Tag: UAS

U.S. Army Looks to Depots to Accelerate Drone Production

Aviation Week reports that the U.S. Army is opening its depots to drone-part production as the Pentagon looks for ways to rapidly expand manufacturing capacity, driven in part by lessons from Ukraine’s war. The outlet notes that “the number of drones Ukraine is projected to produce this year rises by a few million,” with the country expected to manufacture as many as 9 million to 10 million drones in 2026 after producing about 4 million small uncrewed aircraft last year. The dramatic increase highlights the scale of production the U.S. military is seeking to approach as it works to meet growing demand for inexpensive, rapidly produced uncrewed systems.
Full Story (Aviation Week)

Anduril Debuts Thunder Autonomous VTOL at Farnborough

Aviation Week reports, “Anduril unveiled the hybrid-electric, vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) Thunder uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) on the opening day of the Farnborough Airshow on July 20, revealing a concept that proposes to revive the armed scout mission with autonomous flying robots.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

Video

Anduril unveils its Thunder tiltrotor CCA at Farnborough Airshow 2026.
Royal Aeronautical Society; YouTube

GA-ASI and Saab Complete First Flight of MQ-9B With Early Warning Radar

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has conducted the first validation flight of its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft using Airborne Early Warning radar pods. The AEW capability is being provided through a partnership with Saab. Once the AEW sensor, named LoyalEye, is made available to MQ-9B operators and new customers, it will deliver persistent and cost-effective air surveillance capabilities in regions where it is currently unavailable.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)

DoD Seeks Expanded Investment in Counter-UAS Capabilities

Defense Daily reports, “The Defense Department’s office focused on speeding the development and delivery of systems and technologies to counter threats from small drones is requesting more than $580 million in research, development, test and evaluation funds in fiscal year 2027 and an unknown amount of procurement funding, according to Pentagon budget documents.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)

Call for Technical Experts for Standards

FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA is now the Committee Manager and US TAG for ISO TC20/SC 16 Uncrewed Aircraft System which leads international standardization in the field of advanced air mobility and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The committee is looking for technical experts to support its work in developing International Standards to provide a framework and guidance for government, public and private stakeholders involved in the safe and effective design, procurement, deployment and operation of Counter UAS equipment intended to be deployed in all fixed, mobile and transportable civilian environments. Experts in the field of cybersecurity aspects specific to UAS are also encouraged to particiate.

Marine Corps Unveils First NDAA-Approved 3D-Printed UAS

Defense News reports, “The U.S. Marine Corps has pioneered a 3D-printed first-person view drone that is easy to assemble, ready for field use and conforms to national security standards. Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive technician with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, used his interest in engineering and robotics to help develop HANX, the Marine Corps’ first unmanned aircraft system built from 3D-printed parts to be approved by the National Defense Authorization Act, service officials announced last month.”
Full Story (Defense News)

Mississippi State University Testing Aurora’s Tactical eVTOL Drone to Aid First Responders

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Researchers at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory are flying Aurora Flight Sciences drone, SKIRON-X, as part of a project designed to assist first responders. The Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is leading a groundbreaking initiative to advance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for emergency response operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, provided its Group 2 UAS, SKIRON-X, as the project’s test platform.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)

Belgian Air Force’s First MQ-9B Performs Debut Flight

Defense Daily reports, “The first of four General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones ordered by the Belgian Air Force arrived at Florennes Air Base last month and had its debut flight on Tuesday, according to General Atomics. Linden Blue, the CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. said that the initial flight ‘ushers in a new era of information dominance for Belgium.’ The MQ-9B is a successor to the U.S. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)