test location. This test phase uses inert munitions to methodically validate weapons integration, structural performance and safety, ensuring the platform can safely carry external stores. (Courtesy Air Force photo)

Air Force could tap up to 6 vendors for second increment of CCA drone program

“We have another approximately 10 months left of our concept-refinement contract, where we would expect to have the refined attributes as we did before, as well as…

Jul 30, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

Illustration of Mayhem 10 drones. (Image courtesy of AV)

AV and Applied Intuition team up to bring collaborative autonomy to new Mayhem 10 drone

“Our Acuity ISR/Strike software brings collaborative autonomy to Mayhem 10, rapidly delivering next-generation capabilities through platform-agnostic software with operator oversight,” said Jason Brown, general manager of Applied…

Jul 29, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brien Disbro, a crew chief assigned to the174th Attack Wing, performs post-flight maintenance on an MQ-9 Reaper on Mar. 10, 2025 at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Shane Hughes)

Air Force to begin concept refinement of MQ-9 replacement by end of year

The Air Force will select multiple vendors to conduct early analysis to help the service shape its requirements and cost for the Massed Modular Aircraft program.

Jul 28, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

A Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a production representative test aircraft, performs a flyover during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 over Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, June 25, 2026. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrien Tran)

After Valiant Shield exercise, PACAF commander says he’s ‘impressed’ with Australia’s Ghost Bat drone program

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone recently flew with manned fighter aircraft during a recent multinational exercise in the Pacific.

Jul 27, 2026 By Jon Harper