Drones (Page 4)

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Russia is now using thermite-spewing dragon drones in Ukraine.

Russia Now Using Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon Drones’ To Torch Ukrainian Positions Russia Now Using Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon Drones’ To Torch Ukrainian Positions

Posted on Sep 12, 2024

A Russian military correspondent narrowlly avoided being killed by a drone hunting him down in a house.

This Ukrainian Drone Hunting A Russian Inside A Building Has Big Horror Movie Vibes This Ukrainian Drone Hunting A Russian Inside A Building Has Big Horror Movie Vibes

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

Ukraine has unleashed the heaviest drone attack so far against Moscow. The overnight raid on the Russian capital killed at least one person and caused widespread damage and disruption. The long-range strikes come as Ukrainian officials are increasingly frustrated by Western restrictions on using weapons that they have supplied to hit targets deep within Russia.

Air

Moscow Hit By Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage Moscow Hit By Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation's Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV), a vertical takeoff and landing capable tilt-rotor drone designed to carry interchangeable payload modules, has left the ground for the first time.

Air

Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. Iran fired over 100 drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in retaliation to an attack on a building attached to the country's consular annex in Damascus that killed the guards, and two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 01, 2024. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on April 5, 2024 in Tehran.

Air

Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

The use of thermite-dispersing drones by Ukraine has proliferated.

Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon’ Drones Are Ukraine’s Newest Battlefield Innovation Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon’ Drones Are Ukraine’s Newest Battlefield Innovation

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Air

Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

Ukraine has developed a balloon-carried electronic warfare system designed to detect enemy drone operators, which can then be targeted, offering a more comprehensive solution than tackling individual drones. While the status of the system, known as Aero Azimuth, is unclear, its unveiling points to a resurgence in interest in elevated sensors, especially mounted of aerostats.

Air

Balloon-Based Sensor That Pinpoints Location Of Drone Operators Emerges In Ukraine Balloon-Based Sensor That Pinpoints Location Of Drone Operators Emerges In Ukraine

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded contracts to two companies for work on SHARK 'buddy store' podded aerial refueling systems able to work with aircraft that use the boom method to get gas in flight.

Air

Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

The War Zone delved into the digital engineer and advanced manufacturer techniques behind the stealthy Model 437 Vanguard aircraft, and more, an interview with Colin Miller, Vice President for Engineering within Northrop Grumman's aeronautics sector.

Air

Everything We Just Learned About The Model 437 Vanguard Technology Demonstrator Jet Everything We Just Learned About The Model 437 Vanguard Technology Demonstrator Jet

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 30, 2024

The first known prototype of the Model 437 from Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites has flown.

Air

Stealthy High-Tech Model 437 Vanguard Jet Has Flown For The First Time (Updated) Stealthy High-Tech Model 437 Vanguard Jet Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

Ukraine is targeting the Key E38 highway with drones to slow down Russian logistics.

Ukraine Bracketing Key Kursk Highway With Drones To Slow Russian Logistics Ukraine Bracketing Key Kursk Highway With Drones To Slow Russian Logistics

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

Ukraine struck Russia's Kirov Oblast, 700 miles from the border, for the first time as part of its ongoing campaign against Moscow's fuel infrastructure.

Air

Russian Region 700 Miles From The Border Struck For First Time By Ukrainian Drones Russian Region 700 Miles From The Border Struck For First Time By Ukrainian Drones

Posted on Aug 28, 2024

The U.S. Army has awarded a massive contract valued at close to $1 billion to AeroVironment for Switchblade-series loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones, over the next five years.

Air

Army Just Signed $1B Deal For Massive Order Of Switchblade Kamikaze Drones Army Just Signed $1B Deal For Massive Order Of Switchblade Kamikaze Drones

Posted on Aug 28, 2024

The security alert at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany last week, which you can read more about here, was due to fears of a possible Russian drone attack, according to multiple German media reports. The latest development comes amid growing fears of Russian-inspired aggression against Germany, including drones, but also various other ‘hybrid warfare’ tactics. As the main operating base for NATO’s fleet of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), the base plays a critical role for the alliance — including around Ukraine.

Air

Fears Of Russian-Inspired Drone Attack Led To German Air Base Alert: Reports Fears Of Russian-Inspired Drone Attack Led To German Air Base Alert: Reports

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

North Korea has revealed two new kamikaze drones that look to be virtual copies, at least externally, of the Israeli-made Harop and Hero-400.

Air

North Korea Unveils Clones of Israeli Kamikaze Drones North Korea Unveils Clones of Israeli Kamikaze Drones

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

Signals Intelligence Center Targeted In Drone Attack On Moscow: Ukraine’s Intel Chief Signals Intelligence Center Targeted In Drone Attack On Moscow: Ukraine’s Intel Chief

Posted on Aug 21, 2024

A drone scare around the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 in California, a major hub for advanced aerospace development work, including highly classified military programs, has led to revelations about a real wave of mysterious drone incursions in recent months.

Air

Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42 Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

A Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan converted into a cargo drone was among the participants in a recently concluded U.S. Air Force-led large force air combat exercise focused on preparing for a potential future conflict with China.

Air

Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is now the first U.S. Navy supercarrier to have a complete dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC).

Air

Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush Now Has First Of its Kind Drone Control Center Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush Now Has First Of its Kind Drone Control Center

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is moving to buy non-lethal distraction devices to mount on small hand-launched drones.

Air

FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs

Posted on Aug 15, 2024

Air National Guard F-16 Viper fighters pretending to be enemy cruise missiles together with tiny JSX-2 microjets mimicking cruise missiles and drones replicated complex threat scenarios during a recent large-scale exercise.

Air

F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

An explosion near the Savasleyka airfield in Russia after a drone strike.

Ukrainian Drone Seen Slamming Into Russian Air Base In Large-Scale Strikes On Multiple Installations Ukrainian Drone Seen Slamming Into Russian Air Base In Large-Scale Strikes On Multiple Installations

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Secretive ultra-quiet special operations drones, now designated RQ-29s, that have been operating in the Middle East for years might now be headed for the Pacific.

Air

Super Quiet Special Operations Drones May Migrate To Pacific Theater Super Quiet Special Operations Drones May Migrate To Pacific Theater

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

A new Russian design for a ‘loyal wingman’-type supersonic drone has been unveiled, marking the country’s latest foray into unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). Interestingly, the Kronshtadt company that designed the Grom (meaning Thunder) previously displayed another UCAV under the same name. The new version of the Grom is very different, however, stressing performance and simplicity over low-observable features and other advanced technologies.

Air

Russia’s Aspirational Grom Combat Drone’s Design Totally Changes, Ditches Stealth For Speed Russia’s Aspirational Grom Combat Drone’s Design Totally Changes, Ditches Stealth For Speed

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Russia has unveiled a new gunless version of its Pantsir air defense system it says is ideally suited to protecting critical infrastructure from drones using small short-range interceptors.

Land

Pantsir Packed With Drone-Intercepting Mini Missiles Unveiled By Russia Pantsir Packed With Drone-Intercepting Mini Missiles Unveiled By Russia

Posted on Aug 13, 2024

Chinese drone maker Tengden says it has conducted the first flight of a new cargo drone with a multi-metric-ton cargo capacity.

Air

Chinese Cargo Drone Capable Of Carrying Two Tons Has Flown Chinese Cargo Drone Capable Of Carrying Two Tons Has Flown

Posted on Aug 12, 2024

Model 407 optionally manned drone Northrop grumman

Air

Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover And It Has A Cockpit Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover And It Has A Cockpit

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 9, 2024

Tiny JSX-2 microjets able to act as surrogates for drones and cruise missile threats are supporting the Northern Strike 24-2 exercise.

Air

Tiny Jets Masquerading As Cruise Missiles Featured In Michigan Airpower Exercise Tiny Jets Masquerading As Cruise Missiles Featured In Michigan Airpower Exercise

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

Defense technology contractor Anduril has announced plans to build a novel “hyperscale” production facility that will be able to churn out significant numbers of different military products, including uncrewed combat aircraft and autonomous underwater vehicles. The project closely aligns with the Pentagon’s aim of securing the ability to manufacture at scale, to meet future demands, especially for uncrewed systems that would be critical in potential peer-state conflicts.

Air

“Hyperscale” Weapons Factory Vision Outlined By Anduril “Hyperscale” Weapons Factory Vision Outlined By Anduril

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

Kratos, manufacturer of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, has confirmed that a new version of the drone is in the works that will feature built-in landing gear, which points to a larger derivative possibly with greater performance.

Air

New XQ-58 Valkyrie Variant With Built-In Landing Gear To Fly Soon New XQ-58 Valkyrie Variant With Built-In Landing Gear To Fly Soon

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

Ukrainian drone operators are increasingly taking the fight to the Russian helicopters operating over and around the battlefield, by launching direct attacks with first-person view (FPV) drones. While there has been one previous report of a Russian rotorcraft successfully being attacked by a drone and several videos showing near-misses, the increasing quantity of such incidents indicates that this is now becoming a more established practice.

Air

Russian Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Engaged In Mid-Air By Ukrainian Drone Russian Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Engaged In Mid-Air By Ukrainian Drone

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

A drone-hunting rifle-armed robot dog is being demonstrated at a US Army event dubbed Operation Hard Kill.

Land

Robot Dog With Gun Turret For Hunting Aerial Drones Being Tested By Army Robot Dog With Gun Turret For Hunting Aerial Drones Being Tested By Army

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

Photos have emerged showing the extent of the destruction at Morozovsk Air Base, in Russia’s Rostov region, after it was struck by Ukrainian forces at the weekend.

Air

Aftermath Of Ukrainian Attack On Russian Su-34 Fullback Base Emerges (Updated) Aftermath Of Ukrainian Attack On Russian Su-34 Fullback Base Emerges (Updated)

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

Video clips have emerged showing Chinese maritime special operations forces using multiple types of bird-like drones.

Air

Chinese Sea Dragon Commandos Show Off Drones That Look Just Like Birds Chinese Sea Dragon Commandos Show Off Drones That Look Just Like Birds

Posted on Aug 3, 2024

Air

Ukraine’s “Baba Yaga” Drones Now Appear Capable Of Launching Guided Munitions Ukraine’s “Baba Yaga” Drones Now Appear Capable Of Launching Guided Munitions

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 2, 2024

Composite image from Navy's Silent Swarm 2024 event

Sea

Silent Swarm Exercise Accelerates Navy’s Path To Distributed Electronic Warfare Future Silent Swarm Exercise Accelerates Navy’s Path To Distributed Electronic Warfare Future

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

The US Air Force's top officer in Europe has highlighted how kamikaze drones present threats, as well as opportunities, especially for smaller friendly countries that might not be able to afford higher-end capabilities.

Air

Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Offer ‘Cheap’ Strike Opportunities For U.S., Allies: USAF General Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Offer ‘Cheap’ Strike Opportunities For U.S., Allies: USAF General

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Russian Telegram channels say a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter was down by a drone, the first time that has happened.

Air

Ukraine Situation Report: Russians Say Mi-8 Hip Helicopter Was Shot Down By Drone Ukraine Situation Report: Russians Say Mi-8 Hip Helicopter Was Shot Down By Drone

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Air

New Russian Long-Range Drone Appears In Ukraine New Russian Long-Range Drone Appears In Ukraine

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

US Special Operations Command has been tasked to lead the so-called "left-of-launch" fight against drones before they can get airborne or maybe are even produced in the first place.

Air

Destroying Drones Before Launch Is Becoming A Major Mission For U.S. Special Operators Destroying Drones Before Launch Is Becoming A Major Mission For U.S. Special Operators

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

Ukraine's low-cost acoustic drone detection network is gaining increasing interest from the U.S. and allies.

Air

Ukraine’s Acoustic Drone Detection Network Eyed By U.S. As Low-Cost Air Defense Option Ukraine’s Acoustic Drone Detection Network Eyed By U.S. As Low-Cost Air Defense Option

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

General Atomics has revealed a new fifth member of its Gambit modular drone family that is carrier-capable and that could represent a step forward in a broader naval aviation vision for the United Kingdom and other countries.

Air

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

Laser dazzlers could defend tanks from one-way attack drones.

Land

Laser Dazzlers For Defending Tanks Against Marauding Drones Are An Untapped Countermeasure Laser Dazzlers For Defending Tanks Against Marauding Drones Are An Untapped Countermeasure

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

The US Marine Corps is looking at new "buckshot-like" ammunition for its rifles, advanced optics, add-on jammers, and other new counter-drone capabilities for smaller units.

Shotgun Pellet-Like Rifle Ammo, Gun-Mounted Jammers On Marine Anti-Drone Wishlist Shotgun Pellet-Like Rifle Ammo, Gun-Mounted Jammers On Marine Anti-Drone Wishlist

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

With one million FPV drones pledged to Ukraine by an international coalition, the need for pilots is only going to increase.

Ukraine’s FPV Drone Obstacle Course Teaches How To Chase Vehicles, Fly Into Windows Ukraine’s FPV Drone Obstacle Course Teaches How To Chase Vehicles, Fly Into Windows

Posted on Jul 13, 2024

Northrop Grumman has offer a new and interesting look at its secretive XRQ-73 drone.

Air

Our Best Look Yet At The XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Our Best Look Yet At The XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Greek warship knocking out a Houthi drone, in one of the latest such incidents in an ongoing campaign that has been waged by the Iranian-backed rebel group since last November, in the wake of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In this encounter, the Greek Navy frigate apparently used its 127mm main gun, reinforcing the utility of these weapons against drones, while the drone itself was seen adjusting its flight altitude to make it harder to intercept.

Sea

Greek Warship Guns-Down Houthi Drone In New Video Greek Warship Guns-Down Houthi Drone In New Video

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

Ukraine’s unorthodox efforts to develop ways of defeating Russian drones have taken an apparent new turn, with the appearance of a light airplane carrying a sharpshooter to intercept uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). At this stage, few details about the concept are available, but it’s notable that the aircraft in question — the Ukrainian-made Aeroprakt A-22 ultralight — is a type that we have seen in the past adapted as one-way attack drone, something you can read more about here.

Air

Ultralight Drone Hunting Planes Now In Use In Ukraine Ultralight Drone Hunting Planes Now In Use In Ukraine

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

In a bizarre turn of events, Chinese-made Wing Loong drones, apparently headed to Libya, have been seized by Italian authorities off the coast of southern Italy. The disassembled drones were in crates that were marked as containing parts for wind turbines, in what seems to have been an effort to evade a United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya.

Air

Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Kratos has developed a new launch trolley that allows its XQ-58 drones to take off from traditional runways.

Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Air

New Electronic Warfare Pod Turns Marine MQ-9 Reaper Into “A Black Hole” New Electronic Warfare Pod Turns Marine MQ-9 Reaper Into “A Black Hole”

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Russia has unveiled a counter-drone interceptor, a single-use drone with an explosive warhead that’s expressly designed to bring down the kinds of Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicles that have taken a steady toll of Russian troops and equipment on the battlefield. The Vogan-9SP counter-drone interceptor was developed by Russia’s Red Line company, seemingly a new entrant in the field.

Air

Russia Jumps Into Purpose-Built Drone-Hunting Drone Weapons Space Russia Jumps Into Purpose-Built Drone-Hunting Drone Weapons Space

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.

Air

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

Air

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.

Air

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

A propeller-driven Yak-52 primary training aircraft has appeared with an impressive collection of kill marks displayed on its fuselage; seemingly confirmation of its success having been impressed into service as a drone-killer. While we reported on a series of previous videos showing the use of Soviet-era Yak-52s to attack Russian drones, the latest evidence suggests that the unorthodox solution could be becoming a more important part of Ukraine’s multilayered air defenses.

Air

Yak-52 Kill Marks Hint At Success In Ukraine’s Drone War Yak-52 Kill Marks Hint At Success In Ukraine’s Drone War

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

A secretive stealthy drone being developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft (SHEPARD) Demonstration program has now been designated the XRQ-73.

Air

Shadowy XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Emerges Shadowy XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Emerges

Posted on Jun 24, 2024

Satellite imagery has offered even clearer looks at Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray submersible drone.

Huge Manta Ray Underwater Drone Looks Like A Docked Star Wars Spaceship Huge Manta Ray Underwater Drone Looks Like A Docked Star Wars Spaceship

Posted on Jun 21, 2024

Ukraine is ramping up its attacks on Russian ISR drones to reduce their situational awareness.

Ukraine Situation Report: Drone-On-Drone Aerial Engagements Ramp-Up Ukraine Situation Report: Drone-On-Drone Aerial Engagements Ramp-Up

Posted on Jun 19, 2024

The US government has approved potential sales of Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M loitering munitions to Taiwan.

Air

Sale Of Over 1,000 Kamikaze Drones To Taiwan Points To Grand “Hellscape” Counter-China Plans Sale Of Over 1,000 Kamikaze Drones To Taiwan Points To Grand “Hellscape” Counter-China Plans

Posted on Jun 19, 2024

German defense contractor Rheinmetall is pitching a containerized launcher for use with Hero family loitering munitions.

Air

Shipping Container Launcher Packing 126 Kamikaze Drones Hits The Market Shipping Container Launcher Packing 126 Kamikaze Drones Hits The Market

Updated on Jun 17, 2024

A pair of apparent mockups of the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) have emerged at a site just over a mile from where the country is building the first of its new monster Type 076 amphibious assault ships.

Air

Mockups Of China’s Sharp Sword Stealth Drone Appear Near New Supersized Amphibious Warship Mockups Of China’s Sharp Sword Stealth Drone Appear Near New Supersized Amphibious Warship