unmanned systems Archives

U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1146) sails alongside a MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel in the Arabian Gulf, June 1, 2023, during exercise Eagle Resolve 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Webster)

Coast Guard embraces new tech, but leaders say regulations need to keep up

As the Coast Guard embraces these new systems in what it has deemed historic drug hauls, leaders are also wary about how its expansive, but tech-reliant maritime…

Dec 17, 2025 By Drew F. Lawrence

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte shake hands during their press-conference following their talks in Kyiv on August 22, 2025, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine, NATO launch joint program to boost counter-drone tech, other defense capabilities

The new initiative, dubbed UNITE–Brave NATO, is getting ready to start a pilot “competition” where industry teams from Ukraine and NATO countries will have the opportunity to…

Nov 26, 2025 By Jon Harper

Heven AeroTech’s Z1 drone (Credit: Heven AeroTech)

DIU approves hydrogen-powered drone for Blue UAS list

Heven AeroTech's Z1 drone is the first system that uses hydrogen fuel to be approved for the Pentagon's Blue UAS Cleared List.

Nov 20, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), left, and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) sail in formation as an F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight embarked aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), descends on final approach to land on the aircraft carrier, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Triniti Lersch)

Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear after 20th US strike against alleged ‘narco-terrorists’

Pete Hegseth unveiled a large-scale military and surveillance operation in the Southcom AOR that will commence later this month.

Nov 14, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 23, 2025) The Secretary of the Navy John Phelan at the U.S. Naval Academy’s class of 2025 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (U.S. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey)

SECNAV Phelan orders major shakeup in Navy’s robotic, autonomous systems enterprise

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan issued a new memo Wednesday to department leaders.

Sep 4, 2025 By Jon Harper

A Soldier of the 25th Infantry Division fires a Switchblade 600 rocket from the Loitering Unmanned Systems Directed Requirement (LUS DR) system during a new equipment training at the Pohakuloa Training Area in Hilo, HI. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Antonio Deric, 25th Infantry Division)

DOD touts ‘successful transition’ for Replicator initiative — but questions linger

The Defense Department has remained secretive about Replicator since its inception.

Sep 3, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

Adm. Daryl Caudle salutes the sideboys during a U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) Relinquishment of Command ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, August 6, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Knight/Released)

Adm. Caudle sworn in as chief of naval operations

Adm. Daryl Caudle promised to accelerate the sea service’s push for AI, unmanned system and networking capabilities, as he steps into the role of CNO.

Aug 25, 2025 By Jon Harper

(Image courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company)

Sikorsky lands Army contract to modernize Black Hawk helicopters to carry and launch drones

Upgrades to the UH-60 Black Hawks will allow the helicopters to carry and deploy the Army's "launched effects" drones, expected to field in 2026.

Aug 20, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Launched effects are expected to bring a critical capability to the Army with advanced teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems to detect, identify, locate, and report pacing threats in contested environments. (Photo by Shawn Nesaw)

Army issues solicitation for ‘launched effects’ autonomous drones

Army leadership has directed program officers to field the drones to every division and Multi-Domain Task Force in 2026.

Aug 6, 2025 By Jon Harper

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), utilizes the 1MC announcement system from the bridge of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) to address the crew during a ship visit, Aug. 13, 2024. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan T. Beard)

Senate confirms Adm. Daryl Caudle as chief of naval operations

Caudle will be the first Senate-confirmed CNO since Trump fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti from that post in February without explanation.

Aug 1, 2025 By Jon Harper