AUKUS army chiefs’ lessons from Ukraine: ‘Explosion’ in autonomy, value of long-range fires

AUKUS army chiefs’ lessons from Ukraine: ‘Explosion’ in autonomy, value of long-range fires
AUKUS army chiefs’ lessons from Ukraine: ‘Explosion’ in autonomy, value of long-range fires

The US Army chief, Gen. Randy George, offered an intriguing possible win for AUKUS Pillar 2: “a common controller” for unmanned systems, allowing the three allies to exchange systems.

Pentagon eyes $1 billion over 2 years for Replicator mass drone fleet concept

Pentagon eyes $1 billion over 2 years for Replicator mass drone fleet concept
Pentagon eyes $1 billion over 2 years for Replicator mass drone fleet concept

“There was a debate which … about so-called ‘reveal, conceal’ [and] how much detail we want to put out,” said Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Mike McCord. “We’re sort of leaning on the side of not disclosing the details…”

Shyu: Budget gridlock hamstrings Pentagon’s tech fast-track programs like RDER, APFIT

Shyu: Budget gridlock hamstrings Pentagon’s tech fast-track programs like RDER, APFIT
Shyu: Budget gridlock hamstrings Pentagon’s tech fast-track programs like RDER, APFIT

“On an annual basis, we have a CR, half the year’s gone,” the undersecretary for Research & Engineering said. “Our adversary doesn’t have the same constraints.”

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine
UK pledges additional 10,000 FPV and one way attack drones for Ukraine

A total of $128 million from the latest drone package will be spent on maritime capabilities so Ukraine can “turn the tide” against Russia in the Black Sea, said the UK Ministry of Defence.

UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis

UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis
UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis

“We have learnt, and will continue to learn, important lessons relating to uncrewed technology from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, including developing and delivering long range air and maritime strike uncrewed systems,” notes the new 11 page UK military drone strategy.

Why the Army needs a drone branch: Embracing lessons from Ukraine

Why the Army needs a drone branch: Embracing lessons from Ukraine
Why the Army needs a drone branch: Embracing lessons from Ukraine

In this op-ed, Army Lt. Col. Robert Solano argues the need for the US military to boldly embrace how it approaches uncrewed systems.

Elbit unveils new Hermes 650 Spark, claiming 24-hour plus endurance

Elbit unveils new Hermes 650 Spark, claiming 24-hour plus endurance
Elbit unveils new Hermes 650 Spark, claiming 24-hour plus endurance

The aircraft has six hard points, two bays for sensors and a total carrying load, including fuel, of 260kg.

The revolution that wasn’t: How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)

The revolution that wasn’t: How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)
The revolution that wasn’t: How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)

Last fall, both Russia and Ukraine boasted of fielding drones that tracked targets using AI algorithms. Now new expert analysis suggests that neither side got it to work well enough for war — but the US and China might.

European coalition bids to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine

European coalition bids to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine
European coalition bids to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine

The pledge comes as a top Ukrainian military official described the criticality of drones in combat, along with other high-tech advances like software known as “Neon.”

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall
Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

International partners could join in on drone development for a next round of CCA work planned for the FY25 budget, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Aussies add $400M AUD for Boeing’s Ghost Bat loyal wingman, to unveil an armed UAV this year

Aussies add $400M AUD for Boeing’s Ghost Bat loyal wingman, to unveil an armed UAV this year
Aussies add $400M AUD for Boeing’s Ghost Bat loyal wingman, to unveil an armed UAV this year

“I won’t go into details of the nature of that drone for security reasons,” Pat Conroy told reporters in Canberra. “But I want to assure everyone in this country that we are spending lots of time working on drones.” 

Drones for maintenance: After autonomous C-5 scan, Boeing looks to ‘weatherizing’ UAVs to go outside

Drones for maintenance: After autonomous C-5 scan, Boeing looks to ‘weatherizing’ UAVs to go outside
Drones for maintenance: After autonomous C-5 scan, Boeing looks to ‘weatherizing’ UAVs to go outside

“We’ve proven this works, we’ve proven the goodness,” Scott Belanger, capabilities integration team lead for Boeing Global Services, told reporters. “Now, where do we take it? How do we really scale it?”

Getting ahead: Ukraine Defense Contact Group forms 2 coalitions

Getting ahead: Ukraine Defense Contact Group forms 2 coalitions
Getting ahead: Ukraine Defense Contact Group forms 2 coalitions

Latvia is heading up a new drone coalition while Poland will helm another focusing on armor, according to US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander.

No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’

No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’
No contracts yet: UK’s plan for thousands of drones for Ukraine in ‘very early stages’

Despite the UK MoD not signing off on any orders for the latest drone package, aircraft likely to be under consideration are smaller size systems, particularly soldier portable or “over the hill” drones similar to Teledyne FLIR Black Hornets, one analyst said.