“I think it’s unanimous from all the soldiers involved that we got this one right,” said the Army’s project manager for the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System. Manned aircraft, FARA and FLRAA, are also moving out sharply.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Russia has big ambitions for unmanned systems, said CNA scholar Sam Bendett, but it faces the same technical hurdles as the US — and shares the same concerns about human control.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.The new owners bring venture capital and software expertise to upgrade Area-I’s ALTIUS mini-drone, already a favorite in Army experiments with ‘Air-Launched Effects.’
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.“This is a new effort, as the expanded mission now goes beyond a strict MQ-9 replacement,” an AFLCMC spokesperson said. “This endeavor serves to explore concepts that address capability gaps of legacy platforms against increasingly sophisticated threats in denied, contested, and highly contested environments.”
By Theresa HitchensUvision’s Hero line of loitering munitions – aka kamikaze drones – carry precision-guided warheads ranging from just over a pound to 17-plus lbs.
By Arie EgoziThe attacks by different types of threats was modeled on Iranian tactics. Now the US will get the same upgrades.
By Arie EgoziIn April, the Yuma, Ariz. test range will host a competition of “low collateral damage” countermeasures designed to stop mini-drones without firing a shot. But can such a restrained approach stop the drone swarms Russia and others are developing?
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Arab countries — mainly Egypt, the UAE and KSA — must join forces to standardize their defense needs as well as enhance their scientific research budget through a proper joint venture, says Mohamed Al-Kenany, military researcher and defense analyst at the Arab Forum for Policy Analysis in Cairo.
By Chyrine MezherThe best way to show US troops the power of new technology like artificial intelligence, one general said, is to let them suffer defeat at its hands — in training exercises.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.The Robotic Combat Vehicle (Light), which can shoot missiles, launch mini-drones, and spot targets for artillery, combines a Marine Corps-tested unmanned vehicle with Army weapons and autonomy software.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.New technologies and organizations will give soldiers an edge, Maj. Gen. Patrick Donahoe said, but tanks and foot troops will still face brutal close combat.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and other top Army pilots say these new technologies, tactics, & training will keep aircraft alive against high-tech foes like Russia and China.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Over the southwest desert, drones large and small are autonomously avoiding anti-aircraft threats while feeding real-time targeting data over an AI network to troops on the ground.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
Some defense experts think that low-cost, “attritable” unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) now in development can substitute for significant numbers of advanced manned military aircraft. Use these cheaper aircraft and you don’t have buy as many F-35A fighters, B-21 bombers and other stealth aircraft. Nothing is further from the truth. The Air Force needs a mix…
By Mark Gunzinger