sUAS News
Podcast highlighting unmanned aviation platforms, subsystems, and applications across the drone and robotics ecosystem.
Advancing Uncrewed Aviation: Oregon’s Response to the FCC Public Notice
On April 15, 2026 the Oregon Department of Aviation filed comments with the FCC on its “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” notice. The agency calls for a UAS‑specific experimental licensing pathway that offers broader geographic authority, longer terms and multi‑band testing. It also proposes three rural innovation zones—near Oakridge in the Cascades, the Columbia River Gorge, and southeast Oregon—to test drones in mountainous, fire‑prone terrain. Finally, Oregon urges accelerated access to the 5030‑5091 MHz band and a streamlined coordination process to support safety‑critical operations.
Department of War Launches Phase Two of $1.1bn Drone Dominance Programme
The U.S. Department of War has opened Phase II of its $1.1 billion Drone Dominance Program, targeting the rapid fielding of low‑cost, one‑way attack sUAS. The solicitation promises at least $300 million in prototype delivery orders for 30,000 drones, priced at $4,500 for...
Up to £2 Million Available for Riverine Relief
The UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), together with the British Army, has launched the third phase of its "Map the Gap" competition, offering up to £2 million (≈ $2.54 million) in funding. The challenge seeks autonomous solutions that can measure ground...
The Ukrainian Classroom: What NATO Must Learn Before It’s Too Late
Three years into the war, Ukraine’s forces have become the most battle‑hardened in the West, generating a wealth of peer‑warfare knowledge. Their rapid development of FPV drone tactics, decentralized command, and integration of civilian technology outpaces NATO’s traditional acquisition cycles....
K1000ULE UAS Maintains Continuous ISR Coverage Using Ground-to-Air Laser Power Link
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace and PowerLight Technologies successfully demonstrated a ground‑to‑air laser power‑beaming system that supplied nearly one kilowatt to the K1000ULE UAS at altitudes up to 5,000 feet during a flight at Shaw Air Force Base. The test, hosted by the...
The Future of Aerial Mapping: Why a Drone Pilot Is Suing for His First Amendment Rights
Michael Jones, owner of 360 Virtual Drone Services, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether North Carolina's land‑surveying licensing law unlawfully restricts his drone‑based aerial mapping. The state board claims his orthomosaic maps and 3‑D models constitute unlicensed...
Thales, Viasat and Partners Complete Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Connectivity Demo
Viasat, Thales, Dimetor, TTP plc and the European Space Agency completed successful Beyond‑Visual‑Line‑of‑Sight (BVLOS) flight trials at Cranfield University using a Bulldog light aircraft. The tests, part of ESA’s Iris RPAS airspace‑modernisation programme, demonstrated a trusted multi‑link architecture that blends...
SiFly – Senior Flight Controller SW Engineer
SiFly announced a senior Flight Controller Software Engineer opening to advance its long‑endurance UAV platform. The role centers on hands‑on development within the open‑source PX4 stack, MAVLink integration, and full‑cycle validation from simulation to live flight. Candidates must bring at...
Mayman Aerospace RAZOR™ VTOL Achieves Historic Milestone with Fully Autonomous Inaugural Flight
Mayman Aerospace announced that its RAZOR P100 VTOL drone completed the first fully autonomous, untethered flight, confirming 18 months of engineering work. The test, held at the US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, showcased the AI‑driven SKYFIELD flight control system...
Shield in the Sky Transforming Defense with AiON
Northrop Grumman accelerated its AiON counter‑UAS platform from concept to live‑fire testing in just four months, showcasing flawless drone interception at Yuma Proving Ground. The system links over 40 sensors and 45 effectors, allowing a single operator to manage multiple...
Comment by the Embassy of Russia in Belgium to RIA Novosti Agency Regarding the Latest Statements by Frederik Vansina, Head...
The Russian Embassy in Belgium publicly refuted statements made by Belgian Defence chief Frederik Vansina, who claimed Russia recognized a "Narva People’s Republic" in Estonia and that President Vladimir Putin plans to expand the army to 1.5 million troops. The embassy...
Two Weeks to Two Days: Surveying 3,800 Hectares of Queensland Sugarcane with the DJI Matrice 400
A Queensland sugarcane estate adopted a LiDAR workflow using DJI’s Matrice 400 drone equipped with a Zenmuse L3 sensor. The system captured sub‑canopy terrain data across 3,800 ha in two 40‑minute flight sessions, slashing full‑property survey time from roughly two weeks to two...
Secures FCC Conditional Approval to Deploy Autonomous Drones for U.S. Electricity Grids
sees.ai has secured conditional approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to operate its centrally controlled autonomous drones for close‑quarter inspection of high‑voltage electricity infrastructure. The approval, granted under the FCC’s new Conditional Approval pathway, validates the company’s security and...
Dronamics Enters Japan and Welcomes Asia Air Survey as Strategic Investor
Dronamics announced a strategic partnership with Japan’s Asia Air Survey, which is investing through its corporate venture arm and becoming the first Japanese shareholder. The deal includes the creation of Dronamics Japan Holdings to commercialize the Black Swan drone in Japan and...
GA-ASI Completes MQ-9B ‘Flight Into Known Icing’ Flight Tests
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA‑ASI) finished a series of flight tests in early April to certify its MQ‑9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI). The tests, conducted at the company’s Flight Test & Training Center in North...
No 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing
The RAF Regiment’s 34 Squadron transitioned in summer 2022 into a dedicated counter‑uncrewed aerial systems unit, forming the core of the No 2 Counter‑Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing at RAF Leeming. The wing, alongside 63 Squadron and the 609 Royal Auxiliary Air...
New FAA DETER Program Offers Fast-Track Penalties for First-Time Drone Offenders
The FAA unveiled the Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response (DETER) program to accelerate civil penalties for first‑time small‑UAS violators. Under DETER, operators receive a detailed notice and have ten days to pay a reduced fine, complete corrective actions, or...
Terra Drone Begins Operational Deployment of the “Terra A1” Interceptor Drone in Ukraine
Japanese drone maker Terra Drone has begun operational deployment of its Terra A1 interceptor drone with a Ukrainian military unit, marking the first combat‑proven field test of the system. The low‑cost platform, priced around $2,000‑$7,000 per unit, aims to counter...
Kraus Hamdani K1000ULE Recharges without Landing
Kraus Hamdani’s K1000ULE has become the first aircraft to receive laser‑generated power in flight, recharging its batteries without touching down. The system uses a ground‑based laser to beam energy through free space, which the aircraft converts into usable electricity. This...
Picogrid Awarded Contract to Streamline XVIII Airborne Corps Battlefield Integration
Picogrid secured a contract to help the XVIII Airborne Corps integrate emerging battlefield systems, with a focus on counter‑unmanned aerial threats. The firm will field its Legion and Expeditionary Command‑and‑Control Nodes to fuse sensors, response tools, and mission software even...
Duncan-Parnell Joins GeoCue Global Distribution Network to Expand Access to TrueView LiDAR and LP360 Software Across the Southeast
GeoCue has added Duncan‑Parnell to its global distribution network, giving Southeast U.S. geospatial professionals access to TrueView LiDAR sensors and LP360 processing software. Duncan‑Parnell, a long‑standing Trimble distributor with 23 offices and a 15‑person UAS team, recently acquired former Navigation...
Pano Investigation: No Evidence of Russian Drones in Belgium Despite €50m Emergency Spend
The Belgian TV program Pano found no verifiable evidence of Russian drones over Belgium, contradicting Defence Minister Theo Francken’s public warnings. An emergency procurement of counter‑drone systems cost about €50 million ($55 m) and was executed without a standard tender, leading to...
Fueling Innovation: Tanglewood Group Sponsors RAF Drone Racing
Tanglewood Group Ltd. announced a sponsorship of RAF Drone Racing, aligning its innovation agenda with the Royal Air Force’s fast‑growing FPV sport. The RAF team competed at the Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT 26) in Sydney, where more than 76...
US Air Force Launches Market Research for New Low-Cost Surveillance Drones
The U.S. Air Force has issued a request for information (RFI) to explore low‑cost, attritable unmanned aerial vehicles that can quickly augment its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet. The RFI outlines minimum performance thresholds—200 km range and 4‑hour loiter—while targeting...
Windracers Selected as Key Supplier in UK Government’s Biggest Ever Drone Package for Ukraine
Windracers has been named one of three primary suppliers in the UK Government’s £752 million (≈$956 million) drone support package for Ukraine, the largest such aid ever announced. The programme will deliver 120,000 drones, bolstering Ukraine’s long‑range operational capability. Windracers’ ULTRA platform,...
Aerodyca – Chimango 650 UAV
Aerodyca unveiled the Chimango 650, a Class I UAV built to NATO STANAG 4703 specifications for reconnaissance, surveillance and tactical support. Its large‑span aerodynamic design and efficient propulsion deliver long endurance and wide‑area coverage in demanding environments. The platform incorporates a robust fuselage,...
The Drone Workflow That Scales: Turning Flight Data Into Better Products
The drone sector is racing toward faster product cycles, and the decisive factor is how quickly companies can turn raw flight data into actionable insight. Foxglove offers a unified workflow—record, ingest, process, visualize, collaborate, repeat—that stitches together video, sensor streams,...
Japanese Startup Develops Shiraha Drone for Under £350
Tokyo‑based startup Aerodyne unveiled the Shiraha, a foldable UAV priced under $450 per unit, aimed at reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The drone carries a high‑definition camera, offers roughly 30 minutes of flight time and a 5 km operational radius. Designed as...
120,000 Drones: The UK’s Biggest Ever Support Package for Ukraine to Push Back Putin
The United Kingdom announced its biggest ever drone support package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 units this year. The mix includes long‑range strike, intelligence, logistics and maritime drones, with deliveries already underway. The programme is funded largely from the...
US ‘Drone Dominance’: How XDOWN’s STUD Interceptor Fits the $1.1B Strategy
California startup XDOWN unveiled the Small Tactical Unmanned Drone (STUD), a backpack‑portable system that launches in two seconds, flies up to 165 knots, and carries a 0.77 kg payload for up to 17 minutes. Production will be handled by Romanian deep‑tech firm...
S-Ventures Plc Raises £300,000 to Invest in Defence Drone Technology
S‑Ventures plc announced a £300,000 (≈$380,000) capital raise by issuing 8,571,428 new ordinary shares at 3.5 p each, with a warrant for each share exercisable at 5 p for two years. The proceeds will mainly fund Hybrid Drones Ltd. (trading as Hydra...
WISPR Systems’ SkyScout 2+ Earns Blue UAS ApprovalValidates Platform for Federal and Public Safety Deployment
WISPR Systems announced that its SkyScout 2+ unmanned aircraft system has been placed on the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Blue UAS Cleared List. The approval confirms the platform’s compliance with stringent cybersecurity, supply‑chain, and operational integrity standards required for federal and...
Redwire – UAS Operator/Instructor II
Redwire Defense Tech in Huntsville, Alabama is hiring a UAS Operator/Instructor II with an anticipated salary of $80,000 to $96,000. The role blends advanced uncrewed aircraft system operations, technical troubleshooting, and instructor‑led training for internal staff and external clients. Candidates...
Germany to Manufacture Ukrainian Reconnaissance Drones in Major Defence Collaboration
Germany announced a joint venture with Ukrainian UAV maker TAF Industries to manufacture reconnaissance drones at German facilities. The partnership, between German aviation firm Wingcopter and TAF, stems from a February memorandum under the “Build with Ukraine” framework. The initiative...
MagniX Launches New Electric Engine for the General Aviation Market
magniX unveiled the magniAIR air‑cooled electric engine, delivering 175 kW at only 55 kg, aimed at general aviation’s recreational and training segments. The motor will be integrated into a Van’s Aircraft RV‑10 kit plane with a first flight slated for later this...
London Borough of Harrow Cuts Maintenance Costs with Digital Twin
The London Borough of Harrow has deployed Esri UK’s Site Scan drone platform to enrich its digital twin with high‑resolution 3D models of parks, council buildings and heritage sites. The hybrid approach combines low‑resolution citywide data with targeted drone captures,...
Quantum WIY Industries and Quantum Tencore Industries to Strengthen Air Defence and Ground Systems
Quantum Systems announced two new joint ventures under its “Build with Ukraine” programme: Quantum WIY Industries (QWI) to boost Ukrainian air‑defence with interceptor drones, and Quantum Tencore Industries (QTI) to scale unmanned ground‑system production. Both ventures partner with Ukrainian firms...
Aether Aerospace – Software Engineer
Aether Aerospace, a South Wales‑based developer of defence‑focused drones, is recruiting software engineers. The roles offer £30,000‑£50,000 (≈ $38,000‑$64,000) annually, a profit‑share incentive and flexible remote work with occasional field travel. Engineers will tackle the full technology stack—from user‑facing applications to...
SORA Is Choking the Drone Industry…And We Need to Say It Out Loud
The EU's Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) was designed to enable complex drone missions, but in practice approval times now stretch from three to twelve months. The lengthy, inconsistent process stems from a resource‑heavy framework that few fully understand, creating...
UK Considers Ban on Owning Signal Jamming Devices Used by Car Thieves and Shoplifters
The UK government has launched a call for evidence on banning the possession of radio‑frequency jammers, which criminals use to disrupt security systems, GPS tracking, and emergency communications. Misuse ranges from disguising jammers as watches to block video doorbells, to...
Bureaucracy and Phantom Sightings: The Truth Behind the Dutch Drone Panic
In late 2025 the Netherlands experienced a wave of anxiety over alleged drones hovering over military bases, airports and other critical sites. Freedom‑of‑information documents released by AD show that despite hundreds of public reports, authorities never located a single confirmed...
Coptrz Named Exclusive UK Partner for Avy
Coptrz has secured an exclusive partnership with Amsterdam‑based Avy, becoming the sole UK distributor of Avy’s long‑endurance BVLOS drone network for emergency services and defence. The agreement adds Avy’s fixed‑wing Aera aircraft and Dock "drone‑in‑a‑box" system to Coptrz’s portfolio, delivering...
Primoco UAV Obtains Final Building Permit for New Manufacturing Facility in Písek
Primoco UAV SE secured the final building permit for a new $34 million manufacturing complex in Písek, Czech Republic. The plant, slated to begin production in 2028, will raise annual UAV output to up to 300 units and house headquarters, a...
U.S. Air Forces Central Selects Skydio Dock to Secure U.S. Airbases in the Middle East
Skydio secured a contract worth more than $9 million from U.S. Air Forces Central to deploy its Dock autonomous‑security system and X10 drones across Middle‑East airbases. The Dock can launch an X10 drone in under 20 seconds, delivering live HD and...
UAVOS Introduces Advanced Composite Rotor Blades Manufactured withCore Sintering Technology
UAVOS announced the launch of composite rotor blades built with a core‑sintering process that shapes the internal lattice without any post‑machining. The technique delivers higher geometric stability, stronger structural reliability and lower manufacturing costs. The blades, featuring carbon multi‑cross‑layer construction,...
Redwire Expands European Footprint, Opens UK Office to Support Ministry of Defence Programs
Redwire Corporation announced the opening of a new office in the United Kingdom to directly support the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The UK hub will house engineering, program‑management, logistics and sustainment staff, enabling real‑time assistance for MOD initiatives such...
DroneShield Announces Leadership Transition as Angus Bean Is Appointed Chief Executive Officer
DroneShield announced that longtime engineer Angus Bean will become chief executive officer, succeeding Oleg Vornik who is stepping down after steering a period of rapid growth. At the same time, Chairman Peter James will retire, with media veteran Hamish McLennan...
Teledyne FLIR OEM Announces Upgraded Prism SKR Software, Boosting Automatic Target Recognition Capabilities for the Defense Industry
Teledyne FLIR OEM unveiled an upgraded Prism™ SKR software that evolves from a pure automatic target recognition module into a closed‑loop autonomy platform, handling the full mission lifecycle for guided weapons. The update adds 3‑D aimpoint selection, terrain‑aware navigation, and...
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace Awarded $270 Million AFCENT Contract to Accelerate Deployment of K1000ULE
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace secured a $270 million single‑source IDIQ contract from U.S. Air Forces Central to fast‑track deployment of its K1000ULE unmanned aerial system. The electric, modular UAS offers the longest endurance in its class, two‑person logistics, and secure SATCOM for...
Arastelle Joins Red Cat Futures Initiative to Expand Persistent ISR and Tactical Communications Capabilities
Red Cat Holdings announced that Arastelle Drone Solutions has joined its Futures Initiative, integrating Arastelle’s modular tethered UAS technology with Red Cat’s drone family, including the Black Widow platform. The partnership enables persistent ISR, communications relay, and extended flight times...