unmanned aerial systems Archives

Pentagon awards deals for laser weapons that could shoot down drone swarms

Defense officials have long-touted the benefits of directed energy systems such as their high-speed engagement, low cost-per-shot and deep magazines.

13 hours ago By Jon Harper

A view of Atakule, one of the landmark buildings of Turkish capital, is illuminated ahead of the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Arman Onal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

NATO announces Protected Business Network contract with Accenture

Officials hailed the deal as a major step in the military alliance's digital transformation.

2 days ago By Jon Harper

A Neros Archer first-person view drone takes off from the ground during a service level training exercise at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 27, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones)

Marine Corps establishes robotics integration group for drone and counter-drone training

The announcement comes as the Marines and other U.S. military components are moving to ramp up their drone and counter-drone arsenals.

4 days ago By Jon Harper

AeroVironment’s Titan MS system. (Image courtesy of AV)

Pentagon awards $80M task order for AI-enabled tech to defend Air Force bases against small drones

The task order will be executed under a new $500 million IDIQ contract.

4 days ago By Jon Harper

(Source: Getty Images) — Aerial view of the Pentagon. (Getty Images)

Pentagon awards $500M contract for counter-drone tech to AeroVironment

The Pentagon announcement about the award listed Army Contracting Command Detroit Arsenal in Michigan as the contracting activity.

Jul 2, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a drone demonstration at the Pentagon, July 10, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alondra Y. Lopez Gonzalez)

Hegseth realigning DOD’s scattered unmanned and autonomy work under new drone boss

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to share whether an interim DRPM-UxS director has been named.

Jul 1, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

The Army Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Management Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Special Operations Command, executed a successful flight demonstration involving the first launch of the Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated Unmanned System (Altius) 700 air vehicle on Dec. 3, 2023, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Army photo by Daniel Henke)

SOCOM interested in developing long-range kamikaze drones

SOCOM is interested in air-launched, one-way-attack drones that have an extended range of at least 75 nautical miles, according to a new RFI.

Jun 30, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force evaluate equipment readiness on the Medium-Range Intercept Capability system on Mason Range, Guam, June 24, 2026 in support of VALIANT SHIELD 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance. Cpl Benjamin Catindig)

III MEF integrates MRIC surface-to-air defense system during Pacific exercise

The service requested $233.6 million for the MRIC program in fiscal 2027, according to budget documents, and plans to fully equip three batteries within the next three…

Jun 29, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

A U.S. Army soldier lauches an AS3 Surveyor interceptor drone, part of the U.S. counter-drone system known as ‘MEROPS,’ during a live-fire demonstration at the Deba training grounds in Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland, on November 18, 2025. The exercise is part of Eastern Sentry enhanced vigilance efforts launched in response to recent drone incursions along NATO’s eastern flank. (Photo by Artur Widak/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Army will ‘open up’ ranges for defense vendors to speed up testing, with some sites mimicking Ukrainian frontlines

The service is also planning to establish a range abroad where the Army and industry “can start to do much more aggressive testing,” Army Secretary Dan Driscoll…

Jun 23, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Carben, the commanding officer of Marine Unmanned Maintenance Squadron (MUMS) 14, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, gives his remarks during the MUMS-14 activation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 16, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Keani Guthmueller)

Marine Corps activates first unmanned maintenance squadron to repair its own MQ-9A Reaper drones

The unit will consist of roughly 300 Marines and sailors. Most of those troops are unmanned aerial vehicle technicians, mechanics and ground control station maintainers.

Jun 17, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence