unmanned systems Archives

Joe DiBenedetto, a civilian contractor aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) does flight pre-checks on a Mk. 4.7 Golf Aerosonde drone on the flight deck while operating in the Philippine Sea, March 30, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hannah Fry)

Navy aims to expand vendor pool for COCO drones and ISR support

The Navy announced it wants to bring on new vendors as current deals are nearing expiration next year.

3 days ago By Jon Harper

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (Feb. 5, 2024) The first four Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARCs) are delivered to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)

Navy ramping up production of autonomous GARC vessels

The Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft are built by Maritime Applied Physics Corp.

Jan 17, 2025 By Jon Harper

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.

Jan 14, 2025 By Jon Harper

A Special Tactics Airman, assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, signals a plane to land at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico on March 1, 2024. Supported by U.S. Special Operations Command, Emerald Warrior is a joint special operations exercise that prepares U.S. Special Operations Command forces, Conventional Enablers, Partner Forces, and Interagency Elements to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Vandergriff)

Special ops forces seek to manage digital footprints, achieve ‘security through obscurity’

With focus now turned toward competition with China and Russia, special operations forces need to hone their ability to achieve “security through obscurity.”

Jan 8, 2025 By Jon Harper

Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) Wing Loong II military UAV drone showcased at the Paris Air Show 2017. (Getty Images)

China’s drone modernization efforts close to ‘matching US standards,’ Pentagon report says

Beijing is moving forward on its “comprehensive” UAV modernization efforts, as indicated by a number of increasingly modern systems designed for operations across theater and echelon levels,…

Dec 18, 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