Articles tagged with "unmanned-systems"
Saildrone completes NATO multi-domain demo in Baltic Sea - The Robot Report
Saildrone Inc., a maritime autonomy developer, successfully completed its participation in NATO Task Force X’s multi-domain demonstration in the Baltic Sea, showcasing the capabilities of its Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). Operating from June 16 to 27, four Voyagers conducted persistent 24/7 wide-area surveillance and real-time maritime domain awareness in the Gulf of Finland and western Baltic Sea, despite challenging conditions including near-gale winds and rough seas. The USVs detected and tracked hundreds of vessels daily, identified exercise “red forces,” and located real-world “dark targets” such as Russian shadow fleet and military vessels. This deployment highlighted the Voyagers’ ability to integrate long-range radar surveillance with rapid-response unmanned maritime assets. The demonstration was part of NATO’s Dynamic Messenger innovation pathway, aiming to enhance NATO’s rapid integration of commercial off-the-shelf autonomous systems while preserving crewed assets for critical missions. Saildrone operates on a contractor-owned and operated model,
robotautonomous-surface-vehiclesmaritime-roboticsAI-sensorsunmanned-systemsNATOmaritime-surveillanceAirbus equips A400M for drones, fire missions, and warzone jamming
Airbus is significantly upgrading its A400M tactical airlifter to enhance its versatility for modern military and crisis missions. The aircraft is being equipped with advanced broadband satellite communication systems to serve as a flying battlefield data hub, enabling large data transfers and real-time video feeds to mission commanders. This upgrade supports integration with the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), allowing the A400M to act as a node in a shared Combat Cloud network. Additionally, the A400M is being tested as a drone mothership capable of carrying and deploying up to 50 small or 12 large drones, facilitating coordinated manned-unmanned operations well ahead of FCAS’s 2040 launch. Beyond communication and drone command roles, Airbus is enhancing the A400M’s electronic warfare capabilities. Twenty-three German A400Ms will receive Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) to defend against infrared-guided missiles, and the aircraft is being explored as a stand-off jammer platform, leveraging its size
robotdrone-technologyelectronic-warfareIoTmilitary-communicationaerospace-technologyunmanned-systemsUS taps ‘struggling’ Boeing to turn dead F-16s into supersonic drones
Boeing has been awarded a $10.2 million contract modification, part of a $318.7 million effort, by the US Air Force to convert retired F-16 fighter jets into QF-16 full-scale aerial target drones. These supersonic drones will replace the aging QF-4 Phantoms, enhancing the realism of missile testing against modern fourth-generation aircraft. The work, conducted primarily at Boeing’s St. Louis avionics factory, involves installing telemetry, scoring systems, flight-termination safety gear, and uncrewed avionics. The Air Force plans to operate up to 210 QF-16s from Jacksonville, Florida, integrating them into the fleet by December 2026. This program continues a longstanding practice of converting manned fighters into uncrewed targets for live-fire exercises dating back to the 1960s. This contract win comes amid significant challenges for Boeing, which is facing scrutiny over recent safety incidents, including a fatal 2025 crash of
robotdronesaerospaceavionicsunmanned-systemsmilitary-technologyBoeingUS firms to develop high-tech tiny engines for next-gen combat drones
robotdronesunmanned-systemspropulsion-technologydefense-technologycombat-aircraftaerospaceRussia to train school kids with world’s first drone ops textbook
robotdroneeducationunmanned-systemstechnologyroboticsUAVUK firm debuts world’s longest-range drone ship with 8,500-mile reach
robotIoTenergyautonomous-vesselshybrid-propulsionmaritime-technologyunmanned-systems