Drones

Palladyne AI has been awarded two U.S. Army contracts to develop and validate its SwarmOS autonomy and Gremlin-X mini-bomber UAV. The contracts will focus on researching and operationally validating the technologies with warfighters.

Ukrainian drone strikes damaged key units and fuel tanks at Moscow's Kapotnya oil refinery, forcing it to halt crude oil processing. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the strikes. This incident highlights the use of drones in military operations.

Thales and Renault Group have agreed to a partnership to develop and produce the TOUTATIS loitering munition, aiming to build a sovereign French drone industry. The partnership will focus on large-scale production of the munition. This collaboration is expected to enhance France's defense capabilities.

Ukraine is utilizing drones to transport essential supplies such as water, ammunition, and medicine to the front lines due to the increasing danger in the area. The drones were initially built for surveillance and attack purposes. This shift in usage highlights the adaptability of unmanned systems in conflict zones.

Ukraine has conducted drone strikes on oil facilities and radar sites in Crimea, causing shortages and damage. The strikes have resulted in casualties and halted fuel sales in the region. Ukrainian leaders have stated that the strikes are a demonstration of strength against Russian occupation.

Russia's Navy has installed a thin green mesh net on a warship to counter Ukraine's drone threat. The mesh, typically used in gardens, is intended to stop drones from targeting the ship. This unusual solution is being used on a 40-year-old landing ship.

Reporters investigated a US drone strike in Somalia that killed a large number of children, highlighting the challenges of reporting on covert military conflicts. The incident occurred last year and was likely underreported due to various factors. The investigation aimed to piece together what happened during the strike.

Ukraine's drone interceptor crews are having difficulty keeping up with Russia's new jet-powered attack drones due to their aircraft's limited speed. The Ukrainian air defense commander, known as 'Ramzes', revealed this challenge in an interview, highlighting the limitations of their current equipment. This struggle underscores the technological gap in drone technology between Ukraine and Russia.

The US Marines launched a surveillance drone from a warship in the South China Sea, demonstrating a new capability that doesn't require a runway or dedicated launch infrastructure. This technology has the potential to keep Chinese military planners concerned. The launch was conducted on June 17, 2026, and involved the Department of the Navy and Marines.

Terra Drone Corporation has established a new base in Estonia for its European defense unmanned aircraft business. The new entity, Terra Defense Europe, will serve as a hub for the company's defense operations in the region.

The 75th USARIC Technology Assessment Teams conducted live technical evaluations of advanced Counter-small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems and counter-drone weapon platforms. The evaluations took place at Operation Sentinel Justice 26, held from June 7-20, 2026, at Camp Shelby, Miss. The event involved Army Reserve Soldiers specializing in emerging technologies.

Ukrainian drones have attacked an oil refinery in Russia's Tyumen region, over 2,000km away from Ukraine. The drones were developed by Ukrainian company Fire Point and have a range of over 3,000km. This attack marks a significant escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

The Air Force is relocating a recon drone squadron to Japan, with three RQ-4 Global Hawk drones to be permanently stationed at Yokota Air Base. This move is part of the Air Force's efforts to enhance its presence in the region. The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a large unmanned aerial vehicle used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

A robotic combat vehicle with an autonomous laser weapon system designed to shoot down drones was displayed at a Detroit defense show. The system is being developed by Aurelius Systems, a defense technology company. This technology aims to counter drone threats using directed energy.

China is redefining amphibious armor survivability, highlighting the impact of drone-driven warfare on maneuver. The contemporary discourse suggests that drones are changing the nature of warfare, with a focus on survivability. This shift has significant implications for military strategy and technology.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter have unveiled a new main battle tank with an unmanned turret and integrated drone systems. The tank is a result of Franco-German collaboration in defense technology. This new tank represents a significant advancement in armored vehicle design and capability.

Chinese defense supplier Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics Technology has debuted a man-portable laser weapon capable of zapping drones. The device is compact enough to fit in a backpack, making it a potentially game-changing tool for anti-drone operations. This technology could enhance China's capabilities in countering unmanned aerial vehicles

Russia has modified its Mi-28NM attack helicopter with new electronic warfare equipment to counter drone threats. The upgrades are visible in recently released Russian military footage and are likely a response to the drone threat in Ukraine. The changes suggest the Mi-28NM is being adapted for electronic warfare capabilities.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has purchased the Aero Sentinel G3 surveillance drone system after a competitive evaluation process. The G3 drone is designed for tactical surveillance and meets demanding operational requirements. The contract was awarded to Aero Sentinel, an Israeli unmanned systems manufacturer.

Safran Electronics & Defense has introduced the Land OmniGuard, a system designed to counter drone threats using passive surveillance, AI, and resilient navigation. This integrated solution is intended for operational environments. The system combines multiple technologies to provide effective countermeasures against drones.

The RC-135 Rivet Joint could potentially control drones to expand its collection capabilities, offering new operational possibilities. Other developments are also on the horizon for the platform.

The US Army's 7th Infantry Division Multi-Domain Command – Pacific aims to combine drone warfare with Stryker brigade maneuver capabilities. This new unit will focus on the Pacific region, leveraging drones to overwhelm adversaries. The unit's strategy highlights the growing importance of drone technology in modern warfare.

Thales is developing an armed and autonomous version of the Schiebel Camcopter S-301 rotary-wing uncrewed air vehicle, targeting multiple nations with the capability. The company sees a significant global sales opportunity for the platform, which can be used for multiple naval or land missions.

BAE Systems is testing an update to enable the Eurofighter Typhoon to deploy 14 counter-drone weapons, specifically the APKWS guided rocket. The UK Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoons will be able to operate with two seven-round launchers for the rocket. Other Eurofighter operators are also considering integrating the APKWS rocket into their fleets.

Daher Aircraft has released details on the performance of a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone it could develop for the French armed forces. The drone's specifications include a boosted wingspan, payload, and endurance. The development program's progression depends on Paris's decision to proceed.

Ukraine's small drone teams have been successfully beating NATO units in exercises, leveraging their extensive battlefield drone experience. Ukraine is eager to share its expertise with NATO allies. This experience is a result of Ukraine's ongoing conflicts, giving them an edge in drone operations.

A Ukrainian military video shows the aftermath of a Russian drone strike on a US-supplied M-ATV armored vehicle. The vehicle's armored crew compartment protected the soldiers inside, who survived the impact. The vehicle itself suffered serious damage.

Ukraine conducted a drone attack on Moscow, intensifying hopes of bringing the war to Russia. The attack sent plumes of smoke rising over Moscow.

The Spanish Navy conducted a test launch of the Hornet Block 1 interceptor from the F-81 Santa María frigate as part of a joint demonstration with Destinus. The test involved the launch of a single interceptor and evaluated containerised deployment for ship-based air defence. The Hornet Block 1 successfully destroyed its target with precision during the at-sea test.

The Ramstein-format Ukraine Defense Contact Group has announced new support for Ukraine, including air defence, artillery, and drones. This contribution aims to aid the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The total value of the support is $4 billion.

Callen-Lenz, a BAE Systems subsidiary, has unveiled its Nyan one-way effector strike drone, which is already operational in Ukraine. The British Army recently conducted trial activity with the drone. Thousands of units have been delivered, with footage showing an unarmed example striking a ground target.

EuroTrophy presented a new configuration of the Trophy active protection system with drone defense features on the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 main battle tank at Eurosatory 2026. The system is designed to provide hard-kill protection against anti-tank missiles and other threats. This configuration demonstrates the system's adaptability to emerging threats such as drones.

A US aerospace and defense company has introduced a new deep-reach drone for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The drone can conduct surveillance beyond the tactical frontline, enhancing ISR capabilities. This technology can provide valuable insights and support military operations.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and SpearUAV have jointly announced the development of Iron, a tube-launched interceptor drone designed to provide aerial protection for ground platforms. This innovative system offers a new layer of defense against airborne threats. The drone's capabilities and features are expected to enhance the security of ground forces.

The UK is providing Ukraine with 150,000 drones, 350 air defence missiles, and radars as part of a £752 million package to aid in their defense against Russia. This package is intended to support Ukraine's sovereignty and freedom. The funding will help Ukraine bolster its air defense capabilities.

RSI Europe, a Lithuanian defence technology company, and Ukraine's The Fourth Law plan to produce drones in Lithuania under the Build with Ukraine framework. The partnership aims to enhance defence capabilities through drone technology. This collaboration is a significant development in the defence industry, particularly in the context of Ukraine's current security situation.

The US Army has awarded Palladyne AI two contracts to test its autonomous drone-control software, enabling one soldier to control multiple drones. This technology aims to enhance the Army's drone operations and improve situational awareness. The contracts mark a significant step in the Army's efforts to integrate autonomous systems into its operations.

The US Army is using drone boats to escort logistics craft in a Philippine drill, as part of its efforts to experiment with new technology and tactics in the Western Pacific. The drone boats were fielded during the Salaknib exercise, which aims to sustain forces in the first island chain. This technology could be crucial in a potential conflict with China.

The U.S. Army Drone Team attended SkillsUSA 2026 to demonstrate how unmanned aircraft systems are transforming military and civilian industries. They connected with students, educators, and industry professionals to inspire future innovators. Meanwhile, Army Recruiters also engaged with students to discuss career opportunities in the Army for technical and trade professionals.

The MQ-9 drone is being equipped with airborne early warning (AEW) radar pods, providing a persistent and flexible solution for surveillance. General Atomics and Saab have completed initial flights of the MQ-9 with AEW radar pods. Japan is also considering the use of AEW radar pods for its MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.